Anything travel-related on your Christmas wish list?

The Clutch batteries for phone charging are very slim, and fit nicely into the Bandolier phone cases with the snap side pockets. You can plug in the battery while it stays nested in the snap pocket.
I also recommend the Bandolier phone cases with their neck straps, but they do run about $100, so that's a pricey gift.
Safe travels!

Pam, thanks for the power bank idea. I also hoped to do away with gifts but I was out voted, so a power bank will be a good gift. We don’t pick names, just do a grab bag. If possible, I’ll just pick my own gift. Lol

I bought hand held luggage scales as stocking stuffers for those of us traveling to Europe in summer 2023. Various people are going the budget route with their airline tickets and will need to keep their allowed carryon and personal item within size and weight limits.

My biggest joy this year is that our youngest granddaughter, whom we’ve traveled with before, announced last February that she’d like to do a semi solo trip to Europe following her HS graduation this summer. You should see her Christmas wish list. She texts us from time to time to ask “what do you think about luggage, packing cubes, Eurail passes, etc”. She bought her own airline ticket last week. This will be a fun Christmas. We and her parents are wandering around in Europe too for several weeks.

Pam, your brother will love The Longest Day. We both watched the movie and read the book before our trip to Normandy a few years ago.

I'm trying to learn Portuguese before our September Best of Portugal tour, so I've asked Santa for some Portuguese materials. It's awfully hard to find materials that present European Portuguese, however. Almost everything out there is for Brazilian, and yes, there are significant differences. I do plan to gift myself the RS Portuguese phrasebook, though, when I order the tour kit later this month for our February London tour. The books are all on sale, and I'm hoping that the offer of free shipping with the tour kit is still available.

I may also ask for a bluetooth keyboard for my tablet. I used one on our 2019 trip, but it no longer works properly, and is out of warranty. And evidently can't be repaired, either.

I'm following this thread for more ideas.

Thanks, Pam, for a fun thread.

Pat, thanks for the recommendation on the Clutch power bank. It does look nice and small but possibly looks like it may not fully charge a cell phone? What's your experience been on usage? Enough to get you back to the hotel to do a charge but then might not be able to read the forum while sitting at lunch or drinking wine in a cafe in Paris, hahaha?? I think maybe you might have mentioned the Bandolier phone cases before or maybe that was another forum member? They look very nice.

Barbara....lolol....I like that idea. It's just the 3 older adults - myself, brother and SIL. I'd still give money to the nephews and wife and the kiddos but really I'd like them not to give me presents. Yikes.

Mona, we do have a handheld luggage scale and it is wonderful. If she is going very low, a digital kitchen scale is good as well. I obsessed about weights this summer and wound up weighing every packing cube, pouch, tee shirt, etc. I was able to stay right at what my mental limit was and even coming back home I was still under 20# for which I was grateful. I only potentially had a weight restriction on 1 leg out of 6 flights so was well under that going over where it might have counted and still well under that on the way back home where I knew no one would weigh anything. Even though I'm not a shopper somewhere along the way I collected nearly 4# of paper or stuff. That is so awesome that she is "taking herself" to Europe!

Jane, good to know about the book. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to buy it before because I knew the screenplay was based on an original novel. I've got a paperback one in my Amazon cart. You wouldn't happen to know if there is a difference in the 2019 edition and earlier editions? I assume (which is always dangerous!) it's just a reprint. You have such good language skills I'm sure you will be a whiz with Portuguese. I'm still struggling to master "Merci" and completely gave in in Italy and reverted to tourist signals, lol!! A Bluetooth keyboard sounds good as well. Do I need to email Stan?

Aimee!! LOL!! Well, tickets are the gift I give myself. You know I want what I want on those! Guidebooks are a great idea and SIL is going to Paris and Provence next spring so maybe I'll go for that!

Pam, I suspect the text is the same in the 2019 edition, but there may be some added notes? Obviously I don't know, and am making this up. I'd google both editions; newer editions usually say changes have been made, and book reviewers always do, usually grumpily.

Stan has learned that when I put something on my Christmas list, it's something I either really want, or really need. And he has asked me to make a list and post it where he can find it - not easy in our overflowing house. Yet, we need gifts, right?

I really need some ideas for something for him, though. That's one reason I'm following this thread. (Maybe another cap, Lol!)

I want a international sized suitcase that I can carry on. My husband is fine with checking, especially since we did without any problem going to Crete last year (because of hiking poles). But I have since then heard too many horror stories including from a colleague’s whose checked in suitcase in Birmingham, England never caught up with him in Washington state despite being there a month.

I decided I would rather have less I know I will have than take any risks. My husband could walk into any store and buy clothes a lot easier than me!

