Travel gifts for $25 or less

December 9, 4:22 PMNY Budget Travel ExaminerSusan Finch

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the NY Budget Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

I'm a travel junkie and love new travel products, gadgets, reviews, and buzz. I also tend to think truly useful or fabulous travel gear is difficult to come by, especially on the cheap. Who wants to spend $200 on a fancy gadget you'll use once?

Instead of giving your fellow travel nerds the typical journals and photo frames this year, opt for something with a little more ingenuity.

Here are my picks for 10 travel gifts for $25 or less

Solar-Power Hand Crank Radio - This vintage style hand radio recharges its battery through solar power or hand crank. Ideal for those hiking, traveling abroad, and friends who can't remember to buy an extra pack of batteries and are always borrowing yours. Find it at UncommonGoods.com for $25.

Lonely Planet Shoestring Guides - Give the ultimate guide in budget travel with Lonely Planet. Their shoestring series is a must-have for anyone traveling on a next to nothing budget. Pick up their Costa Rica on a Shoestring guide for $24.95.

Frequent Flyer Miles - Just about every major airline offers gift miles and usually offers bonus miles for you and your recipient during the holidays. Most miles start at $25 per 1,000 miles and some airlines charge service fees, so read the fine print in advance. 1,000 miles may not seem like a lot now, but in 3 years time, my husband and I both flew round-trip to Europe with our miles. I would have loved the extra gift miles from friends and loved ones.

Universal Power Adapter - I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I thought all European countries used the same outlet. But after visiting Hungary and the Czech Republic, I found out I was wrong. Our hand universal adapter had options for just about any outlet and was easy to use. You can find one at Buy.com for $14.99.

Gorillapod Tripod - These funky tripods secure your camera to its base while its legs twist and turn to capture that perfect angle. Comes in a variety of colors to match your own travel gear.  Get your loved a Gorillapod Original at joby.com for $24.95.

Anti-Bacterial Toothbrush Caps - My toothbrushes always start out with bright futures and ambitions, but look like something I should turn in for testing to the CDC by the time I get back from a trip. Magellans anti-bacterial toothbrush caps keeps your brushes from looking like a breeding ground for germs. Pick up a set of 4 for $8.85 and splurge on one for yourself.

iTurbo iPod Charger - Our iPods always seems to quit out on us in the car, airports, subway, and other opportunities when there's no way to get them charged up. Amazon.com is currently selling iTurbo for just $11.35.

GSI Mini Espresso Maker - If you're anything like my hubster, you can't be more than 5 miles away from coffee at any given moment. This can make it tricky if we're not near a city, out for a day hike, or in the woods.  You can find one for $22.95 at SunnySports.com.

Luggage Tags with Attitude - I discovered these quirky little luggage tags at Wishingfish.com.  Choose from series I or II for $12.00 and get six tags that capture your loved one's 'tude:  What, me travel light? Do not lose this bag! Baggage handler, please send this suitcase out first. Of course this bag is heavy, everything I own is inside. Hands off my bag, Bless this Bag. Currently, WishingFish is offering their series I tags for $9.99.

Oh, The Places We'll Sew - I love these little stitching postcards from UncommoonGoods.com for just $5. Your traveling friends can stitch out their routes, landmarks, and memories with the included needle and thread.

Don't forget to google for online discounts and promotional codes before you purchase. Searching for "amazon.com discount codes" or "Magellans online coupons" could result in discounts, free shipping, or other promotions. And remember to look local and get creative. When I lived in Atlanta, I heard about a tiny airport offering half-hour flying lessons for just $25. I bought it for my then boyfriend and was the coveted "cool girlfriend" for a month.

If you liked this story, you also might like:

Crime tours for less than $60
Giving back on your next vacation, and finding a tax deduction
An interview with travel entrepreneur Richard Bangs

Email me your budget travel questions and challenges at travelexaminer@yahoo.com.  I'll post them here and help you get on the open road.