I'll be honest. My own collection of "travel accessories" consists mainly of empty film cans and plastic bags in various sizes.

I don't own a money belt or a fanny pack. The only appliance I take on a trip is a small hair dryer and a set of adapter plugs. My travel calculator came free with a magazine subscription. My "journal" is a spiral-bound reporter's notebook that my employer buys by the gross.

Travel accessories that are lightweight, useful

I'm a minimalist when it comes to packing, and I've yet to break my rule of taking only a carry-on bag no matter where I travel or for how long. I'm proud to say that I've done it without the help of suitcase organizers or high-tech plastic bags that promise to reduce the size of a pile of clothes by 20 percent.

Then I went shopping for this story.

Just as I suspected, I came across accessories that were silly or too bulky, expensive or impractical. Among them was a five-pack of "disposable" underwear, a "tinkle" cup, a bag designed to be held open with a plastic U-shaped device, and a $60 leather organizer for carrying your passport, airline tickets, cash, credit cards, receipts and important documents all in one easy-to-snatch place.

But I also found items that were cheap, lightweight and useful. There were padded eye shades for blocking out light on long overseas flights, a tiny eyeglass repair kit (I've had a lens pop out of my glasses twice while traveling), and an inflatable back pillow that weighs less than two ounces.

Hmmm . . . maybe I should drop a few hints for the holidays.

There are accessories out there that make travel easier and more comfortable. But the skeptic in me remains obsessed with weight and size. Whatever I pack needs to fit into the pockets and corners of a carry-on. The ideal accessory is small, lightweight, flat and multipurpose.

A friend recalls how a travel companion packed a bicycle pump to blow up an inflatable pillow on the airplane. Opinions about travel pillows vary. But one that requires a pump? Definitely not.

If a traveler is on your gift list this holiday season, travel bookstores, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) stores and American Automobile Association outlets are good places to start your shopping. The gear is top-of-the-line and designed with weight and portability in mind. Look for products made by Eagle Creek, Austin House, Lewis N. Clark and Outdoor Research, all companies that specialize in accessories designed with the traveler in mind.

Try discount stores for generic items, such as small flashlights, hair dryers, sewing kits, etc. I found the eyeglass repair kit for $1.50 at the drugstore. One of our travel writers bought her favorite travel umbrella for $10 at T.J. Maxx, and went to a catalog for a $6 battery-powered fan that sprays water as it spins.

Online shopping sites and manufacturers' Web sites are good for browsing and finding out more about a product. The sites often include details on weight, fabric and design not printed on the back of the box.

Here's some gift ideas to get you started:

-- Alarm clocks: If your traveler stays in B&Bs or small pensions where the front desk doesn't do wake-up calls, they'll appreciate a small alarm clock. Best are clocks that glow in the dark. Some show the time in several zones - handy but not really necessary. Eagle Creek, a California company whose products are sold in local travel stores, makes a 2 1/2-inch round, fold-up model with snooze alarm and rotating ring for calculating different time zones. It sells for around $20. You can pay more, but there's probably no reason. Throw in extra batteries.

-- Travel pillows: Going soft requires some hard decisions. Attractive and cozy are the Bucky U Pillows made by Seattle-based Bucky Products Inc. Lined with fleece, cotton velour or faux fir, they cradle the neck in a filling of soft buckwheat hulls. The major drawback is that they are bulky and take up extra space in a carry-on. They sell for $25-$30.

Cheaper and more portable are inflatable pillows that sell for $5-$15. They are about a half-inch thick when deflated and fold up into a pouch. The more expensive pillows are lined with a fabric to wick away moisture. They weigh a bit more. A $5 pillow covered in synthetic suede weighs two ounces compared to four ounces for a $15 fleece version.

-- Eye masks: These range from $2 plastic versions (not practical because plastic makes your face sweat) to $25 cushioned models (too bulky). The ones that work best for me are made by Eagle Creek. The lightweight shades are lined with fleece and have a molded shape that keeps the mask away from your eyes. They sell for $8-$10.

-- Money belts: Concealable travel pouches are a matter of personal preference, so it helps to know a little about where someone travels and in what kind of climates. The choices come down to neck pouches, waist belts, hoslter-style pouches and leg pouches. All have their advantages and disadvantages. Neck pouches, for instance, can be bulky and uncomfortable in hot weather. Leg pouches require loose pants. For a thorough overview of pros and cons of each, see www.menda.com, a Web site published by Menda, an Australian retailer.

Seattle-based Outdoor Research makes a line of pouches and wallets that sell locally for $10-$15. Features include ripstop nylon to prevent sweat from penetrating a passport and a wick lining on the back. Some people prefer natural fabrics. Eagle Creek silk neck pouches and money belts sell for about $18-$20.

