An Exotic Adventure That Gives Back
For someone you like A LOT — or if you have a bigger budget — purchase a fishing trip or, if you want to go all out, a Balinese adventure from IfOnly . Don’t worry, for each experience sold a donation is made to one of dozens of charities they support.
Jan Reynolds
image
A Thematic Weekend Getaway
If you’re really into packages with a theme — think sports enthusiast or all in the family — check out the steep offerings at Britespokes. We’re really into the idea of a weekend getaway to New Orleans, complete with Creole cooking class.
Courtesy of Brite Spokes
image
Travel Experience Gift Cards
Buy someone special an experience they’ll never forget when they travel to cities around the country, not to mention London, Paris and Cancun buy giving them a gift card from Peek.com for everything from DJ classes to a sunset sail in Hawaii.
Courtesy of Peek.com
image
A Homemade Meal Without The Fuss
Have a friend who loves to cook, but needs a break? Give them a gift from Plated. Your friend gets to choose their menu, select a delivery date and enjoy making a fresh meal at home (without having to do any of the shopping). Plated delivers to 80 percent of the continental United States, so just check to make sure your recipient’s zip code is in their delivery zone.
Thomas Barwick via Getty Images
image
A New Bottle Of Whiskey Every Month
Gift a Taster’s Club membership and get a bottle of great whiskey every month (including Scotch and Bourbon), and learn all about it.
OsakaWayne Studios via Getty Images
image
Restaurant Gift Cards
Have a friend who loves trying out all the newest restaurants? Tell them the next one’s on you. Buy gift credits from national sites like OpenTable, or just order a gift certificate directly from your recipient’s favorite restaurant. (Some restaurant groups, like Danny Meyers’ Union Square Hospitality Group, offer certificates that can be used at any of the group’s restaurants.)
Preappy via Getty Images
image
A Knife Skills Class
Most amateur cooks’ lives could be made SO much easier if only they had better knife skills. Check out your local culinary school for classes, or even local cooking stores that host instructional lessons.
archives via Getty Images
image
Fresh Flowers Subscription
Flower Muse is the DIY version of your typical mail-order flower shop and perfect for the person who loves fresh blooms. The recipient has the opportunity to select the flowers, which come directly from a farm, and style however he or she wants. Take this subscription of roses, for example. The company’s blog has lots of pretty ideas on how to arrange them.
Jeremy Woodhouse via Getty Images
image
Crafts Galore For The DIY Enthusiast
Whimsey Box will deliver materials straight to your loved one’s home. Or for someone who might want a little help a long the way, a gift certificate to a Craftsy online class might be just the thing.
Melissa Ross via Getty Images
image
An Interior Designer
Give a gift from Decorist and someone you love will basically get the opportunity to hire the celebrity designer they always wanted for their home (but maybe never thought they could afford).
Tay Jnr via Getty Images
image
A Subscription Wall Art Service
So maybe this isn’t an all-expenses-paid trip to Art Basel, but Papirmass is a clever alternative for the art enthusiast in your life. The subscription box service mails out archival-quality prints of emerging artists’ work, including paintings, illustrations and collages, with a piece of original, contemporary creative writing stamped on the reverse.
Tetra Images via Getty Images
image
A Personal Shopping Consultation
For that person who has a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear, or for a loved one who has a special occasion on the horizon, gift a consultation with a personal shopper. Department stores across the country offer customers the opportunity to visit personal shoppers in person. Consultations with the expert team of stylists at Bergdorf Goodman can happen over the phone.
Leonard Mc Lane via Getty Images
image
A Massage
Sometimes there’s no better way to spend the holidays than away from home, secluded in a relaxation oasis. Try Bliss, Red Door Salon & Spa or SpaFinder to purchase a gift certificate for that person who could use some time to recharge.
Karl Weatherly via Getty Images
image
A Professional Grooming Appointment
The man in your life will thank you for turning what would otherwise be a mundane task into a rejuvenating experience. Try The Art of Shaving for an appointment and kits.
SambaPhoto/Cristiano Mascaro via Getty Images
image