Cate_W

So I know it's a bit early to be getting into the holiday spirit, but here at Fodor's we're already working on our round-ups of the best gifts for travelers.

What travel gifts are you thinking about buying? Are there any special items on your wish list this year?

Thanks!

spcfa

I posted this in the Lounge on the Stocking Stuffer Ideas topic. Someone was looking for gifts under $20, preferably under $10:

for travelers of all ages

> purse-sized tape measure (6')
> Tiny nalgene containers (~$1 - REI carries a variety)
> Lightload towels (under $10 - they come in mini, hand and beach sizes)
> an old-fashioned plastic whistle (~$1 - I carry mine on a ring with my mini-maglite)
> zipper pulls (~$1 - you never have one of these when you need it)
> The Pocket Doctor:A Passport to Healthy Travel by Stephen Bezruchka ($7.50 - tiny lightweight paperback 4x6 inches)
> Moleskine journals
> 5 yd roll (very small) of clear duct tape ($2)
> zipper pull with digital clock ($5 - great for keeping a low profile - no wristwatch!)
> the Original Gorillapod ($20 - more expensive than your average stocking stuffer, but small and lightweight and still one of the best gadgets available today for travellers or shutterbugs)
> Zyliss bottle stoppers ($2 - I use these both for travel and for home)
> a Keva key chain tote ($10 - small enough to attach to a keychain, comes in shape of backpack, duffel, shopping tote, or sling - can be used as a spare bag anytime)
> disposable poncho (about $1 - I never even leave the house without one because I hate umbrellas)
> x-small Eagle Creek Pack-It sac ($7.50 - you simply can't have enough of these)

suze

Well thanks for asking! I would love a pair of those really expensive Bose sound cancelling headphones for flights.

Other than that I am just not into "travel" stuff. The things people have given me like passport holder, moneybelt, neck wallet just sit in a drawer still in their box. And honestly there is not one thing on the list above that I ever have packed or would use myself.

I do have a 'kit' of practical items that always goes with me. A zippered mesh cosmetic bag with: corkscrew, small flashlight, tiny Swiss Army knife, bandaids, neosporin packs, one set plastic silverware, like3x5" spiral notebook, retractable ballpoint pen.

ShelliDawn

<i>Well thanks for asking! I would love a pair of those really expensive Bose sound cancelling headphones for flights.</i>

I bought myself a pair a few years ago second hand on Ebay. One of the best purchases I have ever made. I don't travel well (when are they going to invent transporters like in Star Trek?). One of my big issues is low frequencies and so the headphones have brought down the recovery time I need from long haul flights (>8hrs) to a few hours from a day or two by reducing the strain from the engine noise.

This summer I busted the band that goes over your head, it just snapped in two. I was devastated because I knew they were long past warranty. However, Bose replaced them at a major discount (less than 1/2 retail cost). I was very impressed and am a happy traveller once again.

Netbooks and eReaders (e.g. Kindle) are items I would be interested in. I know the iPad has a good screen for reading, but I could buy both a netbook and a Kindle for less than an iPad. Also, I want a keyboard and USB port on my computer (you need a special camera kit to download your pictures to an iPad). However, for some the iPad may be the perfect travel gift.

thursdaysd

"However, for some the iPad may be the perfect travel gift." - wow, you give expensive gifts!

How about guide books? Travel books?

Depends on how experienced a traveler, too. I've done enough travel it would be tough to come up with anything I'd be willing to carry that I don't already have. Maybe a new bag, but you'd have to take me shopping for it.

For a less experienced traveler, things like flashlights, Eagle Creek sacs, maybe a silk sleep sack (Dreamsacks).

Iowa_Redhead

It depends on the traveler... a cruise traveler vs a carryon only for 3 weeks traveler. Also, as already mentioned it matters how experienced the traveler is. I already had about 90-95% of the things I need for an upcoming trip and need to be able to pick out my own things for the rest.

Cash or Visa gift cards are always useful. Put it in a nice card and say "buy something you need for your upcoming trip" or they can use it while on their trip.

If someone has an iPod, eReader (Sony, Kindle, Nook, etc) or iPad, gift cards for music and/or books.

A tiny (think keychain size) flashlight. Best kind for me: durable plastic and really bright.

I know that people like to surprise someone with a gift, but honestly, just ask someone for ideas of what they might need/want. It differs so much for each person and each trip.

Depending on how much you want to spend, you can offer to pay for a seat upgrade for a flight, or a hotel for a night (or longer), or a hotel room/cabin upgrade.

<<<the Original Gorillapod ($20 - more expensive than your average stocking stuffer, but small and lightweight and still one of the best gadgets available today for travellers or shutterbugs)>>>

Spcfa, I bought myself one of these a few years ago and LOVE it! It's excellent for night shots, long distance shots, or just anything where I need a bit more stabilization. It also works pretty darn well for getting pictures of myself. The little legs pull straight very quickly and it fits right into my purse/daybag with no issues.

suze

Excellent point about how experienced is the "traveler" you are buying for!

I guess for a newbie there are all kinds of things you could get them. I like to use clear plastic cosmetic cases in varying sizes for packing. Luggage tag and luggage strap are good. Pack cubes, etc. Guidebooks & maps - definitely.

But for people who already travel a lot and are experienced, we have our methods down pat, most of us already have our routine down and own what we need, or would rather purchase it ourselves (to pick out the perfect suitcase or backpack, for example).

