12 experience gifts for people who have everything

Searching for gift ideas can be tricky—especially if your friend or family member already has everything they need. Whether they’re out of storage or an aspiring minimalist, an experience gift can help make memories without taking up space.

From unique meals to outdoor adventures to live music, there’s an activity for every special person in your life. Check out these 12 food, fun, travel and local themed gifts for someone who has everything.

Maybe you’re searching for gift ideas for a foodie in your life—the friend that’s found the best slice of pizza in their city and knows the newest restaurant on every block. A gifted set of mixing bowls or oven mitts just won’t do. Try one of these food and drink experience gifts instead to help expand their palate.

1. Meal kits

Meal kits are a popular way for people to try new recipes and mix things up in the kitchen. And with more than 100 meal options every week from HelloFresh, your foodie friend won’t get bored. You can purchase the plan or gift card amount that fits within your holiday budget.

Shop: Meal kits from HelloFresh

2. Wine tasting

Few things feel more bourgeois than sipping different types of wine while learning about tannins and bodies from an expert. Groupon offers services and experiences—including wine tastings—that you can buy in your giftee’s city.

Shop: Wine tasting from Groupon

3. Food tour

As Anthony Bourdain once said, “The history of the world is on your plate.” Your foodie friend might enjoy connecting with a local culture through cuisine. Websites like Tours4Fun list experiences that range from food walking tours of Prague and Melbourne to dinner and a show in Madrid.

Shop: Food tour from Tours4Fun

For even more unique gift inspiration, check out these gifts for foodies.

Is your friend or loved one the type of person who skips the Ferris wheel and heads straight for the tallest, fastest roller coaster? Do they prefer bungee jumping to brunch? One of these adrenaline rush-inducing gifts might be just right for them.

4. Escape room

Working under a time limit to solve a puzzle and escape the room will have your giftee feeling the heat. Try searching for tickets to their local escape room on Groupon. Plus, escape rooms are usually done with a group—so you could even invite yourself.

Shop: Escape room from Groupon

5. Kayak tour

REI makes it possible to join fellow adventurers in the great outdoors. With kayak tours—and other activities like mountain biking and backpacking—hosted across the country, you might be able to find a trip near your friend or family member’s area. They’ll love a day spent out on the water.

Shop: Kayak tour from REI

6. Outdoor rock climbing

Whether your giftee is a rock climbing novice or an expert, they can find an experience on 57hours. You can purchase a gift card and let them choose their own adventure in places like California, Colorado and Connecticut. If they’d prefer hiking, surfing or backcountry skiing instead, there are gift cards for those, too.

Shop: Gift card from 57hours

If you know someone who’s always on a plane or camping around the country, these experience gift ideas might be right up their alley. When booking tickets for something time specific, just remember to ask your giftee about their availability.

And if you want to keep their suitcase well stocked, check out this list of travel gifts.

7. National park annual pass

For just $80, you could send your friend or family member on camping trips across the U.S. for one year, free of charge. The America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass admits the pass owner—your giftee—and any passengers in their car into more than 2,000 recreation areas.

Shop: National park annual pass from USGS.gov

8. Weekend getaway

Does your giftee talk about needing a weekend away? Is there a town or destination they’ve always wanted to visit? You could book them a stay in a cabin, tiny home or even a treehouse on Airbnb. Gift cards are also available for purchase if you’d prefer to let them choose when and where they want to stay.

Shop: Weekend getaway on Airbnb

9. Camper van rental

With 13 rental locations and more than 600 camper vans available for rent on Escape Campervans, you could give the gift of van life. Rates vary by the season and length of rental, but keep in mind that driving and sleeping in a van eliminates other transportation and lodging costs for a vacation. The company even offers itineraries for a number of destinations.

Shop: Camper van rental from Escape Campervans

For the person who loves spending time in their own neighborhood, you can bring an experience to them. Getting fit, entertained and relaxed are just a few ways to make their holiday special. For more local fun, check out this holiday activities guide.

10. ClassPass membership

From $29 to $299 per month, you can give your friend or family member access to the world of studio fitness. ClassPass offers credits to attend more than 30,000 studios and gyms in 2,500 locations worldwide. This might be a good gift for people who enjoy exercise and trying new things.

Shop: Membership from ClassPass

11. Concert tickets

From music to comedy to theater, there’s something for everyone on StubHub. You can search for events near your giftee—or buy a gift card—to get them into the concert of their dreams. And if you buy two tickets, they might even bring you along.

Shop: Concert tickets from StubHub

12. Spa day

Give the gift of luxury with a massage, facial, manicure or another spa treatment. Spafinder sells gift cards that are eligible for thousands of locations, so your friend or family member can find a spa near them.

Shop: Gift card from Spafinder

It’s possible to find an experience gift for any of your family members and friends—foodies, thrill seekers, world travelers and locals alike. The holidays may only happen once a year, but the memories will last a lifetime. Need even more gift ideas? Check out the full 2022 holiday gift guide.

And if you consider yourself an experience enthusiast, a Capital One rewards card gives you access to unforgettable experiences through Capital One Entertainment. You can compare rewards cards to find one that’s right for you.