Picture this: it’s a Saturday afternoon and you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift. You want it to be unique, something memorable, and preferably something that’s not going to collect dust in their garage.
You’ve spent hours scouring the internet and the mall, but nothing seems right. Our advice? Forget the socks, the generic gift cards, and the oh-so-predictable scented candles. It’s time to discover the power of experience gifts!
In a world where material items often take center stage, the concept of experience gifting may seem strange. But trust us, you’re going to love it.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover the basics, explore various types of gifts, discuss the benefits, and reveal the secrets to selecting presents for any occasion. By the end, you’ll be an experience gifting expert!
Experience Gifting: The Basics
What are experience gifts anyway?
Experience gifts are a fun twist on traditional presents. Instead of just another ‘thing’, your loved ones will unwrap an unforgettable adventure. Whether it’s a thrilling zipline ride, day at the spa, or a dinner out, experience gifting is all about creating more stories, less stuff.
Our Fairy Giftmother said it best:
Who would love an experience gift?
Anyone and everyone! Whether you’re shopping for him, her, your parents, or kiddos, there’s an experience for every personality, including:
1. Adventurous spirits: those who love trying new things, seeking thrills, and embarking on exciting adventures.
2. Relaxation lovers: people who value relaxation and would enjoy spa days, wellness retreats, or tranquil getaways.
3. Foodies: anyone who enjoys exploring new tastes and flavors – from different cuisines to refreshing beverages, and everything in between.
4. DIYers: crafters who enjoy hands-on projects and embracing their creative side.
5. Adrenaline junkies: high-energy individuals who love testing their limits through exhilarating activities.
6. Travel buffs: anyone with a passion for exploration and a desire to discover new places.
7. Quality time aficionados: people who cherish shared moments and value quality time with loved ones.
8. Culture connoisseurs: individuals with an appreciation for art, music, theater, or other cultural experiences.
Are there experience gifts for any occasion?
Absolutely! Experience gifts are versatile and add the perfect touch to a wide range of occasions. From life’s big moments (think, birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays) to everyday celebrations, we’ve got an experience to match.
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Experience Gifting: The Benefits
Now that you know the basics, you’re probably wondering what makes experiences the best gifts ever. While there are countless benefits to gifting an experience, here’s our top eight:
1. Stories > stuff. Unlike material gifts that lose their appeal over time, experiences are the gifts that keep on giving. Imagine their joy when they unwrap it, the excitement growing as their adventure approaches, and the warm and fuzzies they’ll feel anytime they remember their day. Plus, they’ll have a great story to tell!
2. Quality time. It’s simple: experiences bring people together. Whether it's a romantic getaway, a family outing, or a fun activity with friends, sharing an experience provides an opportunity to strengthen your relationships.
3. Emotional impact. Experience gifts just hit differently. Brace yourself for the “OMG” moment as they open their gift and realize you’ve given them a one-of-a-kind adventure. Plus, you’ll feel like the best gift-giver ever!
4. Learning opportunities. Whether it's acquiring a new skill, learning about a specific topic, or discovering hidden talents, some experience gifts provide an educational twist.
5. Eco-friendly. Goodbye stuff, hello adventures! Unlike physical gifts, experiences don't contribute to clutter, aligning with minimalist and eco-friendly lifestyles.
6. Escape the mundane. It’s easy to get caught up in our daily routines. Experience gifts help people break free from the norm and discover new things.
7. Bucket list moments. Make their dreams a reality by helping them check off an item from their bucket list. From hot air balloon rides to pilot lessons, some experience gifts are truly once-in-a-lifetime.
8. Experiences are always in. Don’t worry about finding the newest gadgets or following the latest trends, experience gifts never go out of style.
Experience Gifting: Our Top Picks
The best part of experience gifting? Exploring all of the incredible options! If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a few of our all-time favorite categories:
1. Flying Experiences
Best for: aspiring pilots, aviation enthusiasts
Secure their ticket to the skies! From serene hot air balloon rides, pilot lessons, and even fighter jet rides, these gifts are all about discovering the freedom of flight. For those that might be a little wary of heights, we also offer immersive flight simulator packages.
Pro tip: for a more in-depth look at flying experiences, don’t miss this comprehensive buying guide.
2. Driving Experiences
Best for: exotic car fans, speed demons
Have they always wanted to drive a race car? Experience the speed of a dragster? Or cruise down the open road in a Lamborghini? Make all of their driving dreams come true with these high-octane adventures.
Pro tip: discover all of our driving experience recommendations plus expert gifting tips here.
3. Spa Sessions and Treatments
Best for: relaxation gurus, worker bees
Massages, facials, pedicures, and sauna sessions – you name it, you’ll find a relaxing spa treatment. These rejuvenating experiences are the perfect way to treat yourself or a loved one to some well-deserved R&R.
4. Adventure Experiences
Best for: explorers, free spirits
If it’s fun, exciting, and sometimes a bit daring, you’ll find it here. This broad category covers everything from ziplining to whitewater rafting and even electric bike tours. No matter which adventure you choose, this is one gift they’ll never forget.
