My 14yo niece is going on a school trip to NYC in March, and I wanted to get her something for Christmas that she can use on her trip. Any ideas for something that costs about $25-$30? She has never been out of state, so she is very excited. Thanks!
A memory card for a digital camera
A book so she can read on the bus
A drawstring over the shoulder bag, she can use as a day bag for camera, snacks
A hoodie
Spending money
Hi D.P. :-)
How about a beautiful journal? Nothing better than being in a NEW environment and capturing all of the moments on paper.. how she feels, what she is thinking, where she has gone, what she experienced... perhaps the kind of journal that has blank pages so she can paste up brochures, little memoirs, photos,etc.
hugs,
A. www.amyfreundbodytalk.com
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I suggest you get her a small purse with an adjustable strap that she can wear across her body (for example the purse would be on her right side but the strap would on her left shoulder). I always use a purse like that when traveling to NYC because it's easier to hold onto, I never have set it down and it's hard for for someone to snatch. Although I lived in NYC for 23 years and only once has someone tried (unsuccessfully) to steal my purse on the subway. A purse that is big enough to hold her necessities but small enough that she would be able to keep it on her body at all times would be useful regardless of where she is traveling. I'm not trying to imply that NYC isn't safe, because it is. But a good, useful bag with a secure strap is always a necessity when traveling anywhere.
my 12 year old went to nyc last spring break. the said he would have been lost without his mp3. we only gave about 20 bucks for it. if she already has one you could buy her some tunes. they will be on a bus for a good while. or maybe a camera. good luck , R.
Other than a really cool travel duffle you can just do little things like a luggage tag with her initial, a travel toiletry bag, a disposable camera, a travel alarm clock, magazines for the plane, snacks for the plane, a prepaid mins cell phone card or prepaid mins card for normal phone, a cool scrapbook and the disposable camera, etc
what a great class trip!!!
ps/ definitely the cross body purse like the one woman mentioned. That is a must!
A nice Makeup travel bag is always a good gift.
A pouch that you put across your shoulder with places for money etc.
A gift of cash so she has spending money.
I used to live in NYC, it's a very exciting place for teens & young adults! Lots of free museums, art galleries, zoo, B'way plays, etc. BTW, Chinatown is the best place to eat good fairly inexpensively. But also it's fair share of "undesireables" waiting to pounce on "an easy mark" so from that perspective, here is my suggestions:
carry a survival kit containing mace spray, a loud whistle or "panic button" (I used to own an umbrella that had panic button, flashlight & siren buttons on the handle!) Keep it always in an easily accessable pocket
a purse sized packet of sanitizing wipes
a map of the city... a subway map if going anywhere by subway, &/or a street map if going anywhere by taxi, as some unscrupulous taxi drivers will take unsuspecting tourists the long way around if they aren't busy, so she will want to follow the route on her map to make sure she's not getting taken for the scenic route. BTW, don't bother taking a bus anywhere, takes way too long, yu can usually walk somewhere faster than a bus can take you! Subway is the fastest & cheapest way to travel in the city.
Never carry a lot of money.
never dress fancily or provocatively. You are more likely to get robbed if you look like you have money. Wear plain, non-discript clothes.
never go anywhere by yourself, travel in groups of 3 or more, but in a large group, go by the buddy system, never let your buddy out of your sight.
Have her take a self-defense class before she goes
Not meaning to scare you, I lived there for 4 yrs, and never got robbed or raped, until I moved to OH! But following these guidelines will help anyone avoid becoming a victim.
Several peoplke have mentioned money, May I suggest instead travelers checks, as they are safer than money. And as for a digital camera, instead bring a disposable camera, as I said before, you don't want to be flashing anything worth stealing, cameras, ipods, laptops, jewelry, etc!
I just got this camera/mp3 player for a child Christmas gift and I think its awesome for the price... still waiting to receive it in the mail but the reviews are mostly great. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ematic-Video-Mp3-Player-Black/1...
I totally agree with a travel journal. They sell journals specifically, for traveling, at Barnes and Noble. They are not very expensive. You could get her a nice pen, to go with it.
