With Christmas and Hanukkah right around the corner, it’s time to think of those last minute gifts you haven’t gotten yet. If you are wondering what to get that traveler in your life, here’s a list of travel gifts you could get that will melt their hearts this holiday season.

(As a preacher of the low impact travel philosophy, get your travel lover memories and experiences, not as many things. Let’s reduce consumption, save the environment, get more personal gifts, and take the commercialism out of this time of year.)

Passports With Purpose - Chances are your travel friend loves to talk about travel and how it can change the world, so why not donate money in his/her name to a cause that is trying to promote responsible travel and local community development. It’s the perfect travel gift. Passports with Purpose was the brain child of four Seattle travel bloggers and has gotten the whole online travel community involved in some way.

Moleskin Journal - This little journal is a travel staple. Every traveler carries one to record his experience and save mementos from the trip. It’s sturdy and will survive the beating it gets put through on the road. It comes in many shapes and forms, so there is bound to be one for your gift receiver.  I’ve carried one for years and am now on my second one.

A Camera - Since electronics are cheap because of the recession, now is the time to upgrade that old camera with a hi-tech one that will zoom in one someone’s pores from six meters away. If there is one thing a traveler can’t live without, it would be a camera. We’re devastated when we lose or can’t take photos. I broke a camera once, and my first thought was about the memory card. We love our photos, and we love cameras that help us take better photos.

Gift Voucher - Get your travel lover a voucher for some discounts on airlines, hotels, hostels, or tours. We all love free stuff. It doesn’t have to be expensive – a weekend winery tour, a Thai cooking class, language lessons. There are a million small gift vouchers you could give to someone. This way, you give them something they can use, not a “thing” that will have them saying “this is great!”, but really thinking “this is useless.”

A Holiday - Got a little bit of money to throw around? Buy them a full-on vacation.  You can buy package tours through any of the the major holiday booking websites, but why not give them a low impact, eco-tour from Gap Adventures.  I used Gap Adventures on my trip to Costa Rica a few years ago and was impressed at the lengths they go to be environmentally and socially friendly.

A Backpack - Every traveler needs one, and chances are your travel friend hasn’t bought one in a while.  Surprise the traveler in your life with a nice new backpack for their next trip, which I am sure they are already thinking about. This gives them more incentive to go now, and maybe take you. If you don’t know what to look for in choosing a backpack, check out these tips for buying a backpack.

Travel Books - Books are always a wonderful gift. Give travel books as gifts for the holidays – it not only will keep someone dreaming about their next big adventure, but also expand their mind.  Seriously, books are never a bad gift. If you are not sure what travel books to get, get them some travel photography books or coffee table books. Those are always winners. Anything related to travel will elicit a wide-eyed smile.

Travelers love anything that relates or reminds them about life on the road. Any travel gift you give will be rewarded with an enthusiastic thank you. There’s still a few days before Christmas to get the perfect gift. And, with merchants trying harder to lure consumers in, this is one the best bargain seasons in memory!