10 Easy Thank-You/Holiday Gifts Your Travel Agent Will Love

Travel agents deserve all the glory for unearthing great deals and hidden treasures for their clients.

And yes, while they receive a commission from the various partners they work with, it's still nice to show your appreciation for their efforts with a little personal touch.

Here are 10 good off-the-beaten-path thank-you or holiday gift ideas for your travel agent.

Necessary? Probably not. Appreciated? Like you have no idea. Any travel agent will tell you it's not necessary to buy them a gift, but the idea of recognizing all that he or she did for the success of your trip is just a further tip of the cap to a job well done. And a gesture that will make you feel good.

Let's assume you've already made the decision to get your TA a gift. Terrific! Now what? Well, though it might sound generic, let's go with the basics - some flowers and a thank-you card upon your return or for the holidays certainly lets your agent know you're thinking about her.

A gift card is certainly appropriate. Perhaps one to a restaurant, just to let them know you're thankful for their help. If the situation permits, ask around the agency office and try to find out where your TA likes to eat.

Everybody calls to complain. That's the easy part. The hard part is going out of your way to offer up a compliment. If you think your travel agent did a superb job with your trip, let his or her supervisor know. Trust us, it will go a lot further than any trinket you can bring back.

Pass out your travel agent's business card. Write a Facebook post and link to the agency. Drop a tweet. Travel agents rely heavily on word-of-mouth advertising and this would go a long way in helping.

Another 'gift' - repeat business. The simple act of consistently using your travel agent will be recognized and treated just as if you boxed and wrapped a present.

Agents, as we said, appreciate any kind of gift. They are especially appreciative of gifts they can share in the office.

No matter how you say it, Christmas is a joyful time. You can either add to, or begin, your agent's holiday tradition with an inexpensive ornament from the country you've visited.

You're going to have to do some research here, but one thing that would truly be special is to bring your TA back something only found where you traveled. Now, we are not suggesting doing anything illegal. For instance, you can't even take a vial of sand from a beach in Hawaii. But you can bring back a Hawaiian pineapple.

Oh, go ahead. Just do it.