Tackling the Globe…

Sure, you read a thousand and one gift guides this time of year, and sure, this is likely nothing revolutionary (though it took me hours of tracking down products and links, so do me a favor and act as if it is, K?). But as someone who spends more time of her life traveling than not, I’d say I’m a bit of an authority on what the jetsetter in your life could use—want, even—this Christmas. So let’s have at it shall we?

For the Documentarian: camera gear

I’m a loyal Canon enthusiast—and no, I’ve never been given a free review product by them or penny to say so (though, Canon, call me!)—and while, three years later, I’m still over the moon for my Canon XTi (which is now the Canon XSi equivalent, or 450D), I’ve long had my eye on the new T1 model, which combines the video element, as well. This would really save on me having to cram my point-and-shoot in my camera bag for all my travels, as I like to film as I go, too. Though I’d recommend forgoing the lens that comes on the model, purchasing just the T1 body, and upgrading to a more universal lens like the 17-85mm, which is a wide angle with a decent zoom.

If you’re looking for a more compact model that combines elements of a DSLR, try the Canon PowerShot G11 (you can even set the ISO on this one). My mom and I got my sister this fancy point-and-shoot with all the bells and whistles and functions for her upcoming Semester at Sea, on the recommendation of my professional photog friend Lori, and I cannot wait to play with it and give Kari a tutorial while I’m home for Christmas.

If the receiver is already well-endowed in the camera realm, consider a bag for toting his or her equipment around the world. A few years back, SVV gave me the LowePro SlingShot 200, which has been good to us, but we now haul around so many lenses, we’re ready to upgrade to a bigger version, like the SlingShot 350. Or if he/she is a big snorkeler or scuba diver, find out his/her camera model and buy the appropriate underwater housing so he/she can snap pretty pictures of all the fishies in the sea.

For the Fashionista: travel-inspired jewelry

My friend Angie recently sent me this gorgeous silver necklace that looks (to me) like two planes taking flight. It’s by Beverly Hills-based designer Zina, and it’s simple and the perfect piece to encompass my passion but also wear on the road, as it will go with any ensemble. The key to traveling with jewelry is it not only needs to be versatile so you don’t have to bring accessories for every outfit, but it also needs to be durable (or something simple enough you can wear on the plane so it isn’t destroyed in your bag en route). Zina’s jewelry is all of the above.

Additionally, I bought a globe pendant on a long chain from an Etsy seller and have never gotten so many compliments. SVV and I collect globes and are working on an entire mantle of them, so this is fitting.

The Trekker: cargo clothing with ample pockets

Funny, when the people at SeV (or ScottEVest) e-mailed me to see if I wanted to try out one of their products, I did a double take. Many of you know that my fiance’s initials are SVV, but his middle name is actually Edward so for a very long time, I (along with best friend Megan and my sister) called him Scott-E V-Squared. So the fact that there’s a company essentially named the same was a tell-tale sign that I should try it out.

They sent me a vest, and while I’m not much of a vest wearer, I will say this bad boy comes in quite handy while hiking (not to mention, those times you’re in a crime-ridden city, when you’d rather not have your dangling purse peg you as an open target). I’m the type of person who is a bit high maintenance while traveling because I need to tote several things with me: eye drops (having Lasik renders your eyes eternally dry), chapstick (as my lips are always a cracked hot mess), my small camera, tissue, bug spray, not to mention basics like wallet, passport, etc. The great thing about the ScottEVests is that they have hidden pockets for all your belongings. Heck, I could have stuffed a pocket knife, encyclopedia and maybe even small child in there, as well. Best of all? They’re wrinkle free and quick drying, for those times you need to douse them in your hotel sink.

I haven’t tried any of their other products, but SVV is coveting the ultimate cargo pants, which abides by the same philosophy as the vests. (The company also makes jackets, hoodies, pullovers, you name it.)

For the Business Traveler: Brenthaven X-Ray-friendly bag

My professional life has been forever altered by implementing a laptop case into my travel wardrobe that does not require my MacBook banging around on the belt every time I go through security. (I’m convinced this is responsible for my three laptops in two years.) What makes it different from the run-of-the-mill laptop bag is that it opens, butterfly style, so as to give you the security guy an unobstructed view of your explosives electronics. While I have the backpack as I like to cram as many books and magazines as humanly possible into my carry-on, there are several different models from fashionable to basic. (Just make sure it has the “X-ray-friendly” tag on it, or run the risk of security being none too happy with you when you try to convince them that you don’t need to take your laptop out of its home.)

