Not every package is a box

Posted by Bill on Thursday, January 25, 2007   |   No Comments

In a previous post I explained that travel and gift-giving were, for me, inextricably tangled. And we discussed how changing the way we view routine outings may multiply opportunities to build family memories. Then I wrapped it up with a real-life example of the Vacation Box we created for friends.

The box was a vacation package of sorts. But most of the time we think of travel “packages” as something quite different. Usually it refers to a bundle of services lumped together to make a logical whole—like the “package” you can buy at Disney World.

Whatever you choose to give as a travel gift may or may not include a gift bag, box, kit, bundle, envelope, can, carton—whatever you choose to use. I often like to come up with a container for whatever I give that will do double duty and serve some useful purpose on the trip itself. An example?

How about a handled shopping tote? When they receive it, it’s stuffed with things they can use and enjoy. And then it’s available as a catch-everything bag on the trip. (Sorry, guys. I have a wife and two daughters so most of my examples will be from my experience buying for them.)

But the gift of travel doesn’t have to include a physical item. Most any kind of travel opportunity is fair game as a travel “gift.”
The only limit is your imagination.

Dad like to fish? Buy him a trip on a Great Lakes charter boat. Family going to Maine? Buy them a gift certificate for a meal at Moody’s Diner in Waldoboro. They won’t forget it.

Know the favorite hotel getaway of someone you care about? Buy them a gift certificate for a night’s stay. The possibilities are limitless—and endlessly entertaining for you and whomever is on the receiving end.

When you can combine surprise and mystery to the equation—so much the better. Figure out a way to hide something in a vehicle. Then a few hours into the trip, call their cell phone: “Just wanted to remind you to look under the rear seat on the left side.”

Or send them a FedEx package at the hotel the day after their arrival. Call the hotel staff in advance and arrange for a surprise in the room. Again, use your imagination.

My birthday is December 21, and for all the years that we took Christmas Mystery Trips, it always fell during the trip. Imagine my surprise and delight when people from work tracked us down at the Canterbury Hotel in Indianapolis and arranged for the concierge to deliver a birthday cake, chocolate no less.

If you’ve caught the spirit by this time, but don’t want to settle for predictable travel gifts, you might want to give the gift of a new xperience, so to speak. Or give some very special days, a dash of excitement or something just plain incredible. I guarantee these travel gifts won’t be ordinary—or expected.

Although some of them might be too pricey, they may give you ideas you can use somewhere down the road, if you will.

For now, let me leave you with this: “The alternative to a vacation is to stay home and tip every third person you see.” (Source: Unknown)

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