And I guess I will need scales to go with the suitcase.

I ordered some guidebooks from the RS sale to hand over to my husband to wrap and gift to me. Or not wrap. Or not even hand over. I guess I just ordered myself some guidebooks from the RS sale. 😏

I ordered a new Baggallini backpack to use instead of my large Baggallini tote that doesn’t have a luggage sleeve. I ordered it on Halloween because they had a 25% off sale for anything that was black. I will surprise myself on Christmas morning when it appears under the tree. Hmmmmm, maybe there will be some more things in it by December 25.

https://www.baggallini.com/soho-backpack/SOH426-BG-B0843-NS.html I see that it is 30% off now. But mine was less even now because the original price was less. I like that the slightly padded straps could tuck into the luggage sleeve if you didn’t want them in the way. I used my new stocking stuffer scale to weigh it and it is one ounce less than my previous tote.

Jane, I looked at the reviews and did not see any glaring comments about the different editions so I think I'm good to go. Thanks for helping me troubleshoot.

Beth....yes, I understand. I went with a new international size bag this summer because it was lighter weight but the one I picked would not be small enough for one of the low cost carriers. There have been some bag threads recently including one from Jean who does our local RS meet up. The overpriced Osprey Ozone worked well for me but it is a little weird so someone would have not mind the things I found weird (shape and monopole handle). I wanted a combo of the lightest bag that would work with international carry on dimensions. There are plenty of international dimension bags but some are heavier than I wanted to go (solo, female, old-as-the-hills, hahaha!!). Have fun on your search!

Roubrat, hahaha! I just ordered the Provence book for SIL, lol. The online shop manager may wonder what is going on!

Mona, I like the interior organization the Baggallini's have. I used one of their totes this last trip and the trip in the spring and it did well. I can get it packed too heavy though.

Pam-Is this what you bought for luggage?

https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/ozone-wheeled-carry-on-42l-21-5-OZONE21POINT5_680.html

It is 55 cm high, 36 Wide and 23 depth. I am looking to fly on ITA which say 55 cm high, 35 Wide and 25 depth. So less depth but one cm more on width. It is less than 1/2 inch too wide.

The biggest thing is can't be more than 8 KG. There is an allowance for personal item (36 cm in height, 45 cm in width and 20 inn depth which doesn't seem to have a weight restriction so I am thinking this is doable.

That’s the last year’s model. I have the one that is even more overpriced, lol and is slightly smaller.

https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/ozone-2-wheel-carry-on-40l-21-5-OZONECO2WF22.html

It’s 55H X 35W X 25D CM

The Osprey site give dimensions in both metric and inches. I was worried at some of the inch dimensions when I was looking at a new bag then realized if I found the metric measurement sometimes it worked better as the inches are rounded. (Does that make sense? I am SO not a math person!).

I was able to cut weight by weighing everything in my bag and by going back to zip lock bags for toiletries instead of a cute toiletry kit and absolutely cutting paper and clothing. I was going to Italy so was about to take lightweight clothing. The bag turned out to not be but 3/4 full.

The downside to this bag is it packs weird. Lo had warned me and she was right. There were always some holes after I’d packed. I’d rearrange things and try to fill the space but it was a bit strange. It’s basically their backpack on a lightweight wheeled frame so it has rounder corners. It does not bother me in the least as I was just thrilled it was light enough for me to lift into the overhead bins.

Pam, I'm with you on the battery pack.

This trip I traveled with just one phone for both photos and Google Maps (usually I take an older, 2nd phone, so I have 2x the battery.) I found myself searching for power mid-day. So - after reading all the good advice on the forum - I bought this Anker battery. It is slim, for my purse. And I like that the USB-C port is both power-in (to recharge itself) and power-out (to charge a device.)

And a pair of Aetrex ankle boots that I'd been eyeing went on a 2-day sale! Just in time to take on my Christmas Markets trip.

And a new pair of lightweight, white sneakers for travel next May.

Oh, was I supposed to wait until Christmas?!?

Thank you BethFL, I now know what to ask for my birthday - which is before Christmas. :-)

I navigate so much better on a laptop. The writing on smartphones is so small, and the program formats are not nearly as easy to deal with as on a laptop. But I no longer travel with a laptop since I'm traveling slower and lighter.

A good item on my wish list would be a simple Amazon tablet. They're cheap, easy to work and very light. With a tablet, I can easily make travel reservations of all kinds on the run.

Yes, thank you Pam, I just ordered the Osprey bag. Can’t wait to take it to Egypt in March.

Hmmm, I think the i-phone 14 Pro is at the top of my list. Followed by a UHV umbrella that can be attached to my back-pack so it is hands-free, a new pair of hiking poles as mine are worn out, and a new poncho as my old one is worn out too and not very water resistant anymore.
I have a small kitchen scale that I use to weigh everything that goes in my bag. Unbelievably useful.

