My grandfather always used to give my grandmother shoes that were several sizes too small for her. He didn't do this because he wanted to annoy her (or perhaps there was a small element of that ;p) He did it because he wanted her to choose what she really wanted.That sentiment always stayed at the forefront of how we designed gifting to be. It is wonderful to find that perfect experience for someone & seeing the joy as they open up the promise of adventure is truly wonderful... but life happens. Work Leave sometimes is in short supply, kids concerts spring up, other events clog up the diary, and in that instance there is then the pressure of an unused voucher. Secret Getaway built our gifting to be fully exchangeable, easily discoverable and wrapped up in the service and support Secret Getaway is renown for.
READ: What happens when you share Secret Getaway with your friends.
Voucher Perks
- Personalise the email to the recipient with a note from you to them.
- Schedule the email to be delivered on a specific date: Birthday, anniversary, holiday or even just to be after when you present the actual voucher (see below for some gift ideas and inspiration)
- Exchangeable credit once the validity / travel window has passed.
- Credit is easy to use & apply for an alternate getaway or experience.
- Easy to keep track of in one central location not across multiple emails, physical folders or Whatsapp messages (although you can print and present the voucher)
Managing Vouchers
We also know physical vouchers get lost... I don't know of anyone who has ever not had this happen. Again, we wanted to make sure a gift remained something inspirational and awesome, so we enabled you to gift the experience or getaway to someone who was not a member and once they opened up their Secret Getaway account they could easily find and navigate to all their vouchers: exchange them, download them and once used, look back on the amazing adventures that they have had!
And you as the sender can see your order (and possibly scheduled date) under 'Gift Orders'
Top 5 ideas on How to Gift a Voucher
We've seen great ideas over the years on how to create a real 'ta da' moment when presenting it to the recipient... because sometimes just a physical envelope is boring.
Obviously sometimes you can't be physically present with someone to "present" it to them... but when you can, whether it is an award, a retirement gift; a prize or teachers end of year gift here are our Top 5 ways to really wow them.
Step One...
You can print the Gift PDF that is downloadable from your Gift Orders section in My Account. This has all the steps needed (including which email address the recipient should use to sign up with) for them to gain access to their inspiration Treasure Trove.... and then you can pick a way to present the gift if you want to present something in person...
1. Message in a Bottle
For a wonderfully original idea... there is something very fun about giving someone a gift that makes them go: huh?
Take your voucher and punch a hole in one corner. Attach it to a piece of string. Roll it up tightly into a scroll and insert it into an empty wine or champagne bottle. Then wrap the bottle and give it to them... and watch their confusion as they try work out the appropriate response. Once the giggles (yours) subside let them know to pull the string and reveal the experience voucher: from a Wine tasting to a weekend in the Winelands. It is sure to know hit the sweet spot of surprising AND delighting.
2. Box it with an Experience Hint
If it is Spa Experience or Getaway for a pamper weekend you can fill a box with a rolled up voucher tied with a ribbon like a scroll, surround the scroll with some pamper products that the recipient (or recipients if it is a wedding gift) would love. Perhaps if it is a road trip destination their favourite padkos!
3. A Travel Bag... with a destination included
From amazing Monogrammed Bags (Have a look at our friends over at Garabette for some great recycled options that are deliciously designed as well) .. but you can make it really wow when you unwrap the gift, there is a destination included to use it to go as well!
4. A Journal or a Tour Guide Book
If it is a City or Country Stay perhaps a guide book to the area itself so that they can start their planning and dreaming, even before they hit the road!
Amazing writers fill our world with fables and tales, those writers can add a totally new perspective on what it is like to soar above the world in a Hot Air Balloon, or a photo journal captures some of the most epic Wildlife, and city scapes.
READ: Secret Getaway Conversation: Photographer Anton Bosman
5. A Photo Frame... yet to be filled
You can frame the voucher with the message: Make Memories to Look back on! Here is a frame to fill with new adventures & here is a voucher to help make those memories amazing!
EXPLORE: The Latest Getaways or Shortlist of Local Experiences