Bobby is a Principal with a background in History and Social Studies. He first traveled with EF Tours in 2010 to Rome and Paris, and now leads a student tour every summer. He believes that young people should experience life outside of their communities, and that understanding other cultures is imperative to solving global challenges.

The impending holiday season is a perfect time to break your un-lucky streak of hand-sewn sweaters, fruitcakes (has anyone actually ever eaten a fruitcake?), and stationary sets. The anticipation of opening holiday presents is almost as fun as opening the presents themselves—almost.

There are some gifts that I would dream about for months leading up to the holidays. I would drop hints to my parents—pointing to a certain commercial on the television, dropping a subtle hint at the breakfast table, or conveniently placing an ad by Mom’s bedside reading book. Whatever your strategy may be, if you’re traveling this coming year, I suggest being proactive and consider adding some travel items to your holiday wish list. I would even suggest sharing the link to this post with your loved ones, unless of course you’re looking forward to getting that 3D snowman sweater.

Travel app While an app probably won’t come with a bow on top, a gift card to purchase one just might. The world of apps is endless—translation apps, restaurant guide apps, and even apps that will help you locate the nearest public restroom. Take the time to explore all of your options and remember there are many great travel apps that don’t cost a thing.

It didn’t take long on my first trip across the pond to realize how valuable a good pair of earbuds is. While full-size headphones are all the rage they’re typically big and bulky and will take up valuable space in your carry-on. During your flight a reliable pair of earbuds will help you relax to some music or better hear your in-flight movie over the drone of the plane’s engines.

Whether you’re walking around London’s Piccadilly Square or exploring the rainforest in Costa Rica, a good pair of sneakers is essential to any traveler. I know you’ll first think about design and style, but the most important things to consider are comfort and support. Think about how much you’ll be on your feet. Exploring everything that a city or country has to offer doesn’t come easily, but having a comfortable pair of sneakers can make it much more enjoyable. Lastly, think about where you’ll be. Find a pair of sneakers that can handle Plaza Mayor in Lima, but also provide the necessary traction for Peru’s Sacred Valley.

Watches are no longer for just telling time. Need a quick translation? Looking for theater tickets in London? Imagine being able to access all of this and more on your new smart watch. Smart watches are becoming more and more popular as well as becoming more affordable. You can have the world at your fingertips and look good doing it.

I cannot think of a better way to capture the magic and beauty of your trip. The footage you capture will definitely put grandma’s Polaroid images to shame. A few things you should look for in a travel camera—it needs to be small and lightweight, have great low-light performance, and a good zoom. Thankfully, prices have become relatively reasonable and entry level cameras, like a GoPro can be found for around $200.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other holiday tradition I wish you a fun, safe and merry holiday season!