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Christmas Gifts For Travel Enthusiasts

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My Top 10 Favorite Gifts For Travelers!

If you've got a friend or family member who loves to travel on your Christmas gift-giving list, look no further. I've scoured the web to find the ultimate gifts that every traveler needs (and wants)!

For me traveling is like breathing....it just needs to be done to truly live! In this lens, I'm going to share some of my all-time favorite Christmas gifts for the frequent flier in your life.

So buckle up and get ready for a smooth ride to a very Merry Christmas!

#1) THE Best Worldwide Travel Planner

1,000 Places to See Before You Die, updated ed. (2010) (1,000... Before You Die Books)

1,000 Places to See Before You Die, updated ed. (2010) (1,000... Before You Die Books)

by: Patricia Schultz

Amazon Price: $2.94 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

An excellent resource when planning your travel bucket list. This hefty volume reminds vacationers that hot tourist spots are small percentage of what's worth seeing out there.

#2) TSA Approved Laptop Bags

Tired of always having to haul out your laptop when you pass through airport security? Save time and stop irritating others standing in line by utilizing one of these TSA approved bags that allow the scanner to clearly see the laptop image. No more pulling out the laptop and turning it on.....what a concept!
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#3) Travel Luggage Scale

Ever arrived at the airport only to find that you are 3 lbs over the allowed 50 lb domestic flight maximum luggage weight? Well I have and it pretty much sucks. At that point, your options are to pay the ridiculous $50 - $75 heavy bag fee or be prepared to toss out some of your favorite things to get under the limit. Remove the guesswork and hassle with a hand-held travel luggage scale.
Portable Silver Tone Electronic Precision Home Kitchen Scales Luggage Baggage Suitcases Mailing Package Fishing Weight Weigher Balance With LCD Display 120 lbs (55 kg) Ergonomic Hand Held Grip & Strap Hook

Portable Silver Tone Electronic Precision Home Kitchen Scales Luggage Baggage Suitcases Mailing Package Fishing Weight Weigher Balance With LCD Display 120 lbs (55 kg) Ergonomic Hand Held Grip & Strap Hook

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

This portable design makes the device small enough to stick in your luggage and check it in both directions.

#4) Great Luggage Sets

Personally, I have a green luggage set so that I can easily find my suitcases as they drop on the luggage carriage at the airport. Choose a color that stands out from the typical black or navy blue and you'll be on your way more quickly!
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Get The Toiletry Bag Personalized

You can find all kinds of online retailers that sell personalized cosmetic bags and hanging toiletry bags. They will embroider the bag with their initial or monogram which makes the holiday gift even more special!

The bag shown in the photo to the right is available at Wedding Favors Unlimited. The nylon bag is sized perfectly for short trips. It measures 10" wide x 22" tall when open and has a metal ring for hanging. I love the vinyl interior pockets so you can see all the stuff inside. The exterior is embroidered with the recipient's initial in one of ten thread colors.

#5) Hanging Toiletry Travel Bags

Keep all your toiletries and make-up in one easy kit that you simply unzip, unroll, and hang up on the back door hook or shower rod. Get one with mesh or vinyl see-thru pockets so you can see all of your items without laying them all out on the counter. Makes packing for a trip a snap!
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#6) Noise Canceling Head Phones

Yes - great noise canceling headphones are expensive. However, they are a MUST have for travelers. On my last trip to Mexico where I had a group of 10 drunk women yelling back and forth for the entire 4 hour plane ride, I wished I had brought along my headphones. Usually, I use them when flying overseas and they've come in handy more than once when babies and kids are screaming. Personally, I think they are worth every penny and then some!
Beats by Dre Studio Blk Over Ear Headphone from Monster

Beats by Dre Studio Blk Over Ear Headphone from Monster

Amazon Price: $299.00 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Three years of thorough research and development resulted in the most incredible headphone speaker ever built. Beats features highly advanced materials and construction to deliver a new level of audio accuracy and clarity. In addition to amazing sound, these headphones deliver the ultimate noise canceling experience. Stop hearing all the stuff going on around you and start hearing what you really want to hear (even if it is just yourself snoring)!

