November 18, 2004 -- Holidays can be a hassle, especially when gift giving is involved. For your traveler friends, though, gift buying can be easy. Bags, music, airline pillows and cosmetics make an easy present for the global traveler. Here are three of our favorite purveyors of travel wares.
Flight 001 (www.flight001.com) has a plethora of great gifts. Excalibur has a NY Times crossword puzzle game with 1,000 puzzles that let you play at your own risk. Nothing but fun if you like word games. It's a slick and easy way to act smart for $75. A three-piece eye mask set goes for $38. Three different pretty designs allow you to be fashionable while you sleep. Paisley and geometric designs look good in bed or in coach class. If eyes aren't your things, then the feet can be comfortable with slippers for $26 a pop. The nicest thing about traveling can be comfortable with good creams and beauty aids. A mini set by Dr. Hauschka is available at the site or the three stores in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York for $21.50. You get face cream, eye cream, hand cream and a facial mask to ease your traveling strain.
Chicos (www.chicos.com) offers traveler clothes and high fashions for affordable prices. While the clothes might look like business class type fashions, they look good and everyone can wear them. A travelers zip front jacket goes for $108. It's a great piece for keeping cash hidden and still looking good. The travelers Ari T-Shirt can be worn to dinner or casual to any museum. For $58 the price is also right. In red or black, a soft traveler pant for women goes for $58 as well. These are casual clothes built for easy walking and fine dining.
For campers, REI (www.rei.com) has wonderful gifts at a vast number of prices. A handy hang up clothesline goes for $6.50 in the under $25 gift area. It's great for any exotic travel area and it works well in the wild. Also, a great ice cream maker for those that don't want to rough it costs $24.95. All you need to do is add ice and some sugar and you'll be satisfying your sweet tooth in any weather and camping situation. As the cold weather sets in, men can keep warm when making campfires with gloves and plenty of clothes options. Lightweight gloves with liners and wind-resistant material cost $28. Waterproof mittens are $44. Not bad to keep your hands warm while you're doing all the work. Cargo pants go for $40 and canvas khakis in blue or beige go for $55. This site has all your outdoor needs.
Christmas is tough enough. So keep your feet warm with Merrell light-weight boots. Traditional hiking boots with great support that add athletic construction make these footwear good for any sporting activity. For $85, these Merrells will last forever.
Enjoy the holidays, but better yet, let your traveling companion know you're thinking of them.
Where do you shop for travel gifts and why? Tell us on our Message Boards today.