We each took battery packs (Anker 10000) on our trip last spring. Having an extra battery is practically a must. One thing I found, since my phone is always the one used for mapping purposes and just about anything else, is that having the external battery pack is sometimes awkward or inconvenient if I need to charge on the go. I bought a battery phone case so I could use my phone easily while charging it up. I’ve had them before with other phones and find it to be more convenient. On the long trip we just returned from I found I used it most days.

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Protective-Extended-Wireless-Compatible/dp/B08L739MSZ?pd_rd_w=2TtXz&content-id=amzn1.sym.deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_p=deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_r=8STHJS0GG4790YRXREH1&pd_rd_wg=2LR0W&pd_rd_r=518f0c46-ea53-401e-8ad8-731f3c36c951&pd_rd_i=B08L739MSZ&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_15_t

I also have this smaller external battery pack which is smaller and lighter.

https://www.amazon.com/iWALK-Portable-Ultra-Compact-External-Compatible/dp/B07VXWCBNL?pd_rd_w=2TtXz&content-id=amzn1.sym.deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_p=deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_r=8STHJS0GG4790YRXREH1&pd_rd_wg=2LR0W&pd_rd_r=518f0c46-ea53-401e-8ad8-731f3c36c951&pd_rd_i=B07VXWCBNL&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_38_t

The Clutch battery is now on my list as a stocking stuffer for hubby. Thanks!

I am very fond of my Tom Bihn Everyday Cubelet which I use for daily walks and short shopping trips at home. I took one along to Europe this year for days when I didn’t need a day pack and used it for my phone and sunglasses. Might have to give some as gifts.

Several people on my list will be getting Air Quart bags. Sturdy, easy to clean, and useful for several travel purposes: toiletries, medical kit, cords, and to corral my odds and ends like corkscrew, wine stopper, bag clips. (Yes, I travel with a few “kitchen supplies” for apartment living.)

Wool tee shirts are my latest affliction. Got by this year for two months taking half the tees I used to take thanks to wool. If anyone asks what I want, they are on my Santa list.

Pam, I have the Anker 10000 power bank and absolutely love it! I had a Jackery before but like this one better - it's a little lighter and the charge is much stronger. I can get almost 3 full charges on my iPhone out of it before recharging the PB.

And my wish is the same as Ms. Jo - an iPhone upgrade from the 12 mini to the 14 Pro; mostly for its camera. That will probably have to be a present to myself though.

I have a hard time with holiday gifts as I'm sort of an "instant gratification" person. In other words, I buy it when i want it, which means there's nothing left to put on a list. I'm sure I'll find something, though - my daughter will nag me till I do. 😊

CWSocial - OK, this will expose my lack of tech knowledge but why is the USB-C port for power in/out important. I might understand this after I used it but I can't picture the whys on this! My iPad Mini has a C port but my iPhone has a lightning connector. I would have to have a cord that is either 2 "C"s or a C and a lightning? I like those Aertrex boots! They look very comfortable and should be good on cobbles if there is some precip causing them to be slick! And no, you are not supposed to wait, hahaha!

HB Trotter! Birthday or Christmas or Saturnalia or other seasonal holiday...all work, lol!

David, yes, a tablet is kind of essential now. A few years ago when my Kindle pooped out the forum folks talked me in to an iPad Mini and I've not looked back.

Barbara, I'd encourage you to do some trial packs before you have to pack for real. The pocket at the top for your 3-1-1- bag is handy but it also invades the space in the bag so you will want to figure out how to pack "around" it. I hope you like it. The real selling point for me was the 4.5# weight. And yes, I weighed it with my hand-held scale and it was exactly 4.5 pounds, lol.

Ms Jo...sounds like the Compostela is calling you again! I've seen some of those hiking umbrellas and they look very handy when you need both arms for (new, lol!) hiking poles.

Andrea - thanks for that information. I will study your links and may have more questions. I see this will mean I can't have my Van Gogh Almond Blossom phone case, hahaha!! The 2nd link looks like it does about 2 full charges which is a bit more than the Clutch. So did you carry both the charger in the 2nd link and have your phone in the charger case when you all were out and about?

Laurel, that cubelet looks good. I'd been looking at the Sidekick which is larger but this looks good for my "wear on the plane" cross body. As a solo traveler I like to have a cross body on all the time on the plane that has my passport, money, CC, etc. The Airquarts look great! I see in looking at the website many use those for a back-of-the-seat item as well. Have you been thru security at CDG or Heathrow with liquids in this bag? Just asking because I'd seen reports about CDG and it happened to me in September that at security they want everything in a quart/litre ziplock and were handing them out. I'd changed this year back to a ziplock to cut weight so was OK. I've had this happen at LHR as well. Looked quickly at the website and did not see a weight on the AirQuart?

