7 Perfect Christmas Gifts for the Fancy Tía Who’s Always Traveling

Welcome to the COCINA Holiday’s Gift Guides, the ultimate gift inspiration from Latinx artists, chefs, and creators. Discover their must-haves and favorite picks to make your gifting extra special!

We all know her. We all have her. She’s la fancy tía. Many of us have been aspiring to become her since we first saw Joan Collins slay in a dubbed rerun of Dynasty or witnessed Thalía’s dramatic glow-up in Marimar.

A fancy tía is cosmopolitan, globe-trotting, and effortlessly chic. She can pair a basic tee with designer pieces like it’s second nature. She gives the best gifts (it’s like she read your mind for your wishlist), stays in the loop with pop culture, yet also knows which up-and-coming artist is about to take the art world by storm. She has playlists that somehow mix Mexican indie rock, British pop, Colombian vallenatos, Música Regional, and French EDM seamlessly. And yes, she absolutely knows what "brat" means.

Finding the perfect gift for the most sophisticated person in your family can be tricky, but we’re here to help. As fellow fancy-tía apprentices, we’ve rounded up the ultimate list of gifts to make you her favorite niece or nephew (although, let’s be real—you already are, that’s why you’re doing your due diligence and researching before buying her a gift):

1. Travel beauty/wellness set 

Fancy tías do not underestimate the importance of skincare. Never. Not at home, and especially not mid-flight. The dryness that suffers the skin during flights -especially long-haul ones- even has its own name: airplane skin. According to professionals, the “humidity levels in an aircraft cabin can drop to 10-to-20 per cent in the air, which is extremely low (the skin is used to humidity levels of between 40-50 per cent).” 

Fancy tías are well-versed in it, thanks to their globetrotting adventures. But you can definitely suggest new options for their (we are pretty sure) very well-curated travel beauty set.

You can go with a bit of everything, travel size from Dermstore, choose a SPF conscious option from Geologie, surprise your K-Beauty fan tía with this Laneige set, or delight the acne-prone tía with a travel beauty set especially thought for her skin needs, by Paula’s Choice.

Whichever you pick, she’s going to love you even more. 

https://www.instagram.com/laneige_us/p/CxGQgvEOjAm/

2. A Chic Travel Bag

Can you even call someone a fancy tía if she doesn’t own a stunning travel bag? It’s practically a requirement. These stylish yet functional options will keep her jet-setting in style.

For the eco-conscious tía, the Paravel Weekender is crafted from upcycled materials and EcoCraft Canvas®, featuring a spill-proof finish and a customizable monogram option. Its sleek design and practical features, like smart straps to slip over a suitcase handle, make it both sustainable and convenient for short getaways​

The Dagne Dover Landon Neoprene Carryall is ideal for the fancy tías  who value both durability and a sleek look. It’s crafted from premium, water-resistant neoprene and includes compartments for laptops, water bottles, and even a separate shoe pouch. Plus, it’s available in various colors and sizes.

Finally, the Naghedi Geneva Weekender in mink just screams “I’m practical and uber chic.” Made with handwoven neoprene, it packs flat and expands to fit everything tía will need while travelling. The mink color adds a touch of sophistication that’s perfect for any tía.

https://www.instagram.com/dagnedover/p/Cr3ZOozub2V/

3. iPhone Photo Accessories

Let’s face it: your tía’s Instagram grid is basically a masterpiece. Help her take it to the next level with these photo-enhancing accessories:

For the “wanna make sure I have the right lens” trip photographer tía, there’s the KEYWING 3-in-1 Lens Kit. It includes a 120-degree wide-angle lens, 20x macro lens, and a fisheye lens, providing different perspectives and unique effects for everyday photos. It clips on easily without damaging your phone and works across many devices. And if your aunt is thinking about the next level of production values, the Sensyne 60” Tripod and Selfie Stick Combo is a favorite around here. It functions as both a tripod and a selfie stick, with a 360-degree rotating phone holder and a Bluetooth remote shutter. 

