Give the gift of travel
This year, as you’re making your holiday gift list, why not limit the amount of toys, electronics, clothes, and gadgets you buy, and give the gift of travel?
WHY? Someone once said, “Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.” Most of us already have enough stuff—and so do our friends, family, and kids. But when it comes to our holiday traditions of gift giving, we sometimes feel obligated, pressured, or challenged to buy even more of those unnecessary “things.” Instead of spending your entire holiday budget on stuff, give those you love the trip of a lifetime—and memories that will last a lot longer than that ugly plaid sweater.
WHO? Unless you’re made of money, you can’t give everyone on your list an all-expenses paid vacation. However, you can make purchases that help them get to their dream destination. Gift cards are available for a variety of travel booking sites like Expedia, Travelocity, etc., as well as for many airlines, including Southwest, United, and American. For your family or significant other, where you tend to spend the bulk of your budget, go the full Monty by planning and booking a complete vacation experience. Of course, for younger kids, having some “stuff” under the tree is all part of the tradition. But you don’t need to go overboard. Purchase a few “must haves” on their wish list, and then reserve some of that budget for a family vacation.
WHERE? Obviously, your own tastes and the wishes of those you’re gifting come into play here. But with winter in full swing in many parts of the country, a trip to a warm, tropical location is always a good idea. For couples, romantic settings like Palm Springs Rendezvous in Palm Springs, California or Volcano Village Lodge in Hawaii will earn you serious brownie points with your loved one. For large families or groups, the expansive, luxurious homes of Kolea Estate in Kailua, Hawaii or La Casa Colibri in Santa Palopo Catarina in Guatemala will give you plenty of room to spread out in these idyllic settings. For smaller families or groups, the Pineapple Ohana beach home in Oahu or the 5th Street Ohana rainforest home on the Big Island are the perfect venues for making lasting memories.
HOW? When giving the gift of travel, be creative with your presentation. Print out the tickets and itinerary and put them inside a new carry-on bag. Buy a holiday ornament that represents the destination you’ve chosen. Give a small, inexpensive gift that ties into the location—macadamia nuts for a trip to Hawaii; a 50’s music CD for Palm Springs; or a bag of coffee beans from Guatemala. You get the idea! Have some fun with it, making it all the more special and surprising.
The gift of travel is the gift that keeps on giving. After the holiday reveal is made, the anticipation and preparation phase sets in. You’re not only giving them a trip, but you’re giving them something to look forward to. And then, once the experience is over, the stories, the memories, and the feelings of togetherness will continue to linger. This holiday season, give the gift of travel and be the most popular Santa on the block!