The quest for a good gift can be the bane of December.Save yourself some angst and give with confidence using this list from the experts from the Society of American Travel Writers, the world's largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers.
In a recent survey, the SATW members, who travel for a living, said these are what they would most like to receive:
1. Prepaid international phone cards. "Make sure the card can be used in as many countries as possible and comes with dialing instructions for all nations."
2. Currency for the intended destination. "Instead of giving cash or a check, give foreign monies in various denominations, Euros, for instance."
3. Wheeled luggage. "Upgrade your friend with a wheeled bag in the next largest size (to the one already owned)."
4. Membership in an airline VIP Club. You can get them on a one-year basis, "and with the longer amounts of time now spent in airports due to security requirements, these lounges can reduce the stress or offer a convenient place to get some laptop work done."
5. A set of airline upgrades. "Many airlines sell first and business class upgrade coupons; check airline Web sites for details."
6. Frequent flyer miles. They also sell the miles, details on their Web sites.
7. A promise to really listen to a traveler's stories and look at their photos when they return. And like most promises, this costs nothing in a material sense.
8. A travel flashlight. "Power outages are more common overseas."
9. Brightly colored "gizmos," decals and stickers to attach to luggage to make it individualized and easier to find on the baggage carousel. (I use a combination of orange and yellow ribbons wound tightly around the handle to set mine apart.)
10. The gift of dreams, meaning subscriptions to travel magazines, guidebooks to dream destinations or an AAA membership, for example.
Now in its 45th year, the Society of American Travel Writers represents more than 1,300 travel journalists, photographers, editors and media relations professionals in North America. The SATW works to raise the standards of the profession, guard the right to travel and encourage conservation and preservation of historic sites and natural wonders.