Give Them Something to Remember: How to Gift a Vacation for Christmas

Hey there, friend! Let me ask you something.

What did you give your family for Christmas three years ago?

If you had to stop and think, you’re in good company. I did too.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas morning. The pajamas, the coffee, the wrapping paper in every corner of the living room, and watching my kids open the gifts I’ve spent weeks picking out.

Some of my close friends even call me Kelli Claus, because I truly LOVE giving gifts. But I’ve learned the very best ones aren’t purchased with the click of a link or a gift card. The best gifts are the ones where the person receiving it feels seen, known, and loved. Intentionality is everything.

And if we’re honest, we spend so much time and money clicking “add to cart” and having “thoughtful” gifts delivered to our door. Those things have the thrill of the open, and then the excitement fades. By spring, a few of them have already found their way to the donate pile.

Some of my very favorite gifts we’ve ever given our family didn’t come in a box at all.

They came with a countdown.

A trip on the calendar. A place we couldn’t wait to see. Something all of us got to look forward to, together.

And the best part? The excitement didn’t end on Christmas morning. It was only getting started.

That’s why I love the idea of giving a vacation for Christmas. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, sailing the sea on a Disney cruise, a slow week at the beach, or the place your family has been talking about for years, a trip is a gift that keeps on giving long after the wrapping paper is bagged up and gone.

And yes, you really can put a vacation under the Christmas tree!

Why I Love Giving Experiences as Gifts

I took my very first trip to Disney when I was almost two years old. That was more than 40 years ago, and Disney has held a special place in my heart ever since. So many of my favorite childhood memories were made on family vacations.

Now, as a mom of four (from a preschooler all the way up to teenagers), I get to experience that same joy from the other side.

I love the moment we tell the kids we’re going somewhere special. The suppertime conversations about what everyone wants to do first. The countdown on the fridge. The foods we want to try and places we want to see. The anticipation that builds for months.

And of course, I love the trips themselves!

But it’s the little moments that stay with me the longest. The silly, the smiles, the meals together. The inside jokes nobody else understands. A little hand reaching for mine in a crowd. Watching one of my kids experience something for the very first time.

Those are the memories we come home talking about. The ones that fill up my camera roll (and the ones I actually print).

And years later, when someone at the table says, “Remember when…?” we get to enjoy them all over again.

One of our family’s favorite “remember when” stories happened when our big three were about 8, 6, and 5.

We had planned a Disney trip they knew absolutely NOTHING about. The bags were packed, the car was loaded, gas tank was full, goody bags ready in their seats. All we needed was for my husband to come in from work.

While we waited, I convinced the kids that we really wanted Mexican for supper and if we asked Daddy really sweetly, maybe he’d say yes.

The minute he walked through the door, he got his hugs and his “Daddy’s home!” welcome, and then came the question. “Can we PLEASE go eat Mexican for supper?”

He put on his best acting skills and thought real hard while they begged, “Please, please!” Finally he said, “Okay. BUT… what if we go eat Mexican at… Disney World?”

Squeals. Excitement. Total disbelief. When we told them to load up, you would’ve thought we were setting off on the grandest adventure in the world! For the next handful of days, we enjoyed the best long weekend together in one of our favorite places.

The trip was wonderful, but that surprise became a memory all its own.

That’s what I mean when I say give them something to remember.

It isn’t about spending more or planning the biggest vacation imaginable. We already invest so much into making the holidays special. This is simply letting that investment pour into the new year, in the form of more time together.

Can You Really Give Someone a Vacation for Christmas?

Absolutely!

And here’s the part that surprises a lot of families: you don’t necessarily have to pay for the entire vacation before Christmas morning.

Depending on the destination, when you book, and the type of reservation, many vacations can be secured with an initial deposit, with the remaining balance due closer to your travel dates.

Let’s say it’s November, and you’d love to surprise your family with a Disney vacation over spring break.

We’ll sit down and talk through your travel dates, the type of resort that fits your family best, and the budget you’re comfortable with. Once we’ve chosen the right option and walked through its payment terms together, we secure the reservation.

Then on Christmas morning, your family unwraps the surprise, and the countdown begins!

Every vacation has its own booking and payment requirements and some reservations need to be paid in full sooner than others. I’ll walk you through all of it before you make a decision, so the only surprise is the one they’re unwrapping Christmas day!

How to Plan a Vacation as a Christmas Gift

If you’re dreaming about surprising your family with a trip this year, here’s where I’d start.

1. Start With Your People

Before we ever talk destinations, I want to hear about who’s going!

Do you have little ones who are counting down to meet their favorite characters? Teenagers who want adventure and a little independence? Grandparents who would love nothing more than a trip with the whole crew?

