| Last Updated: Dec 20, 2008 - 3:20:00 AM |
Still scrambling for a gift for your favorite globetrotter this holiday season? You’re in luck! I’ve got a handful of stocking stuffer ideas comprised of some of my favorite travel accessory finds from the past year. They’re all ultra-useful and wallet-friendly items that any traveler can use in 2009…and beyond!:
SECURITY-FRIENDLY TOILETRY PACK: If you know someone who passes through airport security often, their Ziploc bag probably ain’t holding up to all that rustling. Get them a more durable version with the sturdy, reusable 1-Quart Zip-Top Bag from Travelon ($6.99, with refillable toiletry bottles). Make your own security-friendly gift pack by adding in some other Travelon toiletry conveniences, like their Toiletry “Sheets”: solid, petal-sized slivers of shampoo, laundry detergent, and shaving cream; just add water to turn the petals into useable liquid. $4.99 for 50 sheets.
GREEN LAPTOP JACKET: Every laptop owner needs a great case for his computer. GreenSmart makes a variety of handsome-looking cases from 100% recycled bottles. The All Around Laptop Jacket has a carrying strap and handle, and opens and closes with your laptop, so you never need to slide your computer in and out of a bag again. $39.99
OLYMPUS STYLUS 1030SW: For an easy, compact camera that takes great pictures, and can take a beating in your backpack, the Olympus Stylus 1030SW is hard to beat! Drop it, spill on it, bury it in sand--it’ll stand up to it all, and still churn out phenomenal vacation pics. With such ultra-durability, a price tag of $279-$412 is well worth it!
NOISE CANCELING EARBUDS: Headphones that block out airplane noise are a great idea, but over-the-ear types (like Bose’s Quiet Comfort headphones) are too bulky for limited luggage space. Now, there’s an alternative: noise-canceling earbuds that fit inside the ear--they look like your iPod earbuds, but work much better. Choose from any of the following models: Audio-Technica ATH-ANC3 QuietPoint Earphones ($109.99), JVC HA-NCX77 Noise Canceling Earbuds ($29.99-79.99), and Sony MDR-NC22 Noise Canceling Earbud Headphone ($65.48-99.99).
ULTRALIGHT FLASHLIGHT: It’s a flashlight, radio, siren, weatherband, and cell phone charger all in one--and, it doesn’t require batteries! Just wind the Ultralight up for up to 20 hours of light, 5 hours of radio, or 1-2 hours of talk time. Great for camping, or just to have on hand in case of emergency! $39.95.
LUGBUDDY: This is, hands-down, my favorite new travel accessory of 2008. The LUGbuddy’s a little, handle-like device that attaches to your wheeled suitcase to allow you to clip anything else on top of the bag: a coat, purse, shopping bag, another small suitcase, etc. Sure, most wheeled bags come with their own clips to attach other bags to, but I find that doing that throws off the balance of my suitcase, making everything fall over or flop around…and their use is limited to other handled bags--no coats, boxes, etc. The LUGbuddy attaches anything, very securely: a genius little item which should become a mandatory travel accessory for all road warriors. $15.95.
About the Author:
A former Hollywood producer and now 2nd-generation travel professional, Susan Michelle travels the planet as the “face” of the fashion-forward Compass travel lifestyle brand. For more articles, tips, and hot spots from Susan, and community with fellow Cosmopolitan Travelers, visit
http://www.CompassTravel.info. Or write her directly at
Susan-Column@CompassTravel.info.
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