March is National Umbrella Month in the United States. Since it’s all about traveling light these days, why not celebrate by treating yourself to a new lightweight umbrella to make your travel easier? Plus, you can also teach your nieces and nephews  a thing or two about being prepared for anything!

The weather can turn in a minute, so I always keep a small compact umbrella in my bag and one in my car.  Of course it’s mainly for rain, but it can do double-duty to keep the sun off sensitive skin on hot sightseeing days as well. This can be helpful for younger nieces and nephews to help them keep cool and protect their sensitive skin. A long day in the hot sun might make your little ones cranky; your little umbrella can save the day.

Features to look for in a Mini Travel Umbrella:
    •    Compact: so fits into your pocket, purse, tote or backpack - the perfect size for your little ones to use if need be
    •    Lightweight: most under 12 oz, easy to tote around
    •    Bright color: won’t get left behind in cabs, trains, restaurants

Tip: Look for a tote bag or large purse with outside pockets to keep a wet umbrella separated from important items inside your bag, especially electronics like iPads, cell phones & laptops. Expect to pay about $25 for a good quality travel size umbrella like ShedRain. (If you forget to pack yours, check out the $1 dollar store at your destination for an inexpensive option).

There are so many lightweight travel size essentials available that you really can “take it all with you”- if you take the right size. And, all these items make great gift ideas for nieces and nephews to travel with or use at home. Here are a few of my favorite mini-must haves:

Mini Slim Sonic Toothbrush
Almost everyone uses an electric toothbrush at home, but they can be heavy to travel with.  Instead, save space in your bag and pack a simple battery operated sonic toothbrush.  I’m not referring to the cartoon character one in the grocery-store but the new sonic toothbrushes (like Violife®) with 22,000 brushstrokes per minute and under $15.  For the traveler like me, I love the travel-inspired designs like London, Paris & New York.  
 
Features to look for:
    •    Battery & extra head included:  so you're ready to hit the road (or the air!)
    •    Bright colors & designs: so you won’t forget it in the hotel bathroom. Let nieces and nephews pick out their own colorful toothbrushes to make tooth-brushing more appealing to them.
    •    Vented cap: easy to carry in your handbag to brush up anytime, anywhere
    •    Perfect for gym, office, travel and more.

Mini Reusable Snack Bags
Yes, you could use Ziploc® snack size zip-top bags, but why not have some fun in your bag & be eco-friendly at the same time? Snack Happens® Mini Reusable bags are the perfect size for travel. Great for food items like crackers, fruit, sandwiches and candy bribes and all stylishly contained in these travel-friendly snack bags. These bags will keep your nieces and nephews guessing which snack their on the go Auntie has packed for the day. Talk about a treat.  Approx. $12 for two.

Features to look for:
    •    Machine washable: so cleaning - and reusing - is easy.
    •    Modern patterns: keep private items private & so adorable you'll want ten
    •    Multi-use: perfect for packing make-up, jewelry and more

Travel Hairdryer and Flat Iron
Finally!  Say goodbye to bad hair days on vacation.  You’ll love these travel friendly lightweight hair styling essentials for their compact size-perfect to save space in your bag.  There are many available brands and types ranging in a variety of watts and prices from $35+. Don’t forget to pack any needed adaptor plugs depending on your International destination.

Features to look for:
    •    Dual-voltage: for international trips
    •    Long cords: for hotels with hard to reach outlets
    •    Multiple heat settings: so you can share with traveling companions

Mini Inflatable Neck Pillow
Save space but enjoy maximum comfort with a quick inflate neck pillow. No more huffing and puffing- this pillow inflates with just two quick breaths and deflates at the touch of a button.
Costs a little more than the average neck pillow but it’s worth it, about $20.

Features to look for:
    •    One-way air valve:  adjusts to your exact comfort level with one fingertip
    •    Packable: deflated, it folds neatly into its own pocket and saves space
    •    Removable fleece cover: easy to wash in case you drop it on the scary airplane floor  

Silicone Travel Bottles                                                                                                     
You don’t need 12 ounces of shampoo for a one week trip.  Have a niece that absolutely needs her favorite shampoo and conditioner while traveling? Here’s the solution:  Silicone squeezable travel bottles.  These are such an improvement over the old style of hard plastic bottles.  The 3-pack of GoToob bottles make it easy to travel with your must-have gels and lotions.  Approx. $25

Features to look for:
    •    TSA carry-on approved sizes: Under 3.4 oz
    •    Wide opening: Fast, easy filling and cleaning
    •    100% BPA free & FDA-approved and food safe

Photo: Roberto Verzo via Flickr cc
Published: March 26, 2014