gift ideas for someone going travelling

Whatever it is needs to be compact otherwise it will get abandoned halfway round when he runs out of space. When Lodger Girl went travelling, I got her one of these:

http://www.victorinox.com/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=190&lang=E

which you can pick up somewhere like Millets. She also had a super thin towel which dries quickly and weighs practically nothing, which her parents gave her. Anything which will be useful but not take up much space basically. Or an international calling card so he can ring home?

A gift cert to a place selling British food?

http://www.bestofbritish.com.au/

http://www.britishsweets.com.au/british_foods_online_shopping.php

When I moved over here the cravings I got for NZ food I'd never eat over there was amazing. Even having some sweets from home in the cupboard makes me feel less homesick.

Other thought, depending on how long his stopover is then could you organise a massage in transit? It's such a horrid flight it can make a big difference.

The best thing someone brought us when we left was a travelling diary. Even if he doesn't write in it I found it fab to stick little things I found like serviettes from a certain place or tickets to an attraction we went to. When I flick through our diaries it brings back more memories than our pictures.

A small St Christopher pendant to keep in his bag?

I found little keepsakes from home kept me going when I started to feel homesick. A small toy from my sister I kept with me or my pictures.

Or as someone else mentioned above some food from the UK! It's weird how you crave stuff that you never, ever would when at home. I think it's just seeing something familiar.

HTH

I got one of these for a friend who went travelling, which she said she used all the time

/

She also got given a desert scarf, which was well used also.

Not sure if they are too girlie though!

I bought my friend a wind-up torch so it doesn't need batteries.

I bought myself one as well and I keep in in the car - it has come in useful a few times.

Thanks everyone, some great ideas!!

I was going to say a scarf/sarong as they are endlessly useful but I don't know of that's a bit girly? A travel diary is a good idea too, I treasure mine now. Or a hat maybe? Or a good book set in Oz (Shantaram is v good)? Or a wind up phone charger?

I was going to suggest the macro towel too .. but I think a wind up phone charger is a brilliant idea. I could do with one of those as I'm always running out of charge!