It’s that time of year again. The holidays are upon us and it’s more important than ever to use those pennies wisely when it comes to gift-giving this season. The ecomony is in the tank, ya know.
Not all of us can afford to buy our beloved traveler enthusiast that five piece Louis Vuitton luggage that they have been dreaming about all year.
No worries though. There are still plenty of travel gifts under $25 available-perfect for every traveler on your list. The fashonista, the gadget geek, the student or the seasoned traveler. Or, if you’re so inclined-you might just find yourself indulging in a guilt free gift from Santa, with your name on it!
Here are a just a few of my many favorites.
Fun and funky sleep mask
Snooze your way to blissful sleep, while showing your fellow passengers you have personality to boot. Made of silk and padded cotton, it gives beauty sleep a whole new meaning! Available from TravelingChic.com for $19.99.
iTurbo iPod Charger
A perfect gift for that music loving traveler on the go! iPods make a great distraction for folks that don’t relish the journey. But what good is a fully-loaded iPod if it runs out of juice at 30,000 feet? This little baby might just save your sanity. Available at Travelsmith.com for $25.
Handheld Electronic Sudoku
Need something for the part geek-part gamer in your life? This is the best of both worlds. Many travelers resort to crosswords, sudoku and other games during flights, train and car rides to keep their mind sharp and occupied. Electronic sudoku is earth friendly; it saves on stacks and stacks of paper puzzles. Available at Etoys.com for $14.99.
Gorillapod Flexible Tripod
Every traveling photographer wannabe needs a tripod. No one wants to miss that tough once-in-a-lifetime shot! This flexible mini tripod will stand at attention, giving you stability or wind its way around a pole or tree branch for those hard to reach places. Pick your recipient’s favorite color. Blue, red, green, yellow and even pink are available. From Buydig.com at $21.95.
“My Light” book light
A great find for any traveler. Read a book among others in a hostel without waking them, study a map on a dark train or peruse your guidebook on the red-eye with this powerful and versatile very bright LED light. It is waterproof, has rubber feet and swivels and pivots to any position. Choose from blue, chrome, clear, dark grey, green, pink or purple. Available from MyLight.com for only $7.95!
Tocca Travel Candle
Whether that special someone might be looking for romantic mood lighting or trying to snuff out stale, smoky hotel room scents, a travel candle is a perfect little addition to anyone’s luggage. Tocca, (which means touch) is a Mediterranean-inspired beauty company with a focus on luxe. Their 3 oz. candelinas (little candle in Italian) are miniature versions of their full-sized luscious signature scents. Choose from ten flavors, including Stella, Florence and Cleopatra. Available at Sephora. $16 each. For a splurge pick the Candele de Viaggio set for $42.
Travel Mag Subscription
Why not give the gift of travel…all year long? Budget Travel, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and National Geographic Traveler are some favorites and each one offers something a little different, depending on the type of traveler you are buying for. Or try destination specific selections like Island Travel. Yearly subscriptions range from $12 to $20, depending on publication.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
No organized woman traveler should be without a hanging toiletry bag. These stylish bags, made of easy- clean nylon are a perfect way to keep cosmetics, shampoo and lotions neat and tidy in your suitcase and up, out of the way in your tiny, shelf space lacking hotel bathroom. It even comes with a Velcro mirror. Available at Garnet Hill for $20.
Travel Sound Machine
Take the sounds of nature with you on the road. Great for those who either have trouble falling asleep, need to drown out a snoring partner (poor, poor Chris) or prefer the pleasant sound of waking up to a mountain stream, rather than a loud annoying alarm buzz. It is extremely compact and runs on 4 AA batteries. No plug, means no converters! Available at Orvis for $14.99.
What are some of your favorite travel gifts to give? And if you want to share- what travel gifts are on your wish list, budget or otherwise?
***