So, where to begin? Here are our tips on how to find the perfect holiday at the best price...
Decide on the trip type
Is your other half longing for some winter sun? Have they always dreamt about seeing the pyramids in Egypt? Or, do they really want to visit the museums, galleries and shops in Paris? Whatever type of break you want to book, make sure you do your research to make the most of your time away. Here are some destination suggestions...
For winter sun
The Canary Islands are a safe bet for year-round sunshine and, even in January, temperatures on Lanzarote reach 21C and those on Tenerife 18C. They are also just a four- to five-hour flight from the UK.
Good long-haul winter sun destinations include the Caribbean, Dubai, Florida and even Australia. Or, why not completely spoil your loved one and go for an all-inclusive Caribbean cruise? We found a seven-night Caribbean cruise with Celebrity Cruises for just £345 per person in February (flights not included)*.
For a city break
If your other half enjoys faster-paced breaks filled with sightseeing opportunities, tempting bars and restaurants, then a city break could be the perfect gift.
Paris, New York, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona and Amsterdam are all popular destinations for winter city breaks. And you could potentially bag a bargain as winter, especially January, is low season in many cities such as Amsterdam so hotel prices will be significantly cheaper. We found a price of £98.97 for a Friday night stay at the five-star Okura Hotel in Amsterdam. In April, the price for a Friday night stay is currently £198 (room only, based on two sharing) *.
For a theatre break
Does your someone special love musicals? Or perhaps they get swept away by gripping plays and dramas? If so, a theatre break could be just for them. Shows on in the West End next year include Chicago, Ghost the Musical and The Wizard of Oz. And a package including tickets and a hotel, or tickets and a pre-theatre meal could save you time and money compared to booking everything separately.
Summer sun
Why not be super organised and book 2012's summer holiday as a Christmas treat? Our predictions for popular destinations in 2012 include the tried and tested PIIGS (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain). TravelSupermarket's travel expert Bob Atkinson also expects to see a rise in popularity for the SLIMMAs (Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Mexico, Malaysia and Argentina). Bob said: "Last year the SLIMMAs slipped under the radar, and were not hotly tipped, but I'd keep an eye on these places as they could be the surprise winners of 2012."
Vouchers
If you are still stuck on destination ideas, why not buy travel vouchers so your nearest and dearest can book their dream holiday themselves? Thomson and Thomas Cook have great gift voucher options, but make sure that you check the voucher terms and conditions to get the most for your money. For example, Ryanair charge a £5 administration fee for processing gift vouchers and only a maximum of four vouchers can be used to purchase any flight. Also, no change is given from their vouchers and the person named on the voucher must be passenger 1 during the flight booking process.
How to get the best price
So you know where you want to whisk your loved one away to, but don't forget to set a budget and stick to it to prevent an impulse-bought holiday becoming something that you resent. Here are some tips on finding the best deal...
Shop around
Don't be tempted to book the first holiday you see. By dedicating a few hours to shopping around online using a price-comparison site such as TravelSupermarket, you could find a great-value deal. And don't forget to compare the price of package holidays with buying flights and hotels separately.
Be flexible
If you can, be flexible with the dates of your trip. Rates during school holidays and at the weekend will be more expensive so consider travelling mid-week or at an unsociable time to find the best offers.
Look at all of the options
Don't rule all-inclusive holidays out as too expensive as booking one could save you and your loved ones money in the long run. You won't need to budget for extras such as drinks, snacks and activities, and any money that you take as spending money can be spent on treats. Or, if you are treating your whole family to a holiday as a Christmas present, why not go self-catering? You can eat and drink what you all want, when you want.
Don't forget about the extras
It can be very easy to go over budget if you forget to factor in the cost of extras such as travel insurance, airport parking and transfers. And you don't want to give your loved one just part of a present, do you?
However, don't leave buying these until the last minute as shopping around online now using a price-comparison site can save you pounds. For example, a seven-day stay in a long-stay car park at Manchester Airport will set you back £90 if you turn up without booking. However, we found a deal for seven days' parking in a long-stay car park over the summer holidays for just £29.99* - a third of the price - if booked in advance.
Presentation is key
You've bought an amazing present, but how do you make the gift of travel exciting to open on Christmas morning? Why not buy a guidebook about the destination, and wrap it up with the tickets? Or, buy something that symbolises the country and tuck a note inside?
*Please note: Any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing.
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