Mardee - laughing...yes, Ms Instant Gratification here as well. I've had to hold myself back on the Anker charger because I thought that would be a good present for someone to give me IF they will give me exactly what "I" want. That's the problem isn't it? And good to know your experience with it.

Excellent ideas from everyone! Well, I've now got several more things on my lists to give and to possibly receive, lol. I usually spend Christmas afternoon online ordering everything I wanted and didn't get given, hahaha.

This idea is more local, but how about a gift card for Woops Bakery since that’s where our local group meets once a month? Other readers could get one at Panera Bread or other locations I’ve seen for meet-ups.

Along that line, how about a gift card to TJ Maxx? I know you like to browse there for travel items. ; )

Maybe a book whose setting is at your next trip location to read on the plane. Sonicare has a nice lightweight travel battery toothbrush, if you’re having a longer vacation. I will bring mine next year. https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Sonicare-Toothbrush-HY1100-03/dp/B08S8RWNV5/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3POR5JE7OBSUG&keywords=sonicare+travel+toothbrush&qid=1668357265&refinements=p_89%3APhilips+Sonicare&rnid=2528832011&s=hpc&sprefix=Sonicare+travel%2Caps%2C180&sr=1-5

My family would like some ideas for me, too, but I have a packing process that works and is predictable. The only idea I usually have is for my husband to buy me a cooking or painting, etc. class as an activity during the trip.

a tablet is kind of essential now

Yep, got my 1st cellular iPad in 2012, now on my 3rd. Use it for everything - flight ticket confirmations, hotel reservation confirmations, hotel stay receipts, spreadsheets, books, maps, trip calendar, movies, tv series, Skype, booking train tickets - including backing up my iPhone photos while travelling. As others have said and I agree, iPhones are just to impractical for these tired old eyes. And I have the cellular version so I don't have to deal with free dodgy hotel WiFi.
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I don't carry any printed matter when I travel, everything I need is stored digitally.

Jean, that's another great idea! At least cooking. A painting class would be totally wasted on me. I can't draw a stick figure!

I think I need to get an iPad and a travel battery-powered toothbrush. Thanks for all the great ideas!

My iPad Mini has a C port but my iPhone has a lightning connector. I would have to have a cord that is either 2 "C"s or a C and a lightning?

Pam, you're exactly right and not lacking in tech knowledge at all! It took me quite a lot of research, on the forum and numerous Anker and (for comparison) Belkin product detail pages.

My phone and tablet are Android, each with USB-C connections. With my new Anker battery I can charge either/both of them. If the USB-C connection were only power-in, I could only charge one device, through the USB port. Because it also provides power-out, I can - if necessary - charge a 2nd device with the USB-C port. I don't really expect to be doing this, but it also minimizes connections.

To use this same Anker Power Bank, you'd need...

For your iPad Mini: either a USB A to C or a USB C to C cable (both of which come in the box)
For your iPhone: either a USB A to lightning or a USB C to lightning (neither comes in the box)

So you could also charge both devices with a power bank with only 2 connections. There may be better units out there, specifically for iPhone. And on that, I am certainly no expert.

ETA: much credit to funpig on this thread, who clued me in to looking for a power bank with a "USB-C connector which permits both input (charging in) and output (charging out)":
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/portable-power-bank-for-cell-phone

One additional caution: the Amazon and Anker product detail pages say it weighs 8 - 8.5 oz; mine weighs a bit over 10oz, as many reviews I read had stated.

No presents for us as we did a huge kitchen reno almost a year ago. $$$$
I like all your ideas though!

Battery packs are a hard call - charging is in flux - smartphones will likely go to cordless charging ie. no USB-C or lightning ports (no definitive time line), while tablets will continue to have charging ports.
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The iPhone 14s are now all eSIM only in the the US, can cordless charging be far behind. Personally I wouldn't purchase any battery packs, but YMMV.

Pam, USB-C is the newest type of connection that will probably eventually replace the USB-A (the "regular" USB). Apple is now using it on their laptops and eventually the iPhone will probably change from the lightning connector to USB-C, since the EU has mandated that all cell phones under their jurisdiction have USB-C connections. The deadline isn't for a few years, but Apple will probably cave and change their connection since it doesn't make sense for them to have one phone connection in the US and another one in Europe.

CWsocial, I just weighed my Anker power bank on my kitchen scale and it weighed 6.4 oz.

