Why to Gift a Vacation for Christmas
It’s Christmas morning: the soft glow of twinkling lights fills the room, the smell of fresh coffee brews in the air, and you, a busy mom, finally catch a moment to breathe. The hustle of getting the perfect holiday together was worth it – and the look of pure joy in your child’s eye confirms it. Christmas magic is like no other, but wouldn’t you love to make that experience even more memorable? How about gifting your family their next vacation?
This year’s big trend is all about gifting experiences instead of just more stuff—and it’s easy to see why! Experiences create lasting memories that go far beyond material things. Plus, let’s face it—kids often appreciate moments more than objects, especially when “things” start to lose their sparkle.
Experiences can be as meaningful as material gifts, especially during the holidays. Think zoo memberships for your niece or concert tickets for your best friend. These are wonderful ideas when you’re searching for the perfect present – it gives them something to look forward to! After all, what’s more heartwarming than seeing their smiles and knowing you’ve given them memories to treasure? Whether you dream of cruising Main Street, exploring ancient ruins in Rome, or embracing the golden shores of Greece – the possibilities are endless and the choice is yours!
Memories are Everlasting
While many studies and research show gifting experiences are just as effective as material gifts, think about your own holiday experiences. Do you remember what you received for Christmas every year? Now think about the family vacations you took. I bet you remember those! I know I do! I remember when my Mom took me to see my first musical!
When it comes to family vacations, I smile every time I think about my husband and I’s Canada road trip, where we had to pull over about every hour so I could relieve my first-trimester nausea. Stuff fades, but experiences and memories only grow sweeter with time. Even the unforeseen happenstances eventually turn into stories of laughter. They may have felt cringe-worthy at the time (morning sickness is not all that great), but it is a memory I will have to tell Annabelle forever.
Reducing the Clutter
I absolutely love giving gifts—there’s nothing quite like the joy of finding, wrapping, and giving the perfect present to a family member or friend. Still, as a mom, I get overwhelmed by the aftermath: paper and toys all over the floor, the lingering messes, and having to clean it all up. As long as you take it easy on the souvenirs, the only place you have to store your vacation memories is in your heart, or maybe a photo album! We’d love to put our vacation photos in a Shutterfly book. We have one for each trip on a shelf in our living room, and I love that they are all the same size and shape! Let us know and we can transform those beautiful memories into pages of joy.
Moms Will Also Enjoy
As busy mothers, the holidays can be a mix of magic and mayhem. Between hosting guests, prepping meals, and trying to keep everything perfect for those photo ops, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the chaos. It’s a tornado of tasks before the big day. Giving the gift of vacation not only reduces the stress of shopping and wrapping but also gives you something to look forward to. And what could be a better holiday stress reliever than a massage on a beach?
Gifts on a Budget Will Save Money!
What if I told you that gifting a family vacation can save you money this holiday season? Instead of a pile of toys that eventually lose their spark, you’re creating moments that will stay in their hearts forever. Did you know that the average American spends between $300 and $400 per child on holiday gifts? Channel those numbers into your child’s portion of a magical adventure. Picture sweet laughs echoing through their favorite theme park, sandy toes on a beach, or running with starry eyes under the high ceilings of an elegant art museum.
And here’s the real mom-friendly perk: Most vacations only require a small deposit upfront, with the rest paid closer to your travel dates. It’s like giving yourself the gift of time. No last-minute rush through crowded store aisles or online panic orders. And with our expert travel advisors, planning becomes easy. We’ll tailor every detail to your family’s unique interests, making it a stress-free experience. Your kids will be counting down the days from December 25th with utter excitement.
Benefits Beyond the Trip
Traveling with kids offers benefits that transform your child into a little explorer. It sparks curiosity, creates a love for learning, and builds empathy. These are all essential traits for your child’s social development – and traveling makes it fun and life-changing! If you want a full breakdown, check out my blog post, 7 Benefits to Travel with Children While They Are Still Young.
One of the best perks? Exploring different environments gives your child a deep understanding of other people and cultures that can change the world. Who can give a better gift than that? You just won Christmas!
Family Bonding
The gift of travel unlocks the kind of family bonding that can’t be wrapped in a box. From the awe of catching a breathtaking view after a long hike to those little funny moments that become inside jokes for years—these are the moments where you’ll find yourself saying, “You just HAD to be there.”
We all get caught up in calendars and carpools and forget about the sweeter moments. Traveling encourages us all to put down our phones or electronic games (are gameboys still a thing?) and spend meaningful time together. After all, I got into the family travel business because I love to inspire families to come closer together.
There is just something special about traveling together. No matter what you do at home, travel as a family creates a unique time and space for bonding that you can’t get anywhere else. Strip away the tangles and pressures of everyday life, and you suddenly find yourself able to appreciate one another more fully, live life more purposefully, and connect more deeply. You now have shared experiences that your children will talk about for years.
If you are ready to wrap up that CVS receipt long holiday to-do list, break the busy by scheduling a call with us today! Add some magic and reduce the stress this holiday season with a gift everyone (even you!) will treasure.
Who is Christina?
Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation too.
She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