5. Food and Drink Experiences
Best for: adventurous eaters, gourmet gurus
Treat them (and their taste buds) to a tantalizing adventure. This mouthwatering category includes guided food tours, cooking classes, wine tastings, and even private chef experiences. If they love to eat, then these delectable gifts belong on the top of their wish lists.
Pro tip: looking for more delicious details? Click here to discover our ultimate guide to food and drink experience gifts.
6. Cruises and Sailing
Best for: luxury lovers, nautical nomads
It’s time to ‘seas’ the title of best gift giver. Cruises and sailing experiences offer the unique opportunity to float away from the norm and enjoy the finer things in life. Plus, there’s lots of different options including dining cruises, whale watches, sunset sails, and more.
7. Creative Classes and Lessons
Best for: DIYers, hobbyists
Discover all things crafty! Whether they’ve always wanted to try glassblowing, pottery throwing, or paint pouring, these hands-on classes will help them embrace their creative side. Who knows, they may even go home with a new passion or hobby.
Pro tip: while participants can usually take their projects home the same day, there are some classes (like glassblowing) that require extra time to complete. In these cases, participants can either come back at a later date or arrange shipping for an additional fee.
8. Games and Entertainment
Best for: couples, playful pals
The games and entertainment category is all about having fun. These gifts are best enjoyed with loved ones and include thrilling activities like escape rooms, axe throwing, live shows, and more.
9. Tours and Sightseeing
Best for: culture connoisseurs, curious minds
Let them explore their city (or someplace new) like never before! Guided tours are a great way to discover iconic landmarks, landscapes, and attractions – all while learning incredible facts. Plus, they come in all shapes and sizes. Let them embark on a thrilling kayak tour, stroll through town on a walking tour, or zip around on a Segway.
Pro tip: for fans of the paranormal, you can’t go wrong with one of these bone-chilling ghost tours!
Experience Gifting: Things to Consider
Choosing an unforgettable experience gift is easy! However, just like any gift, there are a few things you should keep in mind when exploring your options:
1. Think about their interests. Are they into adrenaline-pumping activities like drag racing, or would they prefer a relaxing spa day?
2. Set a budget. Experiences can vary in cost. Setting a budget will help narrow down your choices.
3. Understand the restrictions. To ensure the safety of all participants, some experiences may have restrictions. Some of the most common limitations include age, height, weight, and diet/allergies – so it's always worth double checking ahead of time. Don't stress, though, all of the important details can be easily found on each experience page.
4. Health considerations. Is the giftee physically able to take part in your chosen experience? Consider their fitness level and whether or not they have any medical conditions.
5. Double check availability. It’s important to always double check availability, especially if the giftee has a busy schedule. Lucky for you, Virgin Experience Gifts offers flexible booking, and our vouchers never expire (they can book a date that’s perfect for them).
Experience Gifting: Step-by-Step
At Virgin Experience Gifts, we make purchasing, gifting, and booking experiences a breeze. All you have to do is:
1. Choose an experience or e-gift card. Browse our wide variety of experiences and find the one that’s right for them. Not sure? Let them choose their own adventure with an e-gift card!
2. Personalize their gift. You can customize their gift by adding a to, from, and a personal message.
3. Pick the delivery date. All of our gift vouchers are sent digitally to your inbox or theirs. You can also choose to send the gift instantly or on a specific date – perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and more.
4. Present the gift. The voucher format is easy to print and can be included in a greeting card or something more extravagant.
5. Let them book it. You gift it, they book it. All your recipient has to do is redeem their gift and book a date that fits their schedule. Easy-peasy!
Plus, we offer tons of gifting perks (hassle-free exchanges, no expiration dates, easy returns, and more).
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!
1. Are there any budget-friendly experience gifts?
Absolutely! We offer a variety of experiences that won’t break your bank. Check out our collection of gifts under $50 and gifts under $100.
2. What are the best experience gifts for families?
We offer tons of unforgettable experiences that are perfect for families with kiddos. Some of our favorites include:
- Indoor skydiving
- Ziplining
- Escape rooms
- Attractions
- Cooking classes
- Horseback riding
- Outdoor adventures
- Virtual reality experiences
3. What if they don’t like the experience I chose?
No worries – our flexible exchange policy allows recipients to easily swap their experience for another one.
4. I don’t know what experience to buy, what are my options?
Sometimes finding the perfect gift can be tricky, that’s ok! If you’re not sure what they would love, consider surprising them with an e-gift card. That way, they can choose the adventure that suits them best.
5. Do the experience vouchers or e-gift cards expire?
Nope! The monetary value of your voucher or e-gift card will never expire.
6. Can I buy a physical gift card?
Yes! You can buy a physical gift card at participating Target and Kroger store locations.
Have even more questions? Explore all of our gifting FAQs here.
Summary
After reading this comprehensive guide, we hope you feel inspired to gift an experience. Whether it’s an action-packed racing adventure or a romantic getaway, experiences are truly the ultimate present. They’re easy to give and make unique gifts for a wide variety of people and occasions – from everyday moments to monumental celebrations. Go ahead, take a look. We'll make you a gift-giving hero in no time!