Wow, great thread, Pam! I'm enjoying reading all the answers.
I love your Osprey bag!
Thanks for that Osprey website link.
I just found a messenger bag I want there.
Now it's between that and a new backpack I found on the Tom Bihn website.
My original Christmas wish was:
Membership in the National Trust for next year, so we can have free access to their properties in England, plus all the goodies they send out--their magazines plus newsletters.

Jean! Oh gosh, Woops gift card is brilliant!

Periscope...I have not gotten that far into tech as my iPad MIni does not have cellular. I can still function on the phone even to read on the Kindle app if I am desperate! And I am not sure what you mean by this: "The iPhone 14s are now all eSIM only in the the US". And cordless charging means one of the magnet things? (So sorry....I get all my tech information on this forum hahaha!)

Trotter, now I am thinking about a gift cert for a Paris Walks or London Walks! Or maybe gifting a Patroen membership to a certain guide?

Barbara N, Jean's link to the portable Sonicare looks quite good doesn't it?

CWSocial - OH! OK, the penny just dropped. It's got a USB AND a C port so you can charge out of both of them at the same time. So the USB A to lightning is the same as my regular charging cord that goes to the small block and I travel with those but would have to have them in my purse. Good to know about the weight as yes, I was counting on it being 8 oz or so. I'll go back and review and bookmark that thread link too.

SJ - I'm sure you are enjoying your kitchen reno! Plus you can bookmark this thread and others for next year, hahaha!

Mardee, that is helpful to know. The iPad Mini I got last Christmas has the C connector so it would be handy for everything to be the same.

Rebecca - Ohhh, a National Trust membership is a good one....and just in time for your next trip! I've been in/out of the Tom Bihn website about 20 times in the last 2 weeks...at least twice a day. I am sure they are tracking me and might send someone to my house to ask what is stopping me from buying, lol!!

So, US market iPhone 14s no longer have a physical SIM card tray - you would need to purchase an eSIM card from your US cellular provider plus when travelling in Europe you would need to purchase an eSIM card online (@Mardee has a write-up on Airalo, as an example.)

Correct, that is what the massive magnet is for. The elimination of the physical SIM card tray caught most unawares and who knows if the iPhone 15s will have a charging port or not - no charging port means no plugging in a battery pack

Thank you so much for the extra information on the iPhone and explaining the esim. I appreciate it. I am moving to an IPhone 14 soon and will have the iPad so if I do get the charger I will use it for a few more years at least.

Mardee, thanks for weighing your power bank. I saw your link to it in power banks thread and considered it, before deciding that I wanted a USB-C port, with both power-in and power-out.

Your unit's lighter weight is a compelling difference, for anyone comparing the two, and especially if they only need to charge one device at a time.

Anker has so many different options for power, charging times, connections, dimensions and weight. I liked how their site is laid out to help you choose based on your requirements.

Powerbank ✅ luggage scale ✅ luggage and packing cubes ✅.
I could use airtags I suppose, but we try to do carry on only. However, if going diving I definitely could use as its hard to dive without your gear!
I think airpods are a good gift idea, we use them for RS audio tours.

CWSocial, thanks for the link to the power banks thread.

Tammy - what kind of packing cubes are you looking at? I weighed all my assortment of cubes while I was obsessed with packing as light as I could for September's trip. I have opinions, hahaha! (But you knew that!). I did tuck the AirTag in my carryon suitcase in case I wound up having to check it, but things worked out really well and I did not so I just got pinged every time I left a hotel to sightsee and turned my phone on to Data.

Pam, I have gone through Heathrow with the Airquart. Also, Geneva, Milan, Seattle, Portland, and Albuquerque. No one batted an eye!

Europe ....

Laurel, that is good to hear, especially your experience at Heathrow.

James/Mr E, that is a given!

@ Ms. Jo - I am way impressed that you have worn out a pair of hiking poles!

I have a long list this year:
-backpack 28-34L
-trail runners
-Injinji sox
-a bag to check my trekking poles in
-merino wool anything...
-the energy to walk miles and miles...
I have an Anker battery pack, love it, recommend it, and heavy, but I can always use it as a weapon if need be. LOL

Janet, they were cheap Z-fold poles (39€) and 1 just stopped working after 4 Caminos. As in, it won't collapse any more. I need poles that collapse fully.
Yes, I am ready for Camino #5 this coming April, up over the Pyrenees again before I get too old.

Wray - sounds like you might be Camino bound too, with your gift list?

Wow, so many great ideas! I have lots of questions, and a few comments, but no time this morning. (Mondays are pretty fraught at my house.) But I must ask one: Laurel, where do you get wool tees?

And one quick comment: I love the Bihn Cubelet, but did you see the way the model is wearing it? The last time I wore a crossbody like that in Paris, I got pickpocketed Lol!

