The Gift Corner

More Travel Gifts: Luxurious Travel Accessories

Last week we profiled a fab toiletry bag as a wonderful gift for the traveler - and also a great gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthday, etc.

This week, we have more great travel gifts, but definitely on the luxe side.  Now, these are by no means ultra expensive, and with the economy in such lousy shape right now we don't even want to THINK about some of the lovely, but outrageously priced travel items out there.  But these products are all handcrafted, so we can't classify them as inexpensive.

But for your luxury minded traveler giftee who always appreciate the finest: these are outstanding gifts.

First, the hand tooled leather passport cover - always popular.  "But why," you ask, "would anyone want a passport cover?"  Great question.  

1. They're good looking!  Ok - that might sound shallow, but we are talking about a gift here.
2. And they have two additional pockets for holding contact info, credit cards, licenses, whatever you might want to carry along with the passport.

The leather travel flask - this is just fun - also a great gift for Father's Day, graduations and birthdays.  Necessary?  Not a bit.  Romantic and cool?  You  betcha.  After all, think of all the cool guys (and gals) in the old movies carrying their flasks.  And one does get parched, on occasion!

The business card holder (or credit card holder) but this isn't like any other card holder we've seen.  This one has been designed in the style of very sophisticated and chic, old cigarette cases.  Sporting a hard metal case, and then covered with the finest calfskin - this is one cool card case.  And when traveling, one needs those cards to hand out to all the new friends!

The soft cover photo envelope.  "What?  You take photos on your trips, you don't need to carry any with you!"  We beg to differ.  Do you have a grandmother - mother - mother in law?  Are you any of those?  Then you know darn well that photos of children and grands, and nieces/nephews, etc. are ALWAYS carried, and proudly shown.  Hm,  and with Mother's Day coming up - another fantastic dual purpose gift!

And for those uber organized types that never fail to write down all the wondrous sites they see along the way, along with interesting details and highlights - a beautiful calfskin travel journal.  A "must have" for the writer - or anyone aspiring to be.

These travel accessories are all made by the Melkhior family, who have been producing handcrafted leatherwork in Israel since the 17th century.  Top quality handcrafted products - family business - we love that!

Come Sail Away! Gifts for the Travelers

Yes, it's getting to that time of year when we feel our fingers tingling - tingling and reaching for the phone to call the travel agent.

The high season for travel will soon be here; and we're thinking about double duty gifts.  That's right, travel gifts that are terrific for other occasions as well.

Need a Mother's Day gift, and Mom loves to travel?  Or a Father's Day gift, and Dad's favorite thing is to go adventuring?

Well, here's a practical and inexpensive! gift that's perfect.  In fact, the Wall Street Journal called it the "Best Overall Toiletry Kit."

Available from TravelSmith (love them) the kit features a built-in storage shelf for full-size bottles, zippered compartments and mesh pockets.  Available in four solid colors, plus zebra and leopard prints, the medium kit is priced at $29, and the small kit is priced at $25.

Like we said earlier, can't beat the prices!

Can't Think of a Gift? We've Got You Covered

You need a gift - maybe for a birthday, anniversary, graduation,housewarming, thank you for letting me stay at your beach house for two weeks! kind of gift.

But there's a problem, your mind is just going blank, that's right: zero - nothing - nada.  For all Seinfeld fans, think of George yelling, "I got nothin' - nothin'!"  Well, we understand - we've been there too.

But you still have to come up with a gift.  And that's where this fantastic website comes in to save the day.

Now, we've ordered all kinds of yummy things online to send to folks for birthdays, etc.: fabulous cakes, expensive chocolates, bottles of wine, gourmet popcorns, crabcakes and steaks.  And we've always been pleased to hear that the recipient was happy with the gift.

But today, we're talking about upping the ante - or at least the fun factor, with a gift from this site: It Makes Me Giggle.  Gotta love the name!

Not only will they send a cake to your giftee (choice of marble or chocolate) but it comes in a package that includes a party hat, candles (and matches) confetti - in other words, it's a party in a box!

And best of all, you record a personal message of Congrats, Thank You, etc., that will play when the package is opened.  You can even include a personal photo.  How fun, and cool, is that?

We also like the fact that It Makes Me Giggle is the baby of the Mead family, of California.  We always love to promote great products from family businesses!

So next time you need a gift - and you're coming up snake eyes - click on over to It Makes Me Giggle.  (And we'll be giggling too.)

A Gift For the Stylish Traveler, and Shopper!

We do so, love to travel.  And we do so, love to shop when we travel.  And therein lies the dilemma: what to do with all the wonderful purchases you make during your journey.

Now, some people will take an empty suitcase with them, just for this purpose.  But in this day and age of airlines charging you for every little thing (including those empty bags) we don't think this is the best choice.

Our preference has always been to pack one of the little fold-up bags in our suitcase; and then when the need arises, we add our purchases to the now-opened bag, and check it in with the rest of the luggage at journey's end.  (Still have to pay a fee, but at least it's just one way.)

And we have given our friends and fellow travelers numerous little fold-ups over the years.

But there's always been a drawback to these bags; especially when giving them as a gift.  That drawback?  Style.  Yes, most of the little fold-ups are perfectly functional, but not particularly attractive.

And when you want to give one as a gift...  Well, let's just say it's nice to be handsome too.

But now, we've found one that is chic (so chic we're putting it in our Fashion Gifts category,) colorful (makes it easy to find if you have to check it) and functional: Longchamps' Le Pliage  fold up travel bags made of canvas and leather.  We like these two sizes:

• Duffel - 15 3/4"H x 21 3/4"W x 9"D
• Shopper - 13"H x 13"W x 7 1/2"D

And while the Duffel is roomy; it's not too big to go on the plane with you as carry-on.  Always a plus!

 

We found the Shoppers and Duffels (in fantastic colors: bright pink, orange, green and blue) at Neiman Marcus.

Also, check the Longchamps site, for the complete line of Le Pliage handbags and accessories.

Great style - great functionality - great gifts!

An "Outdoor Gift" that Appeals to the Crowd

We love gifts that appeal to several different tastes and interests.

And today's selection is one of those: a bird house.  But not just any old bird house: this one is made of reclaimed wood and antiqued ceiling tin (for the green, eco-chic crowd,) is styled with a golf motif including tees and golf balls (now we've got the golfers involved,) and ultimately, it is a house for birds.  So, now we've incorporated the outdoor enthusiasts, from gardeners to birders.

And with warm weather here, and everyone out and about, spiffing up gardens, planning outdoor gatherings - it's the perfect gift, at the perfect time.

We give you the Golf Bird House:

 

At $75, this is a terrific gift.

Go to Uncommon Goods for all the details, and to order.

Guaranteed to bring a smile to your giftee.