In “Before Sunrise,” Jesse and Céline form a deep connection while wandering the streets of Vienna. The movie reminds us that it’s not the gift itself, but the time we spend together, that creates unforgettable memories. A romantic hot-air balloon ride or wine-tasting event might just be your ‘Vienna moment.
Tangible gifts often collect dust, but the moments we create together stay fresh in our memories forever. If you value memories over things with your loved ones, then focus on the experiences you give them as presents. Try to give them an experience that they would love to have, with your full involvement. Prioritize what they want instead of what you want to give them. That makes the gift more appealing to them.
Lessons or Workshops
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Experience is equivalent to having knowledge about the things people are passionate about. Why not make their interest an entertaining experience as well?
✧ Mixology workshop: Cocktail mixing crafts workshop, fun to attend with friends.
✧ Calligraphy lesson: Those who love calligraphy and artistic sessions will love this gift.
✧ Music class: Music-loving friends will appreciate it if you arrange a music class. Their passion and love will help them gain professional craft.
✧ Pottery or art classes: Artistic people who love to have fun with different art types will be elated to have a session of art classes. Also, pottery workshops are really entertaining and great for spending time together.
✧ Photography workshop: People who want to capture what their eyes see in an artistic form love photography. Such a workshop will teach them about photography genres and techniques. A gift tailored to their passion would be so sentimental.
✧ Crafting and DIY workshops: Crafty people have a knack for trying DIY with almost everything. Their creativity takes shape with a little bit of organized guidance.
✧ Cooking and baking classes: Ideal for couples spending time together. To try different baking techniques, cuisines, and dishes, such classes are effective. Moreover, such a gift helps them relax from the daily mundane and works like meditation.
✧ Wine or whiskey tasting: If you give a wine lover such a gift where they can taste different kinds, how will they not be happy?
✧ Yoga or meditation sessions: From new moms to almost everyone, meditation sessions reduce stress and everyday frustrations. If you prioritize your loved ones’ mental well-being, this will help.
✧ Fitness lessons: Lack of routine or post-pregnancy, fitness becomes a problem. Fitness lessons will bring them back to routine, maintaining a healthy life as well as improved mental health.
✧ Language classes: Out of curiosity or necessity, some try to learn different languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, etc. If the giftee has a love for learning different languages, this gift would motivate them to pursue their curiosity.
✧ Tech and digital skills: Tech-savvy people often stay connected with continuous learning of different digital skills. Also, for career development, such skills are in demand. Digital marketing, coding, graphic design, etc., can be learned in depth on expert platforms.
✧ Survival skills workshops: Teaches people how to survive in adverse situations, also entertaining for friends to learn together. Includes navigation, first aid, CPR, tying knots, water purification, fire responses, responses in accidents, etc.
✧ Astrology or tarot reading: These are for fun and entertainment purposes. If your friend has an interest in astrology and tarot reading, this gift will make them have a well-spent time.
✧ Magic lessons: All of us get hooked on magic show performances, even though we know there is either a scam or something tricky. This fascinating gift will be great for anyone who loves such performances and wants to know the backstage mystery.
Outdoor Adventure
“Fill your life with adventures, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.”
Extroverts love adventures and outdoor activities. Put a tick mark on their dreams-to-achieve list by engaging them in these activities and strengthening your bond.
✧ Bike ride: An excellent way to release dopamine as well as a fun activity with friends and a partner.
✧ Bungee jumping, skydiving: Anyone without a fear of heights or physical conditions who wants a satisfying adrenaline rush will love to receive such outdoor activity.
✧ Hot air balloon ride: Ideal for experiencing an adventurous outdoor activity with families.
✧ Horseback riding: As horse riding is not common in the modern era, it has become interesting for people to experience at least once. It can actually be very romantic with your partner.
✧ Hiking: Those who want to connect with nature often make hiking a part of their vacation or holiday activities. You can also give such a gift to your giftee who loves nature.
✧ Ziplining or rock climbing: Good activities to calm the nerves, overcoming fears step by step with a memorable day.
✧ Surfing or paddleboarding: These need skills and knowledge about surfing before blindly going for it; otherwise, they can cause serious injury. This will be appreciated by those who want to have the experience as well as the knowledge.
