by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 4:00 PM ET, Fri December 12, 2025
Goodbye materialism, hello memories.
What are we talking about exactly? Holiday gift giving, of course. More specifically, the gifts that are topping holiday wish lists for 2025.
For some, the best holiday gifts are tangible, material objects that come wrapped with a shiny bow. Many others, however, are seeking an entirely different sort of gift: Lasting memories. Along with an antidote to loneliness.
These same people view the gift of travel for the holidays as the best way to accomplish those two aforementioned gift goals.
How do we know all this, you ask? Courtesy of the 2025 Holiday Survey published by IT company Accenture. The survey, which was conducted in August and September, revealed that 7 in 10 Americans say giving holiday travel creates meaningful, long-term memories and eases loneliness.
Moreover, 7 in 10 (73 percent) of those Americans who plan to gift travel this year are doing so because they believe it will “create stronger memories than physical presents.”
Translation: Travel is the new emotional currency.
“The gift of travel offers experiences rather than material possessions and can create memories that last far beyond the holiday season,” says Emily Weiss, senior managing director and global travel industry lead at Accenture. “It taps into the desire for escape, exploration, and quality time with loved ones, and can be the perfect antidote to holiday stress."
Here’s still more data underscoring this revelation:
- 35 percent are budgeting for travel to strengthen family or friendships
- 25 percent are drawn to travel for nostalgia, wellness or stress-recovery
- 23 percent see solo travel as an act of self-care. (Raising hand. Over and over again.
“This holiday season, many people will be booking travel as they look forward to festive gatherings with family and friends, while others will be taking a break from work to relax and recharge,” continued Weiss.
“Then there are those who turn to travel to escape loneliness or emotional pressures that can be evoked at this time of year.”
And while we’re covering all of this gifting-related travel intel, shout-out to pet owners across America: Almost one in three (3 percent) plan to include their pets in gifted trips. Here’s to a memorable holiday for Fido and Rover as well.
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