For you, fellow traveler

Looking to buy something for the jet-setter on your list? Check out Expeditions, now next door to Made in Chico on Main Street, for its travel agency and handy travel accessories.

Pick up the Kiva Vertical Wallet ($19.95), a convenient way to organize a passport, different currencies, luggage claim stubs, boarding passes and plane tickets.

Since no one likes long, noisy transcontinental flights, you can help your traveler block out unwanted noise with Sony’s Noise Canceling Headphones, ($99.99) from an electronics store like Best Buy. Plug these ear buds in to an iPod and the whiny kids in the next row on that crowded plane seem to disappear.

Once they’ve reached their exotic destination, they’ll want to remember everything. A high quality, leather-bound travel journal from Magna Carta, located on Second Street in downtown, will keep their memoir safe. Various styles and sizes are available starting at $17, but you can’t put a price on scribbling in a journal at a European cafe—undeniably hip.

Your worldly wanderer can keep their new journal in a locally made Overland Equipment day bag. Various designs and colors are available online (www.overlandequipment.com) and at sports stores around town, but the Donner ($50), a medium-size, multi-pocket (even one for a water bottle) bag with a cross-body strap, is perfect for keeping belongings safe in busy cities.

While you are there, you may as well grab a multi-tool, like the classic Swiss Army Knife—they never go out of style. Swing by Third Street’s Mountain Sports downtown and check out their selection. The mid-sized Tinker ($24) has two knives, bottle and can openers and more for any outdoor occasion.

A headlamp, like the Black Diamond Cosmo LED Headlamp ($29.95) is essential for over-night camping and backpacking trips. Why have your hands full with a bulky flashlight when you can have a compact, adjustable brightness light wherever you turn your head? Your outdoorsy friend will definitely agree.

Campers and hikers will love the National Parks Pass ($50 at www.nps.gov). Since entrance fees, day-use fees, auto fees, and camping fees soar, you can quickly recoup the value of this pass, valid for National Park entrance fees for one full year from first use.

Speaking of passes, make your winter sports enthusiast’s day with a season pass to Mt. Shasta Board and Ski Park (Adult $399). Less crowded and less pretentious than Tahoe, the runs on the slopes of 14,162-foot Mt. Shasta are fun for the whole family. Snowboarders will be interested in their new 300-foot super half pipe. Get passes and check conditions at www.skipark.com.

Anyone spending time out in the cold will need hot and trendy SmartWool socks ($13.95 and up). SmartWool provides lots of cushion and warmth with none of the itchiness or bulk or traditional wool products. In fact these cozy socks are perfect for curling up at home near the fire for the holidays as well.