Holiday Gift Guide 2020: Where to Take Everyone on Your List

The Evolve Team
The Evolve Team
December 10, 2020

When someone opens a gift they truly love, an extraordinary thing happens — the holidays feel like the holidays. The opener will always remember where they received that gift, the palpable excitement, and the understanding that someone in their life really gets them.

Finding this kind of holiday gift can bring on a lot of pressure — because, let’s face it, that new pair of socks is likely to sit collecting dust. Our 2020 holiday gifting guide is here to help you give the people you love the best present of their year: an experience. Book an escape for them to share with you, put a handwritten note inside of a card, and let the joy unfold. The best part is, it’s a gift for you, too.

Every Evolve vacation rental is professionally cleaned and comes with the promise that it’ll be 100% ready for your arrival. So put on your favorite holiday music and explore unique travel gifts for everyone on your list this year. 

Best Holiday Gift for Adrenaline Lovers: A Vacation Rental Stay in Vail, CO

Aerial view of downtown Vail, Colorado with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains

Vail invites you to fly down mountains at new speeds by winter and hike wildflower-laden trails by summer. Pristine slopes line this awe-inspiring town brimming with warm shops and restaurants that will make you think you’ve been transported to Germany. If you’re considering a Colorado mountain stay but want to learn a little more first, explore our top things to do in Vail.

Best Holiday Gift for Beach Dwellers: A Vacation Rental Stay in Hilton Head, SC

Bask in the warmth of the sun, dig your feet into the sand, and watch the seagulls skim the shore in breathtaking Hilton Head. Spend casual days taking dad to tee off next to legends on world-famous golf courses, enjoy a never-ending walk on the beach with your significant other as the sun goes down, or rent bikes as a family and feel the wind in your hair.

No matter what you choose to do, Hilton Head brings the leisure of vacation to every moment. Read our top picks for Hilton Head right here.

Two people sitting in beach chairs beneath an umbrella on a white-sand beach in Hilton Head, South Carolina

Best Holiday Gift for Retro Enthusiasts: A Vacation Rental Stay in Palm Springs, CA

COlorful mid-century living room in a Palm Springs area vacation rental

Mid-century haunts by the pool and retro sophistication are ahead of you when you book a trip to Palm Springs. This desert oasis is made for design enthusiasts, home to stylish pools, swanky restaurants, and trend-setting boutiques. Bring your friend who is a Mad Men fan and spend days worshipping the sun with an old fashioned in hand (and read our travel guide to Palm Springs to get really excited). 

Best Holiday Gift for Serenity-Seekers: A Vacation Rental Stay in Tucson, AZ

Drives here are something to behold, with pink-tinged sunsets and mesmerizing cacti. Relish the desert’s magic from Saguaro National Park, then get a new perspective on your surroundings from a geothermal hot spring. Spend evenings winding down with wine from local vineyards, stargazing, and appreciating the rare wonder of uninterrupted time together. For even more Tucson ideas, check out our top things to do here.

Hiker sitting atop a mountain rock overlooking Tucson, Arizona at sunset

Best Holiday Gift for Foodies: A Vacation Rental Stay in Traverse City, MI

Cocktail with cherry garnish set on a wooden tabletop

Foodies are always looking for a refreshing new way to indulge their taste buds, and Traverse City has two compelling flavors: bold local wines and fresh cherry, well, everything. Traverse City celebrates its signature cherries with creative finesse, from homemade pies to craft cocktails. Venture on an indulgent getaway you’ll savor for years with this overview of what to do when you’re in town.

Best Holiday Gift for Woodsy Friends: A Vacation Rental Stay in the Poconos

We all know that nature-lover — the one who treks deep into the woods, cooks over an open flame, and falls asleep with the stars as their ceiling. Going to the Poconos in a vacation rental gives them a way to delight in all of the nature they love while still getting their best night’s sleep.

Explore lush scenic hikes on foot, quiet days at the lake, or take it easy at the house with the great outdoors as your backdrop. You can read up on more ideas for your Poconos vacation here.

Living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and stone fireplace at an A-frame cabin vacation rental in the Poconos

Best Holiday Gift for Writers: A Vacation Rental Stay in Cape Cod, MA

A notebook, coffee cup, and guitar surround a person's feet on a bedspread

Each day in Cape Cod brings a chance to stroll charming villages, eat fresh-caught seafood on the shore, and wander historical sites that revive the past. Away from the hustle of the big city, creative types can revel in their surroundings and hit the page (or the blank canvas, or even the cutting board) with fresh momentum. We’ve created a full travel guide to Cape Cod you can check out right here before you choose the perfect vacation home.

Best Holiday Gift for the Whole Family: A Vacation Rental Stay in Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg is a dream trip for a family — from nostalgic thrills at Dollywood to days spent getting lost in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Adults can raise their glass at local breweries and wineries, discover the next up-and-coming musician, explore a scenic downtown area, or grab a bite at a memorable restaurant (like Crockett’s 1875 Breakfast Camp, home to the largest cinnamon roll you’ve ever experienced). Get a feel for what you’ll uncover in Gatlinburg with this curated travel guide.

Family gathered at a candlelit dinner in a vacation rental

A Gift for Travelers That Comes with a Promise

It’s natural you’d want every gift to be perfect, and that’s why Evolve stays are backed by our Rest Easy Promise. Enjoy a professionally cleaned home that’s always true to what you saw online with the flexibility to change plans if needed.

If you’re still searching for the perfect destination, these top places to travel in every season are a great place to start. There are also big experiences to have in great small towns and unforgettable adventures in national parks to make this next year of vacations one to remember.

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