Gettin’ Carried Away

A few months ago, I wrote two posts about a few awesome presents you should get for your traveler for Christmas. There are tons of great gifts out there, and I was reminded of this when my birthday arrived this past Sunday.

One of the best gifts I received for my birthday was from my mother. She handed me an envelope full of gift cards, and I really think that this is the best gift you could give a traveler. Here’s why:

• AMC movie theater gift card: It’s getting pretty expensive to see a film these days. While a gift card to the theater doesn’t send you around the world, it does get you out of your house. And you also get to do something fun. Plus, you could use them at any AMC theater in the country!
• Olive Garden gift card: See above. Also, this gift satisfies your stomach, for sure. One of my favorite Olive Gardens resides in Times Square in NYC. I might just save this gift card and use it on my next trip to Manhattan. It would certainly pay for my entire meal or even a few meals… if I get an appetizer as a meal. I tend to order bruschetta as my meal at Olive Garden every time I dine there. So this gift will go a long way.
• Southwest Airlines gift cards: Three words… BEST GIFT EVER! My mom gave me enough gift cards to take a trip pretty much anywhere that Southwest flies. This airline always has amazing deals, with many of their flights being as low as $39 or $49 one way! Even if you gave your favorite traveler a $50 gift card, he/she will most likely be able to use it towards half of a round-trip ticket.

I’ve heard people say that gift cards are impersonal. That there’s no thought put into the gift. However, I don’t think that is true at all. My mom knows that 1. I haven’t been to the movies in ages, 2. I love to eat at Olive Garden and 3. I look to Southwest a lot when I’m booking a flight, because they offer very affordable fares. And to tell you the truth, I’d rather receive a Southwest Airlines gift card than an engraved luggage tag or an embroidered travel pillow.