Maybe the QuikPod Handheld Tripod can help. This nifty little tripod comes complete with a handle and mirror so you can hold the camera away from you, aim and shoot a decent picture of yourself while not giving away your all by your lonesome.

For $22, you can save yourself the embarrassment of using a rock or a wall or walking up to a Japanese stranger and doing the universal sign for “Hi, I’m Nigel Nomates. Will you take my picture?”

Of course, the tourist at a tourist spot needing help taking his or her picture is an age old tradition first experienced by Nero who asked an invading German army member to carve his picture playing the fiddle near the Coliseum as Rome burned.

We do agree that the tripod may be cool for shooting little videos, but as for taking pictures, well, we might go with the rock, really, it’s not that hard.

Gift rating: OK.

Good for: Travelers who don’t want their camera stolen or hate talking to strangers.
Not good for: People who want to make friends while traveling.
Value: $22.99

Where to buy: Google, Amazon and other online retailers.

And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? We mean, you took the time to spend a few minutes online AND you even plugged in your family’s address AND a credit card number, so why aren’t people fawning over YOU!

So why not wrap your gifts in an eco friendly manner so you can bring it up while your giftee is opening it — this will let you bring the topic back to you. “No trees were hurt in the wrapping of your gift.”

Here are a few different things you can try saying while the gift is being unwrapped.

“Did you notice how I used an old newspaper to wrap your gift?”

“This is from me and the environment.”

“I was going to use fancy wrapping paper and ribbons but then read how much those hurt the environment and I care so much about it.”

“When I help the environment, it’s like I’m giving you a gift every day.”

In fact, if you say just the right thing, you don’t even need to put anything in the box that has been wrapped in an old map or brown paper bags. But that may not go over as well.

Gift rating: Excellent — it’s trendy and cool and a gift on top of the gift.

Good for: People who love the world and themselves.

Not good for: People who hate the environment or like themselves more than the gift giver.

Value: Free.

Where to find: The trash

Gorillapods in action; Jorby.com

Small enough to fit in your pocket, easy enough to throw in your bag, Gorillapod Flexible Camera Tripod will solve some of your picture taking dilemmas. The legs can stand tall or flex and can wrap around any odd angle, all while holding your camera, making sure you get that shot of you in front of the worlds largest ball of twine.

Gorillapod comes in various colors and in different sizes with the ability to hold smaller cameras up to SLRs with zoom lenses.

Gift rating: Useful and safe. Best recommended as a stocking stuffer.

Good for: People who like to take pictures and be in them.

Not good for: People who take too much time primping before you shoot their photo.

Value: $20-$50 depending on what camera type you’re trying to prop up.

Where to buy: joby.com

Here’s the deal. Experts say light makes us happy. They say dingy cabin lighting, flight delays, long lines and jet lag make us miserable. A 15-minute blast of the unearthly glow from the Philips goLITE BLU can restore our scintillating personalities.

This little unit, about half the size of an iPad, is an energy light designed to help naturally boost your mood and energy by delivering the same wavelength, color and intensity we get from the summer sun. Because it comes with a rechargeable battery and travel case, you can even give yourself a little blast while slumped in that vinyl chair at the gate.

Gift rating: Cool in that new gadget kind of way

Good for: People who love how their complexion looks in blue.

Not good for: People who are afraid of glowing blue lights.

Value: $199.99

Where to buy: Check google, it’s all over the web.

Shel Zolkweich has never suffered from jet lag, even when flying around the world. Follow her on twitter and check out her website Shiny Packages.

The idea places Santa at nearly every airport Southwest flies, well, 26 of them, (full list below) during every weekend before Christmas (times and dates also below). And after you get your photo with St. Nick, all you have to do is go to the Southwest website and download the picture.

Gift rating: Good for the parent, bad for the kid.

Good for: People who avoid malls, multitaskers
Not good for: People without children
Value: Can you put a value on a photo?

Where to buy: An airport near you

Pick up a handful as stocking stuffers next time you’re patiently whistling in the checkout line at your neighborhood department store.

