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Holiday travel gift guide

We have gadgets and accessories for the globe-trotters on your list. — Becky Krystal

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Lipault foldable luggage

You’d rather not have to trek up to your attic every time you want your suitcase. But where to store the bulky accessory? Lipault has solved the problem with its line of foldable luggage (from $189, www.lipault-us.com). Available in six models of wheeled uprights and duffels, the lightweight bags can be compressed and stored in the included polyurethane bags.Though lightweight, the padded nylon twill fabric feels as if it could stand up to the rigors of travel.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

If you’re the type who can’t travel without the possibility of an impromptu dance party, make sure that someone gets you the HMDX Jam wireless speaker ($39.99, <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com'>www.bedbathandbeyond.com</a>) as a stocking stuffer. At less than 3 inches tall and about 2 <sup>1</sup>
<span>/</span>
<sub>2 </sub>inches wide, the too-cute cylinder can stream your playlist from a Bluetooth-enabled device. Despite the diminutive size, it delivers impressive sound that you can manage from up to 30 feet away. On a full charge through its USB cable, the HMDX Audio Jam will make the beat go on for four hours. Plenty of time to get your groove on.

If you’re the type who can’t travel without the possibility of an impromptu dance party, make sure that someone gets you the HMDX Jam wireless speaker ($39.99, www.bedbathandbeyond.com) as a stocking stuffer. At less than 3 inches tall and about 2 ¹ / ₂inches wide, the too-cute cylinder can stream your playlist from a Bluetooth-enabled device. Despite the diminutive size, it delivers impressive sound that you can manage from up to 30 feet away. On a full charge through its USB cable, the HMDX Audio Jam will make the beat go on for four hours. Plenty of time to get your groove on.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

It’s an irrefutable travel truth: It will rain on your vacation if you forget to pack an umbrella. Hedge your bets by bringing along the Davek Mini ($49, <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.davekny.com/'>www.davekny.com</a>). The petite accessory gets high marks for lightness (less than a pound) and compactness (less than 7 inches long when closed), so it’s ideal for throwing into a purse or even a pants pocket. The size also makes it ideal for kids. Extra points for the soft elastic wrist strap and the bright color options.

Davek Mini umbrella

It’s an irrefutable travel truth: It will rain on your vacation if you forget to pack an umbrella. Hedge your bets by bringing along the Davek Mini ($49, www.davekny.com). The petite accessory gets high marks for lightness (less than a pound) and compactness (less than 7 inches long when closed), so it’s ideal for throwing into a purse or even a pants pocket. The size also makes it ideal for kids. Extra points for the soft elastic wrist strap and the bright color options.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Give your kids the taste of travel to look forward to every four weeks with Little Passports. The U.S. edition of the subscription-based service ($11.95 a month, with three-, six- and 12-month plans available at varying rates, <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.littlepassports.com/'>www.littlepassports.com</a>) starts out with a discovery kit that includes a field guide, a wall map, a disposable camera and more. It also introduces children to their jet-setting guides, Sam and Sofia, who can zip around the country on a magic scooter.

Little Passports

Give your kids the taste of travel to look forward to every four weeks with Little Passports. The U.S. edition of the subscription-based service ($11.95 a month, with three-, six- and 12-month plans available at varying rates, www.littlepassports.com) starts out with a discovery kit that includes a field guide, a wall map, a disposable camera and more. It also introduces children to their jet-setting guides, Sam and Sofia, who can zip around the country on a magic scooter.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

There’s something comforting about poring over a big atlas you can pull off the bookshelf. Some of those hardcover versions can be pretty hefty. Enter the “National Geographic Concise Atlas of the World” ($26.95, shop.nationalgeographic.com). The third edition of the paperback reference book is light yet full of intellectual heft. For even readier reference, consider packaging the “Concise” atlas with the “National Geographic Compact Atlas of the World” ($14.95, shop.nationalgeographic.com).

“National Geographic Concise Atlas of the World” (third edition) and “National Geographic Compact Atlas of the World”

There’s something comforting about poring over a big atlas you can pull off the bookshelf. Some of those hardcover versions can be pretty hefty. Enter the “National Geographic Concise Atlas of the World” ($26.95, shop.nationalgeographic.com). The third edition of the paperback reference book is light yet full of intellectual heft. For even readier reference, consider packaging the “Concise” atlas with the “National Geographic Compact Atlas of the World” ($14.95, shop.nationalgeographic.com).