Lynnaustin

I like those tiny plastic reading lights that clip on a book. They are very light-weight, flat, cheap and perfect for reading a map in dim light. They are also nice for use on the plane when your seat-mate is napping.
Travel size umbrella is nice but most people have that.

november_moon

The travel light is a great idea. Another idea - a large scarf made of thin material. I have one that is about 4'x2', but a very thin material so it folds up small. It is wonderful on a plane as a blanket and/or a head covering for sleeping. It is also nice as a picnic blanket, something to sit on, bundling up things to carry if you don't have a bag, etc.

tenthumbs

The Gorillapod has many uses.....I used mine last Christmas to entertain my 5 year old nephew on the trip from Cancun to Chichen Itza.

I like the bags that fold up real small. I always keep one in my camera bag. I have found them as little as $3 at Pier One Imports.

ShelliDawn

<i>- wow, you give expensive gifts!</i>

I didn't say I'd <b>give</b> someone an iPad, just that some people may like to <b>get</b> one. I wouldn't actually buy one for myself either, but if I was given one, I'd gladly accept it.

LSky

A good set of nalgene containers for a newbie traveler. There's no sense in buying travel sized items when there are so very few things that cannot be refilled.

A stash of mini zip-locks (I like 3X3) is handy. I use them to carry cough drops on the plane for myself or fellow travelers. I don't like being coughed on. Use them for spices when we're staying in apts. They generally keep me organized.
I've never used the id/passport holder that goes around my neck- can't stand those things. I use a plane purse, it's a small attractive cloth purse that dresses up my travel clothes and holds my passport and id so I don't have to drag my stuff with me or leave it in the hands of strangers when I get up.

Fold-up reading glasses (I rarely use them but when I've needed them it's a blessing.)

Earplanes and gum.

A nice pen and lightweight notebook.

This I love, it's a travel toothbrush with a tiny refillable tube of toothpaste in it. I get to use my favorite toothpaste and it's handy for an overnight flight.

A simple fold away bag for the suitcase is a good idea. It should be sturdy enough to check with laundry on the way home but small enough to fit in suitcase.

2 gb cards for cameras. After losing some travel photos in a computer crash, I hold onto my sd cards now.

If they have the right camera, Rechargeable batteries. I bought some Lenmar 2700mAh rechargeable pre-charged batteries at Fry's before our last trip. Usually, we are changing/ recharging camera batteries daily. These things lasted days. We kept bringing extra batteries with us expecting to need them and we take lots of pictures. They kept going. We also brought another set of pre-charged rechargeable but they weren't as good as the Lenmars.

I too, would love some Bose noise cancelling headphones.

For gifts, I like handy-replaceable things, that I use.

LSky

BTW, I don't work for Lenmar or sell them but they were such a good battery and some guy standing next to me at Fry's recommended them. I thought they were a bit pricey but decided to go with them.

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/sh...ck-p-1795.html

If anyone is interested. The link above is a picture of the exact battery I used. I never thought I could write so much about a AA battery.

suze

A very basic first aid kit is good. I always carry a snack sized ziplock baggie with small packets of Neosporin, bandaids, a few Immodium, a tube of Advil, tweezers, nail clippers. Could include packets of Woolite.

Iowa_Redhead

<<<2 gb cards for cameras. After losing some travel photos in a computer crash, I hold onto my sd cards now. >>>

LSky, you might want to buy an external hard drive (or ask for one for Christmas). You can get a cheap one at WalMart, Best Buy, Newegg.com, etc. I use mine to back up my photos and documents. When I return from a trip, all of my photos get dumped onto the external HD so that I have a copy on my hard drive, a copy on the external hard drive and can re-use the SD cards for the next trip. I usually also burn the files to DVD as well.

The external hard drive also goes to my parents house so that if something happens to my house, I would still have digital copies of my photos. I'm a little OCD due to my profession and also because I've killed my computer too many times to ever trust one.


tenthumbs, I LOVE those bags! I get them at Eddie Bauer when they're on sale and tend to have two or three in my car at any given time. When I travel I usually want one in my daybag.

LSky

Oh Iowa_Redhead, I did, right after I wiped my eyes and decided things may happen but I can be prepared

I had a little booklight that folded out so it could sit on a night table. It bit the dust but it was handy while it lasted. I missed it on my last trip with the dim reading lights in one place I stayed.

suze

There's still not been a gift listed above that I would want for myself (except the Bose headphones and an iPad)!!! I think experienced travelers usually have their system down pat, and they already own what they want/need to travel. All those handy doo-dads being mentioned are just extra stuff in the suitcase imho.

Now I would like some travel-related things like ongoing magazaine subscriptions for Conde Nast, Budget Travel, Travel & Leisure. I'd love a beautiful globe. Or a large framed map of the world, or some of my favorite places.

Cate_W

Wow, I'd like to be on some of your gift lists too. Keep the great ideas coming, from stocking stuffers to tablet computers!

I kinda like those big old-style travel maps that you display and use pins to show where you've been, and where your dream trips are. They're very inspiring.

spcfa

Wow - I never thought to put pins in the places I want to go, only the places I've been. But I have a bunch of different colors of map pins (with the little colored flags) - thanks for the idea!!!

Oh, map pins (pennant style) could be a great gift - they are so very hard to find.

LSky

You can find map pins here- with flags, some with feet. http://www.mapcenter.com/index.php?c=web2.54
There was a great map store here in San Diego, that guy had everything including 3D maps.