Experiences, rather than “things” are gaining in Christmas gifting popularity. If you know someone who might prefer taking part in an event, learning a new skill or traveling around the globe over shopping for gadgets, clothes or toys, then this gift guide is for you. We’ve gathered some of the best experience gifts below, so you can be a part of a memory, gifting something they’ll look back on years from now. Give one of these a go!
Related: Why Millennials Are Thrifting Their Gifts—And The Best Secondhand Gifts To Give
Experience Gifts for Sightseers
The Go City Pass offers national and international trips that make visiting famous landmarks easy and affordable. Prices vary, gocity.com
Experience Gifts for Learners
With more than 60 online classes (and an average of 24 lessons in each) taught by world-famous experts—cooking classes with Gordon Ramsay, film directing with Ron Howard, the art of writing with James Patterson—MasterClass offers eGifts for individual courses or all-access subscriptions. $15 per month, masterclass.com
Experience Gifts for the American Explorer
Know an outdoor adventurer in need of some sightseeing action? The America the Beautiful Annual Pass allows entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks, forests and wildlife refuges. $80, usgs.gov
Experience Gifts for Broadway Lovers
With a subscription to BroadwayHD, which includes filmed productions of favorites like Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music, Kinky Boots and more, you’ll gift the magic of theater wherever there’s internet. $9 per month or $100 per year, broadwayhd.com
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Experience Gifts for Travelers
Cover boarding expenses with an Airbnb Gift Card. With hosts across the country, a cozy stay is a click away. Gift cards are available at grocery stories and Amazon or through PayPal. And be sure to check out Airbnb Experiences! $25–$200, amazon.com
Experience Gifts for Movie Lovers
While film and television companies test the waters with subscription services, Regal, it seems, has figured it out. With the Regal Unlimited Movie Subscription Pass, cinema-goers can enjoy unlimited movies, discounted food and drinks and more. $18–$24 per month, regmovies.com
Experience Gifts for Ride Sharers
These days, rideshare is the way to get around. Thankfully, Lyft makes it easy to give the gift of transportation. lyft.com/gift
Experience Gifts for Vinyl Fans
We all know someone who yearns for the sound of music on vinyl. Encourage that nostalgia with a membership to Vinyl Me, Please, where members receive a new vinyl LP suited to their taste every month in the mail. Starting at $99, vinylmeplease.com
Experience Gifts for Concert-goers
Applicable to any event (music, theater, sports), Ticketmaster Gift Cards (to Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, for instance) will have concertgoers jumping for joy. $25–$250, ticketmaster.com/giftcards
Experience Gifts for Wannabe Divers
How about a swim? PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) offers e-courses to get a potential diver on the road to deep-sea diving certification. With over 6,600 PADI dive centers across the globe, an e-course is the perfect way to learn more than just cannonballs. From $178, padi.com