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Gadget junkies will have a hard time maxing out the Scottevest Fleece 7.0 ($160, <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.scottevest.com/'>www.scottevest.com</a>), a coat with sleeves that unzip for conversion into a vest. Among the 23 pockets are slots designed for your smartphone, your iPad and your digital camera. Tech hounds will also like the built-in ear buds and “quick draw pocket” with a clear liner that allows you to use the touchscreen on your phone without taking it out of the coat.

Scottevest Fleece 7.0

Gadget junkies will have a hard time maxing out the Scottevest Fleece 7.0 ($160, www.scottevest.com), a coat with sleeves that unzip for conversion into a vest. Among the 23 pockets are slots designed for your smartphone, your iPad and your digital camera. Tech hounds will also like the built-in ear buds and “quick draw pocket” with a clear liner that allows you to use the touchscreen on your phone without taking it out of the coat.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

epa03714567 A Thai Buddhist family take an offering of lotus flowers to pay respects to a giant Buddha surrounded by more than 1,000 smaller Buddha statues at a Buddhism Park, on Vesak or Visakha Bucha day, in Nakhon Nayok, north of Bangkok, Thailand, 24 May 2013. Buddhist devotees throughout the world offer blessings at temples to mark one of the holiest days in Buddhism, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and the death of Buddha. EPA/BARBARA WALTON

Photos of the day

Buddhist Wesak festival, prisoners-of-war reunion, bridge collapse, world’s largest Lego model and more.

A portion of the Interstate 5 bridge is submerged after it collapsed into the Skagit River dumping vehicles and people into the water in Mount Vernon, Wash., Thursday, May 23, 2013 according to the Washington State Patrol. (AP Photo/Skagit Valley Herald, Frank Varga)

I-5 bridge collapse in Washington state dumps vehicles, passengers into river

No fatalities reported; collapse over Skagit River shuts down main route between Seattle and Canada.

SILVER SPRING MD: MAY 18
from left to right, Bodybuilders Jorge Villatoro, Sidney Bumbrey, Eric Holmes and Ron Coleman show off their most muscular poses for the judges at the 2013 Musclemania - Capital Tournament of Champions Contest held at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring, Maryland on May 18, 2013.
(Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

Flexing their muscles

Dozens of bodybuilders came out to Silver Spring to compete in the 2013 Musclemania Capital Tournament of Champions.

epa03714543 US actress Carmen Electra arrives for the Life Ball gala, at the airport Schwechat, in Vienna, Austria, 24 May 2013. The 21th Life Ball, an annual fundraising charity event for HIV and Aids projects, takes place at the Vienna City-Hall on 25 May 2013. EPA/HERBERT NEUBAUER

Eye on entertainment

Carmen Electra, Barbara Eden, Sharon Stone, Goldie Hawn, Jaden Smith and more.

A police forensics officer investigates a crime scene where one man was killed in Woolwich, southeast London May 22, 2013. British Prime Minister David Cameron has called a meeting of his government's emergency Cobra security committee after the killing of a man in south London, his office said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Terrorism cited in London cleaver attack

Two assailants hacked to death a British soldier on a busy southeast London neighborhood street Wednesday afternoon before delivering an apparent...

MOORE, OK - MAY 24: A 'For Sale' sign hangs in a tree in a storm ravaged neighborhood on May 24, 2013 in Moore, Oklahoma. The tornado of EF5 strength and two miles wide touched down May 20 killing at least 24 people and leaving behind extensive damage to homes and businesses. U.S. President Barack Obama promised federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Assessing tornado damage in Oklahoma

Amid great destruction, residents of the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore begin to assess the severity of the twister that hit Monday.

WASHINGTON DC: MAY 22
Contestant Travis Rumans, 31 dances with his beloved glow sticks for talent at Penn Social in Washington, DC on May 22, 2013. The contestants help raise over $15,000 for the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
The Mr. DC pageant is a fundraising event to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The qualifications for the Mr. District of Columbia finalists is that they must live, work and attend school in the District of Columbia between the ages of 21-30 who are unmarried, intelligent, and dapper in a suit.
(Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

Mr. D.C. Pageant contestants compete for charity

Contestants in the Mr. D.C. Pageant, a fundraising event, helped raise more than $15,000 for the Children’s National Medical Center.

A Burrowing owl tries to perch on a protective rope in a public park in Cooper City, Fla. Monday, May 20, 2013 as rain falls. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

Fun and fascinating creatures around the world.

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