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Cheap Christmas
Cheap Charlie · December 22, 1999

This is the time for all of us to ponder Christmas gift giving. If you have a friend who is a traveler, here are some ideas based on a bit more than two decades of traveling.

I start with shameless self-promotion. The perfect stocking-stuffer for any traveler is a copy of my book Travel Rights. It actually will fit in a stocking since it is only 4 1/2 inches wide, designed for a jacket pocket or briefcase.

The book is jam-packed with travel basics and policies that will help in virtually all problem situations while traveling. The list of addresses for customer service offices of the major airlines is worth the $9.95 price alone.

Just click on the cover of the book at the base of this column or the hotlink in the second paragraph to order.

The second bold offer is only for those who have friend who are avid skiers. You can buy them either Skiing America 2000 ($24.95) or Ski Europe ($21.95).

Every major resort in the world has been visited by members of an award-winning staff. These books take no advertising and the writers tell the unvarnished truth about each resort. No other guidebooks published anywhere in the world have so many phone numbers for resort hotels and restaurants to make planning and traveling easy. Simply go to www.worldrec.com and click on the covers of the books.

If you ever travel with children by automobile, pick up a copy of Getting to Know Kids in Your Life, by Jeanne McSweeney and Charlie Leocha ($6.95). It is small enough to keep in your glove compartment and nothing quiets loud kids like a few questions about them. Like all of us, they love talking about themselves. Click on the cover of the book at www.worldleisure.com.

OK enough of patting myself on my own back.

Radio Shack has an excellent travel alarm clock on sale right now that features snooze alarm and a good display that lights up in the dark. It is only around $12 or so.

Another good gift for any traveler is a set of electric plug adapters. Most computers these days as well as many hair dryers and other appliances automatically change from 110 volts to 220 volts, but without the plug adapter, forget it. No traveler can have too many sets. They keep one set in their computer case and another in their suitcase. These end up costing about $10 to $15.

There is a nifty foldup multipurpose tool that goes by many names-it includes knives, a pair of pliers, a bottle opener etc. Basically is it Swiss Army knife with a set of pliers. You can find expensive sets at Brookstone for around $30 and bargain sets that work pretty well at Sears for about $10.

Speaking of Swiss Army knives, they also make perfect gifts for travelers. I prefer the smallest what are only about two inches long and have a small blade, file and pair of scissors. I keep mine on my key ring. Otherwise make sure to buy the knife with a corkscrew. (Guess why.) Prices vary, but start from about $17 for the tiny knife.

Don't go for the bargain knife made in China. In this case, the real thing is worth every bit of the extra price.

Those U-shaped blow-up neck pillows are always a good gift and actually work. If you have a friend who needs reading glasses, buy them a small pair of folding reading glasses. These fold up into a small pouch and can be slipped into anyone's pocket or briefcase. They will love them.

How about a pair of opera glasses? These are not only good for the opera, but are excellent when traveling to sights such as the Sistine Chapel or any major cathedral, where having a pair of opera glasses can make an amazing difference. They only cost about $30 or so.

Battery-powdered shaver--these are a Godsend when traveling transatlantic. It is always nice to get off a flight clean-shaven. Philips makes a pretty good one.

The Amazing dTube is a folding luggage tote that folds up small enough to fit into a briefcase. Perfect for the traveler who still has no-wheel luggage to lug around. You can find it from Magellan's Catalog.

A good, small hair dryer is always welcome, but make sure it is dual voltage. For women, look into a good dual-voltage curling iron. A good mini flashlight is always appreciated. Get a good one; this is a case where the more expensive flashlights are worth the money.

I hope you have a great Christmas.

Charlie Leocha is the Boston-based author of Travel Rights: Know the Rules of the Road and the Air Before You Go. Cheap Charlie appears every Monday on this site. E-mail him at charlie@ticked.com or access his Web site.