GIFT IDEA #1...
A Timbuk2 Messenger Bag or one of the company's new suitcases. These bags are made using extremely durable nylon and are water-resistant. You can custom-design your own messenger bag, choose its size and colors, plus add extras (like a padded shoulder strap or a padded insert for a laptop computer).
The messenger bags are priced starting around $90.00, but plan on spending about $150.00 for a really nice one with all of the extras. I personally own two of these bags and have traveled all over the world with them.
The larger messenger bag holds my laptop, camera, papers, etc., and is a perfect carry-on bag. The Timbuk2 bags offer a great design, they're extremely durable, and you can personalize them to match your needs and personality. If you're buying one as a gift for someone, consider getting them a gift card from Timbuk2, so the recipient can design their own bag online and have it shipped to them within a few days.
GIFT IDEA #2...
Anyone who travels often by airplane knows how annoying it is to be surrounded by chatty people, crying babies, plus the noise of the airplane's engines. One of the greatest travel accessories that any frequent flier will come to love is a pair of Bose Noise Canceling Headphones.
Bose's prices range from $299.00 to $349.00, depending on the model, but each offers a rechargeable battery plus a carrying case. These headsets allow the wearer to literally tune out the noise around them and get some sleep, or enjoy the flight's movie or in-flight music programming.
Pair up these headphones with an Apple iPod or iTouch (which allows you to watch TV shows and movies), and you have the perfect entertainment system while on-the-go. Less expensive noise canceling headphones are available from other companies, like Sony.
GIFT IDEA #3...
If you live in a city where the airport has a CLEAR kiosk at the security checkpoint, give a membership to the CLEAR program as a holiday gift, so your favorite frequent traveler can get through airport security much faster and more efficiently. Depending on how busy the airport is, being a CLEAR member can save the user 15 to 45 minutes per trip. See my earlier blog entry about CLEAR. Annual membership is priced at $199.00.
GIFT IDEA #4...
Especially for frequent travelers who visit sunny climates, it's essential to be protected from the harsh sun. Sure, wearing sunblock and sunglasses is essential, but adding a Tilley Endurables hat to a frequent traveler's wardrobe will keep them looking stylish and well protected from sun or rain.
I own a Tilley Hemp Hat (price: $79.00), which I've traveled all over the world with. It's extremely durable, comfortable and excellent in sunny or rainy weather. So, whether you're hiking through the Amazon jungle, white water rafting in Mexico, relaxing on a beach in Hawaii, or sailing throughout the Caribbean on a cruise ship, a Tilley hat makes the perfect travel fashion accessory.
The company offers over a dozen different hat styles, plus a large selection of other clothing designed for frequent travelers. The prices aren't cheap, but the quality is top-notch. All of Tilley's products have a lifetime warrantee. They'll even replace a hat that gets lost or stolen while the wearer is traveling.
GIFT IDEA #5...
If the person you're shopping for utilizes the same airline often, a membership to that airline's club or lounges will be a welcome gift. The airline clubs/lounges offer concierge service, drinks, snacks, comfortable couches, quiet work areas and other amenities designed to make a long layover at an airport more relaxing and/or productive.
All of the major airlines have their own clubs. Membership to the US Airways Club, for example, starts at $315.00 per year. However, one-day guest passes are available for $40.00 each. Annual membership to United Airline's Red Carpet Club costs $500.00. (One-day guest passes cost $50.00 each.) To learn more about gift memberships for the clubs and lounges offered by other airlines, visit the airline's website.
ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR TRAVELERS...
If you're looking for a less expensive gift for a frequent traveler, some great options include:
- Leather Passport Cover (Price: $35.00 to $200.00)
- Handheld Luggage Scale (Price: Under $50.00)
- Travel Power Adapters (Price: $20.00 and up)
- Padded Eye Mask (Price: $20.00 to $40.00
- Downloadable Audio Books for an MP3 Player (from Audible.com)
These battery packs give the user many hours of extra usage, which is ideal for long flights or for using an iPhone when there's no electrical outlet nearby to recharge the phone. My iPod's battery normally lasts for about two hours of video watching. Using my Richard Solo Rechargeable Backup Battery, I get at least six hours of continuous usage (just about enough for a coast-to-coast flight).
Oh, another great gift or an iPod, iTouch or iPhone user is a gift card for Apple's iTunes service. These can be used by the receiver to purchase music, TV show episodes or movies that can be watched while on-the-go. Gift cards for $15.00, $25.00, $50.00 or $100.00 are available and they can be redeemed online using the popular iTunes service.
As you get your shopping done this holiday season, remember to spend some quality time with the frequent traveler you're shopping for, before he or she takes off on their next trip.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
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