Christmas is officially around the corner and we could not be more excited! Here at HXP Base Camp, we’re drinking hot chocolate, decking halls, listening to Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas is You on repeat, and oh, trying to figure out the perfect gifts for the Builders we love.
One question that we get a lot is, “What’s the best way to gift an Humanitarian XP trip to my teenager?”
It’s true that some of the most meaningful gifts can’t be wrapped up in a box and tied with a bow, but it is nice to give your kid something under the tree to unwrap on Christmas morning! Here are some of our favorite ideas of ways you can give the gift of a Humanitarian XP trip to your teenager this Christmas.
Level 1 (Easy):
This option is quick and cheap! Get a postcard from the location that your Builder is headed to, and write a note to them about why you’re excited for them to travel to that location.
Pair your postcard with an ornament from their location. Ornaments can be found anywhere, but we found options for every country on Zazzle. This link will take you to the ornament page, search “ornaments [country]” to look through their options.
Level 2 (Medium):
This option is a little more involved, but still really easy to do! A fun way to get excited about upcoming travels is to try new foods from the location you’re going to visit. Why not give your kid some tasty treats from the place they’ll be traveling to next summer?
Here are some examples, but a quick google search or a trip to an international market is a great way to discover some yummy options!
Kenya: mabuyu, sesame candy, tropical fruit juices
Peru: chocolate-coated biscuits, Trolli sour llamas, Inca Kola
Lone Star: barbeque sauce, Dr. Pepper float, pecan pralines
Fiji: guava candy, sour candy, watermelon coconut drink
Savannah: bottled Coca-Cola, boiled peanuts, peach candies
Yucatán: Fuego assorted lollipops, De La Rosa marzapan, Mexican coke
Level 3 (Hard):
Our most elaborate idea is to gift a themed box or stocking. This box can be extremely personalized: from regional candies and drinks to photos of the location they’re going to with a photo of them, the options are endless. Is your child going somewhere tropical? Add a lei! Does their region have a famous animal? Include a keychain or stuffed animal version of it.
If you want to go the extra mile, consider pairing with your customized stocking or box with some travel essentials that your child will need for their trip! For more ideas of things they’ll love and need, here are some gifts for teens who love to travel.
Whatever you do, we want to see how it turns out! Make sure to snap a picture of your Builder opening their gift on Christmas morning, post it on Instagram or Facebook, and be sure to tag us!