Giving The Gift Of Experience: 5 Brilliant Ideas For A Sustainable Christmas

Did you know Christmas gifts often get tossed after a handful of uses or lost in the never-ending whirlwind of consumerism? This time, rather than getting and giving too much stuff, let’s focus on quality presents that will provide longer-lasting enjoyment and utility.

Yes, homemade gifts are lovely but how about giving the joy of going to the movies as a family, taking a painting class, or learning to scuba dive? The happiness we get from experiences doesn’t diminish with time; it actually becomes ingrained in us as a part of our identity.

When we provide people with experiences, we are avoiding adding more things to their clutter of stuff that will soon be collecting dust on their shelves.

So if you are considering a gift and want it to be a special and memorable one, give your partner, friends and family a special thought. Here are some ideas for a sustainable Christmas filled with priceless memories.

1) Best for creatives

• Masterclass Annual Membership

Does your friend like to write? Or does your partner like photography? MasterClass is the streaming platform that makes it possible for anyone to watch or listen to hundreds of video lessons taught by 180+ of the world’s best.

Whether it be in business and leadership, photography, cooking, writing, acting, music, sports and more, MasterClass delivers a world-class online learning experience. Video lessons are available anytime, anywhere on your smartphone, personal computer, Apple TV and FireTV streaming media players.

A one-year membership will give your friend access to all of the above.

2) Best for gourmands

• Chocolate making experience

‘Xperience days‘ is an online platform offering excellent foodie experience gifts in the US, Uk and New Zealand including cooking classes, food tours, wine tasting and More. 

We love the ninety-minute chocolate experience at an artisan chocolate factory in Portland where you can learn how chocolate is crafted on a tour around the production floor, and make your very own, completely unique chocolate bar to take home with you.

You’ll learn about the process of creating chocolate, from ethically sourcing beans, to roasting, mixing, and creating delicious flavour combinations, too.

Perfect for those with a sweet tooth, this tour is a great activity for kids aged 8 and up, too. Starting from $25.

3) Best for kids

• Local Pottery Classes

Pottery is a fun and educational activity ideal for kids older than 4 years old. Through pottery making, you can teach children how to follow directions as well as to be creative and express themselves. Also, because it’s an activity in which both the body and the mind have to work together at all times, it is a great way for kids to improve their sensory and motor skills.

You can find pottery-making classes for kids almost everywhere. These classes typically take place in ceramics studios, although venues like art museums sometimes also offer them. 

4) Best for stressed mums

• Spa day gift voucher

Any kind of pampering is an awesome gift and something usually mums may not do unless it’s a gift. How about treating them with a spa day gift voucher? Spaseekers.com is a tailor-made gift voucher online solution based on the recipient’s personal requirements such as location or a particular type of spa experience. Search gift vouchers by location, select the spa venue and package and on checkout select your preference on e-voucher or gift voucher pack by post.

Vouchers are valid for 12 months and a personalised message can be added at checkout. Spa facial voucher from £39.

5) Best for family 

• National park passes

One of the best things about National Parks is that they offer something for everyone, whether they’re hikers, landscape lovers, history buffs or solace seekers. If you live in the US, for just $80, the America Beautiful pass will grant your favourite nature lover access to 2,000 of the best spots across the country for a full year from the date of their first visit.

For those ones living in the UK, the National Trust offers several options and passes to explore more than 500 places, gardens bursting with colour, castles and houses with stories to tell and countryside trails leading you down an undiscovered path – you never know which place will win your heart. 

Not convinced, yet? Most of the things we buy depreciate in value over time. But memories only grow in value over the years!

As Maya Angelou famously stated: “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” Instead of buying your friends things, this year give them the gift of experience and create a memory that would last longer than any material item.

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