Our Joyful Journeys Vacation Designers shared some favorite gifts they have given or received. We hope it inspires you to give the gift of memories this Christmas!
On Christmas morning our kids will wake to fully packed suitcases and backpacks filled with fun, new car-ride activities and a new travel outfit (inspired by our destination of course!). There will also be a letter explaining that their gift this year is a week of vacation, and we will be leaving RIGHT NOW! The part of the surprise they won’t know until we get there is that we are meeting grandparents + cousins for a week of festive fun! (Shhh….it’s a surprise!) Lauren Byers
It’s easy to think of our kiddos when we talk about giving the gift of travel, but travel is also a fantastic gift for those hard-to-buy-for grandparents (or spouses) who already have everything! Give them adventures and memories instead of another scarf or sweater this year! Gretchen Clohessy
For years we cruised for Christmas. We made a gift certificate telling about the cruise and its destinations. All of the stocking stuffers were beach themed- flip flops, sunscreen, sand toys, etc. Karen Deyton
As a military family that moves often, “stuff” is hard to pack but memories stay with us forever. We love to give and receive trips/travel for special occasions. We have celebrated Easter on a Disney Cruise, given Walt Disney World Tickets for birthday gifts and celebrated milestone birthdays with the whole family on Adventures by Disney trips. Julie Gheesling
We have surprised our kids with travel gifts on Christmas morning. They got shirts, trip necessities, and fun travel gear for Christmas presents, along with some gift cards to spend along the way. There wasn’t a fight later when souvenir shopping, because they had their own gift cards for souvenirs, and the excitement of the gift lasted a little longer. My personal favorite Christmas travel memory was a trip to South Africa to stay with friends for Christmas. We woke up Christmas morning and drove from their farm to the beach and spent the week at the ocean. Michelle Haile
We love giving the gift of travel. One Christmas, Mom gave everyone (family friends included, too) Hawaiian shirts with leis and shirts that said “ohana” to tell us we were going to Hawaii! Alex Hierlmeier
For the family mastermind who creates the gift list, does the shopping, wraps the gifts, decorates the house, schedules the parties, cooks the food, and hosts the family gatherings, a surprise getaway to the Caribbean is a perfect gift! An all-inclusive resort vacation provides the perfect escape where someone else cooks, cleans, and entertains while your beloved yet exhausted elf enjoys rest, relaxation, fabulous meals that someone else prepares, and a break from the family calendar. An all-inclusive vacation at Sandals or Beaches offers the perfect antidote to holiday stress! Lisa Lacey
Nice luggage makes a great Christmas gift to surprise the gift of travel! If you have a travel wallet, crossbody or backpack you love, it makes a great gift idea to share with your favorite travel companions! Throw some packing cubes and matching luggage tags in for some pizazz! Plane or theme park tickets can be added to the crossbody or backpack for an extra surprise! Noise cancelling headphones can also have that special person ready for their next trip! If you’re not ready to decide on your destination, go ahead and load up that crossbody or backpack with your favorite travel essentials…a reusable water bottled, handheld fan, hand sanitizer, travel mirror and snacks! Regardless of where you’re planning on going and giving the gift of travel, these ideas are sure to make the perfect gift for travelers of all ages! Jessi Lofland
As my son is getting older the amount of “things” he needs has lessened. My husband and I have started giving experiences instead! My favorite memory was when we gifted him a Disney Cruise and a few days at Universal. He opened a clue on Christmas morning in his stocking that led him to another clue and then eventually he found a box with a special ticket to Hogwarts and admission onto the cruise ship! It was a magical morning! Caroline Millwood
My favorite Christmas memory was in 2022 we opted to take the kids to Walt Disney World instead of gifts. We did Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Emma was the age to enjoy Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. We enjoyed lots of resort time and stayed at the Polynesian and made so many fun memories as a family. The kids still talk about it being the best Christmas ever! Maureen Tully
Contact your Joyful Journeys Vacation Designer today to give the gift of travel to your loved ones!
