'Tis the Season for Gifts--and I Have All the Inspiration You Need! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large November 3, 2004 We're quickly heading towards holiday season, and I don't know about you, but one thing I find most people love to receive as a present is travel. Whether it's via armchair, car, plane, train, or rail, learning about new places is a sure way to broaden your horizons. When it comes to holiday gift buying, I think a travel-related gift is always a safe bet. Here are a few of my favorites for this gift-giving season. For the Mom or Dad who always seems to have--how shall we say it?--hyper kids on hand, Cynthia Copeland's book FUN ON THE RUN is filled with 324 instant family activities that can be played in restaurants, airplanes, the car, or on the beach. It's compact and light enough to be stashed in your purse or the glove compartment--I've heard some parents exclaim that this little beauty is truly a lifesaver. ($8.95 wherever books are sold.) You've probably never heard of a Fandex--it's called a family field guide that puts knowledge at your fingertips. It's a handy item filled with pictures and shapes, and it's packed with information on places and things. For example, you can take the New York City Fandex to the Big Apple and learn while you go. Or you can study the Fandex on our nation's capital to see all it has to offer. If you know someone who is fascinated by dinosaurs, butterflies, or Native American Indians, those are just a few of the subjects that might appeal. ($9.95 at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com) The blowout gift this year is the newest iPod Photo. It's not cheap, starting at $499, but it will play music for years to come and allow you to share photos too. (It stores up to 15,000 tunes and more than 25,000 photos but weighs only six ounces.) It's great fun to share pictures of home with the friends you meet on the road. (From $499, www.apple.com) For the frequent traveler who has everything, how about the latest TSA-approved bag locks? These Lewis N. Clark metal locks have a code for the user and a master set for the TSA screeners to use. With this system, security can get into your bags by opening the locks, and then lock them up again after they're done. Keep everything you travel with safe and secure. ($15.99 for set of two locks at www.ebags.com) For that road-tripper who always finds himself packing items into the car and spending the night "crashing" at one place or another, a perfect gift is an Aero bed. In fact, it might be a great gift to give someone in your family so you can put it to use too. It takes 60 seconds to set up and is easier to use than a pullout couch (all you do is take it out, plug it in, and press a button to fill it with air.) Ok, so someone still has to make the bed, but at least you say goodbye to sleeping on that terribly uncomfortable metal bar! The Aero bed is perfect for your home or someone else's. (Starting at 89.99 at www.thinkaero.com) For devoted travelers with pets Aero Bed now also makes a blow-up bed for Fido too. It comes with a fleece cover and all! Now everyone in your family can sleep in comfort all season long. (Starting at 49.99 at www.thinkaero.com) Give the gift of travel itself and help someone you know get up and go. Last-Minute Deals gift certificates are available at Travelocity.com for any price. (www.travelocity.com) A last-minute stocking stuffer for the yuletide can be your very own after December 1st. Be on the lookout for where you can get a replica of our chum at Travelocity.com. This year, don't despair, give the gift of travel to all! For the most recent travel news check out Amy Ziff's Travel Tips from AtoZ at www.travelocity.com/atoz. If you have a question or topic you would like me to cover in a future column, please e-mail Amy Ziff at ask.amy@travelocity.com ask.amy@travelocity.com. Come back monthly to see if your question has been answered.

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