The Christmas season is often seen as a buying season. It’s that time of the year again when malls get extra crowded with people, shopping for decorations and gifts. We fuss over finding the perfect present for our loved ones —something valuable and unique, yet hasn’t been given before. Sadly, this supposedly joyous season usually becomes the root of stress, exhaustion, and burned pockets.
Does your mom need a new dress? Or would your dad need another pair of shoes? Perhaps a personalised tumbler wouldn’t be enough for a friend (who wants an Xbox that you can’t afford). There seems to be pressure to make Christmas a materialistic event every year. We buy more and spend more, only for some items to collect dust after the holiday excitement wears out.
Giving gifts is a love language —but nobody mentions that gifts are limited to tangible, material items, right? So here’s one unique gifting idea: giving gifts of experiences.
Step up your gift-giving game by giving unique, experiential gifts that people can truly enjoy and look back on. In this article, we’ll share 8 intangible yet memorable gifts of experiences to show your loved ones that you care.
1. Gift of Vacation: A staycation in a hotel
The end-year holiday is the busiest of them all. We’re not only talking about Christmas shopping and decorations — but we’re also referring to pre-holiday deadlines and other exhausting responsibilities. One of the best gifts your loved ones can receive is the opportunity to get that much-needed vacation.
Treat the special person/s in your life to a night of relaxation in a nice hotel. It doesn’t need to be in a grand, luxury hotel — a weekend stay in a budget hotel in Dublin with a bottle of champagne and gorgeous views will suffice.
2. Gift of Self-care and Relaxation: A day of pampering in a spa or salon
Can’t afford a hotel stay? Perhaps giving them a spa day will do the trick. Pamper them with a good massage or sauna session. You can also treat them to a salon where they can get that much-needed makeover.
While these things don’t sound much, self-care is something busy people usually neglect, delay, or hesitate to give themselves.
3. Gift of Adventure: Tickets to destinations and recreational activities
Gifting to a travel-savvy loved one? Ironically, the items on “gift ideas for travellers” blogs aren’t your best bet, since they probably have those. You can give them a personalised neck pillow but I bet they’d be happier to receive a ticket to their next adventure.
What are the recreational activities they enjoy? You can give them vouchers or tickets to these destinations and activities. Think about amusement park passes, day tour tickets, cruises, and more. If you’re gifting a hotel voucher, you may even get a package that includes such experiences.
Gifting to someone who doesn’t travel a lot? Much better. By giving these gifts of adventure, you’re also giving them rare opportunities to try out something new or discover a new beautiful destination.
4. Gift of Discovery: Museum and gallery passes
Do they love art, anthropology, and history? How about literature and culture? One of the best gifts they can receive is a yearly membership to a museum with various exhibitions or any cultural attraction.
If they’re fascinated with everything science, a pass to the observatory, planetarium, or an all-around science museum would be nice.
5. Gift of Captured Moments: A photoshoot
When was the last time your recipient had a decent photo that’s neither a selfie nor a portrait taken on a smartphone? If you’re a hobbyist photographer with a DSLR, you can schedule a themed photoshoot for a family or friend.
Sweeten the deal by offering to give them hard copies of the photographs. In today’s digital-based era, photos are stored and viewed through our phones and computers. However, we can’t deny that nothing beats seeing photos framed or flipping through pages of an old-fashioned photo album to reflect on beautiful memories.
6. Gift of Entertainment: Concert and live performance tickets
As a musician, this one hits home. Pre-pandemic, I bought a pair of shoes and then watched a concert with my sister the same day. Guess what, the shoes are falling apart but the happy memories of watching the band for the first time alongside fellow ecstatic fans remain forever. The videos we took even helped us make it through the pandemic.
Your musically-inclined loved one would surely shout for joy if you give them a ticket to watch their favorite artists up close. Aside from concert tickets, you may treat them to a live music gig that features their preferred genre. You can also get tickets to theatre performances, dance, or even stand-up comedy.
7. Gift of Knowledge: Lessons and workshops for cooking, painting, and more
Is your recipient into cooking, baking, bartending, or brewing beverages? How about arts like painting and photography? This holiday season, offer to hone their skills in activities they’re fond of.
From barista workshops for newbies to cooking masterclasses for advanced learners, these lessons are great ways for starting the year right. Sure, there are millions of tutorials online but it’s unbeatable to learn things in person and get hands-on.
8. Gift of Health: Meal subscription
Giving a Christmas basket full of festive treats is nice but they’ll probably be gone in a month or less. For a food-related gift that lasts longer, why not offer a meal subscription?
A meal subscription would be a godsend gift for folks with busy schedules. Meal subscription services are also perfect for those with dietary restrictions, like vegans, vegetarians, and people with certain fitness goals.
Start 2023 right by sharing these amazing gifts of experience with your loved ones. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a foodie and travel buff who enjoys writing and sharing articles about travel and money-saving. You can count on her when it comes to hacks on accommodation, airfare, dining, and fun yet cheap ways to get around the city. To know more about budget travel and affordable hotel alternatives, visit DCU Rooms.