As a mom, I love to give the gift of experience. Over the years, we have surprised our children with Christmas gifts of upcoming Disney vacations, waterpark vacations, Great Wolf Lodge vacations, overnights at the zoo, tickets to their favorite concert, and more. If the gift is "in the future," we like to find creative ways to present the surprise and a gift to unwrap in anticipation of the vacation or event.
How to give a trip as a gift for holidays
In this blog post, I'll share 10 unique ways to present a trip as a gift that will make the gift even more memorable.
This post includes Amazon affiliate links, and if you choose to make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! Every product in this guide is one our family truly loves.
1. Create Custom T-Shirts
Consider ordering personalized t-shirts from Amazon as a creative present for your family vacation. These affordable shirts can be tailored with a name, destination, and details.
2. Map It Out
Maps add a touch of adventure, making this a fun way to reveal your travel gift. For kids, it's great to see where you're going and to start planning the trip. Many locations will send visitors guides and maps. You may be able to find a vintage or custom map of the destination and trace the route you will take, marking key attractions and experiences with colorful stickers. This small gesture can help children anticipate the fun ahead.
You may also consider a map-themed souvenir.
I LOVE Xplorer Maps' beautiful products and gifts, especially for our National Park trips. They sell beautiful soft blankets, tote bags, mugs, travel cups, and jigsaw puzzles with artistic maps featuring many destinations in the U.S., including National Parks, states, and cities. We have tote bags, blankets, and puzzles, and every beautiful product is of great quality.
If you're planning a Disney vacation, this luxurious Disney atlas is filled with stunning park maps spanning the globe and celebrating 60 years of Disney park magic. Maps of the Disney Parks go beyond mere navigation tools for guests seeking attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. They serve as snapshots capturing a specific place and time, cherished relics for collectors, and exquisite works of art. Notably, a map (conceived by Walt Disney and illustrated by Herbert Ryman) was instrumental in pitching the Disneyland concept to investors. Unveil this collection of exquisite maps dating back to the inauguration of the original Disney Park in 1955 and continuing to the present day.
3. Clues in a Travel Scrapbook
Create a scrapbook containing hints about the upcoming journey. Add graphics and photos, brief descriptions of scheduled activities, and clues. You could hide the individual pages to be found and collected in a binder. Design the pages giving clues toward the big reveal. For example, each hint could symbolize experiences like animal encounters, rides, or breathtaking views. Anticipation builds as each page is revealed until your destination is revealed.
4. Travel-Inspired Gift Basket or Bag
Create a themed gift basket or bag for your destination. Fill it with items related to their destination, such as local snacks, travel-sized toiletries, a guidebook, and a travel itinerary. You might also include a travel journal to document their journey, creating a space for them to reflect on their experiences.
5. Thematic Puzzle Reveal
Create an interactive activity by designing a personalized puzzle. Use a blank puzzle or photo puzzle as a template so that the assembled design unveils either the location or fun facts. If you choose a puzzle with only a few pieces, you can hide pieces around the house for a game of hide-and-seek, or even create a scavenger hunt to find the pieces. With a premade puzzle, consider hiding a single piece for the family to discover before finishing the puzzle.
Or consider a puzzle representing your destination. Our family collects Thomas Kinkade's beautiful collection of Disney Puzzles and we assemble them in the winter months.
Vintage posters of American destinations are another favorite collectible puzzle. MyPuzzle.com offers a beautiful selection of puzzles for the National Parks, the states, and overseas travel.
6. Postcard Surprise
Purchase postcards representing your getaway. You can mail one a day (ahead of the final reveal), exposing a clue each day. Or, you can mail one to each member of the family. Or you can use the postcards to hide clues for a scavenger hunt around the house.
7. Adventure Countdown Calendar
Create excitement leading up to the trip with an "Adventure Countdown Calendar." You can buy a set of large envelopes and fill each day with small activities inspired by the destination. For instance, if they're visiting Mexico, activities could include learning a few Spanish phrases, making guacamole, or watching a movie set in Mexico. This adds an element of fun and anticipation as they look forward to their upcoming adventure.
Or you can purchase a premade countdown calendar like this one from Disney:
8. Video Presentation
When we surprised our girls with a Disney vacation as a Christmas gift, we showed a clip of an old Disney Christmas parade on TV (they were young) and the clip interrupted with my husband and me revealing (on the prerecorded video) that we were going to Disney. There are many creative ways to make your video announcement on YouTube.
9. Interactive Game Night
Organize a fun family game night as the reveal for the travel gift. Create trivia games that cover local facts, foods, or customs related to the destination, or purchase a trivia game for your destination. Then, present them with a beautifully decorated envelope that contains all the trip details.
10. A Surprise Dinner
Plan a themed dinner night at home. Prepare a meal inspired by the destination's cuisine and set the mood with decor. At the end of the meal, present a beautifully crafted card or itinerary with details of the trip.
Make Unforgettable Memories
When you gift a trip, part of the fun is the excitement of looking forward to the adventure, the unique way you present the gift, and the shared love for trying new things together.
Whether you choose to put together a cool scrapbook, cook them a delicious meal, or create a scavenger hunt or puzzle challenge, your personal touch will make this trip even more memorable.
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