Gilbertson

of us to her new Flagstaff vacation home this summer, we made her a thank-you gift basket that included a framed 8x10 collage of photos from the weekend. Following a summer stay in Hermosa Beach, Calif., my sister made me a journal with a cover featuring some of our favorite beach photos from the trip.

And I love this idea from a travel-loving colleague: a photo display featuring her favorite Instagram photos. She printed the photos at socialprintstudio.com and affixed them to a wall with poster putty and giant bulldog paper clips she bought on Amazon.

Keep design and shipping deadlines in mind. Don’t have time? Give them a gift card to create their own photo gift.

An activity for an upcoming trip

Buy someone on your list tickets, a gift card or a voucher to a museum, tour, theme park, outdoor adventure like zip lining or biking, or a show or concert on their next trip.

Someone visiting Chicago, for example, would probably love tickets to the unforgettable Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. In New York, tickets to a Broadway show (anything but “Hamilton” unless your budget is huge) would be welcome.

Need ideas? Check out deals sites including Travelzoo, Living Social and Groupon. They sell vouchers for activities and you can gift them. Travelzoo even has a gift guide searchable by destination. Be sure to read the fine print for eligible travel dates.

Another option: Check Costco for discounted theme-park and activity tickets to popular destinations. Online, Costco sells a $100 Cirque du Soleil gift card for $79.99 and a variety of Hawaii adventures including a luau at a luxury Maui resort for $84.99.

TSA PreCheck membership

For $85, the traveler on your list will get a five-year fast pass through airport security. PreCheck members get to keep their shoes and jackets on and don’t have to take laptops or approved liquids out of their carry-on bags. You can’t buy a TSA gift card but you can take someone to an enrollment center at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport or other airport and pay their fee.

A spa day at a local resort

Sneaking away to a swank spa for the day feels like a vacation, even if you’re home in time for dinner.

Pick up a gift certificate at one of the destination spas visitors flock to from around the country, places like Joya Spa at the Omni Scottsdale at Montelucia, Well & Being at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and the spa at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn.

Or scout for spa deals on Travelzoo, Groupon and Living Social. Friends surprised me with a massage and spa day at the secluded Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain for my birthday (and joined me there on the same deal). I then bought one for another friend’s birthday. I’ve also bought spa deals on Living Social from Bliss Spa at the W Scottsdale.

Read the fine print, especially the days of the week the offer is valid. Many places exclude weekends, especially during peak season in winter and spring. Another option: a gift card from spafinder.com.

Airline and hotel gift cards

Buying plane tickets or a hotel stay is out of the budget for many gift givers, but you can contribute toward a trip with airline or hotel gift cards.

Southwest Airlines gift cards are available on many retailers’ gift-card displays, or you can buy them online in denominations of $10 to $1,000. They can be delivered via email (great for lastminute gifts) for free or shipped for a fee. Most major airlines sell gift cards on their websites. American sells gift cards on its website and at select retailers. Check Costco’s selection, too.

Gift basket for an upcoming trip

For a close friend going to Ireland in December, I put together a basket with a few essentials, including a phone charger, a cozy sweater for the long plane ride, a few scarves for the winter weather and some of her favorite Lara bars to snack on.