The Best Experience Gifts Money Could Buy

Tired of getting your family, friend, s/o a gift you’re afraid they’ll hate? One way to escape the dreaded re-gifting is through Virtual Experiences. This isn’t just any virtual experience, it’s a travel-related baby!! They’re by far THE best gifts you can give & I’ll tell you why. They’re super personal for starters. Remember that one small fact about your friend wanting to go to Egypt? Well, now you can give them a personalized Airbnb experience to learn about Egyptian culture before they book their trip. Remember those Just Dance days? Well on Airbnb Experiences, you can book a class with a Brazilian samba dancer! So exciting right? Finding the best experience gifts is harder than it seems. That’s where I come in.

Having that mindset of experiences over things translates into the real world. This mindset is the key to unlocking the true meaning of life. Tangible designer clothes mean nothing if your life does not feel fulfilling. For the travel lover, one of the most affordable ways to experience new cultures is through Virtual Experiences. They have several classes, workshops & immersive settings that will make you truly feel like you’re in a new country. Better yet, for some of these classes, you don’t even have to leave the house. The experiences are affordable, with lots of time slots to cater to your busy schedule! One of my favorite perks is that they’re curated by locals which would give you that much more perspective. Ready for some of the best experience gifts that money can buy? Let’s get into it!

Best Experience Gifts: Who Would This Be Perfect For?

The best experience gifts are for those who love to learn, experience new cultures, try new things & bonus, try surprising them- I bet they’ll love it so much! It’s perfect for just about everyone and for every occasion, but here are a few ideas in mind that would give you an extra reason to say yes & JUST BOOK IT

Experiences With Someone

Adventure time with friends: Nothing says chaos more than 6+ people trying to cook one meal. The difference about this is that once you purchase the experience & set up your TV, everyone has their own station & you guys can work together to make some magic! How about getting ready for your girl’s trip to Prague? You’ll definitely want to check out the online “Plague Doctor through Prague”, to get excited from this little glimpse of the country!
Date night to change things up: You and your s/o can have a little date night that’s different than eating out and spending a lot of money. In the comfort of your own home, you have the availability to get cozy, have some lil kissing breaks & enjoy each other’s company. From deciding where your next baecation will be, there’s an experience here that will make you wanna jet set real soon- just saving money is a priority for that.
Family bonding time: Let’s be real, your mom & grandma are tired of cooking for you guys. Someone had to say it. On the flip side, it’d be nice to treat them to a class like this where they get to learn something new & have fun. Families cooking at the same time could also lead to a lot of chaos, fighting & messes, but it also means a lot of good laughs, memories & a whole lot of learning! I’ve been seeing a lot of TikToks where every member of the family chooses where they’d like to travel over the summer & they vote on it. If you’d like to make your presentation that much more convincing, buy an experience like this and really prove to them that this is the top family vacation spot.

Enjoy A Solo Adventure

Self-love is the best kind of love: Doing an experience like this on your own is really therapeutic. Just think about how your mind becomes completely zen when you’re being taught something new. That’s a vulnerable state that reminds me of when you’re at a new destination thriving off of exciting facts and mesmerized by new sights. This is the perfect activity for a cozy night in with a glass of wine! Also, can we talk about how much I loved my solo trip to Ireland? This could be one of the first steps to feeling comfortable “being in a foreign country on your own”. I say that in quotes because even though it’s a virtual experience, they are so immersive that you truly will feel like you’re abroad.

The best part about this is maybe from these classes, you’ll have a new favorite food or a new destination in mind. You’d be surprised how many of these types of foods you can find in NYC restaurants and with that, you can introduce your family & friends. Ready to see the best experience gifts, let’s get into it!

