The Gift of Experiences: Thoughtful Ideas for Parents, Hubbies, and Bffs

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I think we can all agree that sometimes we get caught up in buying THINGS for everyone on our Christmas list and at some point it feels like we’re going through the motions just to check everyone off the list. ESPECIALLY this season when all we really want to do is hug our family members and hang out with them.

I really wanted to focus on a gift guide specifically for EXPERIENCES.

Experiences tend to be the most thoughtful and the most memorable and although some can be spendy, many can be fairly budget friendly but still pack a punch. Keep scrolling for a list of ideas for your closest friends or sisters, parents/in-laws, and the men in your life. Some are not as COVID friendly as others but I tried to give a good balance depending on where you live!

Unique gift ideas for best friends, parents, and in-laws.

BFF + Sisters

I found that it was so much easier to buy gifts for my friends and siblings when we were younger cuz there was always THINGS that they were coveting. Now that we’re getting a little older and are blessed with a lot of those THINGS, gifting has become more challenging. Something I’ve noticed is the inverse relationship of getting older and time spent together. Adulting is hard but at the end of the day your dearest friends just want some quality time with you, so even the littlest things will make an impact. A few ideas:

• Airbnb Experiences: there are so many unique activities on Airbnb Experiences that are fun to check out with friends. I definitely suggest checking out local experiences in your town; it helps you fall in love with your city all over again.

• Wine Tasting Weekend

• Spa Day or Pool Day (most hotels have a minimal fee to enjoy the spa for the day. Also, checkout Resort Pass)

• Horseback Riding

• Mani/Pedi + Lunch Date

• Sleepover Staycation at a local Hotel

• Sleepover and self-care night at home (kick your S.O. out for the evening and have a good old fashion girl’s night)

• Monthly date night - pick a day every month and agree that in 2020 you’re going to make each other a priority

Parents + In-Laws

Just like your close friends, parents and in-laws just want to hang out with you. TBH, they just want SEE you and be in your presence… without even having any fancy plans. Here’s a few ideas that will brighten their day:

• Spend the day at your parents helping them around the house with anything they may need help with: tech updates, moving heavy furniture, decorating or painting, cleaning out the garage, etc. Or even just watching TV and catching up.

• Spa Day with Mom

• Sporting Event with Dad

• Mother- Daughter Wine Tasting Weekend

• Shopping Day and Lunch with Mom

• Buy tickets to their favorite museum and make a day out of it

• Theatre Tickets to a new play or special program (ie: mom’s LOVE the Nutcracker)

• SEEING them isn’t possible with Covid? Organize a monthly dinner zoom date or a family game night.

Unique gift ideas for your husband or boyfriend

BFS and Hubbies

A lot of these seem obvious once you read them but for some reason you have the “wait, why didn’t I think of these?” moment. My suggestion: take a minute to write down things that you love doing with your man and your S.O.’s hobbies - I promise you’ll think of some really awesome experiences. A few ideas to get the wheels in motion:

Two tickets to a concert, play, or sporting event

Classes or Day Experiences:

• Surf Lessons

• Golf Lessons (Andy’s obsessed with his lessons at Golf Tech)

• Create a gift certificate for him to redeem for a round of golf at one of his favorite resort Golf Courses

• Photography Classes

• Couples Cooking Classes

• Local Wine Tasting or Brewery Visit

• Double Dinner Date with his bestie and bestie’s S.O.

Plan a getaway or big trip! Do all the heavy lifting and put the details in a card or buy a few small things that have to do with the destination and make him guess. Some ideas:

• Staycation at a new local hotel or awesome Airbnb

• A weekend in Palm Springs - the best time of year is NOW through March before it gets too hot. Here’s my travel guide with all our favorite spots.

• Los Cabos Beach Getaway - one of my favorite spots in the world TBH. Such a great vacay spot for couples (it’s the more calm, romantic side of Cabo) and if you live in LA it’s SO close. Here’s my travel guide with some go-tos.

• Romantic trip to Portland - so much to do including great wine tasting. There’s something about the Pacific Northwest that guys just LOVE! See my travel guide here.

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more festive goodness right this way…