Why Experiences Make the Best Gifts

Skip the traditional wrapped present route this holiday season and gift something truly memorable, such as experience gifts! Whether you're looking for Christmas gift ideas for many people on your list or you're searching for birthday gift ideas for that one finicky friend or relative, this will ensure that your giftee has a fun and unique experience and the chance to learn some new creative skills. As fun as it is to come up with elaborate gift ideas for all your loved ones, you might feel pressure year after year to find the perfect gift idea. Make it easy and fun for both you and the giftee by treating them to an exciting creative workshop with an experience gift card!

You don't have to stick to the same-old-same-old anymore - it's time to cancel that trip to the mall and close out those online shopping tabs because, with experience gifts, all you have to do is browse our wide range of arts, crafts, and cooking classes to find something inspiring to treat your loved ones to. 

More and more people are choosing to give the gift of experiences rather than material things. Whether it’s a beginner’s painting class to help them pursue their passion, or a terrarium building workshop to kick start a new hobby, read on to discover why experience gifts should be at the top of your list.

They’re thoughtful — and easy

Say you need a unique 30th birthday gift idea for an avid home cook. There are some obvious choices: a new piece of kitchen equipment; a highly rated cookbook; a “Kiss the Cook” apron. Chances are this person is already swimming in all these things (well, maybe not the apron). Why not break from the norm and offer them something they can enjoy much more than that shiny new spatula — culinary classes! From how to make homemade pasta to a sushi-making class, there are so many options for experience gifts that’ll inspire their senses and expand their gastronomic horizons. 

You’ll show how much they mean to you by offering them a way to level up their skills doing something they love, giving them a gift that’ll keep on giving. Plus, they’ve never been easier to find! No matter where the lucky recipient lives, from the San Francisco Bay Area to NYC, you’ll be able to find an expert-led class that suits them. Too busy to make a trip? Online classes and kits are the perfect solution! Whether it’s a gift for a new dad with his hands full or a present for a couple who lives in a remote part of the US, they’ll be able to join in the fun in the comfort of their own home, at a time that works for them.

Money can’t buy memories

This one may be a cliche, but it’s true. Even the most expensive gift is, at the end of the day, just a thing. However, when you choose to give an experience gift, you won’t be filling someone’s house with more clutter, but giving them an unforgettable time doing something they love. Whether it’s the first step toward a brand new hobby or just a one-off adventure, giving an experience will help form memories that’ll last a lifetime, along with imparting handy skills in everything from plant care to candle making.

What’s better than making memories? Making memories with the people you love! Experience gifts aren’t just for solo occasions — instead of a traditional celebration, why not consider paint ‘n sip classes as unique birthday party ideas for adults? Bring the whole gang together for an evening of tipsy painting in the heart of the city, or opt for a live-streaming paint night if everyone’s scattered around the country. Not only is it a creative excuse to let your hair down and reconnect with your nearest and dearest, but you’ll each create your own mini-masterpiece as a memento of the occasion — it’s a gift for everyone!

Experiences are a sustainable alternative

While getting a gift is always enjoyable in the moment, the magic can wear off pretty quickly. Too often gifts end up consigned to the back of a closet, only to be thrown away when it comes time for a declutter or a house move. Though there are plenty of things that can be reused or recycled, the sad fact is that a lot of our waste ends up in landfills across the country. This is what sets experience gifts apart — no waste! They make thoughtful presents for any green-minded guys or gals in your life, as they can rest assured that they won’t be negatively contributing to the environment.

There are plenty of experience gifts that have an eco-friendly lifestyle in mind. Whether it’s learning how to make their own succulent terrarium to bring a miniature ecosystem indoors, a natural candle making class that’ll let them banish store-bought candles forever, or even an upcycling workshop that’ll teach them to breathe new life into household objects or old clothes, you’ll find plenty of options that’ll make your giftee — and the Earth — happy. So next time you need unique gifts for mom, ditch the store-bought perfume and let her learn to make her own at a perfumery class — less waste, more fun!

Trust the science

If that’s not enough to convince you to add experiences to your list of Christmas gifts for dad or unique wedding gift ideas, maybe this’ll help: giving experiences is good for you! Rather than the fleeting endorphin rush of opening yet another material gift, your recipient will be engaging in a fun, new activity that’ll stimulate both the creative and problem-solving centers of their brain. By taking the time to focus on creating something, whether that’s at a beginner’s oil painting course or a vegan cooking class, they’ll be able to forget about their responsibilities for a bit, letting them relax and give themselves over to the creative process. This has huge benefits for their wellbeing, ranging from boosting their mood to improving memory functions.

Creative pursuits are also great at combating burnout and workplace stress, which makes them ideal to reward your colleagues after a tough quarter or break the ice with new additions to the team. Whether you like the idea of a group pottery workshop to help spruce up the office with some handmade ceramics, or a pizza-making class to let everyone get hands-on with some delicious Italian cuisine, our curated classes make for team-building events your team will actually enjoy.

Our vast range of online classes is also a great way to reward remote teams for a job well done and promote team bonding. When it comes to remote team building activities, socializing from the confines of Zoom squares can be a drag. With fun and hands-on virtual experiences ranging from online cooking classes to making macrame wall hangings, you can rest assured everyone on your team will be smiling and having a great time. Even if your colleagues are spread throughout the country, you can coordinate a virtual party atmosphere with arts, crafts, and cooking classes that will ship a DIY craft kit to everyone at their respective addresses. On the day of class, just log in and let the team bonding begin!

Experience gift ideas

Feeling inspired? We offer a wide and ever-growing range of experiences for all the lucky people on your list. If you’re looking for a unique gift for someone you may not know very well, then the added flexibility of an experience gift card may be just the ticket. Available in denominations to suit any budget, your giftee will be able to choose from creative classes and virtual craft workshops across the United States, no matter where they live.

If you're not sure what the perfect experience gift idea is for them either, you can always give them an e-gift card! This will allow them to choose their own adventure. Depending on your giftee, they might prefer the opportunity to browse all of the craft, cooking, and creative experiences and maybe even discover an inspiring new hobby!  Not to mention, if you're last minute shopping this year, an online gift card will make it easy! You can send a redeemable voucher straight to their inbox within minutes of coming up with the idea, ensuring you'll never miss a special gifting opportunity!

If you need even more inspiration, take a look at the Stories area of our site for more ideas on the best experience gifts.