5 Amazing Experiences to Gift in Place of Presents
With spring in the air and summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to try some new things on your bucket lists. While gifting things is the standard for many, taking your loved ones on a memorable adventure can not only show them your gratitude, but it can also help to reduce clutter in their homes and lives. The beauty of experiential gifts is that you can personalize and custom tailor the adventure to your person's passions and interests. And, at the end of the day, the stories that come out of experiences are what you’ll cherish.
To help you brainstorm, we’ve searched high and low to find 5 amazing experiences you can give to the people most near and dear to your heart. This year, instead of aimlessly perusing online stores in search of the perfect gift, give them something that will make room for connection instead of collection!
Wine Tasting Tours
Calling all friends and family of wine lovers! You can never go wrong with a wine tasting tour. This is a great day-long activity to spark conversations and spend quality time with those in your life! Sipping wine and enjoying the atmosphere with friends or family is a great way to connect, enjoy the present moment, and wind down. If you find yourself in California, the Ojai Vineyard has over 300 wines to enjoy, pouring tastings on outdoor patios and inside their tasting room.
If you’re outside of California, a few of our favorite wine tasting tours in other areas of the US are:
Hiking, Camping, Climbing, Zip lining, or Kayaking Adventures
For the outdoorsy person in your life, the gift of a scenic hike, camping trip, climbing experience, or ziplining is a great way to show this person how much you care. There’s truly nothing that builds connection, trust, and relationships more than outdoor adrenaline. If you live in or find yourself in the California area, Ziplines at Pacific Crest is home to two of the most thrilling ziplining courses in the nation. The zipline course is built into the trees of the San Gabriel Mountains, immersing you in the environment. The Ziplines at Pacific Crest are sure to give you an unforgettable experience. Gift cards are available for purchase through their website now!
A few more incredible outdoor venues across the nation:
A Drive-In or Rooftop Movie Night
If you’re looking to put a spin on a traditional night at the movies, consider a drive-in or rooftop movie theater! Many offer dinner as you watch, which seriously takes a movie date to the next level. This can elevate movie nights and add a fun twist to seeing classics or new releases with anyone in your life. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, the Melrose Rooftop Theatre offers a unique cinema experience nestled in the heart of West Hollywood. The theater shows cult classics and new releases, giving guests individual headsets to maximize their experience. They offer a 3-course pre-theater dinner experience as well! The entire movie schedule is released monthly on their website to book tickets. If you’re outside of California, we recommend Mega Outdoor Movies, with locations nationwide!
Pottery and Ceramics Classes
Looking for the perfect gift for your artsy friend or family member? Giving the experience of a pottery class! These are so great for quality time, and you also get to take home a little souvenir in the form of your masterpiece. Good Dirt LA, an intimate pottery studio in Los Angeles, is both beginner and advanced friendly. They offer one-time classes, 6 week courses, and independent creative time for those who are 18+. If you don’t live near the studio, they also offer online project kits for both kids and adults! Book classes now through their website.
Other great pottery and ceramics shops offering classes nationwide include:
Cooking Classes
For those who love to cook or want to learn, giving the gift of cooking classes is a wonderful experience that will last a lifetime! Eataly offers classes for both adults and kids. They have specialized classes according to your interests, which are led by chefs and oriented around cooking regional Italian dishes. Beyond cooking classes, they also offer wine tastings, special dinners, and other events as well. This is the perfect gift for the food curious person in your life. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a local Eataly, Sur La Table offers fabulous cooking classes all across the country.
Book a Day Spa
Who doesn't love some good R&R? Whether it's the gift of a massage, manicure, weekend getaway, facial, or beyond, giving the gift of self care is the perfect way to offer relaxation time to those you love. If you’re on the west coast, the Temecula Day Spa offers spa services that range from a variety of massage and body treatments, facials, nail care and more. The spa overlooks wine country, with beautiful vineyards to stroll through after your day of rejuvenation. If you’re not in SoCal, Milk and Honey Day Spa is another option, and it has locations all over the US.
Living with intention is all about putting a little more thought into your everyday life. When you shift your way of thinking when it comes to gifts, and choose to express your love and gratitude for someone through life-giving experiences rather than by adding to existing clutter in their homes, the benefits are endless. And a life with a little less clutter is ultimately a gift in and of itself! Showing someone that you care through gift giving is a practice that’s long been in place, but it’s one that can sometimes add stress to both parties’ lives. In reality, picking the “perfect” gift or looking for a place to store your new goods can be a major stressor. So, this year, try one of our recommendations for gifting experiences that you’ll never forget!
For tips, tricks, product picks, and inspiration for home organization, make sure you grab your copy of Life in Jeneral if you haven’t yet and sign up for the LIJ Book Club! There’s a 70 page workbook with exercises to help you work through your emotional barriers and goals in relation to organizing, and of course, step-by-step guidance to do the work. For even more support and encouragement, follow along with the book club on our Instagram, too!