At SheBuysTravel, we value memories over merchandise. And we believe the best way to make memories is through travel and shared experiences. Yes, choosing the right gift experience requires more thought than buying a gift card, but the memories will last a lifetime. These are our favorite gift experiences — ones that we have given, received or put on our wish list this year.
“My favorite and most memorable memories with my grandparents were when we traveled together. My grandfather suddenly passed away when I was 17 and I’ve always been so grateful for those moments we had together. Those moments are more valuable than any ‘thing’ he could have given me.”
– SheBuysTravel contributor Breeze Leonard
1. CityPASS
Have friends or family who love to travel? Or who live near a city they’d like to explore more? CityPASS mobile tickets get you into a city’s major attractions. Available in 17 cities from San Francisco to Orlando, Atlanta to Toronto, New York City to Houston, CityPASS is best for folks who have travel plans or who have time to explore. Once you use your first admission you’ve got 7-9 days to use the rest.
2. Tinggly Travel Experiences
This Tinggly box is hands-down my favorite gift. It’s like handing someone a ticket to unforgettable experiences. It offers more than 10,000 options across 100+ countries so the person you gift it to gets to pick the place and adventure that excites them most. SheBuysTravel contributor Breeze Leonard gave this to her friend and shared her experience here.
Read More: Tinggly Review: Where Experiences Trump Stuff Every Time
3. Professional Photos
What better way to celebrate family than with photos? As a mom, I am usually the one taking the pictures, so I’m rarely in the family photos. Or there are unflattering selfie angles involved.
One of my favorite gifts I ever gave was to my sister. She and her husband went on a trip to Europe prior to starting their family. I was able to book a session through Flytographer to have their photos taken in Paris. The result? Stunning images of them with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Flytographer operates in most major cities both domestic and international. So whether you’re heading to San Francisco, New York City, San Antonio, Paris, Dublin, Moscow or Athens, you’ll be able to find a Flytographer.
SheBuysTravel Tip: USE CODE: FLY25 to get $25 off your first booking with Flytographer!
4. Spa Day
Give the gift of relaxation and send your loved one to the spa. We use Groupon to find the best deals on spa treatments and packages.
5. Waterpark Passes
A day at the waterpark doesn’t just have to be a summer fun item! Indoor waterparks like Great Wolf Lodge, Epic Waters, and more can make any day a swim day.
6. Movie Theater Gift Cards
In addition to gifting movie tickets or gift cards, you can also give someone the gift of Disney+. This is great for grandparents who watch their grandchildren. They’ll be able to stream those older Disney classics and enjoy watching them together with a new generation.
7. Indoor Skydiving
This is a great gift experience for teens on your list. Indoor skydiving spots like iFly have locations nationwide and will allow kids 6 and up to “fly.” Give the gift of adrenaline to your favorite active kiddo! You can normally find a great deal on this experience through Groupon.
8. Stadium Tours
Grab a ticket to tour the home of your favorite sports fan’s team.
9. Escape Room Gift Card
Not sure what to get for a group of people? Maybe you have older nieces and nephews who are hard to buy for. Well, an escape room experience is perfect. Not only will they have a blast (and maybe bring you) but they’ll have fun making memories together and working as a team.
10. Float Tank
Ever heard of sensory deprivation tanks? Floating is a fun new trend that checks different boxes for different folks. Some may head to the float tank to relax and shut off their mind for a bit. For others, the zero gravity feeling helps with back aches and sore joints. Although there are chains like Just Float and Urban Float, we’ve found Groupon to be one of the best places to look for these deals. You can usually snag a multi-float package for the price of one float. Admittedly, floating can be a weird sensation so trying it more than once is advised.
11. Membership to a Museum, Aquarium or Zoo
Memberships are a great gift idea. They allow the recipient access to that museum, zoo or aquarium. As a bonus, if the local organization is part of a national reciprocal admission program, they can get in free to those spots as well! So grab an art museum membership for Grandma, a zoo membership for your niece and an aquarium membership for your daughter. The best part? A portion of the membership also qualifies as a tax deduction.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Planning a child’s birthday party? If you’re considering hosting the party at a museum, aquarium or zoo, buy a membership first! Members often get discounts, preferred time slots and more. You could save on the cost of a zoo birthday party plus get a year of visits.
