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15 gift experiences that'll wow them this holiday

Ditch boring and basic gifts this year and give your loved ones a unique experience for the holidays instead — they start at just $7.

These giftable experiences are sure to be the most memorable present your loved ones receive this year. (Getty Images)
These giftable experiences are sure to be the most memorable present your loved ones receive this year. (Getty Images)

While candles, neckties and mugs are objectively fine presents, this holiday season, it's time to take your gifting to the next level. Giving the gift of an experience is an unexpected and unique gift that your friends and family will be talking about for years to come. Trust me — I'm a professional shopper and experiences are one of the only gifts that are sure to be used and not regifted at the next white elephant or Christmas gathering.

The best part about gift experiences is that there is something out there for everyone. Do you know a chef-in-training? Sign them up for a gourmet cooking class. Got a zodiac-obsessed friend? Have an astrologer walk through their astrological chart for 2025. Need a cool gift for a sweet teacher or neighbor? You can't go wrong with sending them a fresh flower subscription for Christmas. The bottom line is the best gift experiences feel exceedingly thoughtful and are so much more fun to receive than the last-minute item you bought on the way to your holiday gathering.

Keep scrolling to check out the best gift experiences to give this year — starting at $7.

Masterclass brings the world's experts to your screen to teach you their secrets to success. With this membership (billed annually), users can access all 200 classes across 11 categories. With experts ranging from Martha Stewart and John Legend to Gordon Ramsey and Neil deGrasse Tyson, everyone can find a class (or five) that suits their interests. 

$7/month at Masterclass

If you aren't quite sure what kind of experience to give your loved one this year, gift them a Ticketmaster gift card and let them choose their dream outing. Ticketmaster sells tickets for concerts, sporting events, comedy shows, theater performances and so much more, so the sky is really the limit here. This gift card can obviously be used to buy tickets, but it can also go towards event parking, VIP packages and merch!

$25 to $500 at Ticketmaster

Nuuly is a clothing rental service – and every style maven's best-kept secret. Nuuly allows members to rent six pieces of clothing each month, from brands like Free People, Loveshackfancy, Farm Rio, Urban Outfitters and more, to fill out their wardrobe. This system is ideal for those who want to try out a trendy style without making a real investment. Recipients can use their Nuuly gift card toward a subscription ($98 plus tax), bonus items ($20 each) or any purchases. 

$25 to $1,500 at Nuuly

Anyone would love a night or weekend away, and with an Airbnb gift card, you can give your loved one just that. They can use this gift card to book a stay at any of Airbnb's awesome destinations — and the card never expires. This holiday, give your best friend, coworker or family member the best excuse to take a vacation (without having to book any logistics for them!).

$25 at Airbnb

Bring a professional chef into your home (virtually) with Sur la Table's online cooking classes. Starting at $29 and ranging from 90 to 120 minutes, there are plenty of classes to choose from, depending on what you want to cook. Whether you're in the mood for something savory (like gnocchi or beef Wellington) or something sweet (hello, holiday cookies), there's a class for you that ends in a delicious dish.

$29 at Sur la Table

You can never have too much of a good thing, and the same can be said for cookies. With this monthly cookie subscription (available in three, six, nine and 12-month packages), recipients will get a box jam-packed with enough cookies to feed six to eight people each month. Each month's assortment varies but may include black-and-white cookies, giant cookies, whoopee pies and other delights. This is one gift that people are sure to be requesting again next year.

$49.95 per month at Goldbelly

If you have a friend who's obsessed with their zodiac sign, gift them this Annual Astrology Chart Class. This unique 75-minute class is led by an astrologer who will walk them through their astrological forecast for the coming year with the help of a solar return chart. The start of a new year is the perfect time to set intentions and prepare for what the stars have in store for 2025.

$60 at Uncommon Goods

If your loved one has a pet who's more like family, they'll love this expert-led painting class where they can create a frame-worthy portrait of their pet. This live 120-minute class is easy to follow and, for $65, they'll get the experience and a watercolor painting kit that includes 36 colors. Or if they already have their own art supplies, you can purchase just the class for $35. 

$65 at Uncommon Goods

Bacon makes everything from a sandwich to a salad better, so this holiday, give the bacon lover in your life a monthly subscription of the good stuff. Available in three- or six-month packages, each monthly bacon box includes between two and five pounds of fresh bacon. From thick-cut to double-smoked, each month contains different versions of that delicious meat. But seeing as this gift is perishable, this is one present that you'll want to make sure your loved one knows is on its way.

$69.95 per month at Goldbelly

Send a friend or family member everything they need for a meal on you this holiday. With a Blue Apron Meal E-Gift Card, they can use it toward yummy market items or a subscription meal plan. Blue Apron's gift cards never expire and are awesome to use when you're out of dinner ideas or don't feel like taking a trip to the grocery store. Cooking newbies and home chefs alike will appreciate this gift.

$70 to $280 at Blue Apron

The holidays can be a hard time for many people but the Calm app can help. This mental health app is designed to help you sleep better and manage stress through guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, soundscapes and guided breathwork. Calm has earned over 2 million five-star reviews and couldn't be easier to use. You can gift a one-year subscription for $69.99 or a lifetime membership for $399.99.

$70 at Calm

If you want to give your loved one something unique this holiday, look no further than Storyworth. With this subscription gift, the recipient is sent a different prompt each week by the giver ranging from "what is the furthest you have ever traveled?" to "what is one of your fondest childhood memories?" They'll answer the prompt with an email that's then sent back to you. After a year of prompts, their stories and responses will be bound in a hardcover book. 

This gift is ideal for storytellers and those looking to connect with their loved ones in a new way.

$99 at Storyworth

Does your partner or friend have a sweet tooth? If so, treat them to this decadent chocolate-tasting class. This experience is designed for two, making it a fun activity for couples, best friends or even your parents. During the 75-minute online class, they'll taste three flavors of heirloom chocolate and learn about each flavor's history. They can even check out the class's pairing recommendations and bring cheese, wine or other snacks to go along with the chocolate.

$125 at Uncommon Goods

Who doesn't love receiving fresh flowers? With The Bouqs Co. flower subscriptions, you can send your pal a gorgeous arrangement of fresh blooms right to their door. While you can sign up for ongoing deliveries, the brand's three-month subscription is a great gift option. Starting at $149 (with free shipping), your loved one will get three different bouquets over the course of 90 days — all you need to do is pick the first delivery date. 

$149 at The Bouqs Co.

When it comes to experiences, no one has a variety like Tinggly. With Tinggly, you send your loved one a gift box, they choose one experience that's worth the price of the box (there are thousands of options!) and the cost of that experience is covered. Whether they're looking for a spa day, a cultural event or something off the beaten path, Tinggly has an experience for everyone (and every price point). 

$230 at Tinggly

Your go-to shopping guide: See all of our gift guides in one spot. We've got gift ideas for all the different people in your life — men, women, kids, you name it.