18 best experience gifts to give this year
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
With the holiday season here, it's time to start thinking of a gift that will truly be appreciated. Experiences can build lasting memories that people will cherish for years to come. Though you can find the perfect gifts for mom or your sister, sometimes it's hard to find something special for loved ones that can be hard to shop for.
Gifts got you stumped? Sign up for Reviewed’s newsletter to get last-minute gift ideas and other holiday tips from shopping experts.
That's why we've rounded up the best unique gifts and experiences for your favorite person. From the a coffee subscription for caffeine lovers to REI kayak lessons for nature lovers, there's something here for every kind of person on your list to shop for.
â–ºThe ultimate holiday gift guide: Shop the best gift ideas for everyone on your list
â–ºMore experience gifts: Best experience gifts for kids
The best experience gift ideas
Travel experiences
Food and drink experiences
Experiences for homebodies
Adventurous experiences
Creative experiences
Concert and sporting experiences
Travel experiences
1. For the traveler: Booking.com
Does your favorite person love traveling? Give them the unforgettable gift of a hotel stay in their favorite destination, whether it be a big city, small beach town or somewhere remote. You can book a villa in Orlando or Myrtle Beach or five-star hotels in Los Angeles, Maui, Sydney and more.
2. For the relaxer: Resort Pass gift card
Give your giftee a daycation with a gift card from Resort Pass. They can browse through hotels and resorts in different locations in the US, Mexico, Bermuda and more. Your giftee can choose to enjoy fantastic water parks in Texas or relax by the beach in Hawaii.
3. For activity seekers: Airbnb experiences
Airbnb experiences will be unforgettable! Give your loved ones the gift of experiencing an activity in their respective city. They can learn how to salsa dance, design T-shirts, take a hot air balloon ride and more.
Food and drink experiences
4. For the one who likes learning new skills: Uncommon Goods experiences
Choose from a variety of experience gifts from Uncommon Goods. Whatever interests your giftee has, you'll find them here, from learning how to bake the Scandinavian way to how to make bubble tea. Your favorite foodie will be thrilled with this gift.
5. For the wine lover: Winc wine subscription
Your favorite wine lover will enjoy a subscription to Winc. Choose between a one, two or three month subscription, and your giftee will receive merlot, chardonnay rosé and more. Our editor loves Winc's ability to find delicious wine that suits your interests.
6. For the coffee lover: Driftaway virtual coffee tasting
Give the gift of coffee with a Driftaway subscription to your favorite coffee lover. It's one of our favorite coffee subscriptions because it has extremely accurate tasting notes. Your giftee can expand their palate with a collection of freshly roasted and curated single-origin beans with in-depth taste. The virtual tastings are done all in the comfort of their home!
Experience gifts for homebodies
7. For the new skills learner: MasterClass subscription
Your giftee can learn from experts in their field right from home! Give the gift of a subscription to MasterClass where the worlds best teach their skills. We love MasterClass for lighting that spark inside you. From learning how to song write from John Legend to creating a personal brand for yourself from Kris Jenner, there's a skill set for anyone.
8. For the mystery lover: Hunt a killer subscription
Our editor is hooked on the Hunt a Killer subscription because of the fun and immersive experience. Each interactive mystery box will be filled with clues from a fictional cold case murder which you will then solve over six months. Give the gift of mystery with a subscription to Hunt a Killer!
From $28 a month at Hunt a Killer
9. For the movie night lover: A popcorn variety set
Amp up movie night with this Urban Accents popcorn variety set! Flavors include white cheddar, sweet and salty kettle corn, chili lime, buttery caramel and sizzling sriracha gourmet. It's the perfect foodie gift.
Adventurous experiences
10. For the exciting family game night lover: Adventure Challenge scratch-off book
Boring family board game nights are a thing of the past! Find 50 exciting family adventures and challenges like baking an apple pie blindfolded or painting on a unique canvas with The Adventure Challenge Scratch-off Book. You'll have a wonderful scrapbook filled with the best memories.
11. For the kayaker: REI Kayak lessons
Does your giftee have an interest in kayaking? Gift them with a REI kayaking class with options in Arizona, Colorado and more. The tours will take them through beautiful lakes and rivers.
12. For the nature lover: REI America The Beautiful Pass
Gift your loved one a REI America Pass that allows them access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country, including all ofnational parks. Your giftee will be able to explore nature's beauty with ease.
13. For the risk taker: Tinggly adrenaline experiences
Know someone who likes to live on the edge? Then give them an adrenaline-filled gift and plant trees with a Tinggly gift box. They can choose one of 100s of fantastic activities to try, around the world, at a time and place that suits them.
Creative experiences
14. For the artist: Art classes
Is your giftee interested in art? Then give them the gift of an art class from Skillshare, with options like drawing, watercolor or painting. They can join students and learn basic painting skills or 3D drawing and perspective.
From $32 a month at Skillshare
15. For the muscian: Guitar lessons
Has a loved one always wanted to learn how to play guitar? Look no further than a subscription to Fender. Whether your giftee has two hours or two minutes, they've got lessons that fit their schedule and a personalized path so they can track their progress and play on their own time.
Concerts and sporting events
16. For the concert goer: Stubhub gift card
If your giftee loves attending concerts, sports events, theatre shows and more, then give them the gift of experiencing a fun night or day out. With tickets from Stub Hub, you can get your favorite person seats at a football game or a comedy show.
17. For the entertainment lover: Ticket City tickets
With a TicketCity ticket, your loved one can go to their favorite concert or sporting event. TicketCity offers tickets to over 100,000 events so you can easily find something your giftee will appreciate.
18. For the event lover: Ticket Master tickets
Give the gift of live with tickets from Ticketmaster! Choose from various events and top attractions throughout the U.S., so whether you’re shopping for a fan of music, comedy, theater, sports or festivals, they've got you covered. It's the perfect gift for anyone.
More gifts they'll love
Gifts for women: 50 best gift ideas for women in 2022
Gifts for foodies: Delicious food gifts for the foodie in your life
Gifts for fitness buffs: Best fitness & workout gifts of 2022
Gifts for men: 50 amazing gifts men actually want
Best gifts for kids: 58 gifts kids actually want in 2022
Luxury gifts: 30 luxury gifts people are obsessing over in 2022
Gifts under $100: 50 best gifts under $100
Unique gifts: Best gifts for everyone at Uncommon Goods
Best experience gifts: Experience gifts for someone who has everything
Gifts for wine lovers: 20+ gifts for the wine lover in your life
Gifts for beauty lovers: The best holiday beauty gift sets in 2022
Internet famous gifts: Tiktok products worth gifting this holiday season
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: 18 experience gifts and experience gift ideas
