20 Gift Ideas that Aren't Things

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I’m a huge advocate for gifts that aren’t things.

In fact, when anyone asks what’s on my gift list I have a hard time answering because the true answer is that I don’t want more things. I want experiences, I want memories, I want adventures. I don’t want just another dust collector. And chances are, if there is something I actually need, I’ve probably gone ahead and just gotten for myself {Can you tell patience is not my strong suit?!}.

Dave and I stopped gifting products to each other a long time ago. In place of things, we now use our gift money towards meals at favorite restaurants, fun classes we can experience together, and, most importantly, trips. While I know this might not be the case for everyone, personally, experiential gifts are my favorite thing. While a gifted sweater may now have holes or a candle may have burned out or a set of dishes is long gone, the memories of a good meal, a skill learned at a class or an unforgettable trip never fade away.

I also love gifting experiential gifts because they feel more personal, like you took the time to really consider the recipient and get something that is meaningful, something they will actually care about versus just grabbing whatever was on the shelf at your local department store. It also reduces waste because it’s not some thing in plastic packaging that needs to be wrapped up in paper that will most likely get thrown away. So really it’s just a win all around.

While there are no shortage of experiential gifts, I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite gift ideas that aren’t things, below, to help get you started.

1. A date at the movies {tickets + snacks}

2. A class {cooking, pottery, candle making, art}

3. A meal at the recipient’s favorite restaurant

4. A spa day

5. A trip

6. Airline miles

7. Airline gift card

8. A hotel or home rental gift card

9. Horseback riding

10. Music lessons

11. Language lessons

12. Tickets for a tour {such as a ghost tour or a historical tour}

13. Tickets to a concert

14. Tickets to a museum or gallery

15. A donation in their name

16. Membership to a museum

17. A pass to the national parks

18. A giftcard to Skillshare

19. A gift card for the recipient’s favorite workout studio/ClassPass

20. A photography session

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