Gift rating: Practically cool

Good for: People who notice others are turning their heads away from the conversation
Not good for: People who have giant fingers
Value: Around $2 for four mini toothbrushes
Where to buy: www.colgatewisp.com

Shel Zolkewich never has bad breath. Follow her on twitter and check out her website Shiny Packages.

The GO 2405 and GO 2505 are brand new to the TomTom family of navigation devices. Get to a new city, suction one of these to the windshield of your rental car and go where you gotta go. It’s a touch screen so a swipe of your finger will do the job. Pinch and zoom are built in if you need a closer view. And best of all, it has voice recognition so you can have a conversation. Just remember to be nice. Ms. TomTom is always nice.

Gift rating: Trifecta: fun, cool, useful

Good for: Gadget geeks who like to talk to their devices
Not good for: People devoid of drivers’ licenses
Value: $250

Where to buy: TomTom’s website or electronic stores.

Shel Zolkewich has never gotten lost. Follow her on twitter and check out her website Shiny Packages.

I’m not a caffeine freak, but going without a decent cup while traveling can certainly put you off your game. A 12-pack of VIA might very well illicit an ‘ooh-ahh’ when discovered in the stocking of your favourite traveling pal. It certainly avoids the necessity of padding down to the lobby in your yoga pants and ordering up the $7 cup of joe.

There’s a flavor for everyone on your list from the extra bold Italian to the medium-tempered Colombian. Want to add some variety? There’s the flavored line up that includes cinnamon spice, vanilla, mocha and caramel. And just in time for the holidays, the beloved Christmas Blend now comes in an instant pouch.

Gift rating: Potentially lame. Possibly brilliant.

Good for: People who get grumpy without coffee (especially those traveling with you)
Not good for: Tea drinkers
Value: A couple o’ bucks

Shel Zolkewich is a wise Canadian traveler who thinks snow is a way of life. Follow her on twitter and check out her website Shiny Packages.

Put that frantic search for life’s most important items (at least in an airport) to an end with a snappy little vest that will teach you a thing or two about organization. It goes by the overly long name of Different Drummer Legends Traveller/Carry-On Vest. It’s designed to show off a few lovely lady curves but still manages to sport seven pockets. My favorite is the ultra secret one that runs along the entire lower back of the garment. Sneaky!

Like many Tilley items, you can rinse this one out in the hotel sink and it will dry by morning. It also comes with a lifetime promise that it won’t wear out. The men’s version is called the Different Drummer Legends Outback Vest, has 12 pockets and will cost you a few bucks more than the women’s model.

Gift rating: It’s a Tilley. But not a hat.

Good for: Receipt hoarders
Not good for: People who don’t like zippers
Value: $149
Where to buy: Tilley’s website.

Shel Zolkewich is the ultra fabulous Canadian shopping guru and travel writer. Follow her on twitter and check out her website Shiny Packages.

We know times are tough and we hope you can collect more than a few ideas from us for finding that just right gift for that person who seems nearly impossible to buy stuff for — in part because they already have every thing.

And while we think store cards are a lousy gift that says “I thought about you so much, that I spent $20 on this piece of plastic” we caught wind of this particular gift certificate and said — I want one.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers up gift certificates for its fabulous booze cruise on rails. Well, it’s actually much more than that. There are a number of different choices including wine tours, lunch or dinner and even a murder mystery dinner.

Prices and packages include:

Gourmet Lunch or Dinner: $94 to $99
Vista Dome Lunch or Dinner: $124 to $129
Winery Tour Packages: $119 to $184
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater $135

We love the idea of white linen service and gourmet meals as we putter along Napa Valley, one of the most beautiful regions in the US. The fact we’re sipping tasty cabs and pinots along the way is even better. Try the same thing in a car and, well, you’ll get arrested.

The train also stops at wineries and offers tours, which inevitably leads to the tasting room. Yes, more wine.

The people over at the wine train point out that you can also buy dollar value tickets that let the redeemer use them how ever they want.  Another perk is the certificates never expire.

Gift rating: Very cool– though it’s going to cost travelers even more to get there, stay a couple of days and get home.

Good for: Wine lovers and foodies — though those people can be kind of annoying, so sending them away is also a good idea.
Not good for: People who don’t like wine or trains.
Value: High