By Victor Block
With the holiday season here again, have you written your gift list, checked it twice and finished your shopping? Or do you still have some presents to buy? If you need ideas for what to give folks who travel frequently for pleasure or business, a "gift of go" can be the perfect solution.
Whether you are scratching your head about what to buy for someone who visits a different Caribbean island every winter or for Aunt Matilda, who's planning a trip to Europe next spring, the selections are many and varied. And if you can't find what you want in your local stores, catalog and website shopping might save the day.
Magellan's claims to be "your trusted source for travel supplies," and the company comes up with a number of nifty ideas. Luggage scales (analog $12.50, digital $25) can quickly pay for themselves by avoiding overweight airline baggage fees. An inflatable Back Buddy Pillow ($28) provides comfy lower-back support in otherwise uncomfy airplane seats, as well as on a train, in a car and even at home.
Security-conscious travelers may opt for a Cash Safe Belt ($16) that protects paper money in a hidden zippered pocket. More protection is provided by VaultPro tote bags ($50-$90), which are made of slash-proof mesh with a cut-resistant carrying strap and locking zippers. There's even high-tech protection against cyber identity thieves who scan credit-card chips remotely to steal the data they contain: 800-962-4943 or www.magellans.com.
Safety is also the goal of some merchandise sold by TravelSmith Outfitters, who cover all aspects of trips — from packing to in-flight and hotel comfort. Smart Pouches (four to a set for $29) are transparent for easy viewing and made with a spill-proof lining. They're great for organizing and packing shoes, soiled or damp articles, toiletries and any number of other things.
The imaginative Travelon Garment Hideaway ($25) offers a place to conceal valuables where would-be thieves are least likely to look. Styled to resemble a woman's tank top, the ersatz garment has eight concealed pockets for hiding jewelry, documents and other items you don't want to lose: 800-770-3387or www.travelsmith.com.
Eddie Bauer has been selling quality outdoor clothing since it was established in 1920, and it's still the go-to place preferred by many who love traveling and the outdoors. With winter here, the choice of fleece jackets, coats, pants and other outerwear for men and women offers variety for everyone. Lightweight, quick-drying fabrics combine warmth with ease of packing — perfect for family or friends heading for colder destinations.
Women's zipper jackets with hand-warmer pockets ($79.95-$89.95) are designed to provide an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. On the other hand, items like zip pullover jackets ($39.95-$49.95) are designed to offer what the company describes as "exceptional price-to-warmth ratio": 800-426-8020 or www.eddiebauer.com.
Among choices on the Orvis website are links to pages listing presents for men, women, fly-fisherman and even dogs. What frequent traveler wouldn't welcome a 12-in-1 Multi-Flashlight ($25) that casts a super-bright beam and includes two screwdrivers, two knives, a can opener, scissors and other attachments?
A four-dial Brass Word Lock ($12) replaces the usual number combination with an easy-to-remember word that is set by the user. At the higher end of the price spectrum is a compact Bushnell Backtrack GPS ($89) that guides people back to their starting point whether they're driving, riding a bike or walking in the woods: 800-541-3541 or www.orvis.com.
Sharper Image promises "gadgets galore" on its website and lives up to that pledge. A minuscule, lightweight Travel Razor ($39.99), which is smaller than a smart phone, charges from a computer and provides 30 minutes of shave time when at full power. A multi-voltage four-port Universal Charger (also $39.99) allows four devices to get juiced up at the same time, and (the catalog claims) "works in over 150 countries."
Light sleepers should welcome a Travel Sound Machine ($89.99) that offers 17 soothing sound options to drown out unwanted noise. Among the choices are the pleasant sounds of ocean waves, rain and a gentle brook: 877-363-9984 or www.sharperimage.com.
Anyone heading for a country whose language they don't speak is sure to get a lot of use out of an electronic translator. Franklin Electronic Publishers offers an array of compact, lightweight devices ranging in price from a basic Spanish-to-English model ($9.99) to a deluxe 17-language translator ($179.99) that in addition to the most widely used languages includes others, such as Korean, Farsi and Hindi. The words and phrases are both displayed on the screen and spoken, and it's even possible to enter some words and expressions into the database that the traveler expects to need: 800-266-5626 or www.franklin.com.
Hammacher Schlemmer says they have been "selling the unexpected for 165 years." That company's annual holiday gift catalog is fun to peruse even if you have no intention of ordering for both its product claims and its unusual items. For example, "The World's Smallest Automatic Umbrella" ($34.95) measures only 8 inches when closed, small enough to fit in many purses and pockets. And how have your traveling relatives and friends lived so long without a Flat Fold Travel Mirror ($49.95), which expands from 1 1/2 inches thick when closed to a height of 16 inches? It has 1X and 10X magnification for both close-up and full-face viewing, and each mirror is surrounded by a fluorescent light.
The traveler who uses the Power Nap Head Pillow ($99.95) to catch 40 winks on an airplane, in an airport or elsewhere appears to have a pumpkin on his or her head. The cocoon-like headrest is designed to block out both sound and light, while leaving an opening for the nose and mouth. The soft cushion collapses for easy packing. The question is whether the opportunity to get some sleep is worth the risk of attracting attention — and perhaps guffaws — from fellow passengers or passersby: 800-543-3366 or www.hammacher.com.
If you can't decide what makes the best present, a gift card is a welcome alternative. Or you may prefer to check out these companies' websites or catalogs. You might even find something to give to another special person you may have overlooked on your shopping list — yourself.
Victor Block is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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