They say that when it comes to giving a gift, it’s the thought that counts. While we couldn’t agree more, it’s also the amount of thought put into a gift that makes it stand out.
The era of materialistic focus is slowly but surely dying out (thank goodness.) Millennials are prioritizing experiences over stuff. People are realizing that spending money on a vacation is more satisfying than purchasing a new TV for the same price. And the real gift-giving experts are turning to presents that can’t necessarily be wrapped.
While science has proven that experiential gifts bring more happiness, it does add a whole new dimension to gift shopping. You can’t exactly rush to the mall last minute and grab whatever’s on the shelf.
To help you find that perfect one-of-a-kind experience gift for that special somebody in your life, we’ve put together a neat little “how to” guide.
Bye-bye materialistic and hello memorable. Welcome to the new era of gift giving.
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Benefits of Experience Gifts
Just in case you had any doubts, here are just some of the reasons why the gift of doing something is better than any possession.
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Lasts a Lifetime
Buying an experience is actually an investment – you’re investing in another person’s happiness. While the latest iPhone will put a smile on anyone’s face, the novelty will quickly fade. And the newest version will shortly be released.
When you surprise your friend or family member with a Michelin Star dining break in Bordeaux a or photography adventure in Prague, you’re not just buying them a weekend getaway. You’re buying them the opportunity to create lifelong memories.
And those are absolutely priceless.
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Won’t Collect Dust
Everyone is so sick of getting those little trinkets at Christmas time. Sure, they’re (sort of) cute, but what value do they even have? They just sit in the cupboard collecting dust until next year.
On the other hand, the gift of an unforgettable experience never gets old. It doesn’t fade, it doesn’t go out of fashion, and it doesn’t clutter up the house.
The only possible clutter you’ll have is a framed photo from that amazing day you had.
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Greater Connection
Scientific studies have shown that experiential gifts resonate at a deeper level. They forge a stronger emotional connection between the giver and recipient.
According to Cassie Mogilner, Associate Professor of Marketing at UCLA Anderson School of Management, “when recipients receive an experience, regardless of whether they share in that experience with the gift-giver, they feel more connected to the gift giver as a result of it, compared to receiving a material gift.”
So even if you don’t do the experience with them, your friend will feel closer to you just by having you as part of their memory. And that makes everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside.
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No Need to Leave Your House
What’s one of the worst parts of buying presents during the holiday season? Braving the hordes of other frantic gift buyers at the shops.
With a gift experience, you can do all your Christmas gift shopping online. Browse through our unique gifts for him and gifts for her and take your pick. No need to get out of your fluffy slippers!
If you need any gift inspiration or help, feel free to get in touch with our helpful Concierge Team. They’re there to make your gift buying process as easy as possible.
There are so many ways for an experience gift to go right. But before you jump into buying an extraordinary gift experience, there are a few key aspects to take into consideration.
Things To Consider Before Picking the Experience
What’s The Occasion?
First things first – what calls for such an epic present?
Is your best bud finally tying the knot? Are you congratulating a friend on that job promotion? Or do you simply want to thank your partner for sticking around after all these years?
Whether you’re looking for a special anniversary gift for the folks or a thoughtful birthday gift for Nan, the reason for buying a gift is the first step towards nailing that perfect present.
No matter what the occasion is, there’s a memorable experience for your favourite person to relish.
What Do They Enjoy?
This point might be a bit obvious, but it’s often overlooked. In a moment of panic, gift hunters often grab the first impersonal gift they see off the shelf (enter the cliche scented candle here).
The process of crafting a bespoke experience starts with an understanding of the recipients’ wants, but more importantly, an in-depth understanding of their underlying, psychological whys.
To avoid any gift no-nos, make a list of their interests. Do they enjoy the outdoors? Do they love learning something new? Do they grab any chance they have to escape the city?
There’s no better way to say “I get you” than with an experience that’s right up their alley.
What’s The Damage?
It’s not always a fun part, but it is a necessary part – setting a budget.
Creating financial boundaries is a crucial step in finding the perfect experience gift. But the real beauty is that its value comes from the actual experience, not from the financial input.
Spending less money doesn’t make the experience any less special!
Key Aspects of the Perfect Experience Gift
Make Sure It’s Flexible
A sometimes tricky part of buying an experience is getting the timing right. You don’t want to book an unforgettable spa experience only to find out your friend is busy that day. Or that there are a whole list of unnecessary restrictions and blackout dates.
Keeping the experience flexible gives them the freedom to choose when is the best time for them to make use of your amazing gift.
Keep It Classy
You also don’t want to arrive for a Michelin-starred dinner to scrounge around in your handbag for a crumpled up piece of paper with your voucher on it. That should not be part of the experience.
To keep it simple, classy and eco-friendly, the best gift experiences don’t involve a paper voucher. The lucky somebody should be able to simply arrive at a booking in their name, and relish the experience. As simple as that!
To avoid that stressful calendar checking, we’ve made sure that each experience is totally flexible and redeeming is totally stress and voucher-free. Just chat to our friendly concierge and they’ll take care of the rest!
Make It Unforgettable
This is really your chance to take your gift giving skills to the next level. The sky’s the limit when it comes to ways to spoil that special someone.
Because you’re giving a totally unique experience, make it that extra bit unforgettable. Make it personal. Make it fun. And above everything, make it want them to drop everything in their lives, and live a life of excitement, even for a day.
If you have a bespoke gift idea that you’d like to make a reality, we’d love to hear it. We’re proud to say that we’ve helped thousands of people to realise that the craziest idea can become a life-changing one.
Find That Perfect Experience Gift
Next time you’re looking for that perfect present, keep in mind that it’s often the gifts that don’t fit in a box that have the biggest impact. Once you’ve figured out what really makes someone happy, there are very little ways for a gift experience to go wrong.
Enduring happiness comes from breaking out of our everyday routine, trying something new, and traveling around the world. And that’s why new experiences make for the best gifts.
I am an experienced writer specializing in travel, food, weddings, and well-being. Continuing my nomadic lifestyle I am currently based on the beautiful island of Malta.