I'm twitching! Hit me with your presents ideas for someone going travelling please!

[cathyandclare]

DD is off travelling in the new year, southeast Asia etc. Her pile is looking pretty paltry compared to her sister...off into town to get last bits today, so hit me with your essential travelling kit please.

One of those microfiber towels that are really light and dry quickly?

Or how about a mini first aid kit? Lonely planet guides? A huge lightweight scarf she could use as a blanket, cover up etc

If you know she is going somewhere what about a voucher for Shen she gets there? I once got a friend a walk up the Sydney bridge as a present!!

A scratch map, a travel journal, some small toiletries, some cool flip flops, a writing set, a globe, a travelling guide book?

Torch, inflatable travel pillow, paperback book (can be read then swapped)

a small across the shoulder bag would be good as well, or a towel turban? They are good and don't take up much room.

A proper see through toiletry bag - muji if you've got one, boots sometimes also have them. You could fill it with luxury travel products in small sizes

Second microfibre towel and big scarf for flights. Also a eye mask and/or neck pillow nicer than the ones at the airport

And odd as it sounds itune voucher or equivalent - she may end up wanting to buy lots of apps for the different countries she travels in - local guides/transport/photo editing/journals etc

Cash. Travel light- all you need is passport and credit card/cash. Everything is cheaper in SE asia than here. Maybe tampax and some duck tape to seal the used ones in- but that is more africa. If she is doing tourist spots in se asia she will need very little. iPhone multi charger adapter ?

Kindle if she hasn't got one- no need to any physical guide books etc then

A good lightweight, foldaway rucksack. Not for her main travels for for day trips or excursions once she is there. Also, waterproof maps of the places she is going to.

Oh, and a magnifying glass. Always useful. Or a pair of travel binoculars.

Walking socks - proper ones take up the same room as normal socks but are much better.

A small light weight but good torch - useful for popping in bag

Bit dull- but if staying in hostels she will need a padlock for her locker

Sun cream is always annoyingly expensive so I'd be happy if someone gave me some lol

Packing sacks/ squares - tiger used to do some, but haven't done them for a while- really handy for separating clothes/ dirty laundry. Helps to compress things small and keep backpack organised lol

Teeny first aid kit is a good idea, add in paracetamol etc

A few printed photos of family/friends/ pets for if she gets homesick

A power bank and good headphones . Good walking boots and socks . Fold up laundry bags to keep things separate in her bag . Chocolate

If she hasn't already got one, a very lightweight sleeping bag.

Also, one of those things you strap around you under your clothes to hold passport/cash.

Get her some currency for one of the countries she’s visiting - if she is going to Vietnam get her some Dong. You get something like 30,000 for £1 so it looks like a lot! Or a bikini for all the beaches she’ll visit!

DS did this a few years ago. A money belt is really useful as he had stuff stolen from rooms. He also took a sleeping bag liner as some of the bed sheets weren't always great. Hand gel is a must. He stayed in some real dives!

Excellent stuff everyone! Have got some but have ordered the towels, a torch and will do a first aid kit. You are all brilliant!

A Grid-It (useful) or an elastic yoga band (light and practical)?

travel washing line, and little bottle of Stergene travel wash (it's very good)

Someone gave me a travel journal which I completed daily while I was travelling. 15 years on and it's one of my most treasured possessions.

Also really appreciated and used often - a torch, a mosquito net which folded really small, that was invaluable, and new cotton underwear

Travel washing line and universal plug (for a sink); Swiss army knife; travel journal; hand packs of tissues; sunscreen; mosquito repellent; sarong (can double as a skirt, shoulder cover, beach towel, pillow, blanket).

Other things that would be useful would be to keep copies of her passport, travel insurance, tickets, bank account number, bank card numbers. credit card numbers etc. just in case she is robbed and needs some of those things.

Maybe a list of embassies with addresses and phone numbers might be useful for her to pack too.

A written list of critical home phone numbers also good in case phone stolen and she can't remember phone numbers. They would take up no space at all and God forbid (if she's anything like my sister travelling in SE Asia), she might need them.
Copies of CV, degrees, anything important that might get stolen.
Also, I'm not sure of emergency numbers in various countries e.g. 112 in Europe, 911 America, 999 UK. If numbers vary, look them up for her.

If she has any allergies, get her a bracelet stating it.
And maybe an international phone card if ones you buy here can be used abroad.