Experience gift ideas: 50 gifts instead of things

Why experience gifts work

• No clutter. Nothing to store, dust or return.
• Memories last longer. Many people remember a shared day better than an object.
• Easy to share. Several people can chip in for one bigger experience.
• Good for anyone who "wants nothing". See also what to buy a man who says he wants nothing and a woman who says she wants nothing.

Experience gifts for couples

1. Cooking class for two
2. Wine, whisky or chocolate tasting
3. A night in a cabin or boutique hotel
4. Couples' spa day
5. Hot-air balloon ride
6. Concert or theatre tickets
7. Dance lessons (salsa, tango)
8. Pottery class for two
9. Escape room
10. A sunset boat trip

Experience gifts for kids (instead of toys)

1. Zoo or aquarium annual pass
2. Swimming or climbing course
3. Trampoline park visit
4. Theatre or children's concert
5. A day at a farm or petting zoo
6. Horse riding lesson
7. Science museum family ticket
8. Ice skating with a grandparent
9. "Kid's choice day": they plan the whole day
10. A kids' baking or LEGO workshop

Gift ideas instead of toys also include time-based gifts from grandparents: "one Saturday a month with Grandma". These often become family traditions.

Experience gifts for him

1. Driving experience or karting
2. Brewery or distillery tour
3. Indoor skydiving
4. Sports match tickets
5. Barbecue or butchery class
6. Guided fishing trip
7. Climbing or bouldering intro session
8. Flight simulator
9. Golf lesson
10. Off-road or quad tour

Experience gifts for her

1. Spa day
2. Floristry or wreath-making workshop
3. Afternoon tea
4. Photography class
5. Perfume-making workshop
6. Yoga or pilates retreat day
7. Painting and wine evening
8. Musical or ballet tickets
9. Horse riding
10. A weekend city break with a friend

For the whole family

1. A family day at a theme park
2. A cabin weekend
3. Family photo session
4. Cooking a meal together with a chef
5. Canoeing or rafting trip
6. A planetarium visit
7. Bike tour with a picnic
8. A year of museum passes
9. Camping gear plus a booked campsite
10. Volunteering together for a day

How to give an experience well

• Give something to unwrap. A card, a printed ticket, or a small related item (an apron for a cooking class, socks for climbing).
• Fix a date, or make booking easy. Open vouchers often expire unused.
• Check timing and location. Experiences far away or at bad times get skipped.
• Join in, if it's welcome. For many people, the time together is the gift.

Putting experiences on a wish list

Experiences don't need a shop link. Add them as custom items, such as "Swimming lessons (any local pool)" or "Cooking class for two". For bigger ones, use a group gift: set the value, and family and friends choose how much to contribute.

FAQ

What are good experience gifts?

Classes (cooking, pottery, dance), tastings, tickets to shows or sports, days out, short trips and adventure activities.

What are good experience gifts for kids?

Zoo or museum passes, swimming or climbing courses, trampoline parks, theatre, farm visits, and planned days with grandparents.

How do you give an experience as a gift?

Give a card or ticket to unwrap, ideally with a small related item. Fix a date or make booking easy so it doesn't expire unused.

What are non-material gift ideas?

Experiences, lessons, memberships, your time and help, donations, and subscriptions to something they enjoy.

By Vidmantas Markevičius, founder of Claim A Gift. Updated November 2026.