4. Stylish Battery Charger

A dead phone? For a fancy tía? Unacceptable. Ensure she’s always connected (and fabulous) with these fashionable chargers.

If functionality does not mean compromising on style is her rule number one, there are several options out there for her: the Courant Carry Charger is wrapped in Italian leather, has a luxe look, it’s small enough for purses and looks like a chic wallet. The Casely Power Pods are known for their playful patterns and bright colors, doubling as a fun accessory. The Moshi IonSlim is ultra-sleek and compact, with a brushed aluminum finish that combines durability with modern design.

With these options, your tía can navigate Kyoto’s backstreets or queue up her favorite Spotify playlist on a Belgian train without a worry.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCzdVIZyBPj/

5. Headphones (Plus a Bonus Subscription)

Of course la fancy tía needs the best when it comes to audio enjoyment tech. We recommend the Anker Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds. With solid noise cancellation, good sound quality, and long battery life, they're under $80!

And since on board entertainment sometimes it’s just not on par with someone as chic as a fancy tía, you can be the savior of the day and avoid her having to put up with old reruns of sitcoms she has watched a thousand times already or a B-list-starred Christmas rom-com.

Enter the subscription Christmas gift. In this case, we recommend Spotify Premium, where she can previously download her favorite songs and podcasts. 

6. A Chic Blanket & Pillow Combo

Comfort is key, but style is non-negotiable for your tía. These travel-friendly blanket and pillow combos strike the perfect balance.

For the life-through-the-pink-lens tías, this light blush Urnexttour Compact Travel Pillow & Blanket Set includes a plush blanket and supportive memory foam pillow, perfect for airplane comfort. It comes with a convenient, portable carry bag that’s compact enough to slip into your luggage.

For the super pragmatical yet stylish tías, the Urnexttour Blanket & Pillowcase Combo doubles as both a travel pillowcase and a soft, plush blanket, designed to keep you warm while adding minimal bulk to your carry-on.

Another focused-on-portability option is the Bedelite Portable Airplane Blanket and Pillow Set that includes a travel pillow and blanket that pack down small. Made from a soft, warm material, it’s great for staying cozy in chilly airplane cabins, and its attached pouch allows it to be clipped to your backpack or luggage.

Your tía will thank you as she lounges comfortably in first class—or even in coach (not that she’d ever admit it).

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2i7FUdL6v3/?img_index=1

7. Cookbooks Featuring Diverse Cuisines

For the foodie tía, there’s nothing like replicating the delicious dishes she tasted in her globetrotting adventures, and serving them at a friends get-together while saying “Oh, this? Just something I picked up while exploring a village in Costa Rica. Now I can’t live without it.”

So why not gift her with some of the best Latin cookbooks out there? Here are two of our favorites:

The Dominican Kitchen: Homestyle Recipes That Celebrate the Flavors, Traditions, and Culture of the Dominican Republic: Written by the amazing Vanessa Mota, this collection of 80 recipes brings the vibrant and diverse flavors of la comida criolla dominicana (Dominican Creole cuisine) to life, drawing from a rich tapestry of culinary influences, including Taíno, African, European, Middle Eastern, and Chinese traditions. 

Peru: The Cookbook - Gastón Acurio, one of Peru's most celebrated chefs, brings together 500 recipes in this definitive Peruvian cookbook, offering a deep dive into the vibrant and diverse flavors of this globally renowned cuisine, hailed as one of the world's most innovative culinary traditions. For food enthusiasts, this book is a gateway to recreating the magic of Peru’s culinary heritage in the comfort of their own kitchens.

Wrapping It All Up

Finding the perfect gift for your fancy tía might seem daunting, but with this guide, you’re guaranteed to impress. From skincare essentials to stylish accessories and culinary inspirations, these thoughtful gifts celebrate her love of travel, culture, and sophistication.

So, go ahead—spoil her this Christmas. After all, she deserves it. And who knows? She might even invite you on her next jet-setting adventure.

Editor’s Note: Cocina does not receive any commission or compensation from purchases made through these links. These recommendations are solely based on our genuine preferences and personal favorites.