Best "experience" presents?

[chied3]

I don't mean those crappy vouchers or red letter days but genuine thoughtful presents that aren't things.. we have far too much stuff and I want to get people something they will enjoy / spend time with family

Ideas for events/ days out/ short breaks that you have given for inspiration would be welcomed

Thanks

Axe hurling...best saturday morning of my life!

I did a really lovely cookery day in London - we went to borough market and got all
The food fresh first then made a meal. Really enjoyed that.

If you’re in London, this is a great organisation running cooking classes with a difference...

www.migrateful.org/

Afternoon tea
Concert
Opera
Show
Entry to gardens/castle etc

Do you know the name of it @Timinfuckingruislip that sounds ideal for my mum

@LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow I like the sound of axe hurling! Where did you do that?

OP, there are a lot of places which do chocolate making masterclasses if that's your sort of thing.

Or I live near a gin distillery which has a range of options for tours, tastings and even cocktail masterclasses...

I took my dad to see The Mousetrap last year for his 75th birthday which he absolutely adored. I love agatha Christie anyway. But the era of the mousetrap and the set/costumes really appealed to my dad as he said he remembered having things like them.

Why are you writing them all off?
I'd be super pleased if someone got me a hot air balloon experience?

Clay pigeon shooting. We all went as a family. Great fun

We did the champagne jazz brunch at The Corinthia hotel in London as a gift and it was fabulous. Great surroundings, lovely food, good music and champagne

Depends what people like. I'm asking for theatre tokens this year. We got membership to a local attraction last year that we go to regularly so that was good. DH got us tickets to a cookery class a few years ago that was good.

I'd be happy with any of the following: English Heritage membership
National Trust membership
Historic Houses membership
National Art Pass

I would not be happy with Gourmet Guide restaurant vouchers, they have a very short expiry date (9 months) and appear complicated to book.

I'd be super pleased if someone got me a hot air balloon experience?

I got one through work. It was fab but a pain to book since it was a few hours away and the weather had to be perfect. Fantastic experience though.

Theatre tickets
Ice skating on an outdoor rink

DP still talks about his dumper truck racing a few years ago.

laser tag afternoon
surfing class
rollerskating / trampolining disco
escape room
outdoor rock climbing
coasteering
fancy hotel with games room for kids and large grounds
birds of prey afternoon
panto tickets

I think you have to be very careful and be absolutely sure that the person would enjoy it - and not waste it or just use it up out of guilt for wasting it if they don't.

Personally I'd never want spa day vouchers or anything like a hot air ballon trip. Theatre or concert tickets, OTOH....

Dh was once given a voucher for a gliding lesson, which he thoroughly enjoyed - but the instructor who took him asked whether he actually wanted to do this, or was it only because he'd been given it and was secretly poohing himself? (Or words to that effect.).
Which would indicate quite a few like that!

We did indoor skydiving as a family. It was amazing fun although quite scary!

One year we got my mum a cake decorating course which she adored and this year my dad has got a stained glass making workshop which will be just his thing.

I think its about tailoring it to the appropriate audience.

DP and I are really into beer (and booze in general, tbh!) and have got each other various brewery/distillery tour type experiences. We usually buy direct from the brewery rather than through RLD etc.
Two have stood out as being particularly good:
Windsor & Eton Brewery Tour
The Oxford Artisan Distillery

Escape rooms can be fun too. Some friends got me a voucher for my birthday to a local one and I really enjoyed it, especially as I got to hang out with them too.

DH throughly enjoyed an introduction to bee keeping course. Means he now wants bees even more but thankfully appreciates how difficult and time consuming they would be. Maybe in a few years.

@soupforbrains ....i did mine in Dundee, they have an indoor venue but there's all sorts of places about. I have been desperate to have a go since a friend posted about it a year or so ago.

Escape rooms can be fantastic
Theater tickets if it's a show or comedian they would like, playing locally
Tour of a brewery, cider making or distillery

We tried this twice with my PIL. The first time I booked afternoon tea at a swanky hotel, but didn’t realise the booking was only for one person, not a couple.

The second time I booked them afternoon tea with the llamas. They didn’t like it. Miserable gits.

I am looking for ideas for my DC. I told them no plastic crap this year.

Theater tickets if it's a show or comedian they would like, playing locally

You can get vouchers that can be used in hundreds of different theatres for any show you want to see and that don't expire, just like book tokens. We're getting some for Christmas.