How to Wrap a Vacation for Christmas

Want to gift wrap a family vacation for Christmas this year?

Vacations and other experiences make great gifts—experiences are a gift that you can enjoy when you unwrap it, when you take the trip, and then for a lifetime of memorable moments.

So whether you leave on Christmas Day or another time of year, here are some of my favorite ways to make the vacation look—and feel—like a gift on Christmas morning.

Make opening the gift an experience of its own

One of the biggest challenges with giving a trip as a gift isn’t figuring out how to wrap it—it’s making opening the gift into an experience of its own.

On big holidays like Christmas morning, you want your kids to be over the moon about their presents, not confused why they just got this piece of paper saying they’re headed out of town.

If you’re a visual learner (or just like YouTube!), check out my video for additional ways to wrap a vacation for Christmas:

Big-Box Announcement

When I was a kid, there was nothing better than seeing a present under the twinkling lights of our Christmas tree—especially if the present was nearly as tall as I was! So when it comes to wrapping a vacation for Christmas, I say—go big or go home!

If you’re looking to build up even more excitement, try the “bait and switch”—put the gift under the tree for a few days, then hide it another room to open last. You can even make finding it into a game!

And if you’re not sure about wrapping an empty box, fill it with helium balloons so they’ll fly out as soon as you open it, leaving a colorful trail of vacation anticipation in their wake! For a more low-key, no-mess method (pro tip: don’t try the helium balloons unless you have low ceilings or don’t mind climbing really tall ladders), pack a box with new luggage and a few vacation essentials.

Progressive Gift-Giving

If you want to extend the gifting experience, you can buy a few vacation-themed items (like toiletries, luggage tags, or more destination-specific gifts, like a travel guide) and wrap all of them individually, opening progressively-larger (or more significant) gifts as you go. Just make sure you remember the order, and end the process with a mock “golden ticket” or a note explaining the experience.

Since kids aren’t always thrilled to get clothes for Christmas, I’ve made a list of a few of my favorite gifts based on destination and weather. Feel free to add items or adjust as needed depending on age, gender, and interests!

If you’re going to Walt Disney World:

• Ponchos
• Character Apparel or PJs
• Costume
• Autograph Book
• Mickey Ears 
• Plush

If you’re going to the beach:

• Sand Toys
• Swimsuits
• Towels

If you’re going to someplace snowy:

• Winter Apparel (Hats, Gloves, Coat)
• Snow Boots
• Hot Chocolate Kit
• Mug (If you are looking for a mug for your Disney Lover, check out Polka Dot Pixie Dust )

If you’re going to a city:

• Guide Book
• Movies/Books set there
• Fun Snacks or Candy
• 3D Puzzle of a landmark
• Fun activities that will help your kids learn about your destination

Countdown Calendar

A fun way to wrap up your progressive opening—or tuck into your surprise box—is with a countdown calendar. Kids love having something they can see and touch as the days tick down, and it keeps them engaged with the planning process before you’ve even packed a single suitcase.

You can keep it simple with a chalkboard countdown, or go a little more whimsical with wooden countdown blocks (my personal favorite). Whatever you choose, it becomes part of the memory-making before the trip even begins.

One idea I absolutely adore is creating a paper chain where certain colored links mean something special is happening that day. Maybe it’s a family movie night featuring a film set in your destination, stopping by a local cultural festival, visiting a museum with ties to the region, or trying a recipe inspired by where you’re headed. It turns the countdown into a journey of its own—and gives your kids a deeper connection to the world they’re about to explore.

For more fun ideas on how to countdown to your trip, check out my post on 6 Ways to Countdown to your Family Vacation. And if you’re looking for even more ways to build excitement and keep little travelers engaged, I put together a whole post full of simple, joyful ideas. You can find it here!

Scavenger Hunt

Another fun (and wildly popular!) way to reveal a trip is by turning it into a full-on adventure with a scavenger hunt. There are so many different ways to approach it! You could give your kids clues that lead them to the countdown calendar, big-box present, or the order they should unwrap each progressive gift, keeping them guessing until the moment they hold that golden ticket in their hands.

And if you’re reading this, thinking, “Christina, I love my kids, but I do not have the brain space for this level of creativity right now,” you’re not alone. This is actually one of my favorite things to personalize for families!

When you book your trip with me, I’ll help you plan the perfect reveal—scavenger hunt, puzzle, countdown, all of it. You get the magic… I’ll take care of the planning. All you have to do is wrap!

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, and 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.

Discover more: