Gifting experiences is a great way to get away from the physical gifts and help the recipient make memorable experiences in the new year. Also, it’s the perfect way to give unique gifts, especially when trying to figure out how to gift the person who seems to have everything. I’m sharing 4 ideas for gifting experiences this season.
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4 IDEAS FOR GIFTING EXPERIENCES
FITNESS CLASSES/GYM MEMBERSHIPS
The gifting experience of fitness is a great way to appease your fitness-loving friends and family members. We all know that the new year is when everyone decides to recommit to their fitness goals. Or you know someone who has taken their fitness goals seriously this year and is wondering how to support them on this journey. Consider gifting their gym memberships or fitness classes. Fitness classes can get up there in pricing, so paying for one month – or a year, I don’t wanna limit your generosity 😊 – can make your fitness friend happy. Disclaimer here: I would only suggest purchasing a membership for someone who has expressed an interest in fitness, or your gift will be more harmful than good.
MEMBERSHIP IDEAS
- Studio S Gift Card – If you’re in the Cincinnati area, my Pilates studio is a small studio with lots of different classes to try out.
- LA Fitness Gift Card – If your friend/family member is a traditionalist and prefers to hit a gym, consider an LA Fitness membership.
- Pelton Gift Card – Pelton has reigned queen in the at home fitness world with its fancy bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, and online classes. If you know someone who has been eyeing anything Pelton, this gift card is perfect to help them jumpstart the new year.
- ClassPass Gift Card – ClassPass opens the world of studio fitness whether in person or on the app. This gift of fitness provides more options – from HIIT classes, yoga, and spin classes – to help prioritize health and wellness.
FOOD/WINE SUBSCRIPTIONS
Nothing like food or wine brings different flavors and people together to enjoy a taste bud experience. I’ve been subscribed to a wine subscription for a few years now. It’s an easy way to always have wine in your house. I’ve also dabbled with home delivery meals. This gift is excellent for wine connoisseurs or foodies who want to create more culinary and wine-tasting experiences at home next year.
SUBSCRIPTION IDEAS
- HelloFresh – I’ve dabbled with this home meal delivery kit a few times over the years. It is so easy to follow the receipt and delicious meals.
- Blue Apron – A couple of friends have raved about this delivery service. This is another great option to choose from for home delivery.
- Sunbasket – This is a healthy meal option with a variety of selections for everyone with dietary restrictions. All the ingredients are farm-fresh and organic.
- FirstLeaf – I have this subscription and have loved the experience. The wines are tailored to your palette. This gift of membership or wine bundle is the perfect introduction to the brand.
- Bright Cellars – A disruptive company with the mission to break down the barriers that make wine exclusive and difficult to understand and want everyone to be wine people. This is a great gift for a wine membership.
PERSONAL SERVICES
In our busy lives, it’s easy to forget that taking care of ourselves. Making self-care a priority is essential for our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. A gifting experience that would be beneficial is personal services. Personal services are a unique and thoughtful gift because they offer a customized experience tailored to the recipient’s specific needs and preferences.
PERSONAL SERVICES IDEAS
- Nail Salon – Sometimes, people hesitate to spend money on themselves for non-essential luxuries. An experience at the nail salon is the perfect treat yo self gift. Spruce Nail Shop is the place that I got here in the city but a Pick Your Polish gift card allows your recipient to find the best salon near them.
- Spa and Massage package – Gift a spa day, massage, or wellness package to help your loved one relax and rejuvenate. Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa is a Cincinnati staple, but if you’re not in the area, try a Spa Finder gift card for your giftee to search for a spa location near them.
- Photography session – Who doesn’t love a beautiful portrait? Hire a professional photographer for a portrait session, family photos, or a special event. If you’re in the Cincinnati area, Megan Pryll Photography comes highly recommended. 😉
- House cleaning service – Cleaning can be a time-consuming and sometimes stressful activity, but with a professional cleaning service, the recipient can sit back and enjoy a clean home without having to lift a finger. Services like Molly Maid, The Maids, or Maid Pro are perfect gifts.
TRAVEL
The gift of travel is the perfect present for someone who’s always ready to go if asked. This gift can come in the form of a gift card. There are so many airline and hotel companies that have gift cards available. Or if you want to gift an excursion if you know someone is traveling to a specific place next year, that’s another great way to gift experiences.
TRAVEL IDEAS
- Airline Gift Cards – The easiest way to gift a travel experience is by paying for the airline ticket. Delta, American, United, and Southwest are a few airlines that make great gifts.
- Hotel Gift Cards – Another great travel gift is staying at hotels. Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt are a few hotel brands that make great gifts.
- Wine Country Hot Air Balloon Ride – See the vineyards of Napa Valley and Sonoma from an aerial view with this unique hot air balloon experience. After you touch down, toast to a successful flight with a complimentary glass of champagne.
- Glamping at Under Canvas – Because this is the only way worth camping. Under Canvas provides a canvas safari tent with luxe linens, organic bath products, a private seating area, and a wood-burning stove to stay warm and cozy at night. There are also a ton of shared amenities, like picnic areas with grills, USB battery packs for charging electronics, and s’mores nights around the campfire.
- Ride on the Rocky Mountaineer Train – A trip on the Rocky Mountaineer train boasts breathtaking views of some of the most scenic natural spaces in the US and Canada and unlimited drinks from the beverage cart.
- National Parks Pass – Good for a year’s worth of visits, the annual America the Beautiful Pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country, including all our national parks.
WHAT ARE OTHER GIFTING EXPERIENCES THAT I MISSED?
