Christmas is just around the corner and wondering what to get your loved ones? Have you considered gifting an experience over a physical item this Christmas?
It’s estimated Aussies will be spending $11.8 billion on presents in 2024! Research shows that approximately $921 million dollars worth of Christmas gifts are never used or worn – just imagine the waste this creates!!
48% of Australians actually prefer if people didn’t buy them gifts for Christmas. I highly recommend starting a conversation with friends and family around Christmas gifts and see if they actually want anything! If they do want something I highly recommend gifting an experience.
Meaningful Memories
Experiences are so much more memorable than physical gifts. Do you remember a gift you got 5+ years ago? Maybe not. But do you remember an experience you did (like a trip with the fam)? Probably yes. This is all the more reason to gift something memorable: an experience.
Zero waste experiences
Gifting an experience is practically zero waste (as long as the voucher/confirmation is digital). There’s nothing to wrap up or put in a box, so easy! It could be tempting to simply send gift cards – please don’t do this! You’d be surprised a lot of people actually don’t like gift cards, since you’re tied to that brand / business and have to spend the amount in a single transaction (most of the time). Plus, they’re just more plastic that’ll end up in landfill unfortunately.
Wondering how to actually give the experience gift? You could set up a scheduled email on Apple mail or scheduled text on your iPhone to send the gift details – super simple. You could set it up to send for example, 10am Christmas Day because you’ll be with them then, or know they’ll be able to check their phone/computer then.
Broaden Horizons
I was gifted an experience for goat yoga – so random right! But it was actually great doing some group yoga with about 20 goats around (with some cute baby ones!) I had a laugh and overall a great time. Gifting experiences really does broaden your horizons, your gift recipient might end up doing something they’ve never even thought of, and it would be all thanks to you and the amazing experience you gifted them for Christmas!
How to find the perfect experience gift
Firstly find out who you’re buying for and what they like/dislike. Ask subtle questions about things you’ve seen that look like fun and make note of their reaction. Ask their friends and family for more insights. Have they said they’re so tired and need something to relax? Gift them a massage voucher, I’m sure they’ll love that.
Ultimately have fun with it and get creative! It doesn’t have to be a solo experience it could be a couple thing, or even a whole group activity. Also, I recommend looking into refunds and change of mind policies, you want to make sure you can get your money back if it comes to it, and how long the experience is valid for. Important info on this can be found on the ACCC website.
Experience gifts to give for Christmas this year
I asked people in the Reddit sub r/ZeroWaste for their ideas for Christmas experience gift ideas. That sub is probably my favourite at the moment, I’m quite active on there so feel free to come join!
This list below is largely inspired by the comments on the above thread, so shoutout to all those who contributed.
- Cooking class
- Pottery class
- Hot air balloons
- Spa gift voucher (even better if they offer digital vouchers over printed)
- Zip line
- Wine tasting
- Beer tasting
- Yoga class
- Sewing class
- Sip and paint
- Voucher to their favourite restaurant
- Shout their meal at their favourite restaurant
- Organise a picnic
- Weekend getaway
- Concert tickets
- Dancing class
- Audiobook subscription
- Zoo/aquarium day trip
- Cat cafe trip
- Dog cafe trip
- Any other animal cafe trip
- Cameo (personalised video from celebs)
- Tickets to an event they really want to go to
- Day spa voucher
- Massage voucher
- Gym membership
- Streaming service subscription
What experience are you planning to gift this Christmas? Let me know in the comments – let’s chat.
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