The holidays are about so much more than what’s under the tree. This year, we invite you to embrace the spirit of the adventuring Stag and shift your perspective on holiday gifting. Instead of giving material things, give gifts that create memories and inspiration by inviting your loved ones to dive into the unknown. Here are six ideas for experience-based gifts for everyone on your list.
Plan the Ultimate Day Trip
If you have a busy parent or young person in your life who doesn’t have a lot of time but deserves a break, this one is for them. Get an idea of when they might have a break over the holiday season (they should have at least one day!) and tell them nothing but that you’re going on an adventure. Then, do some research on what novel attractions or experiences are within a day’s driving distance.
Consider a day of wine tasting and tours, starting with Stags' Leap winery.
Depending on their interests, look into challenging hikes, wildlife centers, and art exhibits. You can even pick more than one if you want to make the most of the day. Don’t forget to plan a unique lunch or dinner to make the day special.
Learn Together
We all have those things we’ve always wanted to learn how to do but never got around to. Fly-fishing, painting, surfing, ceramics—almost everyone has that one thing that’s been a bug at the back of their mind but that they never knew how to start. Surprise and delight your loved one by first finding out what that thing is and then gifting a class that gets them started. If they tend to be more timid about trying new things, enroll in the class with them. You’ll lower the barrier to entry and get to spend some quality time together.
Exploration at Their Doorstep
If you can’t get your loved one away from work or the kids, consider an experience-based subscription that they don’t have to leave the house to love. Go for something they would never buy for themselves like a meditation app membership or an epicurean treat like a butcher’s box or chocolate club. We, of course, are huge fans of gifting wine clubs like ours that allow the member to dive into the winemaking experience and have a bit of the Napa Valley delivered to their door.
Help them Shake Up Their Space
If you have someone who is still working from home, is a stay-at-home parent, or just needs some new perspectives, help them get some inspiration by gifting a consultation with an interior designer. They don’t have to commit to a total space overhaul, just considering new possibilities will be a fun activity. Along the same lines, if you have a home project enthusiast who needs just a little help getting their latest project over the finish line, give them the gift of a trained handyman.
For the Foodies
We all have that one person in our life who is on top of the newest, hottest restaurants and food trends. Surprise them with some of their own magic by planning a tour of local hidden gems even they haven’t heard of. This one will require some research, but we can guarantee your foodie will love exploring places outside their wheelhouse. For inspiration on places to check out, try calling the concierge at a local hotel or checking Instagram tags. Both are great sources for off-the-beaten-path spots.
It's Game Time
For an activity, the whole family can get behind, plan a holiday-themed scavenger hunt around your neighborhood. This is especially great if you have family and friends who are staying with you. Start by scouting out locations and picking your structure. For example, is each clue a riddle to be solved? Or does each team need to get photo evidence of a specific object? Consider the ages and mobility levels of everyone in your group when planning. To make it extra special, plan for a toast or celebratory meal at the end while the teams relive the best moments from the hunt.
