iPad and iPad case – Your mom doesn’t really need to be tech savvy to enjoy an iPad. She can do all the things that you do: search for recipes, track workouts, rock out, and email you. Of course, she needs a colorful iPad case to travel with, so don’t leave her hanging naked.

Kindle Fire – Maybe Mom isn’t into doing too much online other than reading. If that’s the case, the new Kindle truly is on fire. Pair it with a matching Kindle case and she will be the hottest mom on the beach.

Digital camera – So many choices and even the most basic models under $100 can take some pretty spectacular shots. Just in time for graduation and hanging with the kids or grandkids for the summer, it will be fun for her to snap her own pictures. (And maybe even post on Pinterest.)

Fashionable laptop bag – If mom goes back and forth to work every day, give her a gift that reminds her daily of you and how stylish she really is. No need to be relegated to a boring, black brief when she can carry a colorful tote (we’re seeing brights like yellow, green and purple this spring).

Crystal wireless headset – It’s pretty tough to find a mom who doesn’t have a cell phone. Now that many states require hands-free talking while driving, a Swarovski crystal covered chic buds wireless headset is a gift less than $50 that will dress mom up while keeping her safe while driving.

- Trade in your old cell phones: If you don’t want to hand it to your kid (or your vice versa), most of the major brands will take ANY brand of cell phone and charge. Check out their web sites for a location near you. One in particular that we like is AT&T’s participation in , which donates the proceeds from refurbishment to fund phone cards for U.S. soldiers.

- Take in your old electronics: Major office supply retailers, like Office Depot or Staples, both offer recycling programs through which you can recycle laptops, monitors, and printers. Printer cartridges will even get you a credit for future purchases.

- Give your laptop or tablet to a kid: It might be your child, the neighbor’s or someone in one of your community’s schools. Even though the perception is kids are smarter than adults with electronics, not everyone can afford the newest models. While you are at it, buy them an eco-friendly laptop case or a tablet case to give a new feel while you are helping to keep the environment safe. Some of the creative materials include PVC reduced neoprene, recycled rice sacks, recycled plastic bottles and cotton.

1) Rolling luggage that is smaller than US standards – If you are looking to have carry on only and skip the check in, don’t forget that the carry on luggage standards can be different than in the US. Typically in the US, luggage can be 22″ tall. In some airlines in Europe, it is 20″.

2) The color grey is in – We saw this in dresses, shoes, tights, and of course, bags. While London is rather grey in January anyway, this refers to clothes. It’s a sophisticated twist on black but still a neutral and timeless color.

3) Knomo laptop bags – On the Tube and walking the streets, Knomo popped up quite a bit as the brand that the fashionable and professional women were carrying. It’s likely safe to say part of the reason Knomo is so popular is that it is a British brand.

4) Longer puffy jackets – For those of you who remember puffy jackets from the 80′s, we’re in a new era where puffy jackets are not just for athletes. Longer styles (laying somewhere below the hip) and cinched at the waste with a belt. These are reminiscent of what we are seeing on the ski slopes in the US, but with more styling and dress up appeal.

1) Organize your bag – Aside from cleaning out the contents of your bag, one of the easiest ways to stay organized is to choose a bag that has organizer pockets, like many of the Lodis leather business bags. A large part of the Lodis collection is designed with organizer pockets that hold business cards, pens, mobile devices, and more. When traveling through airports, it’s so handy to be able to find all of these items at a quick glance from one location.

2) Consolidate bags – Especially with one bag/one personal item check in policies with all airlines, it makes a lot of sense to consolidate bags. Move your wallet and necessary items to your tote or laptop bag, and put your purse in your wheeled luggage. You can pull it back out when you get to your destination. Instead of carrying both a briefcase and a laptop bag, use one bag for everything (just make sure your laptop or tablet fits into a padded sleeve or padded pocket). If you are struggling with space, a tote typically has more room than other profiles.

3) Clean out your wallet - It’s great that you are taking advantage of all of the loyalty programs, but do you really need to carry every club card with you? Now, many can use your phone number to give you privileges. A driver’s license, your ATM card, your credit cards, and insuarnce should be enough to get you where you need to go.

This was Martha’s first show that had stay at home dads and their kids on the show. Word has it that the set didn’t necessarily have the standard “order” that Martha Stewart is used to, but no doubt the 100+ dads loved their take home gift of a cool diaper bag.

Know a stay at home dad (or mom) that would like this diaper bag? Post a fun comment on Kolotalk about where this diaper bag will go. We’ll choose a winner at random from anyone who makes a post or retweets this post (limit one entry per post and one per retweet). Winner will be chosen by December 8, 2011, so that the bag can arrive in time for the holidays, and winner will be posted on www.facebook.com/kolobags

There are many different case choices, like iPad cases that open like a book or tablet cases that are more like an envelope. The cases can be made of leather, neoprene (“wet suit material”) or fabrics lined with foam padding. Some go beyond being a case, and are trendy bags that also have a padded pocket specifically for a tablet, and maybe also a laptop.

