Erika_O

Thinking about buying a small gift for a friend who loves traveling a lot. Any recommendations? Maybe something related to traveling? Thanks!

dutyfree

I love Budget Traveler magazine although it has changed through the years along with National Geographic Traveler. This is a gift that keeps on giving the entire year and is always nice to sit and read!

bamafam

My favorite small travel items:

- Flip & Tumble reusable shopping bag. It stuffs into a tiny ball and takes up almost no space. Great for outdoor markets or when you just need a spare bag on the fly

- Platypus or Vapur collapsible water bottle

- Hand cream for the plane (I like Aveda Hand Relief)

- Minimergency kit (check Sephora.com), which is unbelievably tiny yet has everything you would need in a pinch

- Grid-It organizer (great for keeping phone chargers, etc. handy)

- Portable water purifier if she travels often to areas with poor water quality

You could also put together a cute assortment of plane-friendly snacks for her. Or what about a pretty monogrammed luggage tag or passport cover?

suze

Small flashlight
Compass that clips onto your bag
Luggage tag
Clear plastic zippered 'cosmetic' cases

LSky

I love moleskin notebooks, the small ones that appx the size of a large envelope. The ones that I prefer are soft and have a nice pocket inside. She, of course, has to be old fashion and like pen and ink.

A friend gave me a starbucks card and since most airports have a starbucks it was very handy.

suze

I like the Starbucks card idea, that's my personal "go-to" place in airports.

I'm not one for gadgets when I travel, so most of these suggestions are nothing I'd use or want.

LSky

Most people have all the travel gadgets they want or need. Every airport has a Starbucks and every traveler wants a cup of joe or something every now and again, even at Starbucks. Gotta admit their coffee can really wake you up.

I have been given other travel journals but they are soooo heavy. I once gave a friend an immersion heater but I knew she needed it and she loves it still. It lives in her suitcase, as does mine.

suze

Things I've never used or traveled with: immersion heater, travel journal, shopping bags, collapsable water bottle, water purifier, passport cover or neck holder, money belt, first aid kit...

I do love Budget Travel magazine.

If you know where they are going next I think a small amount of foreign currency in a coin purse is a great gift.

bamafam

As the responses show, to each his/her own. One person's never-use is another person's can't-live-without. Why don't you see if you can find out more about your friend's preferences?