Not sure what to get that relative who’s always on the move? Try these three gifts — both useful and entertaining — to bring a smile to their faces.
Any traveler knows the value of reliable luggage that provides durability and ample storage. The new designs from Joy Mangano meet these requirements. Made with weather resistant material (no soggy bags for us, thank you), the St. Tropez tote and wheeled duffle are rife with interior pockets for maximum storage, and come in eight colors for a fashionable touch ($99.95 www.hsn.com/shop/joy-mangano-luggage).
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For some light reading on the train, William Helmreich’s book The New York Nobody Knows (Princeton University Press, $29.95) leads readers through almost every block of the five Burroughs (that’s close to 6,000 miles). Filled with personal stories from they city’s residents, the book illuminates all of New York’s multi-cultural neighborhoods and little-known areas.
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Many commuters are almost physically attached to their smart phones (might as well tweak that budget proposal while on the bus, and what if the boss calls with something urgent?). Unfortunately, due to that high level of use, cell phones are crawling with bacteria — worse, even, than a public toilet. Enter Phone Soap, a dual cell phone charger and cleaner. Using UV light, the device kills bacteria living on the phone’s surface, and also fully charges the phone. Kiss those germs goodbye ($49.95; www.phonesoap.com).
​Share Your Story
Have a commuting saga you’d like to share? Tell us about it by submitting it to the form below, and we’ll consider printing it in a future issue.