leaving present for a colleague going traveling

Dozey_crow

Hi, one of our colleagues is leaving work soon to do some volunteer work abroad for three months and then going traveling afterwards. We would like to get her a useful leaving present but have no idea what. None of us have ever been traveling as such. She is going on a placement where accommodation and meals are provided.


A bit about her, she is early twenties, single and a very happy, sociable person. She has books relating to country and has learnt the language. She is a seasoned traveler and has got most things travel related. Apparently communication may be difficult in the country she is going to initially.

So.. See what we are up against??? We think we will get about £30/ £40. Any ideas are really welcome.. Please!!!

moneyistooshorttomention

Good for you for thinking of this.:T So many times "work presents" are down to "relationships" (ie getting engaged/married/having children) and not for things like this.

What country is she going to?

Horace

Where is she going? Maybe you could look at a beginners language course on DVD/CD for her?

Upsy_Staffordshire

How about a journal? I've seen some with lined paper for jotting down notes, memories etc and spaces for putting photos and things. You could maybe get a personalised one.

Or a nice passport cover/luggage tag etc maybe.

mrspastyman

We have just had same at work, same age etc. We gave a sensible gift of amazon voucher for kindle books etc, a personalised iphone case, and a silly gift which consisted of a make up sort of bag filled with little 'emergency essentials' ie condoms, few teabags, waxing strips, coffee sachets, gum, hair band, etc. It went down a treat!

camelot1001

What a lovely thought.
If she's taking a backpack how about a decent lock, essential especially if she's staying in hostels.
A travelling towel - very light and dries quickly.
A journal like upsy has suggested.
Kindle (maybe a little expensive) or amazon voucher for some books.
Currency for the country she's going to.
Travellers insurance.
A zip up pouch for keeping all documents in.
Decent headphones.
Ipod speaker.
Camera.

Hope these help, will have a think of other things - DS2 just back from 8 months abroad and these are things he found useful.

[Deleted User]

Depending on where she's going would she be able to use a solar charger to recharge phone, kindle,I.pod etc. You can get various models depending on what funds you have and some even hang off a backpack and charge up electronics as you walk as long as it's sunny enough. If she's going travelling really remote places does she have a water purifier system to ensure safe drinking water as that would be very useful too.

PenguinOfDeath

mrspastyman wrote: »

, and a silly gift which consisted of a make up sort of bag filled with little 'emergency essentials' ie condoms, few teabags, waxing strips, coffee sachets, gum, hair band, etc. It went down a treat!

Yep, a friend of mine gave me a similar thing when I went away, the UK chocolate bars were very welcome after a few days away!

Dozey_crow

Thanks everyone, some brilliant ideas there. We have really been struggling to think of anything and these are fantastic suggestions. I am really grateful!

I Love the journal, vouchers, solar charger, towel, passport covers and the away from home pack. I am drawn to these over the techy stuff because she seems very 'up' on this type of thing. I will have to see what funds we get and then have a chat with the team to see what we can do.

Please keep the suggestions coming.

yuppiebaker

From my recent travels, a buff (as in buff headwear) came in very useful! Can be used as a scarf, a hat, and (in my case) a stay-in-place eye-mask! (Not to be sniffed at if you're staying in dorms in hostels - also, earplugs!) A journal is also a nice idea - I made great use of mine.

cte1111

I'd say Amazon vouchers would be most useful, as your colleague could then buy kindle books or music (or almost anything really on Amazon).

I've tried solar chargers but found they needed so long to charge up and then gave out so little, that they were a waste of space unfortunately. I've also found passport covers to be quite irritating, as you have to take them off when going through passport control so just an extra item to carry around.