For your girlfriend...

For your best pal who hasn't yet mastered the art of travelling by herself, I propose flight attendant, Sharon Wingler's book, Travel Alone and Love It. This book is available online at: http://www.travelaloneandloveit.com and it will provide encouragement and know-how galore. Your girlfriend will also enjoy, Without Reservations, The Travels of an Independent Woman by Pulitzer prize winner, Alice Steinbach. Add a multi-purpose, multi-length, wrinkleproof, quick drying Macabi Skirt™ designed for the adventurous women on the go and you've created a truly inspirational gift (http://www.macabiskirt.com/).

For your student niece...

Treat the young woman who adores outdoor adventures to Women in the Wild, a Travelers' Tales Guide edited by Lucy McCauley. Whether she dreams of a Canadian snow shoe adventure, hiking in Nepal or being on an Amazon jungle trek your niece is sure to make room for this read in her backpack. Want to really win her over? Include a female-friendly Sierra Designs sleeping bag. The Rosa 2.0 model is designed to reflect the contours of a woman's body and provides extra insulation for the "cold spots" (abdomen and feet) that females generally complain about (http://www.sierradesigns.com). This will be a dynamite duo!

For your youngest Journeywomen...

I recommend the delightful Fodor's guidebook series designed especially for children to share with their parents. My personal favorite is Around Toronto With Kids authored by Kate Pocock. Your JourneyGirls will enjoy the trivia quizzes, kid-friendly restaurant listings and special interest directories that the whole family can use together. Match that book with a funky cosmetic bag, a small hairbrush, a mirror, some real trendy hair ornaments so she can dress up while she's on a journey and you have a friend for life!

We can't leave out the guys...

For the sweet man in your life I suggest the title, Travellers Health: How to Stay Healthy Abroad -- a wonderful resource by Dr. Richard Dawood. This guide includes advice on everything from preparing food under unhygienic conditions to information about vaccinations when travelling abroad as well as the topic of terrorism.

Now add the following very "hot" gift and your guy will love you forever. Leatherman offers a pocket-sized series of all-in-one contemporary stainless steel multi-tools. Journeywoman loves their new Juice series in bright, primary colors. Check for the S2 scissors unit in orange or the CS4 corkscrew and scissors model in blue.

P.S. Be sure to remind the recipient to pack his Leatherman in his checked luggage. It's much too terrific to have some official take it away during a customs check. Visit: http://www.leatherman.com for further information and the dealer nearest you.

Worldwide proverbs on gift giving...

Gifts can soften even stone.
(Philippine)

Gifts cripple the law and, grease makes the wheel go round.
(Finnish)

The best gifts are those which expect no return.
(Norwegian)

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
(English)

A present looks for a present.
(Russian)

Presents keep friendship warm.
(German)