And no, don't everyone rush out to buy me a cubelet; I actually think my husband found something quite similar when rummaging through our stash. I'll audition it before our next trip, although honestly I think it's too small to be practical.

Pam, my packing cubes are just ebag cubes. I’m not as obsessed with packing light as you are, they work just fine, but no idea how much they weigh!

Hubby and I both have the Anker charger and the smaller one. We brought them all with with us last spring and it was overkill. I decided to get the battery phone case and take the smaller external charger, and he brought the Anker so he could charge his iPhone and iPad at the same time if needed. The battery phone case is heavier than a regular case and I brought my regular case as well since it weighs next to nothing I and used it when I didn’t think I would need to recharge during the day. I used my small external battery for my iPad when necessary.

We have those Sonicare toothbrushes and won’t travel without them again. You can buy replacement brush heads.

Another vote for the Anker 10000 ... a little heavier than I thought it would be but won't travel without it ... plenty of juice to fully recharge my wife's iPhone 14 and my Galaxy S22 before recharging overnight (that's my tip for today ... always charge the powerbank overnight, it really stinks when you need to recharge the phone and plug in the powerbank and it shows empty ... I keep both USB-C/USB-C and USB-A/USB-C connectors in the mesh pouch so I'm ready to powerup overnight).

Janet and Ms Jo...I too am impressed Ms Jo has worn out a set of poles! The non-collapsing is a PIA because yes, you need to get them packed again to get home. Jo, your stamina is impressive!

Wray - Laughing because if you are gifted the energy, I want to know about it and how to get some! I love the Injinji socks. They are almost all I wear (well, today I have on Christmas socks, lol!). I will tell you to check and double check when you pack them so you make sure you have a left and a right for each pair I wound up with only 3 wearable pair of socks this last trip because one pair turned out to be 2 "rights". I could have sworn that I was careful when I packed but obviously I was not! They are wonderful for travel and increased walking because you never have between the toes issues!

Jane, I noticed the way she has the cubelet displayed! Dang on the pickpocketing....and yes, you have to be careful. I have a very small purse near to those dimensions I wear on the plane with just the minimal stuff in it. It's also handy for days when it is pouring rain and I want something that is small enough to zip up under my rain jacket.

Tammy - do we need to have dinner together again so I can pass the obsession to you? You are also younger and stronger than I am, lol!!

Andrea - good to know about the charging case being heavier which makes sense but I'd not formulated that thought!

DQ - that is also good to know! So do you charge up your power bank every night as well?

OK...I just added something to my wish list that I'd forgotten about. I also want a Sea-to-Summit Ultra sil daypack. It only weighs 2 OZ and is the size of a tennis ball I'm doing a tour with Mark Seymour in England next year and he has walks listed on a couple of afternoons. I like a tote bag for travel but I think I want a small, light daypack for a rain jacket, water bottle, snack, umbrella etc. So, that is on the list.....plus other stuff people have noted here, lol!!

Hi Pam, while you’re deciding on a lightweight day pack, I can bring my LL Bean Stowaway day pack to our next meet up at Woops, if you would like to see it. I just use it on the plane as the handy bag by my feet, and carry it between hotels. (I haven’t hiked with it.) The features I especially like are that it will hold a water bottle on the side, there’s a generous open front pouch where I either place my next train ticket or sometimes just stash my raincoat. There’s a top little outside pocket where I have a few Euros to buy a tram ticket. I also place my validated tram ticket in that small pocket in case there’s an inspector wanting to see it. The inside has a small pocket where I keep a pen, some mints and a tiny Post-it pad. And the shoulder straps are comfortable, although I don’t pack it heavy. There’s a little padding on the shoulder & back to be more comfortable. It weighs 14 oz. and is 22 liters.

Pam - if you get one of those ultra lightweight backpacks, be sure to test it by really using it for a day. I've had two of them (different brands - one was LL Bean, can't remember the other) and they both drove me crazy. I a;waus carry my RS Civita pack (10 oz.) now, and leave out something else if I'm getting close to my weight limit.

I have used the Eddie Bauer "Stowaway Backpack" in both the 20 liter & 30 liter sizes for years. They are very durable and sturdy. They weigh next to nothing as well and fold into their own pocket for storage. Right now the 20 liter is on sale for $15 and the 30 liter for $20. They make great gifts.

Jean and Janet, thank you so much! The Sea to summit is just 2.5 ounces and is very small which was the attraction. Ive got regular daypacks I’d take if I were walking more than a couple hours though. Good to know, Janet that the really lightweight ones didn’t work for you.

Slws, I’ll check the weight on the Stowaway day packs, so thanks for that.

