Scratch Off Holiday Reveal Cards: The Best Way to Announce a Surprise Trip
Because watching someone scratch to discover they are going on holiday never gets old
By Natali, Printarelle · Handmade in Mallow, Co. Cork · July 2026
In this guide
Scratch off holiday reveal cards have become one of the most popular ways to gift a surprise trip in Ireland, and it is easy to see why. The moment of scratching back the foil is a small, contained piece of drama: the person receiving it does not know what is underneath until they do it themselves, and the reveal happens in real time, right in front of you. From our studio in Mallow, Co. Cork, we make holiday reveal scratch cards that are personalised with the destination, the dates, and a message from whoever is gifting the trip.
This guide covers how they work, the occasions where they work best, and how to choose between the different styles we make.
✦ ✦ ✦
How Do Scratch Off Holiday Reveal Cards Work?
A scratch off holiday reveal card is a personalised card printed with the details of a surprise trip, concealed under a scratch-off foil panel. The person receiving the card scratches back the panel to reveal the destination, the dates, and any other details you have included. The card itself becomes a keepsake from the moment of the reveal.
At Printarelle, we print the destination name, travel dates, and your personalised message on the card before applying the scratch-off foil. You simply tell us the details when you order, and the card arrives ready to give. There is nothing to print or assemble yourself. The card is typically A5 or similar, with a foil panel big enough to be satisfying to scratch back without revealing the surprise too easily in transit.
✈ What You Can Include on the Card
- The destination (city, country, or a clue phrase if you want extra mystery)
- Travel dates or the month of travel
- A personalised message from you
- The recipient's name
- Extra details like the hotel name or number of nights if you want to include them
When Is a Holiday Reveal Scratch Card a Good Idea?
A scratch reveal holiday card works for any occasion where a trip is the gift and the reveal moment matters. The most common uses we see from customers in Ireland are birthday trips, anniversary trips, and Christmas gifts, but they work equally well for hen parties, milestone occasions, and parent gifts.
The one situation where they work particularly well is when the trip is a complete surprise, as opposed to one the recipient already knows about. The scratch reveal format is designed for that specific moment of discovery, and it performs best when the person truly does not know what they are about to find out.
"We had someone order a reveal card for their mum's 70th. She scratched it at the kitchen table with the whole family watching. They said the reaction was priceless and the card is now on the fridge."
 |
 |
 |
 |
✦ ✦ ✦
Make the Reveal the Gift
Personalised scratch off holiday reveal cards, handmade in Mallow, Co. Cork and delivered across Ireland. Orders processed in 1 to 2 working days.
Shop Holiday Reveal Cards →Which Scratch Reveal Card Should I Choose?
We make two main styles of holiday reveal card at Printarelle. The travel-themed foil holographic is the more playful option, with a fun design and a holographic finish that catches the light. The boarding pass style is a little more graphic and sleek, designed to look like an actual ticket, which suits a slightly more grown-up presentation.
Both are personalised to order, both come packaged for gifting, and both produce exactly the same reaction in the person scratching back the foil. The choice really comes down to which format feels right for the person you are giving it to. You can browse both options in our scratch reveal cards collection.
✦ ✦ ✦
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I order a personalised holiday reveal scratch card in Ireland?
You select the card style on printarelle.com, enter the destination, travel dates, and your personalised message at checkout, and we print and dispatch from our Mallow studio within 1 to 2 working days. The card arrives ready to give, with nothing extra needed.
Can I use a scratch reveal card if I have not booked the holiday yet?
Yes. Many customers use a destination placeholder, such as a city name or a country, and include a note inside that the exact dates will follow. The scratch reveal moment still works beautifully even if the finer details are confirmed later. You can also leave the date field blank and we will style the card accordingly.
How soon will I receive my scratch reveal card?
Printarelle processes orders within 1 to 2 working days from our studio in Mallow, Co. Cork. Standard delivery across Ireland takes 1 to 3 working days after dispatch. If you need it urgently, ordering at the start of the week gives the best lead time.
Where are Printarelle holiday reveal cards made?
All our scratch reveal cards, including the holiday reveal range, are handmade in our studio in Mallow, Co. Cork. Every card is printed and personalised individually, never batch produced.
Give the Moment as Well as the Trip
Holiday reveal scratch cards personalised and handmade in Cork. Browse both styles and order for fast delivery across Ireland.
Shop Reveal Cards →✦ ✦ ✦
Handmade with love in Mallow, Co. Cork · printarelle.com
