I was recently scrolling through YouTube videos to get an idea of what would be the hot gift ideas for this holiday season. As expected, there were the usual suspects — all manner of state-of-the-art electronic gadgets and gear, athletic shoes that cost almost as much as the down payment on a car in days gone by, and for the kids, larger and more elaborate toys.
However, there was one video that caught my eye — one that suggested giving not an object, but an experience — and a travel experience at that.
That got me thinking about some of the special places I’ve visited over the years that could be wrapped up in a bow and given to family members and friends. Here are a few places guaranteed to appeal to everyone on your shopping list.
• For those who think Christmas should be like a Hallmark movie: If you’ve been dreaming of a holiday destination where the snow falls in perfect, lacy flakes; candles glow in subtle contrast to the dazzling light displays, and a storybook inn will put you in mind of that holiday film classic “White Christmas,” then Nantucket may be the place you’re looking for.
A tiny island located 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass., Nantucket offers up a traditional Christmas like no other — from the 80 trees decorated by local artists on display at the Whaling Museum’s Festival of Trees to its popular Christmas Stroll, which is equal parts enchanting holiday storybook scene and jolly block party filled with old-fashioned fun.
Where to Stay: The White Elephant, the quintessential Nantucket inn, is offering a Christmas Stroll package which in addition to accommodations, includes daily breakfast for two at the inn’s Brant Point Grill, two festive scarves, and to complete that Hallmark movie scene, a bottle of Nantucket Sleighride local wine where you can toast each other under the in-room mistletoe. whiteelephanthotel.com
• For those who want a light extravaganza: If Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a litany of lights, then pack up and head for Barnsley Resort in the foothills of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. On Thanksgiving, they flipped the switch on the more than 1 million lights in the gardens of the resort’s Manor House Ruins, turning it into a wonderland of color. The lights will remain twinkling through New Year’s Night.
While the lights will surely bedazzle even the grinchiest scrooge, there are a host of other holiday activities and themed events including gingerbread house and wreath making classes, cookie decorating and campfire stories in addition to an elaborate holiday dinner buffet.
Barnsley’s “Light up the Holidays” promotion includes accommodations in one of the resort’s 90 cottages. Package is valid through Dec. 27. barnsleyresort.com
• For those who want to channel their inner cowboy/cowgirl: There’s no place like Home for the holidays — the Home Ranch, that is. This 14-room, all-inclusive Relais & Chateaux property outside of Steamboat Springs, Colo., is tailor made for those who want a Christmas filled with skiing, snow tubing, dog sledding, horseback riding and sleigh rides.
The property’s 4,000 acres, at an elevation of 7,200 feet, are set against the Western Continental Divide, with the Rockies and Upper Elk River Valley as scenic backdrops.
The Home Ranch offers two holiday packages. The Christmas Week Package (Dec. 20-27) is a seven-night stay that includes accommodations, all activities and meals, caroling and a live tree in each room and cabin.
The New Year’s Eve Package (Dec. 27-Jan. 3) will feature a full schedule of snowy activities capped off by a festive New Year’s Eve dinner and New Year’s Day lunch. Each package requires a five-night minimum stay. homeranch.com
