How to find a small but practical gift

Pay attention to the elites. Watch — but please don’t gawk — at frequent travelers. How do they pack? Which accessories do they use? These top-tier travelers often carry the best gadgets long before the rest of us catch on. If you’re bold, try asking one for advice at the airport or train station.

Check the lists. You can find bestseller lists for travel accessories online. Perhaps the most authoritative is Amazon’s travel accessories list (amazon.com/Best-Sellers-TravelAccessories/zgbs/fashion/15743971), which has the most in-demand items for the jet set. Which reminds me: Don’t forget those packing cubes!

Try before you buy. A little common sense can take you a long way when you’re trying to find a present. Retailers like Brookstone (brookstone.com) are known for clever, practical and small gifts that can make the traveler in your life happy.