Gift-giving is truly an ~art form~. It requires knowing your giftee well enough to make some calculated (sometimes bold) assumptions about what they could like. If you just so happen to be a perfectionist (hi, guilty), the thought of getting it wrong is heartbreaking and something we’d prefer to avoid altogether. At the end of the day, no matter how much time and effort you put into finding the absolutely, positively perfect personalized gift idea for your loved one, there’s a very real possibility it’ll probably still get tossed after a handful of uses or lost in the never-ending whirlwind of consumerism (lol… but seriously, though).
So if you’d rather spend your hard-earned money on something thoughtful like an experience gift rather than something material, no matter how alluring that luxury gift might be—you’ve come to the right place. To be fair, certain tangible items can double as an experience gift (you’ll see what we mean when you check out the list below). That’s right, we’ve searched high and low for the best 45 experience gifts to give anyone and everyone.
From fun adventures that will help them make memories with the people they love (like moonlit outdoor outings and ultra-luxe vacations at the world’s sexiest hotels) to cool ideas you can give to your mom this Mother’s Day for them to enjoy solo (like clothing, flower, or wine subscription boxes), these are the experience gifts that truly keep on giving. Whether you’re trying to impress that special someone or shopping for that one friend who already has everything and doesn’t need more meaningless stuff, giving them one of these 45 best experience gifts is 100 percent the way to go.
For the person who has always wanted to learn how how to play the ukulele or guitar, this starter package will teach 'em the ropes. It includes a uke, a case, a clip-on tuner, a hook-on strap, a learn-to-play booklet, a microfiber polishing cloth, two picks, and an extra string. Watch them be a pro in no time!
Arts and crafts, but make it an ~adult version~. This fun, monthly subscription box is filled with materials to create a vibrant home decor project. It's perfect for the person in your life who loves a good DIY moment.
Are they already fans of ALO Yoga's clothing line? Go a step further and gift them a six-month membership to Alo Moves, which includes unlimited access to thousands of on-demand classes in yoga, fitness, and mindfulness.
5
An at-home liquor aging barrel
Marcellin Charred American White Oak Mini Aging Barrel
5
An at-home liquor aging barrel
Marcellin Charred American White Oak Mini Aging Barrel
With this mini aging barrel, your giftee will feel like they have a distillery in their home. They can age any liquor they want, like brandy and whiskey or even rum and tequila. All they have to do is cure the barrel to ensure it's sealed with no gaps, fill it with their fave spirit, and within two to three weeks, they can have a perfectly aged drink poured straight from the barrel.
Who wouldn't love having a fresh manicure and pedicure set on the regular? This membership has them covered and will ensure they never leave the house with chipped nails (unless they're heading straight to the salon that is).
With this super cool gadget, anyone can fully immerse themselves in a whole universe of virtual experiences. They'll have access to over 350 titles across gaming, fitness, social, and other entertainment platforms. And they’ll even be able to virtually attend live events like concerts and panels.
8
A luxe charcuterie subscription
Williams Sonoma 3 Months of Cheese and Charcuterie Subscription
8
A luxe charcuterie subscription
Williams Sonoma 3 Months of Cheese and Charcuterie Subscription
There's nothing like coming home to a delicious charcuterie board. With this yummy three-month subscription, you can send your friend a variety of themed boxes that include some of the world's finest cheeses, meats, and crackers.
For the outdoorsy person in your life, treat them to a fun moonlit adventure. With REI Events, they can enjoy a guided three-hour hike to experience the beauty of nature after dark. All they have to do is bring their comfy shoes or hiking boots, and REI will provide headlamps, flashlights, and a great time under the stars.
We know what you're thinking, a gift card? Really? But hear us out. With a StubHub gift card, they can put money towards buying a ticket to practically any show they want (*hint hint* like Taylor Swift’s the Eras tour). So they can finally see their fave band on tour or watch their home sports team play live. Either way, it'll be an experience they'll never forget.
Treat your loved ones to a weekend away from it all with Getaway House. The company has over 25 outpost sites throughout the US that all feature tiny house-style cabins in a quiet and secluded woodland area. While surrounded by mother nature—and with very little cell reception—they’ll have the chance to disconnect from the world and their devices to spend quality time with one another.
12
A night of homemade sushi
Honolulu Fish Company Japan Nigiri & Maki Sushi Set
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A night of homemade sushi
Honolulu Fish Company Japan Nigiri & Maki Sushi Set
The sushi lover on your list will adore this sushi-making kit. From a pound of Hawaiian bigeye tuna and king salmon to sushi rice and a bamboo mat, this kit has everything they need to learn how to make authentic sushi rolls from home.
If treating them to an all-expenses-paid trip is out of budget, go for the second best thing: money towards their next flight via a Delta Airlines gift card. The trusted airline flies to over 275 destinations across six continents, so they’ll be sure to find a place they wanna visit.
If you want to seriouslyyyy impress with a one-of-a-kind present, check out Tinggly’s extensive collection of experience and getaway gift boxes available in more than 100 countries (!!!) around the world. When you send this birthday-themed one, the lucky recipient will get to choose from more than 1,500 activities and book it at their convenience.
Set up your loved one with a personalized video message from their favorite musician, reality TV star, internet personality, or even politician (???). They'll be so stoked to hear, "Happy birthday!" or "Happy holidays!" from the notable figure you guys always share memes about. Prices start at $50.
Invite your S.O. to go on a series of "adventures" with you. This book will be your guide—you just won't know exactly what adventure you're about to go on until you scratch it off. We love spontaneity! It even comes with a cute lil film camera so you can document allll the mems, too.
Why is it that when I hear the words “experience gift” my mind goes straight to skydiving? If yours does, too, then you need to grab your fun friend and take them indoor skydiving. And of course, not having to jump out of a plane is a bonus.
Whether you choose to gift weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, flower deliveries are kinda like the original experience gift. Who doesn't love a constant stream of fresh, delicious-smelling blooms? Plus, the service is available nationwide and free shipping is included with each send.
From stargazing to watching the sunrise, this can is full of all the best date night ideas for making memories. Once you two cross one off, write the date on the back of the stick and move on to the next.
Rent the Runway users receive a shipment of designer clothes and accessories every month, and yes, it is just as thrilling as it sounds. It’s a more sustainable and budget-friendly way to shop that the fashionista in your life will appreciate.
Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram.
Mekita Rivas is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. She writes about everything from the best leather totes and books she can't put down to plants, podcasts, and politics. Prior to joining Cosmopolitan, she was a senior contributing fashion editor at PopSugar and Bustle. Her writing has been published in dozens of publications including The New York Times, Vogue, Harper's BAZAAR, Women's Health, Refinery29, and others. She currently splits her time between New York City and Washington, D.C. Follow Mekita on Instagram, where you'll typically find a mix of her snapshots from fashion week and various editor travels.
Hanna Flanagan is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, sharing her recommendations for everything from denim and eye creams to coffee mugs and silk sheets. Before joining Cosmopolitan, she wrote fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content at People (so, yes, she’s basically a professional product tester at this point). Follow her on Instagram for photos of Timothée Chalamet and #OOTD mirror pics.