Everyone I know is scaling back on holiday shopping or, at the very least, getting creative about gifts. One colleague is making modest donations to her favorite charity in the names of friends and family--there's nothing to wrap and ship, she points out; the charitable organizations get a welcome end-of-the-year boost; and she gets a tax deduction. Another co-worker is buying only practical things for the kids--clothes and boots, magazine subscriptions and art supplies rather than toys, games and electronic devices.

I've taken that sensible approach to gifts for the road warriors in my life. If you're going to be gifting, make it something useful, beautiful and long-lasting. There's an added emotional bonus, too: Recipients think kindly of you whenever they're away on business.

Here are a few ideas:

Black trench coat. I never travel without mine, bought more than 10 years ago at an outlet store in Lake Tahoe and still going strong. There's much to be said for timeless silhouettes--and for microfiber, which can be thrown in the washing machine.

My coat is lightweight, with a zip-in, zip-out liner that adds versatility when I'm crossing time zones and don't want to schlep a winter coat. (If you dress in layers, the coat will keep you quite toasty in all but the most brutal weather.) I've even used mine, unlined and unzipped, as a duster when the airline lost my luggage and I needed a stand-in for a blazer. I particularly like the satin trench coat from Michael Kors, with a snappy militaryesque collar and a waist-nipping belt: on sale for $144.80 at Zappos.com.

Silk blanket. Silk is lightweight and warm, two useful qualities on chilly flights. And now that many airlines are charging for blankets, it makes sense to buy one and take it with you when you travel. I have friends who are so addicted to theirs that they consider them adult blankies. The Dreamsack, made from 100 percent Chinese silk, weighs less than a pound, is easy to pack and has a clever pocket to keep your feet snug and warm. You can buy it on its own or in a package with other silk accessories. The Dreamsack Airline Comfort Set includes a 43-inch by 72-inch blanket, eyeshades, and pillow cover, all of which fold up nicely into a 12-inch bag that's easy to tote: $59 at travelessentials.com.

High-end, travel-size beauty products. I bought a six-piece set from Malin + Goetz for my brother-in-law last Christmas--he's a jazz musician who goes on tour every year. He never got to try them. My sister, who also travels frequently, appropriated the kit before he could slip it in his suitcase. What was so appealing? There's the gorgeous bergamot scent and the gentle effectiveness of the body wash, two moisturizers (one for the face, a heavier one for the body), face cleanser, shampoo and conditioner. Each bottle holds one ounce, which makes the TSA happy: $30 at malinandgoetz.com.

Multipurpose clothing. When I travel, especially in coach, I dress down--mostly for comfort, but also to keep creases and spills off the nicer items in my wardrobe. That's why I like the Burton Sleeper Hoodie so much. The fabric is plush (80 percent cotton, 20 percent poly blend), but what sets this one apart from other hoodies is that it's got all sorts of cool features aimed directly at travelers: a removable, inflatable neck pillow; a removable eye mask; a light shield (similar to a visor) that can be snapped on and off; a zippered internal pocket (meant for passport and airline ticket); a sound pocket (meant for an MP3 player) with headphone cable; another hidden "stash" pocket already stocked with ear plugs and toothbrush; and what Burton so eloquently calls "pit zips," so you don't get overheated when you wear it. And if you get chilly, you can always roll down the extended sleeves and poke your thumbs through the thumb holes. Burton is best known for snowboarding gear, and it's not hard to imagine Shaun White snoring happily in one of these babies. They come in women's and men's versions in various prints, mostly in black and gray: about $100 from onlinefitness.com or on sale at Burton's online store for $50 to $80.

Noise-cancellation headphones. Need to work on your flight, or just want to chill out and listen to the movie or your MP3 player? BoseQuietComfort 2 and 3  noise-cancellation headphones will block out the drone of jet engines and the voice of a gabby seatmate; they also enhance the audio quality of an iPod even when ambient noise isn't an issue. Version 3, at $314, is smaller, cushier and more compact than Version 2, priced at $269.

For more ideas on holiday gifting, see Entrepreneur's Holiday Gift Guide.