Give the Gift of Travel This Year!

A recent survey conducted by the Harrison Group and American Express Publishing suggests that the country’s most affluent consumers are experiencing a change of heart when it comes to gift giving. Survey results show that those polled are planning to focus more on relationships and experiences rather than material gifts this holiday season.

Admittedly, many members of American society have long embraced this philosophy, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t still learn a thing or two from this survey. For instance, take a longer look at an experience as a gift and consider giving the gift of travel — the ultimate experience — this year.

The gift of travel can be given to anyone in a variety of creative ways. Here are just a few:

• Make a family decision to eschew individual gift giving and instead pool the funds to take a family vacation to the Smoky Mountains!
• Get all the siblings, cousins, etc. to go in together to send the grandparents off to the Smoky Mountains for a week-long or weekend peaceful retreat.
• Worried what to get your spouse that will actually be meaningful and treasured? Plan a romantic weekend getaway to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge during the holiday season or give the gift of anticipation in the form of a future trip.

These are just a few quick ideas to get your creative juices flowing, but the gift of travel to the Great Smoky Mountains are a gift that will last a lifetime. However, to ensure that your gift is of utmost quality, be sure to include an Eden Crest cabin rental in your gift. Make your plans and reservations now to ensure that you get the cabin of your dreams. Many great amenities are available, such as:

• Fantastic Views
• Multiple Master Bedrooms
• Private Pools
• Theater Rooms
• Hot Tubs
• Pool Tables
• Fireplaces

Dr. Jim Taylor, vice president of the Harrison Group, summed it up nicely by saying this: “Expressions of happiness are being increasingly decoupled from the desire to acquire more and more things. The search for the holiday spirit no longer centers on the search for ‘stuff’ -- it resides in family and in simplicity.”

Grab hold of simplicity and enjoy your family by giving the gift of travel to the Smoky Mountains and a luxury Eden Crest cabin this season. Merry Christmas!