Experience Gifts: Day-Cations for the Soul

As the holiday shopping frenzy ramps up to fever pitch, and you’re battling the masses in a mad hunt for the “perfect gift”–ten or twenty times over–and the weather turns nasty and the stores run out of stock, I’d like to introduce you to something truly unique, and potentially life changing–for you and your giftees.

Imagine a vacation for the soul, an hour or less from their doorstep; a day spa for the spirit; an adventure for the mind, body, and heart.

For some it will be whale watching in L.A., cruising along the coastal waters while these ancient beasts breach in the cold tides. For others it will be a culinary tour of their favorite food scene, food trailers in Austin or ethnic foods in New York City’s trendy NoLIta district. Still others would give up a limb to race a Sprint Cup stock car on the track, and maybe you yourself have always dreamed of flying.

All these things are not things at all, of course. They are experiences, the makings of memories that don’t fade, don’t accumulate in dust-proof clusters, don’t take up precious space in our cluttered lives.

They get us out exploring, testing ourselves or indulging our senses or falling in love all over again. (Witness the vineyard tours, the gondola dessert cruises, the kayak to dinner on the dunes at sunset.)

They are experience gifts. Adventure gifts, gift experiences, whatever you want to call them, the point is to get away from material stuff and give what matters in life–experiences, memories, new passions and old dreams come true.

With over 1,700 experiences in 40-odd cities across the country, from helicopter skiing in Telluride to chocolate-making classes in NYC, there’s an adventure gift for every adrenaline junky, homebody, budding artiste or golf fanatic on your list. Search by city, category, price or all three, without the risk of running out, getting stuck in a snowstorm, or a hesitant smile on Christmas morning right here: Christmas Experience Gifts.

And maybe next year, it’ll be you who’s so lucky.