My experiential gift guide.

The other day I watched a reel discussing the scientific evidence for experiential gifts over material gifts; according to research, gifts based on experiences can lead to stronger relationships and deeper connections. I have always been a gift-experience-over-a-physical-gift kind of person; Dan and I joke about it, and I constantly tell him not to bother getting me a present for Christmas. An experience, a trip, a meal out, or even just a memory-based gift like a photo is what makes me most happy. Dan is more of a collector; he keeps things like stickers, beer mats, hats, etc so physical pressies is something Dan really cherishes. I certainly think there is a place for both. So in light of that before I share the physical gift guides I had planned I wanted to share some ideas for gifts that involve no physical products but instead the gift of the experience and hopefully a lasting memory. These can be applied to Christmas or special occasions!

Migrateful Cooking Class

Migrateful is a (in-person and online) social enterprise cooking school, led by refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The school was created to use the power of food to teach and guide refugees and asylum seekers into employment by supporting them in sharing their incredible cooking skills with the world. We booked a Syrian cooking class last year to experience this first-hand, and we had such a wonderful and heartwarming evening. On our arrival, we met our teacher, Faten, who generously shared her story about her life from Syria to the UK where she then spent the rest of the evening teaching us how to cook delicious Syrian dishes. I highly recommend booking a cooking class because what better gift to give someone you love than doing something meaningful, fun and educational together? Details on how to book HERE.

Pottery Class

One thing we could all be doing more is getting off our phones and getting crafty; crafts have been shown to improve our mental mood and contribute to better life happiness and satisfaction. Pottery classes are so fun and so hands-on; I love just getting my hands dirty and concentrating on creating just for the fun of it. Dan bought me a pottery-making class for my birthday last year at Skandihus, but I also went to a class in Lisbon a couple of months ago called Disco Wheel, which involved listening to amazing music, drinking natural wines and of course, throwing pottery on the wheel. They are also launching this in London soon, so keep an eye out! If you’re not in London, Google your local pottery class and see if they have any seasonal deals/ gift cards you could get for someone you love for Christmas!

Spa Day/ Night Stay

Nothing says memorable oxytocin-inducing experience than a spa day or stay. Hot Tub, Sauna, Swim and Yap? Yes, please. I am a certified spa-loving queen, and there are some outstanding Spa hotels in the UK to consider for a day/stay with a bestie or partner. We were recently invited to stay at The Grove, a luxury hotel and spa just 18 miles outside London. Their signature massage involves Eastern techniques, which involve some seriously heavenly, full-body stretches and they also have one of the world’s most famous luxury buffets. And who doesn’t love a buffet?!

Aire Ancient Baths is another favourite of mine; this experience is so old-worldly, unique, and relaxing. The baths are located in an 18th-century neoclassical townhouse a stone’s throw away from Covent Garden. As soon as you step into the baths, you feel transported back in time by its Greek and Roman architecture; the interior is lined with exposed brickwork, flickering candles and low arches. Mist from the Vaporium fills the rooms, and the sound of trickling water from their baths can be heard throughout. My favourite is the floating salt bath where you become completely weightless and can float surrounded by candle light.

If money is no object, then a spa stay at Forestis would for sure, be my recommendation for a memorable gift. This spa hotel lives in my mind rent-free, it’s not cheap, but it is extraordinary. Think secluded retreat, snow-tipped mountains, unique saunas, glacier-cold dips, and floor-to-ceiling window views of the Dolomites. Just outstanding.

As with all these suggestions, look local to your area and scope out deals, especially at the last minute. We got a deal at The Scarlet Hotel in Cornwall on a Sunday (a beautiful spa hotel which I shared in my guide to Cornwall) that was significantly less than a weekday stay and even cheaper if you chose an evening option, which is just as atmospheric if you ask me!

Plan or book a memorable day trip.

This can be as cheap and cheerful as planning a day out to the museum or to a park for a picnic by creating a special ‘I owe you’ handwritten voucher (something we have done for each other for years), or it can be an all-done-for-you experience like The Great Garden Escape. This is a unique day trip experience to one of the UK's most beautiful and award-winning hotels, The Newt. The experience involves a 1st class return train tickets from London Paddington, breakfast on the train from The Newts very own farm shop. Guided tours of the beautiful gardens. Cider tastings where you can learn all about their award-winning cider made at The Newt. A three-course meal with drinks at their Garden Cafe restaurant, with exceptional food, plus a picnic with afternoon tea on the train home! They also have specific themed packages such as Bee Keeping experiences, Gardener and Chef and Midwinter Magic. You also get a year’s membership to The Newt, which gives you unlimited access to their gardens and many other gardens, such as Kew, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Eden Projects, Blenheim and more for free. Which I think is like multiple gifts all in one. This is on the pricier side but I think this could be an ‘all chip in’ kind of gift from siblings for parents. I have made a video about this here should you want to check it out.

Gifting a membership to The National Trust is also another lovely idea. They look after unique properties in beautiful places across the UK, this is especially great for people who love the outdoors and walking. Like The Newt, you get particular perks and discounts on your trips, memberships can be purchased for individuals, joint couples or families, with the cheapest membership for juniours (5-17years) at £12 a year, making these perfect gifts for younger ones too.

Gift a Cinema membership

One of our favourite things to do when we know an exciting film is coming out is we book a bouj cinema as a treat to watch it. While there are a lot of unique and independent cinemas in the UK to choose from one we love that is local to us is Everyman. Their cinemas have luscious relaxing chairs and sofas and the best hot food and snacks we’ve had at a cinema and who doesn’t love a good snack haul when you watch your favorite films?! Their memberships start from £95 a year, and each membership tier gives you perks like “bring a guest for free on Mondays and 10% off food and drinks”.

As an additional tip, if you have a Sky Cinema subscription, you can claim 2 free VUE Cinema tickets every month as part of your membership. All you need to do is login via your MySky app and claim your codes. You then use those codes on the checkout page when booking on VUE. Check the link HERE for all the deets!

Intentional time with a loved one or friend

Time with loved ones is a gift in itself and not every gift requires any money spent. Why not plan and organise a quiet night in with your bestie where you provide all the snacks or bring food to cook together for dinner? You could also organise a walk or cycle, take flasks of hot chocolate, and catch up. Or even offer to go over and help your person with life stuff; maybe that looks like helping them get ready for Christmas with the big Christmas clean or offering to babysit for your friends/siblings who are parents. Time spent with friends is precious, and this time of year can be overwhelming, so check in with your closest and let them know you love them.

I am sure I have only scratched the surface with these ideas, so please feel free to share yours in the comment section and happy gift-giving no matter how that looks! <3

Callie x