I think at some point we have all struggled with finding the perfect gift for someone in our lives. There are those who already have everything, those who want everything and those who want nothing at all. How are we, as gift-givers, supposed to maneuver our way through birthdays and the holiday madness without going mad ourselves?
The answer: Give the gift of experience. You may be wondering just what giving the gift of experience means; so I’m here to tell you what it is, how to do it and how to save money while you’re at it.
Everybody has an interest, a hobby or something they simply enjoy doing, so why not provide them with an experience around just that? Your favorite NASCAR fan would kill to get on the racetrack and experience the thrill of going more than 200 mph just like their favorite driver. “With traditional gifts like a new sweater or gadget, the item often ends up buried away in a closet and is eventually forgotten. The impact of your typical gift is very short-lived. With the gift of experience, you truly can give someone a memory that will last a lifetime and make a person’s life that much richer,” says Bobby Augst, executive vice president of Cloud9 Living, a company that specializes in experience-based gifts.
Here are some ideas based on your loved ones’ interests:
The Adventurer
Is your husband or father convinced they will be the next Jordan Spieth? Treat the golfer in your life to 18 holes with a pro to see how their score really compares. Or is your special someone confident they can channel their inner Amelia Earhart? Give them the experience of learning to fly a plane, a helicopter, or even of becoming a fighter pilot (at least for one day)! The options really are endless when it comes to giving the gift of an experience.
If you know your recipient is going on a trip, provide them with an experience in a place they’ve never been. They’ll never forget the first time they took a hot air balloon ride over Las Vegas or learned to hang-glide in Austin, Texas.
The ideal experience is going to vary by recipient, which is why companies like Cloud9 Living and Excitations offer various packages designed for singles and couples alike. Look for Cloud 9 Living promo codes for individual experiences or coupons for gift certificates to provide your adventurer with an outing of their own choice.
The Indulgent
Spas aren’t cheap. Look for deals on Groupon or LivingSocial for spa packages that will provide the ultimate relaxation experience.
Perhaps the person you’re pampering lives far away, or you are unsure about their tastes. Companies like SpaFinder Wellness provide online promo codes for 10 percent off any order if you look in the right places.
The Romantic
Picking out a gift for your better half has got to be one of the most difficult shopping experiences. The pressure is on you to know them, understand their wants and needs and choose a gift designed perfectly to fit. We’ve all had our fair share of gift-giving disasters, so don’t worry about the past mistakes you may have made and look forward to providing your special someone with the most thoughtful and romantic gift they’ve ever received. You’ll really impress here.
Whether it be Christmas, a birthday or a romantic holiday like Valentine’s Day, giving the gift of a romantic experience is sure to top the charts. Dinner for two? Try a private catered dinner by a personal chef or romantic inner harbor cruise for two. If you’re looking for something more rustic, a picnic dinner is sure to excite both your significant other and go easy on your wallet. Shop your neighborhood Whole Foods or other grocery store for pre-catered meal options that are light on the budget and tasty on the pallet.
Giving a gift that shows how much you care or know about the person is hard, but giving the gift of an experience will provide the recipient pleasure past the 15 seconds it takes to unwrap. Go beyond the ordinary, past the latest and greatest new product and give someone the gift of a memory, which is a gift that truly lasts.
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How to Give the Gift of Experience For Less originally appeared on usnews.com
