'Experience' presents without the Experience company

[msrisotto]

So DH doesn't want anything for Christmas, has loads of things, wants more of an experience. Plus i'm especially broke this year, so gifts are going to be extra thoughtful. Dinner somewhere was his example, and i'll probably take him out...but I do like the idea of an experience. But maybe without the experience company who charge a lot. This could work for others if it isn't too twee.

So, ideas? I'm thinking:

Homemade vouchers for an ice skating 'experience'

or maybe theatre or comedy show tickets

or IOU a posh cinema trip

hiking in the countryside

any dessert you want

Any more? Is this a crap idea?

Any thoughts?

I think this is a great idea. There is a lovely cinema in Edinburgh that has really comfy chairs and sofas, small but a really lovely experience, maybe there is something similar near you.

We have done this before, so much better than more "stuff"

Posh cinema is a great suggestion

Any exhibitions locally that he'd like to see?
Cocktails?

He's not much of an exhibition fan but cocktails sounds awesome :) Could definitely do a little voucher for that!

Yeah there are a couple of fancy cinemas nearby too.

Day at the Races? It doesn't have to be an expensive day out, if you tell me whereabouts in the country you are I scan give you a list of racecourses in a reasonable distance of you for a day out.

You're right not to go for an experience company. DH and I were gifted a voucher for a weekend away - very generous BUT trying to book it was a nightmare. It was only valid from Monday to Thursday, and the majority of hotels we contacted said they had no availability. Buyagift.com I'm looking at you

A homemade voucher is a fab idea, I might steal it. My DH is a bit of trainspotter (railways, not class A's) so I am thinking of booking a steam train trip with dinner on board - winner all round because I get a day out and a meal too

OoOoh that sounds unusual Cavemum! We're in the Birmingham area.

Some of the cinemas sell gift boxes near to Christmas. You get a voucher for a ticket, drink & a snack included & it usually works out cheaper.

Theatre Tokens if you want him to be able to choose a specific show. Or a trip to London the GILT offer for cheap West End Tickets goes on sale next month.

Your closest courses are:

Stratford (Jump racing)
Warwick (Flat and Jump racing)
Worcester (Jump racing)
Wolverhampton (Flat racing)

If you go to each racecourse's website and click on Fixtures you can find a list of dates and ticket prices.

You can just buy tickets to get in or you can buy a package which will include tickets and lunch in the restaurant, though these can get quite pricey.

Uttoxeter would be do-able too.

That sounds fun

Nice idea Emmaghoul. My DH's hobby is rugby (watching, he's a season ticket holder) and cycling so maybe I can think of something related to one of those...

A tip for anyone else interested - local zoos appear to do animal experiences.

I might have to make a list of these ideas!

I just looked up my local zoo that does meet the Meercat, giraffe and penguin experiences. They're £65 for up to 4 people but you have to pay for the entrance fee on top of that which is £15 each so all in all, too much for me this time. Especially as the thing only lasted 15 minutes! The lovely lady on the phone said that they try to make it last longer if they can, but the animals wolf down their food really quickly. Still, worth remembering for the future, when i'm richer...

If he loves rugby, you can get really reasonably priced tickets to the rugby sevens at Twickenham. It's a great atmosphere and a bit different from a normal match. DH takes DC every year. They love it, and it's an all weekend event iirc so you could maybe combine it with staying over in London for a night.

We've done this for years (since DH had health issues), in fact most of our wedding presents were "experiences" (some on honeymoon, some when we got home).

Lots of places will do wine tasting / cheese tasting / beer tasting - always a good one. Booked my H a bread making class last year which he loved. Have done quite a few things that I know he wouldn't have tried but have been a real giggle. Did a horse riding class together (v funny, H was useless), booked him a sports massage once. Skiing lesson (do you have a snow dome close by?), we have a velodrome close by too where you can do taster sessions - especially if your H likes cycling.

Are any TV / radio programmes recorded near to you - I've got tickets for Question of Sport before and a Radio 4 comedy quiz show (if you look on the BBC website you can register for tickets).

When we've been really skint, have done sort of favour presents (breakfast in bed / dinner date at home).

Think its a lovely idea!

Gorgeous ideas you two, thank you!!

What about some deals on groupon, birds of prey, clay pigeon shooting, spa day for you both?

What about an experience a month. Some could be bought, others a favour type and others an experience that you can pay nearer the time. Eg, a summer picnic, a trip to christmas markets. Then it's a whole year of experiences. You could make it up into a little booklet?

Would he enjoy a craft thing together? Glass blowing/fusing, Ironwork, Silversmithing - local workshops might offer cheap-ish classes?

Good idea Almost

Spiders - Yeah I think he'd love something practical.