The gift of travel: why experiences make the perfect Christmas present

Gifting at this time of year can be a challenge. Who hasn’t struggled with finding the perfect gift for a family member who is difficult to buy for? It should be a fun aspect of Christmas, but sometimes coming up with ideas for presents is the toughest part. If you are struggling with a physical gift to buy, why not gift a travel experience instead?

Now, unless you have the budget, you don’t need to go full out and buy a holiday for someone, but you can always contribute towards a dream holiday someone might have or smaller travel experiences like a weekend away. Having a gift experience is a good alternative as it has the potential to be far more meaningful and memorable. So rather than going for another jumper or gadget that might be forgotten by Spring, here’s why experiences can be an ideal option this year.

Why Experiences Make the Best Gifts

Experiences are becoming increasingly popular because they offer something that material items often struggle to deliver, genuine emotional value. A holiday, weekend escape or even a short day trip can make someone’s eyes light up more than anything else, and it gives them something to look forward to. The anticipation of an upcoming trip is often just as enjoyable as the holiday itself, especially during the darker Winter months when many of us are longing for motivation and excitement.

Travel also creates memories that last far longer than physical gifts. Experiences become stories, photos and moments shared with your loved ones, helping to bring you closer together. For families, couples or friends, a trip encourages quality time free from daily distractions, so gifting travel is a thoughtful way to prioritise this.

Travel as a Practical Gift: What Makes It Easy to Give

It can be surprisingly easy to arrange a travel gift once you start looking into it. Many airlines, hotels and travel companies now offer gift vouchers or flexible booking options, meaning the lucky recipient then has the freedom to book when convenient for them. Gifting a voucher towards a holiday or short break can take away the pressure of guessing someone’s travel preferences, as well as help if you are unsure about their availability and budget.

Gifting travel also avoids the sense of clutter that can come with traditional gifts at Christmas. Sometimes, finding somewhere to put all of your new gifts can end up with them taking up space on the kitchen table or in a corner of a room, which is less than ideal. Instead, a trip offers something that brings joy without taking up space.

If you can gift a meaningful experience, there aren’t many people who wouldn’t appreciate it (unless you end up getting them something that is completely not their idea of fun). Added to that, Winter sales and seasonal promotions often make travel more affordable than you may expect, especially for short breaks or mid-week trips. All of this helps make travel a practical, thoughtful and exciting gift that can fit a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.

Practical Considerations for a Worry Free Travel Gift

It will easily create excitement, but gifting travel also comes with practical considerations you’ll need to think about, which you won’t need with other types of gifts. Whether it’s a surprise trip away for your partner or a gift experience for a friend, you’ll want to carefully think about the destination, their availability, and other aspects like having a valid passport or if any special considerations are needed.

Thinking about health, safety and preparation early on allows the person receiving the gift to travel with confidence rather than dealing with unexpected issues along the way. For example, if you gift a trip abroad that is for early in the new year, you’ll want to make sure they have a passport in date and that they have time to arrange suitable travel insurance.

If they have a pre-existing health condition for instance, they’ll want a specific travel insurance policy for medical conditions from providers like Staysure that will cover their specialist needs, just in case anything unexpected happens. Medical treatment abroad can be expensive, and even a minor incident can become stressful if the right coverage is not in place, so ensure they have time to arrange this before the travel date.

Also, check the most up-to-date travel advice for the gift destination, as the last thing you want is any surprises on the day of travel. You can check this on the DFA overseas travel advice pages and find out if there are any visa requirements, passport specifics like having a certain time left before expiry, and general destination advice too.

Being prepared does not take away from the fun of gifting a trip, it simply helps protect it. A little planning up front means that the loved one receiving the gift can focus on enjoying their travels and have enough time to sort any extras before setting off.

Choosing a Trip that Fits the Person You Are Gifting To

Along with considering the practical aspects of a travel gift, you want to ensure it is something they will generally enjoy. It’s great if you can book something as a surprise, but there is always the risk they may not like it. To be fair, that is the same for any type of Christmas gift, so as mentioned above, a gift voucher to put towards travel can sometimes be the perfect (and safer) solution.

So, what makes a good gift trip? Well, it should reflect their interests, sense of adventure and comfort. You could go for something completely out of their comfort zone, but the risk is they may request to change it. If they love food, you could look for a food tour either in Ireland or somewhere in Europe that would be perfect for them, or if somewhere relaxing is more their thing, how about a spa weekend, or a countryside retreat to get back to nature?

There are plenty of great options, and if you need more inspiration, Discover Ireland has a list of experience ideas you can gift that range from food and drink tours, family breaks, and activities that are perfect for short trips across the country.

Short flights to popular European cities also make quick getaways convenient as a gift and budget-friendly, while ferry routes and domestic stays offer good options for those who prefer a slower pace.

Even a one-night hotel stay with breakfast can feel special when it is tailored to someone’s tastes. Spend some time thinking about the perfect trip for them, with all aspects considered, and you’re more than likely to get it right.

Give the Gift of Memories this Christmas

Have we convinced you that travel is the perfect gift this year? It’s certainly worth considering, and remember, if you do struggle to book something fully without their input, there’s nothing wrong with a gift voucher towards travel either.

Christmas is all about creating memories at the end of the day, something you and your family will remember for years to come beyond the food and gifts. Why not help them create further fond memories with an experience they’ll really enjoy instead? It’s something different and, as long as it’s not somewhere they’ll dislike, and it fits their personality, you’re sure to give them a pleasant surprise on the day.