Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers and Writers

If you spread your shopping throughout the year -- and have everyone covered -- then congratulations! Maybe you’ll find a few last-minute stocking stuffers below...

But, if you’re like the rest of us, and you’re just starting to rack your brain about what to get your favorite traveler or writer this year, then you’ll find everything you need, at a variety of price points, right here...

BOOKS FOR THE TRAVELER OR WRITER:

** Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, by Natalie Goldberg (recommended by Kyle Wagner, travel editor for the Denver Post)

** The Best American Travel Writing 2008

** Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (one of Jennifer Stevens’ recent favorites)

** Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly

** Stumbling on Happiness, by Daniel Gilbert

** Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World Class Performers from Everybody Else, by Geoff Colvin

** Travel magazine subscriptions (I like Budget Travel, Condé Nast Traveler, and National Geographic Traveler. You can subscribe to each of these on their respective websites.)

** The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program, 3rd edition:

http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/kp/getstarted

MORE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE TRAVELER:

** A TSA-friendly laptop bag -- so your favorite traveler can leave his laptop in the bag when he goes through airport security (http://www.turbobag.com)

** USB Port-Rechargeable AA Batteries -- flip back the top and stick them into the USB port on your computer to charge... then reuse. (http://www.usbcell.com)

** Flip Video -- Hand-held digital video recorder lets you make quick travel videos, then flip out the USB connector, download to your computer, watch, and edit your videos in seconds (http://www.theflip.com)

** Laminated wall map with dry-erase pens for trip planning and dreaming (http://www.amazon.com)

** Undercover Silk Neck Pouch -- hides your money and documents when you travel, but it’s softer and less scratchy than most money belts (http://www.rei.com/product/648623)

** Waterproof camera case -- keep shooting in the rain (http://www.rei.com/product/752136)

** Wrap-up camera case -- hooks into the tripod connector on the bottom of your camera. Then you can wrap it around your camera for quick storage, protection, and access (http://www.rei.com/product/779117)

** Nalgene travel bottle kit -- includes squeezable travel bottles for shampoos, lotions, etc., and comes in heavy-duty, TSA-ready zip-lock bag. They’re color-coded and leak proof, too.

** GPS device -- This is ESPECIALLY useful for the person who gets lost and refuses to ask for directions (http://tinyurl.com/orva8)

** Hands-free headset -- good for somebody who might want to use Skype to make calls home through a computer or for anyone who talks on a cell phone while doing housework, driving, or working with their hands.

MORE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE WRITER:

** Gift card to a bookstore, or on-line credit at Amazon.com

** Flash drive -- you can never back up enough, and these are ultra-light. You can also bring them to Internet cafés and upload your files to send.

** A travel journal that lies flat when open and a waterproof pen

** A small digital voice recorder for interviews and recording article ideas on the run

** Hour-long massage to loosen up those tight shoulders from typing

** Writer's Market Online subscription (www.writersmarket.com)

** An ultra-light and portable laptop to stay productive while traveling -- compare brands here: http://tinyurl.com/3dteb2

** A seat at our Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop this July 23-25 in Denver, Colorado: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/tww/denver

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Staff Picks wishlist!