Experience Gifts: Give the Gift of Travel!

As the holiday season approaches, the joy of gift-giving often brings up the timeless question: What can I give that will truly stand out and be cherished for years to come? We love experience gifts at DoSayGive and today Travel Consultant Deonne Swanson of @thehandmadeatlas is giving us all the best tips on travel gift ideas and how to give them so they have something to open on Christmas Day. Whether it’s a couple’s weekend getaway, a family trip to a new city, or an intergenerational adventure, an experience-based gift might be just the thing to give this year! 

Here are some inspiring ideas from Deonne for giving experiences that will be treasured long after the holidays:

A Trip Based on Their Passions

When planning a trip as a gift, think about the recipient’s favorite activities or hobbies and design an experience around them.

• For sports enthusiasts, consider a Labor Day weekend in New York City attending the U.S. Open. Spend mornings watching thrilling tennis matches and afternoons exploring NYC’s iconic sights and cuisine.
• For music lovers, gift a journey to Vienna to walk in the footsteps of Mozart and Beethoven, complete with a concert at the historic Schönbrunn Palace where they performed.

By tailoring the trip to their interests, you’ll create an unforgettable experience.

Adventures Inspired by Books or TV Shows

For fans of literature or TV, plan a trip that brings their favorite stories to life.

• Harry Potter fans will be enchanted by a trip to London and Scotland to explore the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, walk the streets that inspired Diagon Alley, and visit Edinburgh, where J.K. Rowling wrote much of the series.
• For fans of Jane Austen, a trip to Bath, England, could include visits to locations from her novels and the annual Jane Austen Festival.

This thoughtful and creative gift immerses them in the worlds they love most.

A Trip Based on Shared Hobbies

For those who share a common interest with you, plan a trip that celebrates that connection.

• Nature lovers could enjoy a stay near a national park with opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and stargazing.
• Foodies might delight in a culinary getaway to a destination known for its cuisine, like Tuscany or New Orleans, complete with cooking classes and food tours.

These trips are more than just vacations—they’re celebrations of interests and hobbies.

Multigenerational Family Adventures

Extended family trips are a wonderful way to strengthen bonds and create memories together.

• Consider a stay at a dude ranch, where families can enjoy horseback riding, campfire evenings, and nature hikes. Many ranches also offer luxurious accommodations, spa treatments, and wellness classes for added relaxation.
• Alternatively, plan a beachside retreat or a mountain cabin getaway to create a space for connection, relaxation, and fun.

These trips offer something for everyone, ensuring lasting memories for all generations.

How to Give Experience Gifts: Elevate the Presentation

Part of the magic of gifting a trip is how you present it! Creative reveals can add excitement and anticipation:

• Slip an itinerary or ticket into a personalized passport holder, travel journal or bauble stocking.
• Host a themed dinner featuring the destination’s cuisine as a prelude to the surprise.
• Use a puzzle that reveals the destination once completed.
• For family trips, create a scavenger hunt where each clue hints at the location, culminating in the big reveal.
• Pair with a new suitcase or another great gift for the traveler (more below!)

Travel consultant, Deonne Swanson of Southlake Travel, puts together a special package for her clients to “gift” a trip during the holidays so that family members have something to open on Christmas morning. Good news! Deonne is is giving DoSayGive readers a discount when you mention DoSayGive! She would love to help you plan an experience travel gift! Email her at dswanson@southlake-travel.com.