Thoughtful & Sustainable Gifting: Experience Ideas with Danielle Howell of Jam Jar Travel

Gift-giving isn’t just about the item itself — it’s about thought, intention, and connection. That’s exactly what Danielle Howell of Jam Jar Travel shared in her conversation on the Greener Gifting Gang Podcast. From personalised gifts to experience-based presents, Danielle’s approach is all about creating memorable moments for the people she cares about — and for her clients too.

Meeting at Home Life & New

Danielle and I first met at the Home Life & New show in October 2025, a lively event full of inspiration. Exhibiting for the first time, Danielle showcased both sides of her business: helping people book their dream holidays and mentoring aspiring travel agents looking to grow their own business. Danielle was on the stand next to Sue from Eazywraps who I was collaborating with at the event and after chatting on Instagram after the event I invited her to be a guest on the podcast.

Gifting: Pre-Children vs. Post-Children

Danielle’s approach to gifting has evolved over time. Before having children, she loved spending hours sourcing, wrapping, and presenting thoughtful gifts. The joy was in the process — carefully selecting items and creating beautiful presentations.

Now, with children and a business to juggle, the process is different. Time is limited, but the focus remains on meaning. Danielle leans toward experience gifts — vouchers, outings, and activities — that create shared memories rather than just physical items.

“I love seeing people's expressions when they open things. I really enjoy watching everybody unwrap it,” Danielle shares.

Even with the shift toward online shopping and efficiency, Danielle ensures her gifts remain personal. A compass necklace engraved for her sister in New Zealand, for instance, is a daily reminder of thoughtfulness that goes beyond a typical purchase.

The Joy of Surprise

Experience gifts have become a favourite for Danielle. From theatre tickets to museum visits or activity days for children, the emphasis is on creating lasting memories. She’s even crafted “pass the parcel” style presentations for vouchers, turning a simple experience gift into an engaging surprise.

Subscription boxes are another way Danielle loves to extend gifting over time. They bring a little monthly excitement, especially when personalised and curated with care, and they can often be gifted internationally too.

Gifting for Clients

Danielle also incorporates gifting into her travel business. Clients often receive bespoke presents for their trip adding a sense of delight and gratitude to the booking experience. These small gestures make the service feel thoughtful, memorable, and truly personalised.

“I really want it to be an experience for them rather than just a process,” Danielle explains.

Wrapping, Sustainability, and Small Changes

While Danielle admits that time pressures mean wrapping isn’t always as elaborate as it once was, she still enjoys the aesthetic aspect during Christmas. Creating a cosy festive atmosphere and adding finishing touches to gifts remains an important part of the experience.

Sustainability is on her radar, too. Reusing gift bags and considering eco-friendly options are small changes Danielle tries to implement — recognising that the key to greener gifting is making realistic, lasting swaps rather than trying to do everything at once.

Travel as a Gift

Danielle also shared insights into gifting travel itself. While surprise holidays can be logistically tricky, gift vouchers for trips, family days, or experiences like stadium tours are popular ways to give a shared adventure without the stress of planning every detail.

Top Tips from this episode

Whether you’re choosing gifts for family, friends, or clients, Danielle’s perspective reminds us that it’s the thought, connection, and experience behind the gift that matters.

• Focus on meaning over material value.

• Personalisation makes gifts memorable.

• Experiences create long-lasting memories and joy.

• Small sustainable changes in wrapping make a difference.

• Thoughtful gifting extends to clients and business relationships.

You can find Danielle on Instagram at @Iamdaniellehowell, where she shares insights from her travel business and experiences helping clients plan their dream trips.

For more tips and resources on thoughtful, greener gifting, head to Giftwrapped by Eve Freebies