✧ Helicopter tour: A luxurious gift idea for your loved ones to make them feel very special. Circling around the city with your partner over the clouds is so romantic.
✧ Kayaking: Amazing for relaxation, close to water, gives a feeling of calmness. I love kayaking. I once planned a kayaking trip for my partner, thinking it would be a serene, romantic day on the water. What I didn’t anticipate was my complete lack of paddling skills. After spinning in circles for half an hour, we were crying with laughter (and maybe frustration). It wasn’t perfect, but it’s still one of our favorite memories to look back on.
Membership or Subscription
Subscription services are convenient to give someone. By giving the present, you are also saying how much you notice and care about the things they want to have. All kinds of memberships are available; you just have to find the perfect one that fits your giftee.
✧ Fitness membership: A membership to maintain a record of health is a thoughtful gift.
✧ Airbnb gift card: Such a gift will give them the freedom to travel according to their schedule. Those who love traveling will love this.
✧ Coffee and tea tasting: What an amazing membership or subscription gift this can be! I would love to have one of these so that the caffeine-addicted person in me gets to taste different flavors curated by services.
✧ Book and audiobook subscriptions: The bookworm friend in your life will love to have unlimited supplies and updates about the latest releases and new books at their doorstep every month. Audiobook subscriptions soothe their inner soul, which craves to listen to books while working.
✧ Museum: If your giftee is interested in history, then a museum membership is good for spending quality time.
✧ Botanical garden: The more greenery, the more relaxation. Botanical gardens are good for spending time with family, pet walking, and giving babies a place to play.
Services
Services are underrated and less appreciated than they should be. The reason is most of the time, we take their effort for granted, showing a lack of gratitude. But actively thinking of what one needs and acting upon it is rare and so much more valuable than tangible gifts. Providing your support is a subtle way of expressing your care for them. What can you do? Do what they need. Some possible service ideas are:
✧ Cozymeal date: Be the chef and arrange a lunch or dinner to pamper your partner. The effort of making the meal is worth it if the intention is shown.
✧ Massage: Great for relieving stress, makes the whole body light. A thoughtful service for loved ones.
✧ Salon or grooming: Your partner will love it if you think about their grooming session and arrange it yourself. If you can personally give salon-like treatment, that is the best. Otherwise, an appointment at their go-to salon and accompanying them shows they are seen and cared for.
✧ Manicure or pedicure: Whether you arrange this yourself or not, girls will love this. This small effort will make them feel over the moon as they like to be pampered.
✧ Teach a skill that you have expertise in: Sometimes, all you need is to share your knowledge. That is the best gift for someone who needs to learn your skill.
✧ Cleaning service: Managing a household daily is a hassle and, over time, becomes stressful. Your cleaning services, like dishwashing, mopping, or any other help, without waiting for them to ask, will make the effort so much appreciated. New moms’ burdens are reduced, your aged grandparents get the support they need, and your partner gets to focus on other tasks with your help.
✧ Babysitting: All you need is to give time so the recipients get time for themselves. Taking care of the baby or taking out the dog, feeding the cat, will give your friend or partner a chance to sleep for a while or relax.
Game
Be it a date or picnic, spending time with grandparents, or friends’ gatherings, games make the time engaging.
✧ A scavenger hunt: Brain-engaging and a fun activity perfect for all ages.
✧ A mystery in a box: Friends can enjoy this game, having a good day.
✧ Escape room: An engaging game for teams, often played in friend groups or work teams.
Tickets for Events
✧ Comedy show: Take them to a comedy show if your giftee needs a good laugh. This is the best way to have a carefree laughing session without any worries.
✧ Theater performance: Those who love artistic performances or magic shows will love to have such tickets as a gift.
✧ Music concerts: Melophiles or music enthusiasts will appreciate getting a ticket to see their favorite musicians or having a chill time with you at a concert.
✧ Sports-based events: Make a match of your partner’s favorite sport your date plan. That way, they see that you care about their preferences and prioritize them.
✧ Food and wine festivals: Foodies or wine lovers will be elated if they can go to such festivals where they get to taste different food and wine.
Turn these ideas into lasting memories.
