Looking for a gift that keeps on giving?
Why don’t you give someone the gift of adventure instead?
Here are a few reasons why you should consider giving an experience gift instead of a physical one.
1. Experience gifts don’t add clutter
Nothing is more frustrating to me than entering my kid’s room and discovering toys and clothing that were former gifts, discarded on the floor and not treated with value.
Living more with less means getting to enjoy life with less physical baggage. The only space that an experience gift takes up is a memory in your mind… unless you bring home a souvenir.
2. Experience gifts give you something to look forward to
In a culture of instant gratification, there is something about building the anticipation of an upcoming adventure.
3. The memories are priceless
You can’t put a value on an experience. It goes beyond whatever monetary value was spent.
4. The recipient will always remember the gift and the giver
I can tell you who gave me the adventure gift and the special occasion that it was for with all of the experience gifts that I’ve received.
Adventure is better shared.
You are giving the gift of an experience that will be memorable.
For example, we have chosen to give my kids season passes to a local amusement park for their birthdays for the past few years.
We have shared countless memories together that are way better than a physical gift, that would have lost its newness over time.
5. It’s all about presentation
You can still give a physical gift if you want to.
For example, if you are planning a surprise trip to Disney, you could wrap up a small toy, themed clothing to be worn on the trip, or maybe something that could be used on the way to the destination, like a special movie, etc.
If you are going on a ski trip, maybe some gear, or a snorkel if you are going somewhere tropical.
If you are giving tickets as a gift, you can still be creative in how you present your gift, whether it’s in a large wrapped box, or presented as a scavenger hunt.
Need some experience gift ideas?
I’ve got LOTS of them.
Annual Passes
- Amusement Park
- Water park
- Zoo
- Museum
- Children’s Museum
- Nature Park
Fun for All Ages
- Movies
- Bowling
- Ice Skating
- Roller Skating
- Curling
- Combat Archery
- Nerf Arena
- Indoor Trampoline Arena
- Rock Climbing Wall
- Indoor Go-Karts
- Indoor Ropes Course
- Indoor Ziplining
- Arcade
- Laser Tag
- Skatepark
- Miniature Golf
- Entertainment Complex
- Top Golf
- Escape Room
Take a Tour
- Food Tour
- Wine Tour
- History Tour
- Bourbon Tour
- Art Tour
- Sports Themed
- Scenic Train ride
- Segway
- ATV
- Behind the Scenes Tour
- Ride the Ducks Tour
- Museum Tour
Go Outside
- Ziplining
- Extreme Tree Climbing
- Fishing Trip
- Standup Paddleboarding
- Surf Lessons
- Snorkel tour
- Kayak/canoe/ or rafting tour
- Cable Wakeboarding
- Archery Range
- Shooting Range
- Frisbee Golf
- FootGolf
- Snow Tubing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Sail/Riverboat Cruise
Make Something
- Create a Candle
- Paint Pottery
- Painting Class
- Blow Glass Art
- Cooking Class
- Cocktail Class
- Make Jewelry
- Make Pottery
Services
- Massage
- Hair Salon
- Nail Salon
Entertainment
- Theater Tickets
- Comedy Show
- Dinner Theater
- Concert of a favorite Band
- Sporting Event
- Go see a Special Speaker or Conference tickets
Lessons/ Training
- Dance
- Cooking
- Art
- Personal training at a gym
- Horseback Riding
- Hula Hoop class
- Aerial Silks
- Swim
- Gymnastics
- Ski/Snowboard
- Fitness
Extreme Adventure
- Skydive
- Indoor Skydiving
- Zipling
- Luge
- Drive a Race Car
- Race Car Ridealong
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Small Plane
- White Water Rafting
- Bungee Jump
- Trapeze
Adventures with Animals
- Penguin Encounter
- Overnight at an Aquarium
- Wolf Encounter
- Bathe an Elephant
- Pet a Kangaroo
- Dog Sledding
- Swim with Manatees
- Horseback riding
- Encounter with Falcons
Take a Trip
You can either make it a surprise or give little gifts that can be used for or during the trip.
- Roadtrip
- Ski Trip
- Cruise
- Beach Getaway
- Once in a Lifetime
- Getaway with Friends
- Camping/ Glamping Trip
- Treehouse Overnight
- Staycation
- Indoor Waterpark
Unique Overnights
I hope that you’ve found lots of experience gift ideas to give the gift of adventure to someone you love.
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Jen
We do this every birthday, anniversary, and Christmas. My favorite anniversary was Turkey Run in Indiana. Amazing hikes!
Tammilee
So many great holiday gift ideas! I love the idea of giving the gift of adventure. An experience that lasts a lifetime