-- Locks: Theft has become a major hassle for travelers. The question on locks is, do they prevent something from being stolen, or signal to a thief that it's worth taking? The best policy is to not leave your luggage unattended. Many suitcases are made of fabric, and can be cut open if someone wants something badly enough. Still, a small lock would have probably stopped the baggage handler who went through my husband's suitcase during a stopover in Amsterdam. The thief took a flashlight, pocket knife, a few dollars' worth of Turkish lira and two energy bars. No big loss, but no one likes to feel violated.

Tiny combination or key locks for securing suitcase zippers sell for $4-$7. More expensive ($15 range) are locks with cable attached for either locking luggage together or locking luggage to a stationary object, such as an overhead rack on a train. The cable could be cut of course, but not without attracting some attention.

-- Journals:: Many people keep a written record of their travels, and a journal makes a nice gift. Cloth and paper-bound journals are attractive, but spiral-bound journals are probably the most practical. They're also handy for carrying pens. Leather-bound books are too heavy. Wide World Books & Maps in Wallingford sells "Rite in the Rain," an all-weather spiral notebook for $7.50. Its yellow plastic cover and lined pages are coated to repel water.

-- Appliances: Encourage the traveler on your list to discover that he or she will enjoy their trip more by not lugging around too many appliances. Avoid bulky items such as steamers and steam irons, heating coils, coffee makers, radios and anything that requires a voltage converter. If you buy a fold-up hair dryer or shaver, make sure it's one that operates at dual voltage (110-220).

-- Language translators/Currency converters: Multipurpose is the key. Pick one that has multiple functions, such as the ones made by Lingo. They weigh from three to four ounces and include functions for language translation, currency conversion, metric conversions, an alarm, clock, calculator and databank. List prices range from $30-$100. See www.lingotalk.com for product information.

-- Books: Lonely Planet, Rough Guide and Cadogan guide books are good choices. They're detailed enough to be useful to most anyone, not just budget travelers. Students and backpackers might prefer the Let's Go series. Insight and Discovery guides are good for learning about the historical and cultural aspects of an area. Eyewitness travel guides are best for those zeroing in on a particular foreign city.

Don't overlook novels and books on native foods. Many cookbooks are excellent travel reads. New from Lonely Planet is a series of $11.99 pocket-sized guides called "World Food" for Turkey, France, Italy, Mexico, Thailand and other countries.

Consider a gift certificate. You'll avoid buying someone something they don't need or a travel guide they already have.

Kids and pets

If a child you know is traveling out of the country, consider a gift of a small amount of foreign currency. Kids get excited about having their own French francs or Mexican pesos to spend on a trip, and it's a good way for them to learn about exchange rates. Disposable cameras also make good gifts. They're portable, lightweight and give kids a chance to take the pictures they want.

Travel gear for pets? Why not? The Web site www.YourActivePet.com is a good place to look for everything from backpacks for dogs to portable food and water bowls. Here's some places to find travel accessories:

Wide World Books & Maps, 4111A Wallingford Ave. N. Seattle. Phone: 206-634-3453. Web: www.travelbooksandmaps.com. Good selection of travel accessories, bags and books, online catalog.

Recreational Equipment Inc., Seattle flagship store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Phone: 206-223-1944. Also stores in Federal Way, Lynnwood and Redmond Town Center. Online catalog at www.rei.com.

Marco Polo travel books, maps and accessories, 713 Broadway E., Seattle. Phone: 206-860-3736. Books, accessories and travel clothing.

American Automobile Association service centers, 330 Sixth Ave. N., Seattle. Phone: 206-448-5353. Also Bellevue, 14404 N.E. 20th, Suite 150. Phone: 425-455-3933. Travel accessories, bags, suitcases, guidebooks, sales on guidebooks, discounts for AAA members.

The Savvy Traveler, 112 Fifth Ave. S., Edmonds. Phone: 877-225-1994. Web: www.savvytraveleredmonds.com. Good selection of travel books, accessories, luggage and clothing.

Ex Officio outlet store, 1419 Elliott Ave. West, Seattle. Phone: 206-283-1471. This Seattle-based company specializes in travel clothing sold through retailers and online at at www.exofficio.com. Bargain-hunters like this outlet store.

Web sites

Manufacturers maintain Web sites with useful information about their products and prices. Here are some worth checking:

Eagle Creek Inc., California-based maker of travel accessories carried by REI and other retailers. For information about its products, how to locate a store, or purchase from a retailer online, see www.eaglecreek.com.

Lewis N. Clark Inc., Chicago manufacturer of travel accessories sold through retailers. Product information at www.lewisnclark.com.

Outdoor Research, Seattle-based maker of quality outdoor and travel gear. For product information, suggested retail prices, locations of stores that sell its products or to order a catalog, see the Web at www.orgear.com.

Bucky Products Inc., Seattle maker of pillows and eye shades. See www.bucky.com for product information, suggested retail prices and locations of retailers that sell Bucky products. Carol Pucci's phone message number is 206-464-3701. Her e-mail is cpucci@seattletimes.com