A few years ago, I had a soccer field epiphany while cheering for my daughter’s team during the final match of the season. Bundled up against the November chill, I cheered for my daughter’s team, yelling words of encouragement like “Good Job!” and – “YOU CAN DO IT!” with a strange, indistinguishable accent.
Anyone of a certain age will know that reference from Adam Sandler’s 1998 movie The Waterboy. Silly, I know, but it got me thinking about how cultural references stay with us long after the movie, song, or television show ends.
A few classics…
Wax on. Wax off.
Nobody puts baby in the corner.
How do you like them apples?
And, as we head into the holiday season…
You’ll shoot your eye out!
Poor Ralphie, all he wanted for Christmas was a “Red Rider carbine action two-hundred shot range rifle” (without commas). That kid would do anything for a Red Rider BB gun, even face drunk Santa and an evil elf. (If you don’t know the movie A Christmas Story, you’re in luck. TBS shows it at least 400 times between Thanksgiving and Christmas.)
Kids (influenced by huge marketing campaigns by toy companies) set their sights on a few “must have” gifts each year. (Some) parents, in their quest to be “good” parents, get sucked into the frenzy of trying to fulfill those wishes (remember Tickle Me Elmo?).
What if, instead of buying more stuff, we took a new approach to the holidays? How about instead of the newest gadget or $2.00 stocking stuffer, we gave experiences, like travel, a show, or a nice meal?
We’ve all heard it before, experiences with people we love make us happier than material goods. (Believe it or not, researchers from Cornell University conducted a study and released a paper in 2014 that confirms this notion). Plus, travel strengthens family bonds, and it’s fun (even disastrous trips are funny in the long-run).
So, before you head out for some last minute, hand-to-hand combat shopping, consider giving the gift of travel (or taking a trip with your family INSTEAD of buying more doodads and gift cards).
Because the best things in life aren’t things…
Come on; I triple-dog dare you!
Let’s Go!
P.S – The easiest way to purchase travel as a gift is to work with a travel consultant. Either purchase a gift certificate for the recipient to use on flights, tours, hotels, or cruises or (if you know someone REALLY well) select and purchase a trip. Contact me HERE to get started with your holiday gift giving.
Gift Ideas for Your Frequent Traveler
Medical Evacuation Insurance
Is there thrill-seeking, adventure traveler on your list? Purchase a year’s worth of emergency air-evacuation to literally save the day. Companies like MedJetAssist will fly the sick or injured person to the hospital of their choice (home country included) in an emergency.
Give the Gift of Relaxation (Airport Style)
The frequent traveler on your list will enjoy the Priority Pass with access to 950 airport lounges around the world. I’ve written about airport lounges before, and access during a long layover is gold. Subscriptions start at $99 per year.
Buy a Passport
While you can’t actually buy someone a passport, you can print out the forms and pay the application fee. A nice gesture for sure.
The Gift of Helping Someone Else
With special planning, families now have the opportunity to give back while on vacation. Depending on the age and abilities of participants, families can work in animal sanctuaries, clean up a national park, or help kids with life-threatening illness enjoy a day at an amusement park.
More Vacation Gift Ideas…
Plan a golf trip to Scotland.
Introduce the kids to some giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands.
Grab Gran and Gramps and chase the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Bring the whole gang along with a multigenerational trip to Alaska.
The sky’s the limit!
Let’s Go!