Stuck staring at your gift list? Experience-based gifts are a thoughtful way to create lasting memories, and BBB has tips to help you shop smart and give with confidence this holiday season.
- Holiday shopping tips
- Buying an artificial Christmas tree
- BBB Tip: Pro tips for smart Black Friday shopping
- How to support Small Business Saturday
- Pro tips for a successful Cyber Monday
- Holiday budgeting tips
- Holiday pop-up shops
- Holiday returns and exchanges
- Giving end-of-year tips to service professionals
- Shop like a pro and make the most of this holiday season
- A shopper's guide to advent calendars
- Deck the halls the thrifty way
- Give the gift of making memories this holiday season
Meaningful gifts don't have to come in a box.
With concerns that product prices will rise this season due to tariffs, consumers may be looking for different gift options.
What you'll learn:
- What it means to gift someone an "experience."
- Tips for being creative with your experience gifts.
- How to shop smart when buying an experience for someone.
Gifting “experiences” can be an excellent way for your recipient to create memories that last longer than material goods. These gifts are often surprises and a great way to save money.
What sort of "experiences" are we talking about?
- Give the gift of a local adventure. Think about where your gift recipient lives. Do an online search for some fun activities or locations in the area. Consider looking at theatres, concert venues, or sporting venues and purchasing tickets to an upcoming event or show. You can even top off the gift with an additional surprise dinner reservation and a gift card to the restaurant.
- Learning can be fun, too! Many cities have restaurants that offer cooking classes and wine tastings, or unique small businesses that provide art workshops and DIY-type classes. If your gift recipient is a crafty, hands-on person, this gift will surely be a hit!
- Family gifts for the year ahead. If you’re shopping for a family with children, consider looking at memberships to local zoos, museums, nature centers, or aquariums. These memberships can last a few months or up to a full year, meaning your gift can keep giving well past the holiday season!
- Wrap up wellness and relaxation. Spa gift cards, yoga passes, a fitness class pass, or a subscription to a meditation app are all great options for someone who loves to relax and rejuvenate.
- For the charitable one. If you have someone in your life who is passionate about giving back to the community, consider making a donation to their favorite nonprofit or setting up a volunteer day for an upcoming event that supports a favorite cause.
Now that you have some ideas in mind, BBB has tips for how to shop smart for these experiences:
- Check reviews before buying. If you’re buying an experience for someone in an area you’re not familiar with, doing your research is key. Look up customer reviews on various websites, including BBB.org. Look for the BBB Seal to find BBB Accredited Businesses. With experience-type gifts, customer reviews can give you a good idea of whether the experience is worth gifting.
- Plan ahead for any holiday-related experiences. If you’re gifting a holiday-related experience, like a holiday show or an outdoor lights experience, buy your tickets in advance so they don’t sell out. This is also a great time to consider making your “experience” gift a group event where the whole family can join!
- Purchase directly from the source. It’s a good idea to buy your gift directly from the business instead of going through a third-party vendor. Sometimes, experiences sold in tourist-heavy locations on third-party sites can be scams.
- Check restrictions and expiration dates. If you’re buying a gift card, voucher, or certificate for an experience, communicate any restrictions or expiration dates to your recipient so they know when and how to use the gift. Oftentimes, the recipient will schedule their experience on the date of their choice, so it will be important that they know how to do this.
- Read refund and cancellation policies. If the event is postponed or cancelled, get the details on what happens next so you can notify your recipient. If this happens, consider gifting a different experience with the refunded money.
- Watch for hidden fees. Booking costs or service charges can add up. If you want to save money on gifting an experience, look for options that don’t include extra fees.
- Use a credit card for better protection. Credit cards usually offer protection against scams and fake websites when purchasing online.
For more information:
Visit BBB’s Holiday HQ for more holiday tips.
Know the signs of common scams when shopping for the holiday season.