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Short answer: Good experience gifts include a Topgolf gift card, a driving experience like the Porsche Track Experience, a fondue night kit, a whiskey or beer making kit, or a scratch-off map and travel guide that sets up a trip together.
Experience gifts are perfect for people who don’t want more stuff. The best ones give them something to look forward to and a story to tell afterward. Some are tickets and gift cards, and others bring the experience home. Here are our picks, sorted by type. For more help choosing, see What to buy for Christmas.
How we chose: This is a researched shopping guide, not a hands-on product test. Every pick comes from products we researched for our full Masters of Gifts gift guides, and prices shown are the ones we last checked. Prices change, so check the retailer before you buy. Our editorial standards explain how we research every list.
Something to go do
Outings and adventures they'll remember.
Topgolf gift card ($50)
Good at any Topgolf in the US. Heated hitting bays are one of the easiest ways to keep swinging when it's snowing outside.
Amazon price: $50.00 (checked October 27, 2026)
Porsche Track Experience driving course
For car lovers and track-day dreamers. Porsche's instructor-led courses at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham run from a one-day Precision course to three-day Masters RS. Dates fill up fast.
Porsche price: $2,400 (checked October 18, 2026)
An experience at home
Kits for a fun night in.
DIY whiskey making kit
For the bourbon fan curious about flavoring and aging his own spirit at home.
Uncommon Goods price: $60.00 (checked October 27, 2026)
West Coast-style IPA beer brewing kit
For the hop lover who's always wanted to try brewing his own gallon of IPA.
Uncommon Goods price: $50.00 (checked October 27, 2026)
Plan an adventure
Gifts that inspire a trip.
Scratch-off world map poster
For travelers. They scratch off each country they visit, and a U.S. map is included too.
Amazon price: $19.49 (checked October 27, 2026)
Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
A guidebook to the world's strangest places, for the dad who likes planning trips or reading about them.
Amazon price: $19.19 (checked October 27, 2026)
LifeStraw personal water filter
A straw filter for hiking and emergency kits, with more than 126,000 ratings. It's small enough for any stocking.
Amazon price: $17.97 (checked October 27, 2026)
Skip this
A few experience gifts can fall flat.
- Experiences with strict dates. Choose flexible tickets or gift cards when possible.
- Experiences that cost them money. Cover everything, including travel and extras, if you can.
- Adventures they wouldn't pick. Skydiving isn't for everyone. Match the experience to them.
Experience gift FAQ
What are good experience gifts?
Gift cards for outings, classes, driving experiences, concert tickets or kits for a fun night at home.
How do you wrap an experience gift?
Print the ticket or gift card and pair it with a small related item, like golf balls for Topgolf.
Are experience gifts better than physical gifts?
Many people enjoy experiences more because they create memories, especially when shared.
