Lyndsey If you are looking to gift experiences instead of physical gifts this season, this is the place to be. 50+ of the best gift ideas for gifting experiences to kids, family, spouses and more.
Gifting experiences is becoming more and more popular. Gifting an experience can provide a unique and unforgettable gift to a loved one or friend that gives so much more than the gift itself. As a society, we are programmed to focus on the toys and material items, especially when it comes to gift ideas. There is a movement to move away from this idea, and there is a good reason for it. Keep reading below for the benefits of gifting experiences, and 50+ ideas of the best experience gift ideas for anyone!
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Why give an experience gift instead of a physical gift?
Giving an experience gift can provide many different benefits that a physical gift does not provide. Not only are these gifts unique, but they can really make an impact. See the benefits of gifting experiences below:
- Great idea for people who are hard to shop for. If you are having a hard time determining what to get someone, an experience gift is a great idea! You can provide something they will truly use and enjoy.
- Provides more value than physical gifts. This is true monetarily and mentally. Giving this gift provides more value financially because you get much more out of memories than another cluttered item. Giving experiences provides more value mentally because experiences provide happiness and lasting memories.
- It’s a gift that keeps giving. Gifting an experience will provide lasting memories that we will carry throughout our lives. Additionally, gifting experiences gives the excitement when receiving the gift, the excitement and anticipation of planning leading up to the experience, and the excitement of actually using the gift.
- It can be viewed as more meaningful. By gifting an experience, you are providing a unique and valuable gift to the receiver. Many times, this will be viewed as more meaningful because it will show that you know and understand their interests, and that you know them as a person.
- A great gift for family bonding and togetherness. An experience gift doesn’t have to be solely for the person receiving it. You can gift an experience with you, or to a family, and provide a meaningful and exciting bonding experience.
50+ Experience Gift Ideas
- Wine club membership
- Choose your own adventure gift voucher (try out something like tinggly.com)
- Resort or hotel gift card
- Season passes to an amusement park
- Family trip or vacation (this can be as limited or expansive as you would like)
- Mini golf passes (indoor or outdoor)
- Family day trip
- Camping site gift card / seasonal camping site pass
- Bowling passes
- Concert tickets
- Scenic train ride tickets
- Choose your activity coupon book
- Family game night (games, snacks and supplies)
- Great Wolf Lodge gift card
- Museum membership
- Summer camp
- Winter sports complex tickets/passes
- Pedicure/manicure gift certificate
- Spa day voucher / book a spa day
- Massage gift card (or make it a couples massage)
- Book a fishing charter
- Movie tickets (movie theatre gift certificate)
- Season passes to a zoo / petting zoo / farm
- Annual passes for a trampoline park
- Botanical garden or national park passes
- Arcade passes
- Annual passes to a waterpark (indoor/outdoor)
- Season passes to a family fun park (for example: Craigs Cruisers)
- Rock climbing passes
- Tubing/sledding hill passes
- Ice skating vouchers
- Book a hobby class (cooking, art, pottery, martial arts, gymnastics, crafting, painting, acting/theatre, dance, surfing, wakeboarding, scuba, music, etc.)
- Planetarium tickets
- Sporting event tickets
- Sports team season passes
- Paintball park gift certificate
- Laser tag tickets
- Comedy show tickets
- Theatre/play tickets
- Water sport rentals voucher
- Restaurant gift card
- Hair salon gift certificate
- Wine tasting tour
- Exercise classes or a gym membership
- Book a boat trip (pontoon, speedboat, sailing)
- Cruise tickets (local cruise or international cruise)
- Staycation (book a local hotel and be tourists in your town)
- Book a golfing trip
- Golf course gift card
- Top golf membership
- Zip lining tickets/passes
- Mixology classes
- Language classes
- Beer club membership
- Ice fishing trip or guided tour
- Snowmobile rental gift certificates
- Mountain biking excursion
- Audible membership
- Book a skydiving jump
There are so many different ideas that are wonderful and unique ideas for anyone. Different geographical areas will provide different available experiences to provide, but some are available in any areas. This list is not all encompassing, but I hope that it gave you some ideas and inspiration to discover the perfect gift to give.
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Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions in the comments below!
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An experience gift is such a good idea, especially for those who are hard to buy for. I have bought these type of gifts for people in the past and they were really appreciated. x
Thank you! It’s great for those people that “have everything”! It’s such a unique gift of something that can bring joy to some ones life.
I enjoyed reading your list of gift experiences. I had never thought of many of them. #MMBC
Thank you! I hope my list has helped to spark some inspiration for this season. 🙂
Experience gifts are 100% my favorite kind. We took our son to a wolf sanctuary four hours away for a private tour for his birthday and it was so amazing.
Thanks for linking up!
Erin
http://www.crackercrumblife.com
That sounds like so much fun! What a unique and awesome experience.
I’ve found parents love these gifts when there kids have rooms overflowing with toys. It gives the family a day out with limited expenses. One suggestion is to do some homework before buying. I’d rather have less surprise and have someone enjoy the gift than buy something they will never use. If you love something it doesn’t always make the best experience gift for someone else.
Yes, absolutely! It’s so nice to receive gifts, any at all, but sometimes it’s very nice to receive activities and the ability to take a trip or go to an event instead of material items that add up so quickly.
Thank you for sharing at Gma’sPhoto ge•ner•ic Linkup Party #10.
Take care and best wishes.
Thank you for sharing this great list with SSPS! Have a wonderful week ahead.
You as well!
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There are so many good ideas here! My parents already have everything they need for their home so giving them an “experience” is so much better. Thanks for linking up with the Home Imagined Link Party.