Santa may not be the go-to guy for tips on travelling light, but he is the expert on what those on the move want for Christmas. But since the big man is busy gearing up for his annual journey around the world, the Straight checked in with the folks at two local travel stores instead. Here are some ideas for the voyageurs on your list.

Most serious travellers own a basic inflatable neck pillow, but why not give a luxury version? Tony McCurdy, owner of Wanderlust (1929 West 4th Avenue), says these have become more popular since some airlines started charging for pillows and blankets. The store carries several deluxe varieties, including the Eagle Creek Dream Compact Comfort travel pillow ($17.95), which has a wide valve designed to inflate the pillow in just two breaths and a removable fleece cover. A comfier but bulkier option is the Lewis N. Clark Mood Neck Pillow ($17.95). The squishy U-shaped pillow is filled with tiny, light fibre beads. For more versatility, the Samsonite Convertible Travel Comfort Pillow ($25.95) has a stretchy drawstring that takes it from a log-shaped back support to a neck-countouring headrest.

Those who stay in low-budget guesthouses will appreciate a compact quick-dry towel. The 77-by-128-centimetre microfibre Rick Steves Travel Towel ($27.95) comes in a handy zippered mesh pouch. Anybody with black luggage—and judging from baggage carousels, that’s almost everybody—will appreciate a way to identify their own: a neon yellow, green, or orange smiley-face bag tag ($1.50).

All sorts of travellers swear by zippered mesh packing cubes. “Most new luggage doesn’t really have pockets anymore,” explains Dwight Elliot, owner of the Travel Bug (3065 West Broadway). He says the cubes, which allow you to separate underwear, T-shirts, and more, are incredibly popular. “I can’t keep this stuff in stock. It’s probably the biggest seller in the store.” For Christmas, the store is offering a set of three by Eagle Creek for $30.

With airlines cutting back on meals, people are self-catering. Elliot says the Elle line of 100-percent-nylon insulated lunch bags sells well. The Sadie lunch bag ($15) is so stylish you can imagine Kate Moss carrying one on. It looks like a purse with its cute handles, drawstring closure, and contrasting topstitching, and comes in brown, black, and pink.

Other popular items, according to Elliot, are 59-millilitre (two-ounce) leakproof Nalgene bottles ($1.90) and jars ($2.45) used to hold cosmetics. These meet the new cabin carryon restrictions, which permit liquids and gels only in containers up to 100 millilitres (3.4 ounces). Those who live on the edge might risk the 118-millilitre (four-ounce) bottles, but Elliot says the coveted regulation-size container doesn’t exist yet. (For more on liquid restrictions, see the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s site at www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/english/index.shtml .)

And what if your giftee has a ticket to nowhere? The wannabe nomad, who only takes trips to the office water cooler, would appreciate a colourful, 66-by-43-centimetre foam-backed desk-pad map of the world ($18.95) on which to plot an escape in erasable marker.

Wrap your travel gift in a map. Wanderlust sells cool wrapping-paper reproductions of old maps of cities, like 19th-century Paris, retro London, and bygone Florence. The 50-by-70-centimetre sheets cost $4.75 each. Slap on a luggage tag, and you’ve got a gift that’s going places.