During the holidays, it can sometimes feel like we’re being bombarded by retail stores telling us everything we didn’t know we needed.
But spending money on things only adds clutter to your home and to the homes of those you gift to. And while they may make him or her happy at the moment, that won’t last.
Rather than buying things for the next birthday or holiday on your list, why not give the gift of experiences and memories instead?
Keep reading to learn 10 creative ways to give the gift of travel.
1. Gift Cards
Perhaps the easiest way of giving the gift of travel is to purchase gift cards.
Gift cards offer more flexibility to the recipient. They are also great if you’re on a budget but still want to contribute to the recipient’s love of travel.
There are tons of gift cards to choose from. You could purchase gift cards for their favorite airline, hotels, or even gift cards to pay for experiences like tours or shows.
They’ll be able to use their gift card to enhance a trip that they already have planned, or to start paying for their next one!
2. Give a CD or Cash
If you don’t know much about how the person you’re buying for travels, you might not feel comfortable buying a gift card. A gift card does lock that person into a certain airline, hotel, or even location.
When you want to give a gift that’s even more flexible than a gift card, cash is a good alternative. You can mention that the money is supposed to be for travel, and include a small gift with it, like a passport cover.
If you know that your loved one is saving up for a big trip that’s still a year or more off, you can also gift them a CD from a bank. This will keep them from spending the money right away, but still give them some savings to put toward that future trip.
3. Experiences
Getting to your destination or the hotel that you stay in are both only one small part of traveling. If you don’t want to pay for a flight or hotel, but still want to help fund an amazing vacation for a loved one, you can’t go wrong by paying for an experience.
Experiences range from everything from train rides to city tours, nature tours, and more.
If you want to buy an experience, you will need to know where the person will be traveling too. Otherwise, they’ll be stuck traveling to that location or else wasting their gift.
If you know where they are going, you can use this gift idea to help your loved create amazing memories. For instance, buying an Amazon cruise for their trip to South America is a fun, unforgettable experience.
4. Plane Tickets
Perhaps the most popular way to give the gift of travel is with airline tickets.
But giving plane tickets as a gift is tricky. Not only do you need to know where the person would like to go, but also when. Plus, you’ll be locking your recipient into paying for a hotel, food, and everything else they’ll need while they are away.
If you already know that the recipient is planning to take a certain trip though, plane tickets are a thoughtful, generous way to allow that person to put their money towards other things, like experiences or food.
5. Give a Weekend Getaway
Whether you don’t want to spend a fortune or you know that the person you’re buying for doesn’t have time for a big vacation, you could give a weekend getaway instead.
Booking a hotel, paying for a special tour, or even gifting a gas gift card is a great way to help the person get away without having to go far.
This is a fun way to gift a trip without having to spend thousands of dollars. Or it’s a fun way to spend more on luxury accommodations and less on travel.
6. Travel Supplies
If you don’t know what to buy to contribute to a person’s love of travel, you can’t go wrong with helping them pack and prepare.
From suitcases and backpacks to passport covers, RFID blockers, and even clothing, there are tons of travel-themed gifts to choose from! Plus, these gifts can fit any budget, making them ideal for small, thoughtful gifts for special occasions.
7. Use Your Points
Want to give a thoughtful gift of travel, but don’t have a lot of cash to spend right now? If you have airline, hotel, or other points on your credit cards, you can use these to buy everything from plane tickets to nights in a hotel.
In some cases, your points may be restricted. Be sure to check to see where and how you can use them before you decide to put this tip to work.
8. Buy Guidebooks
If your loved ones travel plans are still distant, it might be tough to buy plane tickets or even gift cards. But what you can do is help them plan their adventure.
Any travel enthusiast knows that guidebooks are a fun way to get excited for and plan your next vacation.
9. Consider Adding Trip Insurance
Before you buy any sort of travel arrangements, like plane tickets, a cruise, or a hotel stay, consider whether it might be a good idea to pay for travel insurance.
If the person you’re giving the gift to falls ill, experiences travel delays or end up having to work, travel insurance will help you get a refund, that way the person won’t lose out on their gift.
10. Get Creative
When it comes time to wrap up your gift, get creative. Just because you’re giving plane tickets or a gift card doesn’t mean you need to simply stuff them in an envelope.
Tuck tickets into a guidebook. Place gift cards in a travel toiletry case. Put some cash in a new passport cover.
This is a great way to get your recipient excited about the gift and their travel plans!
Give the Gift of Travel
No matter how you choose to do it when you give the gift of travel, you’re giving more than just a gift; you’re giving memories and experiences that will enrich your recipient’s life and view of the world.
A gift of travel is even more special if you get to share the trip with your loved one. This makes for a great anniversary gift. Check out these other anniversary gift ideas to find the perfect one to make your milestone even more special.
