It's that time of year! And by "time of year," we're talking about standing in endless lines, catching untold illnesses, and wondering where all of those spare vacation days went. But it doesn't have to be that way. If you're on the hunt for the perfect gift for that special someone, you can save yourself tons of time and stress by deciding on a product ahead of time. For the busy business traveler in your life, we've got a list of gifts just waiting to be wrapped.
ECBC: Lance Daypack ($150): Most business travelers will tell you that they prefer to carry all of their essentials in as few bags as possible. To that end, having a suitable backpack is paramount. The ECBC: Lance Daypack is a multifaceted pack that should be useful in a variety of situations. It's roomier than the exterior leads you to believe, it's understated so as not draw attention to itself, and it's constructed from water-repelling ballistic nylon. It's also got a breathable back padding design, and the TSA-compliant FastPass laptop compartment makes getting through airport security that much easier.
Colcasac Laptop Cases ($40+): Speaking of laptops, ColcaSac's array of stylish options are what I'd recommend for keeping them protected. These handmade cases are constructed in Utah and rely on organic materials. And, since they're so soft, they double as a pillow when you fold them over – perfect for air travel.
Ona Bags Brixton ($269): For those high-brow business affairs, the big spenders should feel proud to spring for an Ona Bags Brixton. Crafted by passionate artisans in Maryland, these bags are engineered to look amazing while ignoring the elements. The internal organization system can easily hold a laptop, important documents, and even a camera. The exterior is designed to shed water while keeping up appearances, and whoever ends up with one will no doubt be taken seriously.
Priority Pass membership ($99+): If the business traveler in your life always whines about being shut out from airport lounges, they'll appreciate this gift of comfort. You can purchase a Priority Pass membership for someone, with varying price points offering different levels of access around the globe. Every single time they're able to kick back during a long layover, they'll have you to thank.
Seagate Backup Plus ($109+): While it's generally easy to overlook technology, busy professionals would appreciate a Seagate Backup Plus. This portable hard drive comes with software that automatically backs up one's laptop when it's plugged in, saving tons of headaches should one's overused business notebook ever croak.
Tag-a-Bag (free app; tags $5+ each): Particularly useful for travelers who have to check luggage through a wide range of airports, the Tag-a-Bag system enables any business pro to label each bag with a computerized chip. Then, they can track their tagged bags as they move, helping them to assist the airline in locating lost luggage should it get misdirected.
Victorinox Avolve 22 ($269.99): Finally, those who need an entirely new piece of cabin luggage can cross their fingers and hope for a Victorinox Avolve 22. If you're willing to cough up the money, this is one of the more sturdy and well-designed options. It's the ideal size for domestic jets, but you may want to inform whoever's being gifted that it'll probably be too large for international overhead bins. Still, it'll carry itself just fine if sent through the checked baggage carousel.
Happy shopping, and good luck stuffing those stockings!
Check out all of our other 2012 travel gift guides for the holidays.