14 Experiential Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything

We've all got that person on our holiday shopping list: There's nothing you can buy them that they don't already have. Instead of a traditional gift, surprise them with an experience they'll remember for years.

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November 01, 2016

By: Shannon Phillips

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Photo By: Cloud 9 Living

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For the Thrill-Seeker: Driving Experience

For the adventurer in your life, Cloud 9 Living offers exciting experiences guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping. Among their most popular gifts are their driving experiences, which offer high-speed rides in real NASCAR stock cars or exotic cars. Prices range from around $100 for a ride-along with a professional driver to $500+ for a hands-on driving session. Consider going in on this unforgettable gift with other friends or family members.

For the Foodie: Cooking Classes

The gourmand on your list will love learning how to make sushi, whip up fresh pasta or handle knives like a pro. Find a cooking class at the closest Sur La Table (locations in more than 25 states), or look into offerings from local colleges or restaurants.

For the Beer Snob: Home Brewing Kit

Give your beer-obsessed friend everything they need to transform their kitchen into a craft brewery. With 100% malt extract, specialty grains, high-quality yeast and aromatic hops sourced from Washington State’s Yakima Valley, this kit makes 1 gallon (or 10 bottles) of West Coast-style IPA. UncommonGoods offers other regional-inspired brew kits as well, including a Vermont Maple Porter, a Southern Bourbon Stout and a Texas Chipotle Amber Beer. Kits start at $45.

For the Traveler: A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Gift

Buy a gift from Tinggly, and your friend or family member can take their pick from hundreds of activities around the world. The company scours the globe to find inspiring, high-quality experiences in a wide range of locations, from rock climbing in Ireland to a traditional tapas meal in Spain to a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley. You pay a flat fee, and your gift recipient has two years to choose their dream adventure. Gifts start at $79.

For the Sports Fan: Golf Lessons

For the person who's always glued to ESPN, get them off the couch and onto the course with golf lessons. All ages can enjoy the sport, and any player — whether they’re just starting out or have been perfecting their swing for years — can benefit from some professional instruction. Try Topgolf, which has locations in 18 states and classes starting at $29, or check out golf courses in your area. Your gift recipient will be channeling their inner Tiger Woods in no time.

For the History Buff: Museum Membership

A membership to a museum can come with all kinds of benefits, including invitations to exclusive events, free magazine subscriptions, and discounts at shops and dining facilities. For the art or history nerd on your list, they’ll love these special perks. Membership prices vary widely by museum, starting anywhere from $25 to $90.

For the Gamer: Urban Scavenger Hunt

For that person on your list who’s always addicted to the latest smartphone game, broaden their horizons with a gift from Operation City Quest. Through a phone, the game offers up nearly 140 objects to find in a particular urban area. Once you’ve found an item, you send a photo to score points. Along the way, a guide will provide trivia questions or challenges for even more points. The whole family can join in on this urban adventure. Tickets start at $20 for one person.

For the Kids (or Kid at Heart): Park Passes

There’s something for everyone at the typical amusement park — from thrilling roller coasters to gentle family rides to entertainment — so passes are a great gift for the whole family. Many parks allow you to purchase tickets that can be used any day before an expiration date, so your recipient can plan a visit when it’s most convenient. At some parks, a season pass costs less than two day passes, so consider springing for a gift they can enjoy all year long. Check out Six Flags: They’ve got 17 locations in the U.S., and day tickets start around $40.

For the Fitness Fanatic: Aerial Yoga Class

For the friend or family member who’s always hitting the gym, how about a gift that gets them out of their comfort zone? Aerial yoga takes traditional yoga to a new level with a soft, fabric hammock suspended from the ceiling. The technique uses gravity to relax and realign the body, center the mind and uplift the spirit. Find nearby classes and prices from Unnata Aerial Yoga.

For the Music Lover: Concert Tickets

There’s nothing like seeing your favorite band live. Give the gift of concert tickets to the music fan on your list; check out upcoming shows at Ticketmaster.com, or buy a gift card so they can pick out a show for themselves.

For the Fashionista: Sewing Classes

You could buy one piece of clothing for a fashion-forward friend, or you could help her stock her closet with one-of-a-kind outfits for years to come. Look for courses at local craft stores or online. Craftsy offers a variety of lessons in sewing, knitting, crocheting and more, from must-know basics to more advanced techniques. Classes start around $10.

For the Aspiring Artist: Painting Classes

Help someone on your list unleash their inner artist. With more than 340 locations and classes starting around $25, Painting with a Twist is a great choice for beginners: You bring your favorite beverage, and they provide paints, brushes and canvases. An instructor walks you through each step of creating a specific painting, and at the end of the class, you get to take your masterpiece home. For painters with a bit more experience, look for courses at local art studios or colleges.

For the Couple: Dance Lessons

Whether it’s a budding romance or a long-term relationship, any couple can bond through dancing. If you’re buying a gift for a twosome, consider classes at a dance studio. With more than 160 locations in the U.S., Fred Astaire Dance Studios offers lessons in a variety of styles, from salsa to tango to foxtrot. They even offer wedding dance programs, perfect for the couple planning their big day. Each local studio has its own introductory special, so contact a location near you for prices.

For the Supremely Stressed: Spa Day

Who doesn’t appreciate a spa day? Around the holidays, most of us are feeling a bit frazzled. Treat someone in your life to a relaxing massage, facial or pedicure. Buy a gift card from a local spa or from Spafinder, which never expires and can be used at thousands of locations.