When you think of gifts for travelers, some tried and true picks probably come to mind—books, RV items, camping/fishing/hunting/hiking accessories, money, luggage, etc. It’s more fun, though, to give things that might catch the wanderers on your list off guard. Here are a few thoughts.
AAA membership. The last time I renewed mine, the cost was $48. Nowadays, it only takes a couple of hotel stays, with your AAA percentage-off break, to make that back. I don’t have AAA insurance and probably never will, but I joined to get access to their storehouse of travel information and services—everything from guidebooks, maps and travel planning to construction updates, reservation assistance and discounts on a wide variety of products and services. It’s one of the best deals out there, and I get many times the value of my membership back each year. In fact, I keep discovering new discounts. Here’s a hint: If you give this gift to someone, make sure they stay alert to AAA discounts. It’s easy to just forget that you have that little card.
Custom website list. Don’t laugh. If you’re not someone who spends a lot of time on the Internet, you may not be aware of the incredible wealth of information at your fingertips. Even if you do spend time online, you can easily discover new sites. I’m always trading new site addresses with family members and friends. How about an hour or two of in-depth research to produce a list of a dozen really helpful and little-known travel sites? It could turn out to be someone’s favorite gift. Besides, it costs nothing and is a fresh twist on a “homemade” gift.
Maps. I like maps and have lots of them. City maps. State maps. Regional maps. County maps. I like comparing city maps, for example, in various map books. There is a big difference in the level of detail from one to the other. Besides, maps (especially the all-purpose road atlas) do become dated because roads get rebuilt, closed, rerouted, etc. So upgrading every few years is a good idea. One suggestion I would make for these: Make sure to get one that is spiral-bound. They’re much easier to handle, and they hold up a lot longer than the saddle stitched (stapled in the middle) versions. Maps are useful, practical and inexpensive. I am due for an update to my road atlas so it’s on my wish list for this Christmas.
GPS unit. This is definitely a more pricey choice, ranging from about $100 to several hundred. GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and it refers to units that use a network of satellites to help you pinpoint exactly where you are. Some vehicles actually come with dash-mounted GPS equipment. You can also buy them as after-market units to be installed in your vehicle. Hand-held versions are also available, and these are the ones used for geocaching.
Clearly, selecting one of these units is a little more demanding than browsing through map books. Generally, the more they do (features), the more they cost. You’ll want one that has lots of practical features and is very user friendly. If I were in the market for one, I’d check out Consumer Reports, check some online sources for user reviews and talk to knowledgeable retailers as well as friends who use one.
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