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Giving isn’t always about boxes and bows—it can also be about experiencing life. Experiential gifts encourage you to ditch the pressure of finding the perfect thing in favor of creating space for a select someone to enjoy life. Whether it’s a day trekking a new hiking trail, a yoga class pack at a fave studio, or an overnight getaway, these offerings make your recipient’s world (and perhaps your own) all the richer.
Consideration is key. Do your best to opt for experiences that your giftee has expressed an interest in and definitely check their schedule. Once you’ve mastered the logistics, let your imagination run wild. How can you make your loved one’s season a bit brighter?
18 Experiential Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Even the most hard-to-gift humans can appreciate road trips, art classes, and concert tickets.
1. Arrange a scavenger hunt through a favorite town or neighborhood. It can be simple or, depending on the humans in question, complex.)
2. Take a hike! Choose a not-yet-trekked trail or an old favorite and embark on your journey. Don’t forget to pack some snacks, and bonus points if you pack in and stay the night at a campsite.
3. Swing by a rink for a nostalgic ice skating session.
4. Food is love. Book a cooking class, make one of their favorite recipes, or set aside time to hang in the kitchen and make a meal together. A jaunt to a beloved restaurant or taco truck is an option, too.
5. Gift a class pack to a preferred yoga studio. Maintaining a yogic lifestyle is easier when there’s a collection of free classes at your disposal.
6. Take things to the extreme by planning a skydiving excursion, white water rafting trip, or another adventure that prompts an adrenaline surge.
7. Set aside a day for treasure hunting through thrift shops and antique stores.
8. Get your tickets! Plays, concerts, museum exhibits, stand-up comedy—entry to a memorable show is always appreciated.
9. Is there a half marathon or yoga retreat that your giftee can’t stop talking about? Book it! Should the undertaking require training, you can offer to partake, too.
10. Encourage the crafty ones in your life to take their making to the next level by signing them up for an art class or workshop that they’ve been meaning to try in their preferred medium (or maybe even a new form altogether).
11. Sometimes, permission to be is a gift all its own. Help clear your giftee’s schedule and rest up with a stress-free staycation at, or close to, home.
12. Visit your local animal shelter. Just be prepared to leave with a new best friend.
13. Schedule slope time. The gift of lift tickets makes powder feel even fresher.
14. Tourism need not be reserved for new places. Grab a loved one and explore a favorite town or trail with new eyes, trying new destinations, restaurants, and more.
15. Hit the road! A partially planned road trip is always a good idea. ( Spontaneity is half the fun here. As are the snacks.)
16. A spa day is never a bad idea. Book your loved one some time at a fave wellness escape or help transform their home into a haven for self-care. An at-home masseuse is always welcome.
17. Even the most adept skier or boarder has more to learn. Booking 1:1 time with a guide is a way to share a “skills day” that may make your future mountain time even more memorable.
Experiential gifts ultimately come down to quality time. No matter where you direct your dollar or attention, it’s about the experiences and the related memories.