12. Disney Annual Pass
Yes. This is a BIG gift that isn’t in most people’s budget. BUT if you can afford it, this makes an amazing experience gift! We purchase all our tickets and passes through GetAwayToday.
13. National Park Pass
Some of our favorite memories (and stories) take place in National Parks. Set your loved ones on the right path with a National Parks annual pass so they can indulge in the natural beauty of the United States.
14. Ski Passes
Whether they’re beginning skiers or seasoned shredders, passes for skiing or equipment rentals will always be welcome.
15. Babbel Language App Subscription
If your significant other or parent is always looking to better themselves the gift of language immersion can pay off in big ways. They’ll think of you when they’re putting their new-found skills to work.
16. A Special Food Experience
Food-related experiences can bond family members. Book a high tea, a tasting menu, or dinner at a special pop-up restaurant to take advantage of the company and conversation.
“Instead of tangibles this year, I gifted my pre-teen nieces and sister-in-law an afternoon ‘high tea.’ Something local and not super extravagant, but different and memorable. Great opportunity for bonding and conversation with that age group.”
– Lauren Bruce
17. Meal Box Subscription
Most meal box services will allow you to purchase and email a gift online making this an easy option when you’re not nearby. Then they can set up delivery for when it fits their schedule.
Our favorites are Hellofresh and Home Chef.
Event Tickets
Do you have a nephew who loves sports? Grab tickets to a game. A sister who loves to laugh? Look for a local comedy show. To make the gift longer lasting, consider season tickets to minor league teams. The cost is minimal for a season’s worth of fun. We buy all our event tickets at TicketSmarter.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Know someone who loves the holiday season? Here are our favorite places to see the Nutcracker Ballet.
“For Christmas 2019, I wanted to gift my parents something more meaningful than a new sweater or a cute platter. So I bought them a gift certificate to the TKTS booth in New York. Growing up, I saw so many Broadway shows with my mom and grandmother and later with my stepfather too, so I loved the idea of giving them something that was so meaningful to me as a child. The best part is that since it’s the TKTS booth — which we used to frequent — they can spontaneously go, choose a show and have a good time in New York.”
– Sarah Caron
18. Disney on Ice
Not everyone can make it to Orlando or Anaheim to experience Disney magic at one of the theme parks. So Disney brings the magic to a town near you in the form of its Disney on Ice touring shows. Trust us, the grandkids will love seeing Mickey and Minnie on skates! The memories you make together will last even longer than the songs stay stuck in your head.
A Trip
We’d all be excited to unwrap a trip! Some of our favorite trips were ones we took together instead of trading gifts to celebrate a holiday. A multi-gen cruise is just right for giving big extended families time together to linger over dinner, with plenty of activities to keep everyone busy during the day. Or rent a big ol’ house on the beach or near the slopes. Spend the days playing and the evenings cooking together, playing board games and reconnecting.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Looking for the best countries to visit with kids? We have some ideas.
“My family took a Christmas cruise 10 years in a row so we could enjoy being together as opposed to the stress that comes with the holidays. We brought both sets of parents, and siblings. Each person brought a $10 gift that could be packed to open in a White Elephant Christmas brunch. Those are our favorite Christmas memories to date.”
– Melody Pittman
“My best friend took me to a weekend wellness retreat for my birthday. Not only was it filled with good food, great exercise and peaceful yoga, I got the gift of 48 hours to spend with her!”
– Cindy Richards
19. Priority Pass or Airline Lounge Access
This is the gift for someone who has a big trip planned or who travels frequently. Make that trip extra special with Priority Pass or, if you know their travel plans, passes to a specific airline lounge. Nothing says “I love you” like giving them the gift of peace, serenity, free wifi and unlimited snacks during a long layover.
20. Disney Gift Cards
If you’ve got Disney lovers who are planning a trip to see Mickey Mouse, give them Disney gift cards they can use on a Disney Vacation. You can buy Disney gift cards at Target and save 5% when you use your RedCard!
“My parents gave us Disney gift cards for Christmas one year. My husband and kids and I had a planned Disney Cruise right after New Year’s and the gift cards paid for our spa treatments. They’ve gifted us in the past with season passes to water parks/theme parks.”
– Jill Robbins
What is your favorite gift experience to give? Have you ever received one? Let us know about it!