SIL has a lightweight foldup Chicos daypack that I can probably borrow if I don’t get something lighter. I can leave her my assortment of daypacks if she thinks they will hike here while I am gone!!

Jane,
There are many places to get merino wool tees of various weights. Amazon has some brands. I like the Merino Tech and Merino 365 from there. I also have Smartwool and Icebreaker.

Thanks, Laurel. I'll take a look.

Jane, there was another recent post that had lots of links and ideas for merino wool clothing that you might want to check out. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/a-mostly-successful-packing-report

CWsocial, I think that's smart to go with the USB-C connection. I'm thinking about swapping mine out before my Scotland trip next year and giving my old one to my daughter. By the way, if you are a Costco member, Anker participates in Costco Next and gives you a 20% discount off their products (minimum purchase of $50, though).

Mardee and Pam, I tried my new Anker Power Bank yesterday while I was out for the day. I sat down for lunch with my Android phone at 69% and left the table half an hour later at 96%. A good thing because I still had a lot of photos and a lot of Google Maps to get me on my way. I could also have charged it while I was walking, with the short USB C to USB C connector.

So now I think of it, unscientifically, as 1% battery charge per minute. It's slim and fits nicely in a side pocket of my Rick Steves Cross Body Bag, which also got a test run yesterday, along with the new Aetrex ankle boots. It was a day of travel test runs!

Mardee, you had kindly mentioned the Costco/Anker availability in a prior post. After deciding which power bank I wanted, I had searched, but did not find that one there, although I found others. Perhaps you'll have better luck.

Ooh, I like all the daypacks that are mentioned! I usually just go with a crossbody bag when I'm sightseeing (the Tom Bihn medium cafe bag) but when I'm hiking (or shopping), I like a bigger bag and those portable backpacks come in handy. I have an old Eddie Bauer one and another one that I got on Amazon, but I might check out some of the ones listed here.

Pam, love this thread! And I just thought of something I want for Christmas - an Airtag holder. I have two - one for my suitcase and one for my handbag - but no holders. I just toss them in a zipped pocket, but I was thinking it would be nice to have something more secure.

CW...I can see that you are mentally in your travel zone with all the tryouts yesterday, lol!

Thanks Mardee for the tip on Costco Next. CW Social, I can see the Anker on the Costco Next platform. From the Costco site click Shop, then select "more categories" to get to the CostcoNext link. Then you have to put in your member # to access the items.

Mardee - an Airtag holder sounds good. I just have mine in the white cardboard sleeve it came in. I had taken it out and just dropped it in my suitcase, then had it in a small silk drawstring bag but didn't like either of those options as I had trouble finding it OR had to keep opening the drawstring bag to see what was in there (good grief!!). I'm glad you like the thread. There are a lot of great ideas from folks!

Drat, sounds like I may have missed out on 20% savings!

I'm playing tourist in my own town this week!!

Pam, thanks for starting this helpful thread! Great ideas. Just last week I ordered “The Longest Day” book for my husband. On my wish list: light wt. Anker 10000 Power Bank, cord organizers, Philips One Sonicare, & Luggage Scale. I have had a light weight Baggallini Backpack for years similar to the “Naples” style. Use it mainly for road trips or around town. Happy Holidays!

Janis, as I go down the rabbit hole of the Costco Next website...for anyone that is interested the Naples backpack you mention is on Costco Next for 69.99 as opposed to the regular price of $110. I need to stay off the Baggallini website (hahaha!!) so I did not check the price there.

Pam, now that’s a great bargain for the Baggallini “Naples” backpack. I hear you- the old “Rabbit Hole.” lol.

What a great thread, full of great ideas! I bought two Airfly gadgets for Christmas for us. It's a bluetooth adapter that allows you to use your bluetooth earbuds or headphones with devices that have an audio jack - like the Whispers on tours. I have not tested them yet, but they get good reviews. I hate having the audio around my neck, so I usually tuck it in my bag - but then I have tangled earbud wires. This should solve that - and will allow me to use my own wireless earbuds on flights too.

Also second the power bank as a gift. We got airtags this fall, and the holder idea is great!

I went through this thread the other day because I was trying to come up with gifts for 2 of my sisters who both travel. And lo and behold, I got the idea of giving them Tom Bihn travel trays. I love mine and I think they will love them as well.

I'm going to keep coming back here for future gift (including ones to myself) ideas. :)

I'm still looking for ideas for my husband. No more bags, please; we have plenty. We have packing cubes. He has clothes.

His tastes are eclectic, to say the least. I realize that doesn't help much. Some of you have met him, and know he's interested in almost everything. We have 1000s of books, 100s of records. Something a bit off-the-wall, but not frivolous? Our next trips are Amsterdam to see Vermeer, followed by Best of London in February. Then in September and October: Best of Portugal, followed by Basque Country, followed by about a week in France (mostly for me,) and a week in the Netherlands (for him, mostly.) Probably begin and end trip in London. He's talking about going to York soon, but probably not this year - not enough time.

