Experience-Based Gifts: Unique Budget-Friendly Gift Ideas
Table of Contents hide“Fill your life with adventures, not things.
Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.”
Alright, let’s face it. As special occasions like Valentine’s Day or your anniversary approach, the pressure mounts because finding a thoughtful gift idea becomes a real challenge.
Your heart races, your palms get sweaty, and you might even find yourself tugging at your hair.
You start contemplating various scenarios:
- Dinner? Too common. (yawn)
- Flowers? Cliché.
- Chocolate? Tempting, but extra calories are a no-go.
- Another tie? BO-RING!
Consider stepping away from physical gifts for a truly memorable celebration and opt for a unique, experience-based gift.
EXPERIENCE-BASED GIFTS VS. PHYSICAL GIFTS
What is an experience-based gift?
In simple terms, it’s a gift involving an activity or participation, commonly known as an “experience” – be it a tour, excursion, class, outing, or date.
Why choose an experience-based gift over a physical one?
There are several compelling reasons:
- 81% of Americans prefer experience-based gifts over physical ones! [Source: Sparefoot blog]
- Experiences are more memorable and can be tailored to the recipient(s).
- Shared experiences foster a stronger bond between the giver and receiver.
- No need for extra storage space.
- In a world drowning in “stuff,” many are embracing minimalist lifestyles.
And these are just a few reasons!
[bctt tweet=”Studies show that 81% of Americans would rather receive experience-based gifts than physical gifts.” username=”whereisatb”]
HOW TO CREATE AN EXPERIENCE-BASED GIFT
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Crafting an experience for your loved one doesn’t have to be daunting. Follow these simple steps:
- Determine your budget (yes, memorable experiences can be created on a small budget too!)
- Consider the recipient’s passions and interests.
- Research the chosen area for available experiences, whether you’re staying local or going to another destination.
- Make necessary arrangements – reservations, purchases, etc.
- Drop hints to that special someone’s interest.
- Share an amazing experience!
SOME EXPERIENCE-BASED GIFT IDEAS FOR YOU
Designing a unique, memorable experience is easier than you think. The possibilities are endless.
If your gift recipient is:
- Outdoor Enthusiast -> Take them on a hike, rock climbing, or camping
- Wine Lover -> Take them on an outing to a local winery
- Foodie -> Take them to a popular new restaurant or a cooking class
For a truly unique and memorable experience-based gift, combine several ideas:
- Rock Climbing + Couples Massage + Dinner
- Hike + Picnic + Camping
- Self-Guided Walking Tour + Photo Shoot
- Cooking Class + Bed and Breakfast Stay
- Brunch + Tour of Wineries
There’s no limit to how creative you can get!
MONEY-SAVING RESOURCES
Now that you have ideas, let’s talk about keeping costs down. Check out these money-saving resources:
- Airbnb Experiences – Find fun and unique activities at your destination.
- BedandBreakfast.com – Discover top B&Bs, inns, and more.
- Groupon – Score discounts on restaurants, tours, hotels, getaways, and more.
- Meetup – Connect with like-minded people (some events are free and some charge a fee).
- Rakuten (formerly Ebates) – An online shopping portal where you can earn cashback on your purchases.
- Restaurant.com – Snag discounted restaurant coupons.
- Slick Deals – The go-to community for sharing, rating, and reviewing deals and coupons.
- Volunteer Match – Find the right nonprofit to match your interests.
Armed with this information, I hope you feel ready to confidently plan a fun, memorable experience for your special someone.
These are such great ideas. I love to give experiences for presents. Everyone has just too much clutter these days.
I agree, Kathy. I’m continually trying to purge my stuff. My most cherished memories are things I’ve done, not things I’ve been given (except for my DSLR camera that I use to take the pictures for this blog ;)) Glad you liked this post. Let me know if it helped you come up with an experience-based gift and what it was.
Oh I Love this even though I presently have no sweetie. Be mine. LOL.
Well, even though you don’t have a sweetie NOW, you’ll be prepared when he comes along. Until then, I’ll be your Valentine <3
Amy,
This is another fantastic post! Good for more than Valentine’s Day for sure. Thanks for the great ideas. #yougogirl
Thanks, Jodie! If you use any of the ideas in the post to celebrate with your honey, I’d love to hear about it. Happy Valentine’s Day (and thanks for reading and commenting)!
Great post! Wonderful ideas that won’t break the bank and add more clutter to our lives and spaces. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hey, Liana. Thanks for the feedback! I’m personally trying to live a more minimalist life with less stuff. Experiences are definitely my preference over things.