After reading Concierge.com's Travel Gift Guide, I'm beginning to wonder about the point of such guides.
Admittedly, I’ve never been a fan of the “gift guide.” As a newspaper editor, I’ve worked on several and they always felt like something that should have been executed on the advertising side of the building. Additionally, I love to give gifts, but what makes the gifts special is that they are specific to the person I’m buying the gift for. No gift on a list of “gift ideas for Dad” is going to be personal enough for me to give to my Dad.
So it is from this perspective, which I acknowledge is somewhat jaded, that I looked through Concierge.com’s “Definitive Travel Gift Guide 2006.” That said, in what world does a traveler need - or want - silver leather sling-back Manolo Blahnik pumps? I mean, other than possibly a Bond girl or Carrie Bradshaw (note: both of which are fictional), who would travel in these? Nevermind the sticker shock I had when I got to the price tag: $565. Obviously, I won’t be buying my globe-trotting sister a pair of these for Noel. Sorry Amanda.
I did, however, find one item on the list of 25 that looked both perfect for a traveler and as a gift: World traveler's plug set, $15. It’s available through the Museum of Modern Art Store.
Now, I’m not saying that the gift guide wasn’t somewhat interesting. There were beautiful - and expensive - watches. Luggage, yes, that’s something for a traveler ... but at “$3,450 for the small size,” well, let’s just say these travelers aren’t staying at the hostels and budget hotels I frequent.
