‘Tis the season to give thanks for family, friends and clients—and to show our appreciation by sending them a gift. So we’ve put together some suggestions of some the favorite things of our own staff and our travel advisor readers.
Happy gifting, happy getting, and happy traveling to all.
I’ll start with my personal favorite this past month, as I flew three times from 90-degree weather in the Caribbean to the 50s in New York: a soft, storable and eco-friendly jacket. My Jack Wolfskin Pack and Go jacket, specifically designed for travelers, is made of waterproof, windproof and 100% recycled polyester. It’s snuggly, soft and stretchable; as you head south you can roll it up and stuff it into one of the two pockets. The eco-friendly company has a whole line of products for outdoor adventurers and skiers, including a new premier ski line, the Alpspitze Collection, that includes a base layer, jackets and pants of warm and soft merino wool. The jacket retails for $159.99 at Jack Wolfskin | Sustainable Outdoor Clothing, Gear, & Footwear.
For clients, my all-time favorite gift is the Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport, a cornucopia of single-source chocolates from countries around the world, packed in a box designed to look like a passport. And the price is perfect, at $9.99. Note these come out every Thanksgiving and run out really quickly. If you want a few, get there soon.
If nothing else, the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die Wall Calendar will keep your face in front of clients every single day of 2024. But it really is a beautiful tribute to our mutual passion, seeing the wonders of this world we inhabit. Adapted from Patricia Schultz’s #1 New York Times book (which you also could gift them, but I think is less fun), it’s a year of full-color photos of amazing destinations to inspire them, engaging text and traveler’s tips. And it’s 100% recyclable. $16.99 on Amazon.
As a woman of a certain age, I always travel with one of those Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday pill packs that inevitably pop open and spill everything in your suitcase. So I’m impressed by MyPillyPal, a double-locked plastic case with small and large unmarked compartments. In addition to regular pills, you could pack a dozen aspirin or a few DayQuil—or even all your jewelry—and throw it into your purse or suitcase. Comes in six colors and two sizes. $21.99 at mypillypal.com.
Runners, cruisers and fam trippers will appreciate the SPIBelt, a convenient and comfortable way to carry money, phones, keys and even water while leaving your hands free and your shoulders uncluttered. Originally designed for runners, it has an adjustable strap that holds it tightly but comfortably. It’s now available in a variety of sizes and patterns to meet many needs. Starts at $26.99 on SPIBelt.com.
Travel advisors suggested scores of other great ideas for clients and friends, including:
- If they have a trip planned, a dining experience, transfer or excursion – Teri Hurley
- An in-destination photo shoot arranged through the DMC or Flytographer – Nina Patel
- Cookies from the Maui Cookie Company – Ken Neibauer
- Zesst organic wraps, great as a scarf, wrap, blanket or pillow – Dawn Gillies
- Lounge access or pet sitting – Melissa IntVeldt
- Cincha Travel Belt to hold your purse onto your suitcase – April Schmitt
- A foot hammock for your feet on the plane – Casey Carr
- Ripskirt Hawaii travel-0friendly clothing – Karen Pacheco
- Torras Coolify neck air conditioner – Dian Holland
- If they are traveling on Thanksgiving, a gift certificate to a local restaurant that is serving turkey – VacationArchitect Christina
- Designed coffee table book from Assouline – Julie Shotmeyer
- Lily & Beam personalized bags, hats and accessories – August Schmitt
- Jesulife portable humidifier – Zena Beaver
- Trekking the World board game – Terrie Hanssen
- Trip Chaser card game – Jessica Parker
- A book set in the destination to which they are traveling – Ricki le Vine
- A Tumi suitcase. When you get one you will never want anything else – Paula Iwanski
- A luxury beach bag filled with goodies: A designer straw hat, a stemless Yeti wine cooler in her favorite color, a Vera Bradley luggage tag and a set of packing monogrammed packing cubes! (Just assembled this exact gift for someone!) – Monica Maslia
And the more usual:
- Travel gift cards or lounge passes
- Christmas ornaments with a picture of a trip you took together
- Packing cubes, luggage scales, Airtags, travel wallets, passport holders, Airfly
- Electrical adapters, USB charging hubs, portable battery chargers, solar chargers
- Portable carbon monoxide detector
- Wireless sound-blocking headphones
- The J Pillow
- Travel insurance
- Luggage straps with their last name on them
- Collapsible travel mugs
- Smartphone tripod
No matter where your travels take you or what gifts and good wishes you receive, Travel Research Online wishes all our readers a Happy Thanksgiving. We’re giving thanks for a wonderful 2023 in the travel industry, and for the relationships and friendships we all have built here. Thanks for your support, and for sending us your story ideas and reading our columns.
Cheryl’s 40-year career in journalism is bookended by roles in the travel industry, including Executive Editor of Business Travel News in the 1990s, and recently, Editor in Chief of Travel Market Report and admin of Cheryl Rosen’s Group for Travel Professionals, a news and support group on Facebook. As an independent contractor since retiring from the 9-to-5 to travel more, she has written regular articles about the life and business of travel agents for Luxury Travel Advisor, Travel Agent, and Insider Travel Report. She also writes and edits for professional publications in the financial services, business, and technology sectors.
