My Sort of Gifts for the Traveler I Am

Need some last-minute, traveler-friendly gift ideas? I am here to lend a helping hand by listing my favorite finds -- Mom are you listening?

It seems as if though most of the staff here at FTF, including myself, do not look forward to the Christmas season. Yet, after researching and reviewing a few of these products, along with sipping on my favorite Ginger tea from Uncle Lee's, I immediately got into the Christmas spirit and started dropping some subtle hints with a few forwarded emails to the parents.

Elephant Poo Poo Paper Ornament
Price: $12.99

Speaking of droppings, no one here at FTF seems to know how the shapely turd made its way into our office, but the Great Elephant Poop Poo Paper ornament that now adorns the staff writers’ desk is certainly a charming, if not unusual, piece of décor. Made from the actual dung of elephants in the kingdom of Thailand, the papier-mâché like ornament can come in red or white and is the perfect eco-friendly gift idea for anyone who appreciates elephant welfare and a little humor. The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company also offers journals, various colored stationery sets, Holiday greeting cards and more, all made from recycled elephant doo-doo. For those who may not be as poo-crazy as we are at FTF, a portion of the company’s profit goes to elephant welfare and conservation.

Oh, and to get an idea of how “green” these great products really are, 25 large sheets of paper can be generated from a single piece of elephant poo poo – enough for 10 standard sized journals including the front and back covers - Pooptastic!

Reporting For Duty Coloring Book
Price: $9.95

Heading to Washington, D.C. with the kids anytime soon? If so, check out H.K. Gilbert’s "Reporting for Duty, A Day at the White House," which serves as both a potential backseat coloring book and educational tool for the little ones to learn about the different parts of the White House through the eyes of Barkley, a top-notch secret service dog. For one of the first times since my childhood years, I had to resist the urge to grab a crayon and spend a workday shading in the Oval Office.

Tokyo Citizen Bike
Price: $164

If you live in a big city, you’ll know how much of a bother it is to chain your bicycle outside, leaving nature (and bolt cutters) to have at it. Even more of a pain is the amount of space it takes up sitting in the hallway or living room. The 16”, 29-pound Tokyo Citizen Bike solves all of these problems. It's designed with an ultra-portable folding frame including a 6-speed index gear system with grip shifter and cool enough for teens. Whether to conserve space at home or during travels, this stylish biped is the ultimate holiday gift.

Celltei Pak-o-Bird
Price: $169

If not for practicality, I mention this next product out of sheer amazement and hilarity. For those who love to travel but can’t stand to part with Polly for a prolonged period of time, the Celltei Pak-o-Bird travel carrier by Style Living Corp. solves all your winged friend's woes. The carrier, available in three sizes to suit your bird, can be used as a front pouch, backpack or shoulder bag and is offered in nylon or stainless steel mesh. Inside, a dragonwood perch and two five-ounce stainless steel cups for food and water are provided. What a tweet deal.

Rest Easy Bed Bug Killer
Price: $14.99 (2-ounce 2-pack)

Nearly every travel piece I read includes a disturbing tale of questionable accommodations, from which the reader emerges with a newfound appreciation for cleaner quarters back at home. While I can’t wait to have some similar experiences of my own, I’d like to skip entirely the itchy experience of those bloodsucking bed bugs. So I was excited to learn that Rest Easy, a natural non-pesticide, is effective in killing and repelling these nasty pests. The handy two-ounce bottles are safe to take aboard planes as well as to use around kids and pets, so spray away!

Sony Vaio W Series Netbook
Price: $$499.99 (Starting rate)

Sleek, sexy and suitable for those who are constantly on the go, the Sony Vaio weighs an incredible 2.65 pounds, making for lightweight travel and a perfect companion for avid travel writers. For an in-depth review of the netbook, check out FTF's Sony Vaio W Series Present Sexy Netbooks article by Kyle McCarthy.

*Prices do not include tax and handling and shipping fees