Any brilliant ideas?

Amazon has some of the Anker products on sale with additional coupons.

I ordered the Anker 521 Magnetic Battery Portable Charger for the newer iphones for $25.74.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TW7BRTJ/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Carrie--I have a very similar Anker bank, but it has two spots to charge, so we can do both of our phones at once, or my phone and my Apple Watch. I have had the Anker for several years and it gets used all the time and is still going strong.

Rebecca....someone got this product this summer to use with the whisper system so it will be interesting to hear how it works for you! Review please, lol!!

Mardee...hahaha...Uh, yes. I can see what I will be doing on Christmas night!!

Jane, since you all are going in winter and I think I remember your DH is a hat person...does he have a decent stocking/watch cap? He might want his ears covered?

I just ordered a new book on Paris for a friend. It is not to be published until 11/28 and I'm pretty sure she is reading along so if anyone wants the name of the book, PM me, hahaha! I got it for myself on Kindle.

Carrie and Mikliz....I will check tomorrow to see if it is too late to amend my wishlist for the Anker, lol.

And yes....siiiigh....just ordered myself something else based on 2 threads...one current, one older. Longchamp Pliage tote - Mardee found me a deal at Saks, hahaha - who says we are not a bunch of enablers?

Pam--LOL! That Longchamp bag is the best! I have probably at least a dozen of them in different colors, but I use them every single day. I even spilled a bottle of white wine on my red one once, and it wiped off with no stains. I have no doubt that I will be buying another on our trip next week. One can never have too many of them;)

Who says we are not a bunch of enablers?

And proud of it! 🤣🤣🤣

Jane, does your husband like art pieces? I love to go to art fairs and find some beautiful handmade pottery or other handmade items. But I'm careful who I give things like that to, as not everyone wants or appreciates them. Is he a wine drinker? I love getting a nice bottle of wine coupled with some good charcuterie. Or really good coffee or tea?

I just realized there is an item that my husband loves and we cannot get here. He does not drink, but loves the Carlsberg N/A beer. So I ordered a bunch of it and it is due to arrive on Monday. Yes, I bought him about 40 cans of it. Shipping was insane, but he loves it and doesn't ask for anything.

Thanks, everyone. That small Tom Bihn travel tray is a possible for Stan; on every trip we have at least one major panic because he has lost his passport, billfold, money, credit card, debit card... I've learned to just sit calmly, knowing the item is there somewhere. Until the time he lost his "hidden wallet," -- for real. With his cash, credit card, and debit card in it. I posted a thread about that; I'll see if I can find the link.

Pam, yes, he loves caps and hats, and does have some beanies or watch caps that he wears all the time. Including now! But one of the best gifts I ever got him as a beanie made out of recycled pop bottles. It's called a "bottle cap," and he loves it. In fact, that's what he's wearing as I type.

Mardee, yes to all of the above. A few years ago we did the 21 Day BOE to celebrate our (gulp) 50th anniversary. As it happened, one of the people on our tour was an artist. Christmas gift for Stan that year was an original painting of the Amsterdam train station, by our travel pal. It's hanging over our mantel; it's what I see when I'm standing at the computer.

But in that vein, I'm thinking of hitting some of the local crafts "pop-up shops" in the hope of finding something unique.

He does like beer and wine, as well as tea; perhaps I could find something special. We always have a good stock of our favorites on hand, but again, maybe something a little different...

Edit to add: Here's a link to our hidden pocket adventure: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/hidden-pocket-a-cautionary-tale

Jane, If you husband loves to read, he might like a subscription to Smithsonian magazine. Articles are varied and very interesting. My husband loves that magazine and so does our son.
Pam, I have read every post on this thread, but am trying resist. As I type, I have some backpacks, purses, and bags on a table hoping that "family" who will be coming for Thanksgiving tomorrow might adopt some of them.
At the beginning of this thread, Laurel mentioned Tom Binh's Everyday Cubelet. I have been trying to justify buying one for me, but I already have two others like it. So many colors from which to choose.
I already bought a backpack from Tom Binh for our daughter who lugs a laptop and/or an iPad Pro to school each day. I should have added the Everyday Cubelet to that order (*sigh).

Carol, that's a good idea. We do take the Smithsonian magazine, but ... My dad used to buy Stan an annual subscription to National Geographic, but let it lapse a few years ago. Hmmm..... He'd be delighted with that (she says, staring woefully at the bookshelves beside the mantel, full of yellow-spined journals... )