Do you have friends and family that you have no idea what to give them for the upcoming holidays? A gift of travel and memories is a great idea! You say I can not afford to give a trip away; we are talking hundreds of dollars and you can go together! Do you think taking my grandchildren on trips is totally altruistic? Invite friends or family to travel with you! If you are a couple, plan a trip for the two of you and give it as your gift. My youngest son planned his honeymoon by himself (with a little help) and gave it to his bride as a gift. She was delighted with the surprise. I knew a couple that alternated years who would give the surprise travel gift. Like my daughter in law the other was told just what season to pack. The intrigue and romance is most special.
So where would you like to go next year and take someone? And who would you like to take along? Oh but I do not know when they can take the time? So let us plan the trip in detail with the dates to follow. You can plan as simply as an off-season escape to a nearby resort or an elaborate trip to a foreign country. Just make sure their passport is up to date!
Now is the time to plan for next years travel. I am already doing summer plans. The sooner you plan in general the better the discounts. The tours and cruises offer significant discounts when booking early. Airfares are best when purchased well in advance. I bought my December airline tickets in June. Even then I did not get exactly what I wanted. One of my family clients this holiday season is gathering in Hawaii and we made the plans last January.
One of my corporate accounts has given travel vouchers for holiday gifts to their employees. Do you have people who work for you at the office or at home? Maybe you have lots of frequent flyer miles or points on a credit card. Give them as a gift for travel!
When giving the gift of travel you are also giving memories. And they are a gift we have always!
So call during the next few weeks when everyone else is in the details of planning this year’s holidays you can get the jump on them and plan for 2014. Give the best gift for your friend or family and yourself; memories of travel and all that goes with it.
Happy planning and giving!
AlwaysHarriet 