Best Experience Gifts: Cooking Edition

European Cooking: Portugal & Italy

Bake Pastel de Nata with fifth-generation Portuguese chef: Everyone is looking to travel to Portugal this year (myself included) and what better way to get excited about the trip than to learn from a fifth-generation Portuguese chef? Pastel de Nata is a puff pastry that you’ll make from SCRATCH! This two-hour baking class will be everything you need to feel like you’re in Lisbon. Prices: $33 per device & $216 for a private booking. Check it out here
Cook Pasta With An Italian Grandma: There’s something to say about Italian pasta straight from Italy. I know so many people who still ate pasta left and right during their Italian vacations and still never gained weight. It’s something in the Italian grandma’s kitchen we can’t seem to understand here in the United States. Welcome to Italy right in the home of your own kitchen. Nonna Nerina and the other grandmothers have a selection of menus to choose from and even offer special Valentine’s meals that you’ll adore. Price: $36 per person or $271 for a group. Check it out here

Asian Cooking: Thailand & India

From My House to Yours, Thai Cooking: Did you know that Thailand is promoting its cuisine in NYC in the hopes of boosting tourism? Well, it’s working baby! Thai food is easily one of my FAVORITE types of food and this experience is something that’ll give you an extra push to book a flight to Thailand. Thai food has such a distinct flavor & getting the chance to cook this on your own will be a great experience. in both 2020 & 2021, it’s the most booked online experience. What’s amazing is that the menu changes every two weeks so you can always experience it again & perfect to try new foods! Price: $38 per person. Check it out here
Make Samosa & Cilantro Chutney From Scratch -Vegan Friendly: If you’ve ever eaten Indian food, you know that samosas and their cilantro chutney sauces are amazing. Getting the opportunity to learn from a local and make this for yourself is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is vegan, and beginner-friendly with the option to use an air fryer. Along with this, if you like the session, check the link’s description to the other classes that he has on making Masala Chai tea, Golden Milk / Turmeric Latte, and Chicken Tikka Masala (Veg/Vegan-friendly). They also come out with a new menu every week! Price: $22 per person. Check it out here

Best Experience Gifts: Bucket List Adventures

In-Person Creative Graffiti Workshop: Immerse Yourself in Brooklyn Art Culture: There’s nothing like Brooklyn than learning about Graffiti from an authentic graffiti artist at the Brooklyn art studio in the heart of Bushwick Brooklyn. For three hours, you get to let your creative juices pump away. Price: $45 per person, 21 age +. Check it out here

Virtual Tours To Inspire Future Trips

Taj Mahal Virtual Tour: One of the coolest experiences you’d want to try is a virtual experience of one of the wonders of the world. Welcome to the Taj Mahal with a local expert that’ll teach and show you this fascinating landmark and “the greatest love story ever written”. Along with a tour of the Taj Mahal, you’ll get a glimpse of the architectural details and even get to see the Baby Taj Mahal aka the blueprint. Price: $5 per person and can accommodate up to 100 people per group. Check it out here
Quito Virtual Guide & Traditions: As the capital of Ecuador, Quito has so much to offer. With fascinating places in the town, churches, plazas, and indigenous towns & the music will make you feel like you’re living your best life in South America. The best part is that for $10 you can get the ultimate experience that’ll inspire you to book your flight! Price: $10 per person. Check it out here

For The Musicians In Your Life

Drumming & Meditation Songs from Kenya: Numerous studies show the positive impacts of listening to music. This is in fact one of the best forms of meditation. Since doing it alone improves your health, imagine the wonders in a group. Throughout the class, introductions & the four parts of the experience, you’re guaranteed to love this. This will bring you back to your inner child and take you on your journey to self-love through affirmations, instrumentation, vocals & rhythm. Price: $100/group. Check it out here

