How to Give a Travel Destination Gift

A fantastic alternative to giving material gifts is now the widely accepted giving of experiences as gifts. You may wonder how to give a trip as a gift in a way that is fun and thrilling to open. You can make giving a trip as a gift more fun than opening an envelope containing airplane tickets. These tips make opening the present and the trip fun.

Make Opening the Gift an Experience

Making a gift fun to open is a challenge when giving a trip. It is particularly true on holidays, such as Christmas, when expectations are high. You want the recipient to be excited about the gift. Kids especially can be confused if they receive a piece of paper telling them they are going out of town.

Some creativity makes opening the gift an experience. Think of it as a puzzle or game. Ideas include

• Wrapping in multiple boxes, each with different paper
• Making clues for a treasure hunt
• Fill a box with beach balls or helium balloons
• Filling a stocking with items that provide clues to the location
• Wrapping yarn or twine around the house, yard, or room that receivers follow to find the trip at the end

Presenting the Trip

You want the recipient to think opening the gift is magical, unique, and fun so that even the trip is not immediate, the moment seems special.

Surprising the Person

A fun way to give a vacation gift is by surprising the person. You could wrap the trip’s details in a card and place it on their pillow to find when they wake in the morning or go to bed at night. Leaving it somewhere they will find it like in a pile of birthday presents or under the Christmas tree are other options. If the trip is a surprise, instruct others aware of the gift to keep the details secret.

Ask the Person to Guess the Destination

 

 

Using clues, ask the person to guess where they are going. Wrap several clues and have the receiver guess the destination. They don’t get the tickets until they guess correctly.

Choose a Specific Location

Taking the person to a specific setting to open the gift makes the occasion memorable. The location can be a place the two of you enjoy or a setting related to the trip. If the gift is a trip to Morocco, a Moroccan restaurant is an excellent place to have them open the present. A park bench the two of you frequent is a setting that makes the gift special.

Choose a Theme

An easy way of giving a trip as a gift is providing accessories needed for the trip along with the announcement. Suggestions include

• Wrapping sunscreen and a swimsuit for a beach trip
• Give a hat and snow gloves for a ski trip
• Mouse ears and a Disney t-shirt to announce a Disneyland trip
• Getting drinks or food from the city or region to announce the trip
• Giving an Instax camera to take pictures on the trip

Provide Information About the Location

Other ways to present a trip as a gift are movies, guidebooks, and other items that teach the receiver about the location. It is fun to learn about new places before visiting. Learning adds fun to the gift and enhances the trip.

If you’re not leaving for a while, a paper chain to count down the days to the trip makes it more long-lasting and impactful. Add information about adventures or experiences that the trip offers each week until the departure.

Planning for the Trip

A vacation trip is an excellent gift for a loved one, partner, family member, or friend. It can be given to commemorate an anniversary, a holiday gift, or a birthday. There is some planning involved to creatively give a trip as a gift. Here are some steps that show how to present a trip as a gift.

Budget

Before plunging into plans, consider your budget. Think about what you can afford to provide, such as the number of travel tickets and the accommodations. You may be able to afford a gift that covers travel expenses but not accommodations. Or you may be able to afford travel and accommodations for only one person.

Choosing a Destination

Decide where you want to send the person as a gift. Perhaps they talked about a Mexican beach vacation or want to see a relative that lives overseas. Choose a destination that fulfills a lifelong dream or somewhere they often mention.

You may also choose a destination you feel sure they will enjoy, like somewhere in Europe or a tropical destination. Other options include places such as Graceland or Disneyland. You can also allow the person to choose the trip by leaving the destination blank. Set aside a money gift and tell the receiver they can travel anywhere the money will take them.

Decide on Travel Dates

You must choose travel dates to book a vacation. Flex dates are available if you’re unsure about when the recipient will be free to travel. You may also plan travel dates when you know the receiver is free, like a holiday, spring, or summer break.

If you purchase a trip with set dates, make sure the recipient is available. Check with family or a partner to confirm their availability. Or ask the person during a casual conversation if they have free time to travel before confirming the dates.

Finding Accommodations

If providing accommodations is in your budget, you need to find accommodations for the travel dates. Options include an Airbnb home rental service or a hotel. Search for accommodations close to popular sites in the area.

Some resorts do not require booking accommodations. There may be family or friends at the destination where the person can stay. A trip to see a relative or friend in Europe may mean not having to worry about accommodations.

Confirm the Trip Is Appropriate

Before giving a vacation to someone, be sure it is appropriate. It is likely inappropriate to offer such a gift to someone you do not know well or a coworker. Consider whether the gift is too expensive or lavish for someone who recently became your friend. If gifting a trip to a relative, like a nephew or a niece, check with their parents. Ask if the person would like a trip gift and if you have the parents’ blessing to do so.

Purchasing the Trip

When the details are in order, it is time to make the purchase. You can often get deals and discounts by buying tickets online. You may find the best rates by consulting a travel agent. Keep your budget in mind when purchasing the trip. Do not spend more than you budgeted. If the trip costs a lot, try to split the cost with other family members or friends.

Recap

Giving a trip as a gift can be riskier than a cozy blanket, DVD, or sweatshirt but can also be rewarding for everyone involved. The gift of an experience can be the ultimate surprise for the receiver. A travel experience delivers more long-term happiness than a gadget or sweater wrapped in a bow.