It’s that time of year to shop for presents. Here are a few suggestions.
Travel Essentials
Two gift ideas from Maggellan’s. The compact, noise-cancelling headphones by AblePlanet do a first-rate job of keeping airplane din to a minimum.
The silk DreamSack with matching pillow case provide luxury bedding wherever you travel. www.magellans.com
The Spector Cube Set trio is part of Eagle Creek’s Pack-It System. They are ultra-light weight and stain and water resistant. I store my electronic plugs and cords in the smallest, toiletries in the intermediate and a pair of shoes in the largest. www.eaglecreek.com
ShaveTech is a state-of-the-art electric razor that is charged by plugging it into any standard USB port. No larger than a smart phone, its sleek lightweight design and compact body makes it easy to pack. www.shavetech.com
Head to Toe Clothing Suggestions
Headwear – I’m a big fan of Tilley’s. The Outback Hat and Tilley Cap were two essential items for the weather conditions encountered on a recent trip to Alaska. Whether it was rainy or cold, I was completely comfortable. Lifetime warranties come with each hat, plus they look great. www.tilley.com
Clothing – I’m a big fan of quick-dry, lightweight clothing for travel. Royal Robbins products made a trip with me to Lawrence, KS last spring. The 100% nylon Global Traveler pants and two 100% polyester shirts, Dri-Release Base Crew and Expedition Light, fit my criteria perfectly (www.royalrobbins.com). Layer-wise, check out Magellan’s Stowable Rain Jacket. It is lightweight, waterproof and even folds up into its own pocket. www.magellans.com
Footwear – On a visit to the Grand Canyon that included light hiking, my choice was Teva’s Raith, paired with hiking socks by Teko. They were a perfect combination for the conditions. Teva, of course, is best known for their sandals, but their product line is extensive. www.teva.com and www.tekosocks.com
For my Kansas and Alaska trips, Amblers by Keen and Merino Wool Crew Lite Hiking socks with left and right fit (yes, really) were ideal choices. Additionally, I got dual usage from Keen’s retro-style Denver Canvas shoes, which were perfect for either casual or dressy nights aboard ship. www.keenfootwear.com
Interesting & Unusual Gifts
The gift that keeps giving is the Entertainment Book. For the 2013 edition, there are lots of new promotions, including monthly and weekly specials and out of town options. www.entertainment.com
Wilson Software is my travel entertainment choice. Their poker games are the best around and lauded by professional poker players. If you want to sharpen your game, practice or learn how to play, it’s an essential gift. CDs are available for eight different poker games. www.wilsonsoftware.com
Padres tickets are something to consider. In August, they had the best record in baseball. My prediction is that there is going to be a lot more of that throughout the entire season next year. New owner, change in the park layout, young players maturing and healthy pitchers will make for an interesting ballclub. Take a look at the purchase options at www.Padres.com.
My favorite new find is The Original Umbrella Stand. It eliminates the challenges of securing your umbrella shaft in the ground or sand. It’s one of those “Why didn’t I think of that?” products. With the stand, umbrella and carrying case, my summer beach days were a lot easier. It is also suitable for camping or backyard use. www.umbrellastands.com
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For each of the websites, look for discounts, specials and clearance items. All of these suppliers have excellent customer service staff at toll-free numbers. Don’t be shy about calling them if you have any questions.
My travel stories can be found at www.Travels-with-Hian.com. Come visit me!
Happy holidays…
Howard Hian
