More Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Travelers

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

21 Dec 2007 12:59 AM

Believe it or not one of my brothers has not completed a lick of holiday shopping yet. I know this because he called me today asking what he should get my parents for Christmas. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He's got a stressful job and very little free time. What's more, I know he's not alone... the world is filled with procrastinators and in their eyes they still have almost four full shopping days left before Christmas.

With that in mind I offer these last-minute gift ideas for gift buyers looking to fulfill the needs and wants of the frequent travelers in their lives.

Verbena Getaway Travel Treasures Toiletries Kit. For just $35 you can help the frequent flyer in your life take the sting out of complying with TSA regulations. The fashionable kit from L'Occitane en Provence is filled with invigorating verbena, moisturizing shea butter and other natural ingredients. The company's products provide refreshing relief after extended travel and they fit perfectly in a TSA-approved Ziploc bag.

Solio Hybrid 1000. No well-heeled gadget guru in your life will snub this gift. The new "hybrid" charger can charge cell phones, MP3 players and other hand-held electronics. The device is charged via its compact solar panel - one hour of sunshine equals 15 minutes of talk time or 40 minutes of music - or through the USB port of any computer and for $100 it's practically a steal.

Portable Power Generator. This handy high-tech device from National Geographic allows you to power up your electronic gadgets in remote places. It combines a 12-volt rechargeable battery with a removable LED flashlight, fluorescent lantern and AC/DC outlets for charging portable electronics, along with a clock, compass, AM/FM/NOAA radio and 250-psi air compressor. And for $120 it could be your favorite road-tripper's new best friend.

Ambient Umbrella. Here's the product I told my brother he should consider getting for my mom. The Ambient Umbrella from Ambient Devices not only protects you from bad weather it actually predicts it. The umbrella receives local weather data (U.S. only) from Accuweather.com and its handle glows when precipitation is expected within the next 12 hours. If the light blinks intermittently, expect showers; if it flashes intensely, bring the umbrella and your galoshes. It sells for $125.

SwissMemory. For $145 the multi-tool comes equipped with a red laser light, retractable pen and 2 GB removable flash drive and is available in both flight (no blades) and non-flight (knife, nail file and scissors) models.

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Gift Ideas For Frequent Travelers

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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