For the Student Abroad: trinkets from Flight001, guidebooks

I’m really hoping my sister is too immersed in her seven finals to read my blog at this moment, because if not, then I’m totally about to spill what she’s getting from me this Christmas. (For the sake of that happening, I’ll be vague.) I’ve been obsessed with travel boutique chain Flight001 since first stepping foot into its inviting interior a few years back in NYC. Lucky for me, there’s one in my favorite San Francisco neighborhood, Hayes Valley; lucky for you, they sell everything from the store online.

I recently cleaned them out with handy items for my sister’s upcoming round-the-world trip, and while I won’t tell you exactly what I got her, I will give you some advice on what will come in handy for the student abroad. Passport cover, luggage tags. A universal converter. A pictorial translator, where you can point at items in foreign lands in lieu of giving a half-assed attempt at a translation. Space-saving compression bags. Or make up your own foolproof traveler’s kit, comprising headphones, ear plugs, Band-Aids, clippers, cotton swabs, pharmaceuticals (travel-size packets of Tylenol, Dramamine, the works), face wipes, an eye mask, plane socks, and anything else you deem appropriate.

You can never go wrong with guidebooks either. While I work for Frommer’s, I’ll save plugging them, as their books are written for the older set with more money to spare. I also would like to say whatever you do, do not get the student in your life a Lonely Planet, unless you want them to cancel their trip entirely out of fear for all the times LP warns you of “rapes” and “lynchings” and advises you to carry a machete in your travel pursuits. (I tried to heed their advice, but airport security wasn’t having any of it.) Instead, I find Rough Guides informative, as are Time Out’s city guides. If the student is more into nightlife than culture, Harvard’s student-written and produced series Let’s Go is passable (barely), and Moon Guides are meant to be pretty comprehensive, though personally I’ve never used them.

For the Techie: an Ardica charger

Typically, I only travel with one converter. Which means, I have to alternate charging my BlackBerry Tour, MacBook, point-and-shoot camera, and DSLR. This is a pain, and as I never spend enough time in the room to fully charge all, something is always dying on me at the most inopportune time.

Enter: Ardica. While I currently do not own one of these handy gadgets, I have been following the San Francisco-based tech company for awhile and am quite enthralled by what they’re doing. Using fuel cell, military technology, they have come up with a compact charging device that doesn’t require any outlet—because how many times have you been on the road and fresh out of a place to power up your laptop?—and that you can use to charge from anywhere (airport, on the airplane, in Timbuktu, on a ship in Antarctica). Handy, no?

They also make a Mountain Hardwear jacket that incorporates the same technology and can heat up your body and charge your iPhone at the same time while out in the wild, which is perfect for your family member who likes high-altitude, high-adrenaline fun.

For the Frequent Flier: iChill

The people at energy-booster company, iChill, recently challenged me: Can an insomniac like this always bleary-eyed gal be put to sleep without the aid of Ambien or Xanax (travel musts, in my case)? iChill has no sugar, no calories, no carbs, but rather combines Vitamin B, melatonin, rose hips and Valerian root, so if you’re weary of prescription sleeping pills, I advise you test out this all-natural alternative. They sent me two bottles of iChill, which I tested both camping (a time when I notoriously never sleep) and in the comfort of my own home. I have yet to try it out while flying, which would be the ultimate indicator.

And I slept soundly. Now, I can’t say if this was fully due to the assistance of iChill, if I was having a particularly good night, if it was all psychological, or if I just happened to be more tired than usual. But bottom line? It worked. And it tastes like juice (with a hint of cough syrup undertones).

Which brings me to my new point…THE GIVEAWAY! If you’d like to be consider to win a bottle of iChill of your own (they make great stocking stuffers), leave a comment below by 12pm PST on Wednesday, Dec. 8, and I’ll pick three winners.

Happy shopping to you all, and to all a week filled with holiday cheer.