The real trick is finding a stylish e-reader case that fits. So, in the event that you are giving or getting an iPad or ereader this holiday, here is the list of measurements of the popular models so you can quickly compare:

iPad 2 – 9.5″x 7.31″ x 0.34″
iPad – 9.56″ × 7.47″ × 0.528″
Barnes & Noble Nook – 7.7″ x 4.9″ x 0.5″
Amazon Kindle 2 – 8″ x 5.3″ x 0.36″
Kindle Fire – 7.5″ x 4.7″ x 0.45″
Motorola Xoom – 9.8″ x 6.6″ x 0.5″
HP TouchPad – 9.45″ x 7.48″ x 0.54″
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 – 10.1″ x 6.9″ x 0.34″
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 – 9.1″ x 6.2″ x 0.34″
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 – 7.48″ x 4.74″ x 0.47″

Just in case you are wondering what you are looking for with those dimensions, think of how you measure a box. The dimensions to compare to be sure that your case fits are the length, width, and depth, not necessarily the screen size.

You also should think hard about what clothes and shoes you have to pack. If you’re heading somewhere cold, wear your boots and pack your inside shoes. As well, wear your winter coat and pack layers for wearing inside. And, for your kids, be sure to pack snowpants and two pair of gloves and hats. Those snow fort building times leave them sopping wet!

If you’re heading somewhere warm, then obviously your suitcase will be much lighter. The trend toward packing lighter – sometimes even only in a carryon – is catching on. People won’t care if you continually wear the 2 or 3 outfits you brought – no one notices. When we were in Ireland and Scotland for a month, we only brought 4 outfits each. In hindsight, we could have done with 2.

And what will you pack all your stuff in? If you’re flying, be sure to invest in high quality luggage. It’s worth every penny for the durability. Be sure to take your medicines and a change of clothes in your carryon, in case your luggage gets lost (yet another reason to mail those packages!).

If you’re driving, you might have a bit more leeway as to luggage size and construction. Kids love backpacks, so pack all their stuff in one that they can carry themselves. Allocate one suitcase for you and your partner’s clothes, and another suitcase for shoes and the miscellaneous stuff that always seems to accumulate around packing time. Again, if you’re headed to colder climes, be sure to pack enough warm clothes. Don’t forget the chargers and cords for your electronics.

The most important things you need to bring are your joy, your happiness at being together with friends and family, and a sense of relaxation, to enjoy the holidays together.

Another post brought to you by our guest blogger, Dr. Jessie Voigts, who publishes WanderingEducators.com, a travel resource for global educators.

Laptop sleeves – You can tuck them away so that the bright colors only pop when you want them to. Take your tablet or laptop from your bag, and dreamy memories of the tropics are possible with patterns like Designer Sleeves butterflies, waves or paradise beach. Golla’s sleeves come in vibrant colors, like red with flowers.

Wallets – Maybe you are not daring enough to break away from the basic black purse, but anyone can pull off a bright colored wallet. Alicia Klein wallets offer juicy colors with fun names like citrus and pink cadillac.

Patterned luggage – You won’t forget what it is like to take that summer voyage when you choose a piece of luggage that is suitable for any cruise or summer vacation. One of our all time favorite collections is Britto Collection by Heys. These hard sided laptop bags and wheeled luggage pop from site in any terminal with fun patterns like butterfly, flowers, and landscape.

Kolobags Giveaway Opportunity: A winner will be picked at random and announced on the Kolobags Facebook page. All you need to do is answer the following question in the comments section of this posting on Kolotalk:

What is the most tropical place you can see yourself with this fabulous tropical laptop sleeve?

Each person receives a bonus entry for Sharing on Facebook or re-tweeting about the contest.  (Limit one of each entry type per person. Entries must be received by November 19th 11p Pacific Standard Time to qualify for drawing. Winner’s name will be published on Kolobags’ Facebook page on November 21, 2011.)

Jon Stevenson founded Trumpette 20 years ago when, as a single parent, he ventured out of his men’s fashion job into designing onesies for his own son. By emblazoning the front of one with the word “BOY”, the visual style of Trumpette was born. Their high end baby fashion collection includes whimsical shoes, socks, and apparel.

Aside from the fact that one of our staff had a “friend” at Trumpette, we gravitated to their unique bag collection that plays on the same visual styling. Schleppbags are all purpose: they can travel to the gym, playground, or just around town. The patent PVC is easy to wipe clean, making their “BABY” bag a perfect diaper bag for the chic mom. The best part is each bag features the same playful style of their baby fashion with bold one word titles on the outside (“GYM”, “DANCE”) and fortune cookie like sayings printed on the interior. The styling of this collection is perfect for the person with a sense of style, a dash of humor and a passion not to grow up too much.

There are two main brands that provide this tough luggage for seasoned travelers. Rimowa luggage spans a wide range of products, from laptop cases (wheeled) to four-wheeled suitcases. They are composed of nearly indestructible polycarbonate cases, are super lightweight, and come in a wide variety of unique colors. They are perfect for seasoned and frequent travelers. Rimowa was founded in Cologne, Germany, in 1898 – and is well known to traveling celebrities and elite travelers alike. Must be the German engineering that has ensured its success.

Nanuk luggage is more for your technical gear – Nanuk cases are lightweight, watertight, virtually indestructable. They work in all kinds of extreme elements, and are manufactured to military specifications. Nanuk briefcases have a variety of foam inserts available for your needs, including cameras, laptops, and other technical gear.

Thanks to our guest blogger, Dr. Jessie Voigts, who publishes WanderingEducators.com, a travel resource for global educators.