As the festival of love approaches, the challenge of finding the best gift for your loved one will eat up your peace of mind. It becomes all the more tricky if your sweetheart is an avid traveler for he/she might not be able to appreciate strawberry filled chocolates, a branded formal shirt or a giant size soft toy. Whether the traveler in your life is a tough nut or a romantic soul, here are some practical gift ideas for them which will be useful as well as handy.

1. Portable mobile charger

One of the most important things that a traveler needs while travelling is a portable mobile charger. It is best suited for emergency situations when you are out of town and suddenly realize that your mobile phone is drained out of battery when you need to make that emergency call. In this new techie world we are so dependent on gadgets that we can`t imagine a life without them. A portable mobile charger holds up the battery for a long period of time, it’s light and hence easy to carry, comes in sleek and colorful designs. So whether you are stuck in an isolated island or perched up on a mountain top with no source of electricity, a portable mobile charger will come for your rescue.

Where can you find it?

http://www.ecomaxproducts.com/products-emergencymobilecharger.html

http://shopping.rediff.com/product/wireless-portable-mobile-charger/11548911 2.

2. Customized sleeping bag

If the guy/girl you are dating is a camper then gifting a customized sleeping bag is a good idea. Every camper/trekker requires some basic camping accessories that they need to have in order to have safe travel experiences. So how do you order a customized sleeping bag? You can make it according to their height, add double layer quilted construction seals or a hood to save them from those shivering cold nights. A good sleeping bag should have the following qualities: • It should dry up quickly • Non allergenic. • It should ideally have a two zipper as it will help in converting it into a double bed • Get stash pockets for your sleeping bag • If it’s for a woman then it should be narrower at the shoulder and wider at the hips • One can ask for a pillow pocket in the sleeping bag for that sweet and comfortable night sleep anywhere in the world. Apart from the sleeping bag, you can also gift some other travel accessories like hiking stick, compass, torch etc.

Where can you find it?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Himalayan-GEAR-wilderness-equipment-store/221812207900040

You can also visit Decathlon stores for your requirements.

Find location of their stores here: http://stores.decathlon.in/company/decathlon-in-india

3. GoPro Hero 4 Camera

There are many types of photographers, some love to click landscapes whereas some go for documenting their travel experiences. If your better half is the one interested in adventures then buying him/her a GoPro Hero 4 Camera seems like a practical gift. With this your guy/girl will be able to relive his/her dream adventure. You will surely win their heart with this gift.

Where will you find it?

http://gopro.com/cameras

4. Books

Nothing can beat the traditional gift option of books. A person`s best friend in every situation. A traveller would love any book related to distant places or an autobiography of a traveller to get inspiration. Some books that your traveler might like:

• The Beach by Alex Garland
• In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin
• A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby
• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
• As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee
• Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer
• Himalaya Bound by Michael Benanav

Where will you find it? http://www.flipkart.com/into-the-wild/p/itmczysj5j36gxhj 5.

5. Tickets to their dream destination

The best gift you can give someone is the gift of your time. Buy tickets to his/her dream destination and take them out for a trip, where only you two will spend some quality time together. Away from the maddening crowd, tucked safely into the wilderness, the two of you can make a world of your own.

Think beyond the same old Diwali gift; add a little bit of personalized touch to it to make it more thoughtful and meaningful. This year sweat it out a little so that he/she knows that they are special in your life.

This article was originally published for The Indian Express. See article here:

Five fabulous gift ideas for the traveller in your life