Budget Gifts for the Traveler

Most of us know at least one road warrior. This is the man or woman who, no matter what time of day you call them, is either out of town, on the way to the airport, or coming back from the airport.

It can be tough to buy gifts for these travelers. They have access to the unique, regional products that the rest of us shop the Internet for, and they are rarely home long enough to enjoy anything one could buy for their kitchen or home.

It can also be daunting (and expensive) to shop the glossy catalogs catering to these people; the catalogs with Teutonic-sounding names where an eyeshade costs $69.99.

I've compiled a list of gift suggestions that won't break the bank. These items are nice enough to be given on their own, but several of them in a traveling case make a special gift.

Business cards. Most companies provide employees their own business cards. But with the advent of home based businesses, or for those who don't work outside the home, a personalized business card is a must. Another use for a separate business card was inspired by my own situation. As a writer, networking is very important to my career. I attend many events, and meet a lot of people that I want to keep in contact with. However, without an outside office, any card I had, had to have my home address on it. I found myself scribbling my email address on random pieces of paper when I didn't want to give out my "real" business card. So, I created another card with only my name and email address on it. Now I don't have to worry that I'm giving a virtual stranger my personal information, and there is no awkwardness in asking for theirs.

On Vistaprint.com, the business cards are free---a true budget gift! The catch is, the vistaprint.com logo is on the back of the card, and you have to pay a nominal charge for shipping. But there are literally hundreds of cards you can create, for every interest, in dozens of styles. For a very small additional charge, you can create "premium" business cards without the logo, and with a bigger selection of graphics.

Soccer slides/shower shoes. One of the benefits of travel is the use of the hotel's pool and/or spa. Unfortunately, the proliferation of men walking through their hotel lobby in robes with dress shoes with dark socks, tells me that most people don't plan for such an event. Soccer slides are not only ideal for the elevator ride to the pool, but are better than going barefoot around your hotel room. Some people pack flip flops, but you can give something a little nicer as a gift. At any sports store, these slides are sold in the shoe department. Nike, Adidas, Puma---they all make them. For under $25 you can find a pair that are inexpensive yet sporty.

Three-ounce bottles. One of the mistaken beliefs about air travel is that liquids are no longer allowed in checked baggage. But did you know that liquids in containers three ounces or less are still allowed? For travelers, this means they can still bring their favorite shampoos, lotions, etc., they just have to transfer it into smaller bottles. The Container Store, Target and L.L. Bean are a few store that sell kits containing three ounce bottles in a clear plastic travel case for under $15. I have given this case, along with full-size, high end (Aveyda, Kiehls) bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion for them to fill the containers with.

A Stay Healthy kit: Some things to include are AirBorne (tablets you drop in water to ward off colds---they work really well), vitamins, aspirin and hand sanitizer (the mini size). I'd also add dried fruit, nuts, and granola bars. These types of snacks are perfect during long flights, or when you are traveling between time zones and just want something to tide you over until it's time for a meal. Most of us travel on a budget, so paying $3.00 for a granola bar at the airport, or $6.00 for aspirin in the hotel gift shop is hard to do. But unless your friends are minimalists, I don't think just one of these items will make a good gift. "Happy Birthday, here's some Purell..???." So, I combine everything listed above, store it in a small mesh bag (check stores that sell camping supplies) and present it as a kit. Why a mesh bag? Because I have used mine as everything from a shopping bag at the farmers market to a gym bag. I've even put small items that needed to be washed inside the mesh bag, filled the hotel sink with soapy water, dropped the bag in, and fifteen minutes later, voila! A lazy woman's way to do laundry.

Noise reduction headphones. These are fairly new to the market. I first became aware of them when I saw other travelers wearing them. In the age of teeny "ear buds", these looked like the outdated giant headphones from my childhood. I initially thought these were cheap flea market finds. However, I soon realized why a disproportionate number of people in first class were sporting them. They were terrific at reducing noise. And not just the obvious noise of a baby crying or (worse) the guy across the aisle from you bragging about his IPO. These reduce the engine noise that everyone just takes for granted. At anywhere from $40 - $100+, they are more expensive than anything else on this list, but they will last longer, and be used more.

Phone card. Who doesn't travel with their cell phone, right? But surprisingly, there are a lot of times I haven't been able to get service, or at least, reliable service. Some hotels just get really poor reception. A phone card comes in really handy when you need to use the phone in your room, but don't want to pay $5.00 a minute to do so.

Small notebook. These have to be small enough to fit in the outside pocket of a bag or briefcase. I usually listen to voicemail in the airport, while waiting for my flight. I need to jot down notes and phone numbers while doing so, but I don't want to open my purse or briefcase to dig out a yellow pad. My hands are full, and I'm distracted---an open handbag would make me a perfect target for a pickpocket. What you're looking for are those small notepads, just like reporters used to carry in old movies. These days, art supply and stationary stores have small memo pads in a variety of covers and designs. Same functionality, but so much more sophisticated, and without the cheesy wire binding.

A magazine subscription. The presence of magazine racks every fifty feet in an airport illustrates the need travelers have to pass small blocks of time. You don't have enough time to do actual work, or to immerse yourself in a book, but you have too much time to just sit, staring blankly into space. Magazines are perfect for this. An article takes minutes to read, and they are lighter and less bulkier than books. Also, unlike books, you don't have to carry them the entire trip. Once you're finished with them, find a recycling bin, and toss.

Travel charger for a cell phone. If you know the kind of phone your traveler has, you can buy a charger that is smaller and lighter than the one that came with their phone. There are chargers that plug into an electrical outlet, or into a car's outlet. As someone who's traveled with both, I would say that car charger is more practical---your phone won't "die" during a long day one the road. The disadvantage is that these chargers are very easy to leave in a rental car. I remember when I left the charger in a rental car...with the phone still attached. Despite the fact that I had just dropped the car off at the return counter fifteen minutes earlier, neither was ever seen again, and my insurance didn't cover the loss. Do I even have to explain that the rental car company denied any wrongdoing on the part of their employees? Anyway, the best selections can be found in the retail store of the cell phone providers, but Best Buy, Fry's and Target also carry a large selection.

Travel charger for the IPOD. Same thing as for a cell phone, you can find one that uses electrical, or your car's, current. And like the charger for a cell phone, I just don't think you can have too many of these around. I have only lost a phone once (see above) but for some reason, I can't seem to keep these around. I have left at least two chargers in a car, and two in a hotel room. So, even if they already have these devices, chances are good that they'll use your gift eventually.

Travel, especially traveling for business, presents unique challenges. Space is tight, time is of the essence, and what you carry has to serve multiple purposes. It's tough to find a product that can meet these requirements, but what I like most about giving traveler's gifts is that you are giving an item that will be put to use just when the recipient needs it most. And for a gift giver, what can be more satisfying than that?