Buying another sweater? (He won’t like the color.)
Another pair of slippers or a bathrobe? (She has three of each already!)
Perfume? (Wrong scent.)
Gift giving can be a challenge.
Sometimes people have enough money to buy themselves anything they want. Other times we may not know a person’s tastes.
With people downsizing their homes, due to age or the economy, there just may not be any extra space for extra things.
So what are your options? Consider giving experiences as gifts!
Experience gifts can be extravagant or simple – but give the receiver something different from his or her normal routine. Here are some ideas to get your thinking started:
A gift that is an experience can be tickets to a Broadway show or local theater production. It can be an art walk and coffee, yoga classes, or a gift certificate for dinner out. Concert tickets make great gifts if you know the person’s taste in music.
Rodeo? NASCAR? How about renting a luxury car such as a Ferrari or Lamborghini for a day?
A day of fishing is also a great gift. Ski lift tickets are too!
Are there local sporting events?
Who do you know that might like a lesson in piloting a plane?
Would a cooking class be fun?
What about going to a fashion show?
Experiences don’t have to be expensive. Breakfast out, a picnic lunch at the beach or the park, a trip to the bookstore, or a day of antique or flea market shopping are all good ideas. There are Victorian tea shops you can try that are far different from the everyday diner. Tickets to being part of a TV show audience can be free!
Do you have a local aquarium? Zoo? Botanical garden? Is the circus coming to town? Is there a model train show? Laser tag? Can you provide tokens for the local game room? Most areas have tourist attractions that your friend, relative or co-worker might appreciate visiting.
How do you find out what is going on near you? Check your local newspaper for events happening in the next few months. A librarian can help you find sources of information, too.
When giving an experience gift, take the person’s transportation and babysitting needs into consideration. Make sure you take care of this if it is something they cannot handle themselves. It is important to decide if the experience includes you being there or not.
The person who receives this type of gift is actually gifted twice. First, there is the enjoyment of the experience, and then are the interesting, new stories to share with friends.