Zapi UV Toothbrush Sanitizer

Considering all the undercover news reports about the lack of cleanliness in hotel rooms, even the ones that look clean, it occurred to me that a toothbrush sanitizer might make a nice stocking stuffer for anyone who travels a lot. But it might also be nice for kids on up through teens, and even college students.

In any case, this Zapi toothbrush sanitizer fits most standard toothbrushes and even electric toothbrush heads, and comes with a removable drip tray for easy cleaning. It uses 3 AAA batteries, comes in two colors (blue or white), and measures 3 inches in diameter by 4 inches high. (It also wobbles, which kids will like!)

Personally I'd prefer if it plugged into the wall since I'm sensitive about using up batteries and sending them to the landfill, but maybe this is yet another good reason to get a battery charger, which is another "luxury" stocking stuffer (due to its price) that I mentioned some time ago.

What: Zapi UV Toothbrush Sanitizer
Where: Brookstone
How much (as of today's post): $29.95 (plus shipping)

NPR Map

Here's one for your favorite NPR enthusiast, especially if he or she travels: a map that helps you find the AM and FM radio stations across the country that carry National Public Radio programming. I've driven across the country a number of times, and this certainly would have come in handy. The website where I found this says it fits easily inside a glove compartment, which means it should fit easily inside a stocking as well.

What: NPR Map
Where: Delight.com website
How much (as of today's post): $7.50 (plus shipping)

Sassy Luggage Tags

Are you lucky enough to have a Container Store near you? If so, here's a fun stocking stuffer, and one that can prevent more headaches than aspirin! Since almost everyone's suitcase is black these days, it's not a bad idea to make yours stand out. (Trust me, it can happen to you! My sister-in-law accidentally ended up with another woman's identical suitcase once, and spent a week in Scotland without any of her own toiletries or shoes, while her suitcase vacationed in India with the other woman!) OK, I admit you could just tie a bit of colored ribbon to your suitcase handle, but don't you think unique luggage tags are a fun way to differentiate between your bag and those of your fellow travelers -- besides being the perfect size for a stocking stuffer?

So, without further ado, these durable plastic tags from The Container Store sport sassy sayings such as "I'm pretty sure this isn't your bag" and "Nothing worth stealing in here." A package of six goes for $9.99, so they cost $1.66 apiece. Hey, you can keep a couple for yourself!

If you don't have a Container Store near you, it's probably a bit late to get these in time for Christmas. But if your mall has a luggage store, you might check there for something similar. Or look at your department stores' luggage departments.

What: Sassy Luggage Tags
Where: The Container Store
How much (as of today's post): $9.99 for six = $1.66 apiece (plus shipping)

PopOut Map

It's hard to find pictures that will do justice to the simplicity and ingenuity behind Rand McNally "Popout Maps". These maps measure about 4 x 5 inches, and instead of unfolding them, you simply open them outwards. They "pop out" into an expanded map, and when you're done you don't have to struggle to re-fold -- the map just pops back in. I first came across these on a trip to Berlin, and have since seen them offered for many other cities across the world. Unfortunately, the availability of these maps isn't entirely clear; I am still seeing them in bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, for instance, but Amazon has only second-hand listings for some reason.

What: Popout Map
Where: Various bookstores
How much (as of today's post): $6.95