Holiday Gift Guide: Experience Gifts

Sugar Snap

As much as I love the digital aspect of social media, there’s something special about printed photos. Sugar Snap is the best of both worlds, where you can get printed photos directly from your phone or your Instagram feed. Then, pick a photo project or print goodies for yourself or someone else for a really special memory gift. Creative, DIY gifts are great on their own, but supporting a female-owned business (say hey to Layla, the 11 year-old CEO) is even better.

Create Your Own Comic Book

This is the coolest gift for any little kiddo on your list. Lulu Jr. allows children to write and illustrate their own story, either as a comic book or story book. Once they complete the kit, pop it in the mail and in a few weeks, they’ll receive a professionally printed version of their book. I think this is a great pick for a kid who loves to draw, write, read, or tell stories.

Home IPA Brewing Kit

This is the perfect gift for a beer lover on your list. Craft A Brew has some other great options as well if you’re looking for even more varieties of home brewing or winemaking kits. Williams Sonoma also carries a bunch of other kits depending on your taste—gin, tequila, whiskey, pale ale, bubbly, you name it. They even have food kits, like cheesemaking or pickling. 10/10 a super fun experience gift.

Grandparent + Grandchild Pen Pal Kit

This holiday season has been hard for everyone, especially when it means being away from those who mean most to you. This is a great gift option to keep communication open between the kiddos and grandparents. This pen pal kit includes four back-and-forth correspondence flat cards, four unique letterhead sheets and eight envelopes to mail back and forth. Everyone loves a friendly note, and this is an extra special one that brings joy beyond Christmas morning.

Headspace

With stress and anxiety at an all-time high this year, give the gift of mindfulness at home. Headspace is an app with a full library of themed meditation courses, daily practices, sleep sounds, and bedtime relaxation exercises. The first two weeks are completely free, then just about $6 per month if you subscribe annually. This is a really thoughtful gift for a busy friend or family member looking to take some time to slow down. Pair a subscription with some yummy teas, an essential oil diffuser, or a journal for a completely customized self care gift.

Revel DIY Craft Kits

One of my favorite local businesses is Revel DIY Craft Bar located in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. Sarah, the Chief Confetti Officer, is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet, with such a creative spirit. Since quarantine happened, she’s offered DIY craft kits that you can do from home. She has holiday-themed kits available now, from etched drinking glasses, holiday decor and more. Complete one on your own to give the final product to a friend, or ship the craft box straight to someone you love for a fun afternoon or date night gift for others to participate in.

At-Home Escape Room

Escape Rooms are a BLAST, hands down one of my favorite activities to do with others. There’s now an option to create your own at home. Thames & Kosmos has a TON of themes for at-home escape rooms (check out some reviews), along with other adventure-based gifts. Gift “Exit The Game” to the family, your roommates, or a quarantine buddy to create a fun evening at home. Want to upgrade it a bit? Gift it with a six pack of beer or maybe a charcuterie board kit to complete this game night gift.

Audible

I wish I had the attention span to sit down and read a book. I used to be able to do it, but now, I prefer podcasts or listening to something while driving or getting things done at home. If you can think of someone similar, a subscription to Audible might be a great gift idea. Audible is the world’s largest library of audiobooks, podcasts and more. From top titles to the classics, you’ll find almost any book genre you can think of in audio form. Audible is free for 30 days and just $14.95 per month after that. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, there are even more perks. Pair this gift with some new earbuds for a nice themed gift. Get after it!