Ho, ho, ho, it’s that time of year again! The big question is always what to give friends and family. Well, if someone is an active or armchair traveler, here are a few ideas.
Packing cubes, organizers, and luggage:
I think one of the most stressful parts of planning any trip is packing. Over the years, it has helped me to use packing cubes, cosmetic organizers bags, and, of course, the right piece of luggage.
eBags and Lewis N. Clark are two retailers offering packing cubes. I can’t say enough about how much easier they make it when you pack, as well as when you are on the road.
Another organizer I found from Lewis N. Clark is a cosmetic case with plenty of space and one clear side, so you know exactly what’s inside. The two sides unzip from one another so that if you need a smaller cosmetic case, you have that too.
This year I started using an eBags EXO 2.0 Hardside 24 Spinner as my luggage of choice. There are so many features, including recessed wheels and handles, as well as a built-in, TSA-approved lock.
eBags also sells a variety of chargers including the Lifejacket Ouick Charge Battery. I use mine in airports when I can’t find an electrical outlet. Small, it is so easy to take on any trio.
Guidebooks:
Having a comprehensive reference is great while planning a trip and while on the road. National Geographic and JonGlez are two publishers offering excellent guidebooks.
RFID Security:
Always carry an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) wallet or purse to make sure thieves don’t take your credit card or passport information. Lewis N. Clark has a large selection of RFID safe gear, including a backpack/purse that I hauled all over Vietnam and Cambodia. It was roomy enough to carry everything I needed, but lightweight and, with the cross-body strap, easy to carry while on the go.
Travel Clothing:
An ongoing problem for everyone is wrinkled garments, so, working with Chico’s, I tried out a dress in their TRAVELERS collection. I couldn’t believe how great it looked after packing and hauling it halfway around the world!
Christmas Ornaments:
What would Christmas be without ornaments? My go-to, online, holiday store is Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. In addition to their huge variety of travel-related ornaments, they also feature personalized and dated ones exclusive to Bronner’s. Maybe a package with a name on it or the year would look nice on a friend’s tree.
For the ladies:
Victoria Trading Co. is a fun place to find travel gifts — from tapestry car mats to a lavender-scented sleep mask.
Stocking Stuffers:
It can be dangerous to fly long distances and not wear compression socks. I hesitated for years, thinking they only came in white. After a search online, I found several cute styles at BrightLife Go. I now wear one pair and pack a second pair for my return flight — no swelling!
A situation I often face is protecting my camera when it’s raining. Well, I discovered a camera rain sleeve featured in Outdoor Photographer magazine. The Op/Tech USA sleeve allowed me to protect my camera and be able to continue shooting. It comes in several sizes and is easy to carry in your camera bag. It worked perfectly when I was in Vietnam and Cambodia during monsoon season.
Luggage Scale:
Never travel without a luggage scale! Lewis N. Clark is one retailer offering this invaluable travel tool.
Luggage Tag:
A cute and inexpensive gift is a luggage tag. Lewis N. Clark has a great selection of fun tags.
Electrical Adapters:
Anyone planning an international trip will need an electrical adapter. Lewis N. Clark offers an all-in-one plug that includes two USB chargers which can accommodate everything from your laptop to your phone.
For the kids:
A great, educational, and fun way to teach children about the world is with Little Passports. Every month, the child gets an age-appropriate package in the mail with activities, stickers, and lots of information about a specific destination.
Another idea for children is a travel book. National Geographic has a nice selection of books to wake the wanderlust in any child.
Have fun shopping, and have a blessed Christmas and holiday season!!