#7) Travel Blankets and Pillows

For every sale, Squidoo donates $1 to charity!

I never leave for a flight without my personal travel blanket. I have a three-in-one set that includes a microbead pillow, blanket and eye shade. I don't know about you, but the blankets and pillows they hand out on airplanes are not something I want to rest my head on. Bring your own and you are guaranteed comfort no matter how long the flight or train ride!
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#8) Amazon Kindle

Stop toting around tons of books!

If your frequent flier also loves to read, then the Amazon Kindle e-reader is THE perfect holiday gift. I LOVE my e-reader because it is compact meaning that I don't need an extra bag just to carry along my books. I also love that you can adjust the font making it easy to read for those of us with older eyes.
Kindle Keyboard 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6

Kindle Keyboard 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display

Amazon Price: $189.00 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Here is what people in the tech world are saying about this revolutionary device:

" Its solid build quality, along with its improved design, integrated store, and cross-platform transportability all add up to a winner that shoots to the head of the pack." - PC World

" Simply put, it's the best dedicated ebook reader you can buy Amazon has managed to increase the contrast on the Kindle in a way that sets it above the Nook, Sony Readers, or any other dedicated ebook reader we've tested." - PC Magazine

#9) Travel Alarm Clock

It may seem strange to Americans, but many hotels and bed & breakfasts overseas do not supply alarm clocks to their guests. Therefore a compact travel clock is a must have. Mine has a built in thermometer so that I know exactly what the temperature is in my room....I like to keep things at a cozy 70 to 72 range for sleeping. Never worry about missing a flight or business appointment again!
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#10) Portable GPS System

I can't tell you how many times my portable GPS has literally saved my arse in Europe. The dizzying array of one way streets is no match for my Garmin which navigated me to many-a-inner city hotel. Be sure to get one with international maps!
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Bonus #1) Digital Camera

Capture the memories!

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Bonus #2) Personalized Travel Mugs

Maybe your traveler spends more time in a car than on an airplane. If that is the case, then personalized travel mugs are unique gifts for men or women that they will LOVE.

The stainless steel mug shown in the photo features a leather exterior that can be personalized with up to 3 characters such as the person's initials or monogram. The top is spill proof and the interior is lined in plastic so it holds any kind of beverage.

Love To Travel?

What's on your holiday wish list....I'd love to hear your ideas!

  • nursecraft Dec 12, 2011 @ 9:13 am | delete
    For traveling, I need one of those new twist pillows that form to your position. Your lens has great ideas!
  • BuddyBink Dec 9, 2011 @ 7:43 pm | delete
    Wonderful gift ideas. Got to have a camera when you travel never know what you might see. Thanks
  • WorkitSmart Aug 23, 2011 @ 1:27 pm | delete
    great gift ideas.. the travel approved laptop cases are a must for traveling!
  • SandyPeaks Dec 17, 2010 @ 6:18 pm | delete
    Some great ideas here. Blessed by a SquidAngel.
  • Sami4u Dec 7, 2010 @ 3:27 pm | delete
    Hi,

    A sprinkling of Angel Dust for Christmas :)
  • Pinkchic18 Dec 6, 2010 @ 3:18 pm | delete
    I would looove a cute travel mug like that shown above. Last year I received a GPS for Christmas and it was a great gift! I use it all the time.
  • kimmer14 Nov 26, 2010 @ 8:44 am | delete
    I'm hoping for a new camera for Christmas this year, so we can get some great shots on our vacation next summer!
  • DessertLover Nov 24, 2010 @ 7:58 pm | delete
    I have the Canon Powershot camera that you recommended and it takes AWESOME photos. The quality is amazing and the price is great. Fantastic list!
  • MexicaliBill Nov 24, 2010 @ 7:19 am | delete
    I always bring my universal voltage converter and adapter when traveling overseas. It lets you plug your standard 2 or 3 prong US plug into it, and has adapters for outlet anywhere else in the world.
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by

janices7

A self-proclaimed wedding, event and gift-giving expert. My other passions are charity work and traveling so I'll likely share my travel tips and experiences... more »

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