Or maybe this gift is for your spouse and the two of you have been saying “one day” for years.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer and that’s exactly why I start with your family, not a resort or a destination!

2. Choose a Budget That Feels Good

A surprise vacation should feel exciting, not like a source of financial stress.

We’ll talk about what you’re comfortable spending and what you’d like included, like your resort, park tickets, cruise fare, transportation, and those extra experiences that make a trip feel special.

I’ll help you understand your options, point out what’s truly worth the investment for your family, and make thoughtful choices about where to splurge and where to save.

Something I tell my clients often: the most expensive vacation isn’t always the best vacation.

The best one is the one that fits your family.

3. Pick Your Travel Dates

A Christmas gift doesn’t mean you have to travel at Christmas!

You could give a vacation for spring break, summer, fall, or even farther down the road. Think about school schedules, work commitments, birthdays and celebrations, and the kind of experience you’re hoping for. Planning ahead can open up more choices for resorts and reservations, although availability and pricing always vary.

And honestly? Having something wonderful on the calendar is part of the gift.

4. Let Me Carry the Details

This is where I come in, and it’s my favorite part of what I do.

Once I know what matters most to your family, I’ll research the options, recommend resorts and experiences, explain the payment schedule, and keep track of every little detail along the way.

For a Disney vacation, that might mean choosing the right resort, helping with park tickets and dining, and creating a plan that fits your family’s pace (snack breaks and nap windows included).

For a cruise, we might compare ships, itineraries, staterooms, and onboard experiences for everyone in your group.

For a bigger bucket-list adventure, it might mean multiple destinations, transportation, tours, and a thoughtfully paced itinerary.

You get to enjoy all the anticipation, knowing someone is genuinely looking out for you. And if a question pops up while you’re folding laundry? Just send me a text!

What Kind of Vacation Makes a Great Christmas Gift?

The possibilities are nearly endless, but here are a few of my favorites:

Walt Disney World or Disneyland
For families who love adventure, favorite characters, thrilling attractions, and making memories side by side. There are wonderful options for little ones, teens, adults, and multigenerational groups alike.

A Disney Cruise
A fantastic choice for families who want fun, entertainment, relaxation, and activities for every age, all while sailing the sea together. There’s something extra special about everyone looking forward to the same ship.

A Beach Vacation
For the family who needs to slow down, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy a little more time together without a packed schedule.

A Bucket-List Trip
Maybe it’s Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, or another place you’ve dreamed about for years. Christmas can be the perfect moment to finally put that trip on the calendar!

A Vacation for the Whole Family
Some of my very favorite trips to plan bring multiple generations together. Grandparents, parents, and grandkids making memories that become part of your family’s story.

And if you’re not sure which one fits? That’s completely okay! Helping you figure that out is part of what I do.

How Do You Wrap a Vacation?

Okay, this might be my favorite part!

A vacation may not fit in a traditional gift box, but it can absolutely be the most magical surprise under the tree.

Wrap up a pair of Mickey ears with a note about your upcoming Disney trip.

Fill a small box with clues about your destination and let everyone guess.

Set up a scavenger hunt around the house that leads to the big reveal.

Roll up a new beach towel with a pair of sunglasses, pop them in a beach tote, and tuck a note inside.

Or slip a personalized travel announcement into an envelope and hang it on the tree.

Or, if you can keep a secret, skip the box altogether and save the surprise for the moment you head out the door, just like our Mexican supper reveal!

For little ones, I love giving them something they can hold onto while they wait, like a small travel accessory, a new piece of luggage, or a countdown calendar they can mark off each day.

However you choose to do it, the reveal becomes the very first memory of the trip!

The Best Part? The Gift Keeps Giving.

Here’s what I love most about giving travel.

First, there’s the surprise on Christmas morning.

Then comes the countdown, the planning, and all those excited conversations around the supper table about what everyone wants to do first.

Then you get to take the trip itself, side by side.

And afterward? You have the photos, the stories, and the memories that sneak into everyday conversations for years to come.

One gift. So many moments. It truly gives and gives and gives!

Let’s Give Them Something to Remember

If you’ve been thinking about giving your family a vacation this Christmas, I would love to help you make it happen!

Whether you already know exactly where you want to go or you’re just beginning to dream, we’ll start with your people, your priorities, and your budget. I’ll help you explore your options, understand the booking process, and plan a vacation that feels just right for your family. You bring the excitement, and I’ll carry the details.

Because the sweetest Christmas gifts aren’t only about the moment they’re unwrapped.

They’re about everything that comes next.

Ready to give them something to remember? Let’s start planning your family’s next adventure!

Want to see more of the memories our family has made (and the ones my clients are making)? Come follow along on Instagram!