Best Experience Gifts: Dance Your Heart Out

Brazilian Samba Class: If you have ever heard of Zumba, yeah, this class is 100x better since it’s the real deal. Learn how to Brazilian Samba with the best of the best- the Brazilians! This is a Vancouver-based dance group with routes going all the way to Rio de Janeiro. This is a beautiful form of cultural immersion & how passionate Brazilians are in sharing their culture. They have offered a free complimentary class called “Brazilian Funk Lesson” and have other ones to choose from as well! Price: $0-15 CAD. Check it out here
Gypsy Flamenco Fiesta & Dance Lesson: Andalucia is a magical place in Spain and it’s not only for the famous monuments. With a rich history dating back to the 1400s, Seville is a true representation of how Spanish culture is intertwined with North African roots. Gypsies, the founders of flamenco, were not always celebrated. They performed with passion expressing the problems with discrimination, heartbreak & struggles living in the slums of Andalucia. This experience includes fascinating stories of the art, culture & lifestyle of the Gitanos (gypsies), a flamenco routine, las palmas (the hand movements), with the classy exit of course. If you thought that was it, there’s a bit more! At the end of the class, questions will be answered and a video will be sent over of what you learned. From unique footwork tutorials & personal playlists to perfecting the art of flamenco! Price: $28 per person. Check it out here

Mixology Classes From Around The World

Ginspiration History & Cocktails at Home: There’s no place like Gin. I mean at least for the gin-loving queens out there. Gin, I’ll admit has an acquired taste and if you’re lucky, you fell in love, and now it’s your go-to drink whenever you go out. For my gin fanatics out there, welcome & hi nice to meet you guys! Let’s let the professionals handle it though- shall we? This unique gin-tasting experience has everything from making 3 cocktails to playing games, hearing some good maybe bad jokes & get a Lil glimpse of some UK history. That sounds like a challenge! Price: $31 per person. Check it out here
Mezcal & Tequilla Cocktail Masterclass, Mexico: To my alcohol lovers, this one is for you. Instead of paying for overpriced drinks, let’s learn how to make them yourself. Right in the heart of Mexico City, learning about the “heart of Mexico’s artisan spirit culture”, is worth way more than a bottle of tequila. For a solid price of $35, you’ll learn how to make not one, not two, but THREE distinct cocktails. If alcohol isn’t your cup of tea, trust me, their non-alcoholic versions are just as good if not better!! Take it from the award-winning mixologists who know what they’re doing and can show you the ropes. Price: $35 per person & $344 for a group. Check it out here

Best Experience Gifts: For the Animal Lovers In Your Life

Meet a Shark Scientist in South Africa: Ever wonder what it’s like to be inches from Great White Sharks? Usually, Shark Week happens for one week out of the entire year, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Shark scientists in South Africa get up close to the world’s most dangerous predators. With every experience comes crazy stories of close encounters, NEW footage from shark dives & findings from research. Oh wait, there’s more, you have the “chance to name a live-tracked GREAT WHITE shark!”- start thinking of what you’ll want to name them asap. Price $21: per person (Automatic discounts are applied for groups of 4+). Check it out here
Seal Rescue Ireland Virtual Experience: From a true Irish queen, you already knew that I had to include this amazing experience. Seals should be cherished and you’ll learn about the different breeds, the threats in the environment & how to help them. If you’re an animal lover, then this is definitely something you’ll want to experience. Price: $17 per person. Check it out here

Therapeutic Experiences They’ll Love

Birth Chart Reading & Distance Reiki Healing“: When they say that it’s written in the stars, they really mean it. Learn about what your birth chart means in terms of your “character, emotional needs, life lesson, and purpose”. When the reading gets too intense, there is a positive healing session afterward that will teach you all about the ways to reduce stress, balance the chakras and encourage your overall well-being. Price: $75 per person. Check it out here
Origami Fun with a Japanese Festive Instructor: Folding paper has never been more exciting until now. Presenting this origami class with a Japanese instructor, for only $17, includes an hour of stimulating imagination, and boosting creativity. Ready to see just what you’re capable of, check it out here & get started! Price: $17 per person

There You Have It

When it comes to the best experience gifts, this will make their heart melt and truly appreciate the finer things in life. Like I said, 1000% times- experiences over things. Why spend money on a gift when you can give them life-changing experiences that could spark an amazing vacation? What’s perfect about these experiences is that many are range in the $10-$30 price range so there’s no excuse that it’s too expensive. This is a great challenge for people looking to experience something new, become more culturally aware & learn about different customs that make each country unique. I have added the top experiences but I have over 15+ experiences to add for the next edit so let me know what you’d like to see & I’ll look into them!