Holiday Gift Ideas for Travelers, Writers, and Photographers

Whether you’re looking only for last-minute gifts — or you’re just beginning to shop — read on below for a wide variety of options at all sorts of prices.
BOOKS FOR THE READER:
** The Dangerous Book for Boys (http://tinyurl.com/yt3j9s) — for dads and sons.
** Me Talk Pretty One Day (http://tinyurl.com/25pnq8) — for everyone (especially those who like traveling to France).
** Freakonomics (http://tinyurl.com/36vl3p) — for the business minded.
BOOKS FOR THE TRAVELER AND THE WRITER:
** Stephen King on Writing: (http://tinyurl.com/y99fu4) – this was my favorite book this year.
** The Elements of Style, Strunk and White (http://tinyurl.com/kgj2u)
** The Best American Travel Writing 2007: (http://tinyurl.com/3ay7kg)
** Travel magazine subscriptions (I like Budget Travel, Conde Naste 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/letushelp)
** The Kindness of Strangers, from Armchair Reading (http://tinyurl.com/35nwj7)
** An online-subscription to the New York Times (www.nytimes.com)
** The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World, from Lonely Planet (http://tinyurl.com/2wfx53)
MORE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE TRAVELER:
** Hand-held language translator — some come in five or more languages
** GSM phone (to make calls from abroad) — available at most phone stores.
** Space bags — these handy plastic bags are used for packing. You can stuff all your clothes in and squeeze the air out to compress your load. (https://www.spacebag.com)
** Subscription to audible.com — Featuring hundreds of books, radio shows, courses, speeches, etc. that you can download into your mp3 player (www.audible.com )
** World wall map and pushpins to track past adventures and future travel plans
** Packable Panama Hat — for men (http://tinyurl.com/ynk85x)
** Noise-canceling headphones
** Membership in US Servas (free home stays around the world),
(www.usservas.org)
** A Footprint guidebook — travel off the beaten path. (www.footprintbooks.com)
** Kids’ Travel Art & Games Tote — for long car trips (http://tinyurl.com/27obdw)
** GPS device — This is ESPECIALLY useful for the person who gets lost and refuses to ask for directions. (http://tinyurl.com/orva8)
** All-in-one travel charger for laptops and phones — available at most electronics stores.
** A traveler’s first aid kit or sewing kit
** 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.
** Earplanes ear plugs — reduce air plane cabin pressure on ear drums.  For kids or adults. (http://tinyurl.com/3369jh)
MORE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER:
See yesterday’s e-letter for a camera accessory buying guide. Plus…
** Gift certificate to B&H Photo, a store that has almost everything photo-related, at good prices (www.bhphotovideo.com).
** A digital camera (Read our camera buying guide first.)
** Lastolite folding reflector — bounces light onto photo subject and fits in camera bag (http://tinyurl.com/24xtmx)
** Memory cards (with card reader and protector) — But before you pick one make sure you know what type of camera the gift recipient has.
** Camera rain cover — range in price from $20 to $200 (http://tinyurl.com/3cbshz)
** Camera-mounted level for a straight horizon
** Subscription to digital photo magazines, like Digital Photographer, Digital Photo Pro, or Photoshop User Magazine
** An extra camera battery
** Shutter release cable to eliminate motion blur when you snap a picture (http://tinyurl.com/35dhtm)
** An ultra-light ball-head tripod, because if it’s heavy, they’re going to leave it at home.
** A lightweight, sturdy camera bag with room for lots of accessories
** Photoshop Elements or the more professional Photoshop Lightroom
** Travel digital memory storage device, Epson P4000
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 cafes and upload your files to send.
** Portable hard drive — more storage than a flash drive.
** Gift card to a favorite coffee shop
** A travel journal that lies flat when open, and a waterproof pen
** 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 subscription to some magazines they’d like to write for
** An ergonomic keyboard that’ll be easier on those typing hands
** Quicklink pen — These amazing devices can translate, scan, and even help dyslexic readers! (www.wizcomtech.com)
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Staff Picks wish list — and another unique gift idea on Saturday.
[Editor’s Note: Learn more about how you can turn your pictures into cash in our free online newsletter The Right Way to Travel.  Sign up here today and we’ll send you a new report, Selling Photos for Cash: A Quick-Start Guide, completely FREE.]