Skip the Wrapping Paper: Why You Should Travel Instead of Wrap Presents This Holiday Season
Every December, the same ritual plays out. We hunt for the perfect sweater, the trendy gadget, the candle that smells like a forest we've never visited. We wrap it, ship it, and hope it lands. By February, much of it is forgotten in a closet or a drawer.
This year, consider a different kind of present: a trip to the beach. Instead of exchanging boxes, exchange memories. Here's why it might be the best holiday decision you make.
Experiences Outlast Things
Researchers who study happiness have found, again and again, that people get more lasting satisfaction from experiences than from possessions. A new gadget gets old. A trip gets better. You anticipate it for weeks, enjoy it while you're there, and retell the stories for years. Nobody sits around the dinner table saying, "Remember that throw pillow from 2019?" They say, "Remember when we got lost looking for that taco stand?"
Less Clutter, More Meaning
Most of us already own more than we need. Gift-giving often adds to the pile: duplicate gadgets, items that don't fit, things we feel guilty about donating. A trip leaves nothing to store, return, or dust. The only thing you bring home is a fuller camera roll and a happier mood.
Real Time Together
The holidays are supposed to be about connection, yet they're often a blur of errands, cooking, and screens. A getaway pulls everyone out of their routines. Without laundry to fold or emails to answer, conversations get longer and slower. You notice things about the people you love that daily life hides. For couples, families, and friends who live far apart, a shared trip may be the most meaningful gift of all.
It Can Fit Your Budget
Traveling instead of gifting doesn't have to mean spending more. Think about what you typically spend on presents for everyone on your list. Pool that money, and it may cover a weekend away for the whole group. You can also trade the pile of small gifts for one shared experience, which often feels more generous than the sum of its parts. Going off-peak, driving instead of flying, and choosing a close-to-home destination all keep costs down.
A Great Place to Start: The Venice Beach House
If you're looking for a destination that feels like a real escape without requiring a passport, The Venice Beach House is a lovely option. Tucked into the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, this historic Craftsman-style hotel has the charm of a bed and breakfast and a location that puts you close to the sand.
That's the appeal for a holiday getaway. Winter in coastal Southern California is mild and bright, a welcome contrast to cold, gray weather elsewhere. You can spend a morning walking along the beach, wander the Venice canals in the afternoon, browse Abbot Kinney Blvd, then come back to a cozy, character-filled place to settle in for the evening. There's no cooking, no hosting, and no cleanup, just time to relax.
It also works for nearly any gift recipient. A couple can make it a romantic weekend. Friends can turn it into a girls' or guys' getaway. Parents, siblings, or grandparents can share a relaxed escape from the usual holiday chaos. Because the setting is walkable and low-key, you don't need a packed itinerary to make it special. For the most current rooms, rates, and availability, check this Venice Beach hotel website or call ahead before you book.
How to Make It Feel Like a Gift
The one thing a trip lacks is the moment of unwrapping, so create one. Here are a few easy ideas:
Print a mock itinerary or voucher. Tuck it in a card or a small box so there's something to open.
Include a small keepsake. A pair of sunglasses, a luggage tag, or a journal builds excitement.
Pick dates together, or surprise them. Either way, getting it on the calendar makes it real.
Set a family rule. Agree in advance that this year's gift is the trip, so no one feels left out or doubles up on presents.
If giving up gifts entirely feels like too big a leap, start small. Keep a stocking stuffer or two for the fun of it, and put the rest of the budget toward your getaway.
The Gift That Keeps Going
Presents are lovely, but they rarely change how a season feels. A trip can. It gives you something to look forward to, something to share, and something to remember long after the decorations are boxed up.
This holiday season, consider swapping the shopping list for a suitcase. Whether you choose a seaside stay at The Venice Beach House or another place that makes your people light up, you'll be giving the one thing that never goes out of style: time well spent together.
So skip the wrapping paper this year. Book the trip.
