Whether you’re shopping for a last-minute gift idea or want to give someone a memorable moment, experience gifts are a unique way to express your love and appreciation this holiday season. On top of that, they are scientifically proven to be the best holiday gifts.
“Studies have shown that giftees prefer receiving experience gifts over material ones,” says Lara Hartog, a travel blogger and founder of The Best Travel Gifts. “A possible explanation for this could be that the anticipation of an experience brings joy and happiness to the receiver, even before the experience takes place,” she adds. Hartog says another benefit of gifting travel memories over physical gifts is that experience gifts don’t take up space in a limited suitcase.
For the travel bug in your life, a gift they can experience on their upcoming trip is, in a way, priceless. When gifting experiences, Hartog says, “think of the types of activities they enjoy and try to find experiences related to that.” This could be a historical walking tour, a cooking class, or an art class in a new city. Hartog adds that if your loved one has no upcoming travel plans, you can gift them a local experience with the same advice (and sense of adventure) in mind.
Meet the Experts
Lara Hartog is a travel blogger and founder of The Best Travel Gifts.
Here are our top picks for the best experience gifts offered in some of the most popular cities to visit in the U.S.
Maker’s Mess
Los Angeles
Treat your loved one to a crafty experience during their upcoming trip to Los Angeles. Located in Downtown LA’s historic Arts District, Maker’s Mess is home to some amazing craft workshops taught by local artists. From perfume-making and needle felting to basket weaving and stained glass, the studio’s workshop menu is abundant with inspiring activities for various skill levels and ages. In addition to in-person classes, Maker’s Mess also offers virtual tutorials for projects such as candle making, wood burning, and punch needling, plus craft kits for at-home making.
Pizza School
New York City
What’s a trip to New York City without some pizza? For the pizza connoisseur in your life, give the gift of a memorable pizza-making experience in the heart of New York City. The Pizza School offers classes for all levels and teaches students how to make the best dough, the secrets of a good pizza sauce, and other necessities such as techniques for forming pizza crust, oven etiquette, and more. While the in-person class is a memorable experience for travelers, the Pizza School also offers virtual classes.
The Gem Studio
Honolulu and Salt Lake City
A jewelry-making workshop at The Gem Studio in Honolulu is the perfect gift for the maker (and traveler) in your life. With locations on the island of Oahu and Salt Lake City, Utah, The Gem Studio offers a unique experience where students learn and make their own rings, bolo ties, pendants, earrings, or bracelets from 0.925 sterling silver and gemstones. The hour-and-a-half-long class offers a memorable experience with a cherished and wearable keepsake at the end of the workshop.
The Revival
Chicago
As the birthplace of improvisational theater, Chicago is home to some of the best comedians in the country. So for the budding comedian in your life, why not give them the gift of a Chicago improv class? The Revival offers improv workshops in-person at their historic 55th street theater in Hyde Park and online for those looking to practice their comedy skills from the comfort of home. In addition to improv classes, The Revival also has improv shows offered year-round, which would make a great gift for those who love improv but don’t necessarily see themselves getting on stage.
Botanique Flowers
Seattle
They say April showers bring May flowers, and that can’t be more true for Seattle’s stunning blooms. A floral arrangement class in Seattle makes the best gift for the flower lover. Botanique Flowers offers a variety of seasonal classes and workshops where amateur florists of all levels can learn how to arrange the perfect bouquet. This experience gift is ultra-special not only because it can help your loved one’s passions bloom (see what we did there?), but it’s also hosted in a more intimate setting at the owner’s home studio.
Exotics Racing
Las Vegas
If you’re looking for the best gift to give someone with an upcoming Las Vegas trip on the calendar, look no further than Exotics Racing. The driving experience company offers everything from go-karts to off-road to supercar racing for those with a need for speed. The perfect gift for a car-lover, the supercar experience allows you to choose from over 50 exotic cars — including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Aston Martins, and more — for a few quick laps around a real race track.
Get Your Guide: Donut and Beignet Tour
New Orleans
It’s no secret that New Orleans is home to the best beignets. For the pastry-lover, gift them a guided donut and beignet tour for their upcoming trip to NOLA. The guided tour takes sweet-toothed travelers through a journey of New Orleans’ best beignet and donut offerings, where everything from classic to more unusual (like a sriracha donut) flavors are consumed. One of the best parts about this tour — aside from those delicious pastries, of course — is you also get to learn about New Orleans’ history and food culture along the way.
The Freedom Trail
Boston
A guided tour of Boston’s Freedom Trail makes the perfect gift for the history buff. The walking tour takes you back in time and tells the story of the American Revolution through over a dozen historical sites, such as museums, churches, ships, and cemeteries. With several different experiences to choose from — including a tour dedicated to the women of the Revolution— the tours are led by 18th-century costumed guides who show you some of Boston’s most impressive landmarks like Paul Revere’s house, the Old State House, the Old Corner Bookstore, and more.
Airbnb Meditation Classes
Sedona
Known for its mystical landscapes of gorgeous red rock, Sedona, Arizona, is the perfect place to escape and experience all that meditation has to offer. If you’re looking to gift a meditation class in Sedona, Airbnb is an excellent resource, with experiences ranging from a Healing and Awakening Mediation to Inner Child Sound Healing. The beauty of this gift is there is something for everyone — even those who aren’t as enthused about meditation. In addition, there are private vortex hikes, meditative dance classes on top of a mountain, and vision board workshops.
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