-continued from: 2008 Mother's Day Getaways
Below are ten ideas for Mother's Day gifts for Mom's who love to hit the road-- with family along, of course.
1. Tilley Travel Hats & Clothes
Tilley makes top-quality clothes that dry overnight, never wrinkle, and have secret pockets all over the place. The Tilley Hat is their most famous item: indestructible, and guaranteed for life (as are the Classic Shorts.) Click above, for hats; and see more hats and clothes items at Tilley.com.
2. Cell Phone Holder
A traveling Mom has mucho stuff to keep organized; and this practical little gift can at least help her find her phone when it rings. Cell phone holders come with shoulder strap, and velcro loop for attaching to a belt or purse or stroller; cushioned lining protects the cell phone if it gets dropped. Check out several styles of cell phone holders.3. Merrell Shoes
These are the comfiest shoes possible; very durable; styles range from sporty sandals to dressier models that look good but can still take a hike.
4. Space Saver Compression Travel Bags
How practical is this, for a traveling Mom? Who can squeeze way more stuff into her luggage using these clear reusable plastic storage bags: put the stuff in, seal the bag, roll it, and squeeze out the air-- voila.5. Silk Undershirt
A lovely layer of warmth to take along on a trip. Silk is light as a feather, adds no bulk when you wear it, and takes no room in your suitcase. Long-sleeve versions, too.6. Silk Pyjamas
Add a little luxury to Mom's travels. Nothing feels like silk. (Except silk, that is.)
7. A Scarf
When packing for a trip, it's good to think in terms of layers of clothing, so that you can pull on, or take off, a layer according to the temperature. A scarf in fall or spring can take the chill away; a scarf in summer can be perfect for a walk on the beach at night. Check out many Women's Scarves online.8. Mini-Purse
Being a forgetful type, I like to travel using a teeny purse -- just big enough for credit cards, cash, and cell -- that hangs from a shoulder strap: it never gets lost or left behind, because it never gets taken off.9. Travel Books
More and more publishers are bringing out family travel books: Italy with Kids, Hawaii with Kids, you name it. Almost any travel book will save you at least the amount of money that you spend on it: just one tip on lodgings can save a bundle; and of course your enhanced enjoyment of a place (plus avoidance of pitfalls and hassles) can be priceless.The sample Travel book -- linked above-- is for a popular type of family vacation: Caribbean With Kids is an excellent prep book, with island -by- island info and tips for families, recommended resorts on every island, and a list of top resorts overall.
10. Luggage Locator
About.com's Guide for Greece Travel lists this as one of her top Travel Gadgets. Attach the small signaling device to your luggage, and you'll be able to "beep" it with the matching remote. Useful! (And could it potentially also be used to find, say, a teenager in a crowd?)
Happy Mother's Day!
*Photos courtesy of Pricegrabber.com.
