Was there really a time when people looked forward to traveling at the holidays? It seems impossible to imagine, but back in Ye Olde Yuletide - if we can believe the lyrics of a certain song, that is - the year's-end trip was a joyful journey "over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go."
Times change. Now it is to Grandmother's house we groan, as we shiver barefoot in long airport security lines, endure mysterious flight delays and sniff our kneecaps at 35,000 feet because the airplane's seats are crammed closer than Santa's reindeer.
Oh, and hold up just a minute. Is that hair gel? Get ready to toss it. What you got yourself there is a 5-ounce tube, not a 3-ouncer. Call it a white-knuckle Christmas, as the usual in-transit aggravations become especially intensified in late December.
But don't get all Scroogey. There are still ways to make traveling more merry and bright. Listed below and inside are 10 common complaints made by frequent fliers, and gifts that offer a solution to each. They range in price and style, from serious to silly. All may help, though, to keep your frayed nerves from getting stowed away and locked in the upright position.
Wait a minute ... do you hear what I hear? Yes. It's the captain's voice, and you're finally first in line for takeoff. So, fasten your seatbelts, and Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good flight.
GET TO SLEEP Problem: When traveling overseas, I can never sleep on the plane. Solution: Flight 001 Mini Jet Set is a five-piece collection of sleep aids packed into a compact, zippered case that fits into an airplane seat pocket. It has an inflatable neck pillow and lumbar pillow, reflexology socks, earplugs and eye mask. -- $52 -- flight001.com.
PACK AND ROLL Problem: I'm too impatient to check luggage. Solution: Carry on a 22-inch expandable, rolling suitcase, part of the Tourbach collection from Victorinox. It has room for one suit, a 15-inch laptop, valuables and much more. It's constructed of a new breakthrough fabric called Performax, an armorlike weave that's fluid-resistant. -- $595 -- swissarmy.com
WISH YOU WERE HERE Problem: I want to write my friends, but souvenir postcards are so tacky.
Solution: Dempsey and Carroll note cards hark back to the golden age of travel, with an engraved airplane motif. They are made of heavy, three-ply paper stock, with rounded corners and beveled edges. A boxed set includes 10 cards and envelopes. -- $45 -- dempseyandcarroll.com
ALTERNATE GAME PLAN Problem: I have already seen the movies they show onboard. Solution: The Jack Spade Travel Scrabble set features a close-and-go board, snap-in letter tiles, four letter trays and a durable, zippered case made of paraffin-soaked cotton. -- $95 -- flight001.com
CHANGE ON THE MONEY Problem: How many pesos, euros or rubles is it to a dollar? Solution: A credit-card-sized calculator is the thinnest calculator available, designed to slip into a wallet. Whip out Canon's FlashCard and figure exchange rates when shopping abroad. Solar-cell powered. -- $7.79 -- business-supply.com
A MEDICAL ASSIST Problem: If I get sick overseas, I don't want to be treated in some strange hospital. Solution: If you are a member of MedjetAssist and you ever need medical care more than 150 miles from home, this aviation company will provide comprehensive medical transportation to the hospital of your choice. -- $225 for a one-year, individual membership; $350 for a one-year, family membership -- medjet.com
TALK IN A FLASH Problem: I'm off to Paris, and I don't speak French. Solution: Lingolook Flash Cards are innovative foreign-language guides - available for French, Japanese and Chinese - that are designed to help English-speaking travelers relate abroad in a flash. Each version has 450 translations on 75 printed cards, or in iPhone and Blackberry formats. -- $11.95 -- lingolook.net LET THERE BE NO LIGHT Problem: Hotel-room curtains never shut tight and the light makes it hard to sleep. Solution: Toss a couple of Hunt Boston Bulldog Clips in your suitcase. These nickel-plated clamps will keep out the morning sun, and also are handy for keeping track of receipts and travel documents. -- $8.95 (for a box of 12) -- Available at Office Depot, Staples and art-supply stores
PICTURE THIS Problem: I hate my digital camera; it's too complicated. Solution: The Canon Power Shot SD750 7.1 megapixel digital camera is versatile and lightweight, has a memory chip that is easy to replace, and is a snap when it comes to downloading pictures. Image-stabilizer technology minimizes shake-and-vibration distortion, and the camera boasts an excellent zoom lens. -- $250-$299.99 -- Available at Best Buy and Circuit City
YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU Problem: How will I get all my gifts back home? Solution: Take along a Rice Tote Bag in your luggage. These plane-to-beach carryalls are crafted from practically indestructible recycled rice bags from Cambodia. Each waterproof tote is unique and features reinforced handles and two large external pockets. -- $32.00 -- gaiam.com
Travel gurus' gift suggestions
Here are some recommendations from experts across the travel industry, from cruise specialists and Web site editors to a Delta Air Lines flight attendant. (Retail prices may vary.)
FOR THE TRIP
A pure pashmina shawl ($75-$100), a 55-hour iPod Battery Extender ($80), Peace of Mind On-the-Spot Relief (lotion) from Origins ($10). Amy Ziff, editor-at-large for Travelocity
Handheld travel scale for weighing luggage ($10). Mark and Mimi Comfort, who run the Cruise Holidays booking agency in Kansas City, Mo.
External power for computer notebooks ($65-$600), a 3M Privacy Filter for LCDs ($50-$150). James Samans, author of "Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person's Guide to Travel"
FOR FLIGHTS
A $25 Crown Room Club one-visit pass for long layovers or delays. David Lang, Delta flight attendant
An airline gift card, drink coupons ($4 to $5 per drink; minimum purchase required.) Jeff Miller, travel industry consultant/lawyer
Leather ID holders with room for identification, business cards and credit cards ($10); ear buds for iPods and MP3 players ($10-$500). Amy Myers, associate vice president of marketing, Things Remembered
FOR CRUISES
High-magnitude binoculars ($500); water-repellent luggage ($25-$300); arrange for a cruise line to decorate your gift recipients' cabin or serve a bottle of wine at dinner. Jeffrey Krudop, manager of Vacation Travel for Carlson Wagonlit in Fort Wayne, Ind.
FOR CHILDREN
For older kids, a travel journal and digital camera. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, editor-in-chief, WeJustGotBack.com, a family travel Web site
Books about the destination ($10-$25); sketchbooks with colored pencils, small stuffed animals, just for the trip. Carol Weston, author of the Melanie Martin travel diary series
101 Great Car Games & Activities, a wall-sized map of the world with pushpins to mark the places the child has visited ($20-$100), a beginner's origami booklet with paper ($5-$10). Carole Terwilliger Meyers, author of "Miles of Smiles"
FOR ADVENTURE TRAVEL
An instant camera (snapshots help connect with residents, $35).
David Bromham, a guide in East Africa and India
A hand-held water purifier ($130), Panasonic ultra-thin travel shaver ($59.99). James Samans, author of "Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person's Guide to Travel"
An international cell phone ($169-$279 on cellularabroad.com, includes roaming), telescoping walking stick or trekking poles ($10-$150). Carol Keskitalo, co-owner of Breakaway Adventures