Some Of The Best Experience Gifts Money Can Buy

The term “experience gift” has been getting a lot more popular as of late. As people tend to get bogged down with Christmas gifts that they don’t have the need nor the room for, more are starting to come around to the idea that a gift doesn’t have to be a tangible object. It can just as easily be an experience, whether given directly to the recipient or shared with them together. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift, it might be time to look beyond the physical and to consider some of the best experiences you can give, instead.

Sit back and get pampered

​Perhaps you think that your loved one has been working especially hard or has been having a challenging time and could use nothing more than the opportunity to lie back, relax, and get taken care of. For those situations, a spa break could be just what they need. Take the best time to find the most beautiful spas around you, and ensure that they offer a mixture of experiences so that you can create a whole day of pampering. Of course, if you get to go with them, that’s a bonus, but you should offer them the option to take whoever they want, or even to go alone if they could really use that additional peace and quiet.

A night out to a show

Going to the cinema can be a perfectly good way to catch the latest movies and to hang out with your friends, but there is something a little extra special about catching a play. Hitting up your local theatre, or shelling out to go to one of the best live venues you can find, you get the opportunity to catch something much more organic and, in many ways, exciting, than simply watching it on the big screen. Of course, there are all kinds of things you can catch at the theatre, from dramas to comedies to musicals and one-person shows. You want to make sure that you have a good idea of your loved one’s tastes so that you choose something that really fits them.

​A day of adventure

No matter where you are, it’s very likely that you’re not too far away from some great nature. You could make a day of going out, hiking, camping, and exploring the wilderness, yourselves. However, many of these spots will also have their own adventure day providers, who have all of the equipment, vehicles, and safety gear to help give you an experience that’s well and truly out of the ordinary. This can include things like guided mountain climbs, hot air balloon rides, tours of some truly rugged terrain, or even some once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a dogsled ride across some frozen lakes. Know just how much adventure your loved one enjoys, and find the experience that can provide it for them.

A night away from home

Sometimes, your friend, family member, or loved one might simply need a little escape from the day-to-day of their home lives. To that end, there’s nothing that might do them more good than a night away at a boutique hotel. Whether it’s as part of a staycation, city break, or just one special night out on the town, they can enjoy the best service and the opportunity to experience a night in a different setting, which really can be enough for some to get that rest that they need. Of course, depending on who the gift is for, it could be the perfect opportunity to spend some intimate time together, as well.

Tension and intrigue

​If your recipient likes a little bit of excitement, but they also like having their brain teased, then there’s an option for that. A lot more engaging and immersive than your average quiz night, escape rooms put a group of people in an enclosed space that is then locked, giving you one objective: escape. This usually involves hunting and using clues to work your way step by step towards that escape, using your environment in unexpected and clever ways. A lot of escape rooms come with themes, as well, so if there’s a particular aesthetic or setting that your recipient really likes, then you might be able to find the experience to match it.

Experience history and culture

If your loved one has an appreciation for expanding their mind and exploring the world through history, art, and culture, then any opportunity to do just that should be warmly appreciated. To that end, you can do this, as well as giving galleries near you the support that they need. You could buy a ticket to a day at a major gallery, or you could push the boat out a little further and get your friend a membership to the gallery as a gift. This could allow them to come back all year round, to see the ever-updating roster of exhibitions and displays that they have on. Rather than trying to give them some art or media that you hope they might like, this can open up the doors to find it themselves, which can be just as valuable.

An investment that will stand the test of time

Another cool gift is an investment that will stand the test of time – something that won’t break in five minutes or will appreciate in value. 

Many people now view old toys like Matchbox cars, as an investment and alternative to putting money into the stock market. It’s becoming a bit like fine art or wine. There is even a Funko Pop Anime List where you can find the price of these small vinyl figurines in real-time, letting you collect them and track them over time. You could also invest in education as a gift, or help equip the recipient with a new skill. Just make sure it is something that can serve them long-term and make their life better. ​

Sometimes, a good meal is all it takes

An experience gift doesn’t have to be anything particularly fancy or creative, either. If you’re close to the recipient, then spending time with them and taking care of their needs could be exactly what they will appreciate the most. Whether you prefer the food yourself or you take them out to a restaurant that they’re sure to enjoy, sharing a meal with you, with good company and perhaps a little wine to make the evening go even smoother can be a fantastic gift. Again, just have a good idea of the cuisine that they’re likely to enjoy.

Of course, as with any gift, experience gifts really have to be matched to the person to have the best effect. Hopefully, the tips above give you some ideas, or some inspiration to pick out some of your own.

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