Gift Guide: Experience gifts
It’s official, experience gifts are firmly on the rise, with Brits reportedly spending £1.6bn on experience gifts in 2018 — a huge 115% increase from the year before! Whatever the reason for this — be that the rise of minimalism, or perhaps a move to make Christmas a little more eco-friendly by cutting down on the amount of ‘stuff’ you give and receive — this got us thinking. What kind of experience gifts are out there at the moment, and would we want to receive them?
The answer? There are loads! And yes, we absolutely would like to receive them. And so, without further ado, we present to you: our picks of the best experience gifts you can give (or get) for Christmas 2019.
VR experiences
VR experiences and arcades are popping up all over the UK, and with good reason. These venues allow you to plug into another world — literally — and partake in all sorts of activities, from playing Fruit Ninja in real life, to swinging from trees. If you like the idea of taking your family on a fun day out, you could do a lot worse than booking a VR experience. Our faves are Otherworld in London, and Virtual Hideout Manchester, but there are loads located nationwide, so take your pick!
Afternoon tea
Because what better way to spend an afternoon than sitting in a lovely room eating crustless cucumber sandwiches and sipping on a cup of tea? (or, you know, a glass of champagne). A quintessentially British experience best enjoyed in groups of two upwards, this would make a great outing for family or friends. From the lavish Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea at the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, to the slightly more purse-friendly Cream Cakes and Cocktails for Two at Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour — there’s something to suit every budget.
Luxury Cinema
Cinema has really stepped up its game recently, and posh cinema experiences are cropping up in all sorts of places (including outdoors, and even in an old prison). For the movie buffs in your life, why not book them into a luxury film booking? We love the Bodmin Jail scary cinema in Cornwall, the Cocktail Cinema Evening for Two at the Courthouse Hotel, Shoreditch (where the likes of the Kray brothers and Oscar Wilde have appeared), and the open-air cinema with locations including National Trust properties, 5* estates and museums across the East of England.
Alcohol-oriented experience
While lots of people may be doing dry-January, alcohol-related experiences are still a great gift for your mates who are happy to drink whatever the month! Why not book your loved one a premium brewery tour at Crate Brewery in Hackney, London, where they’ll be guided through the brewery whilst tasting a selection of beers paired with Delicatessen sharing platters. If whisky is more their thing, the Whisky Lounge offers schools for anyone with an interest in whisky who wants to learn more in an informal but informative fashion. Events are nationwide, so head to their website to take a look.
If any of these ideas have got you feeling enthusiastic about what you want for Christmas this year, why not download the What We Want app, the new app that’s on a mission to end unwanted gifts by making group gifting super easy!
