This post is sponsored by our partners at LivingSocial but the opinions expressed are my own.
We all have those people in our lives who don’t need or want anything, which is wonderful in its own way… but makes it really difficult to give them something special during the holidays. As my kids (and parents) get older, I find that sometimes the best gifts are not things at all, but experiences that they can do — or perhaps you can do together. Maybe you’ve used the LivingSocial app or website to score deals on local restaurants, salons, or shows for yourself. Most of those deals can also make great experiential gifts that will keep friends and family talking. But how?
I talked with Elizabeth Hebda, LivingSocial Shopping Expert, to get a few tips on how to present your loved ones with an out of the box gift. Read on…
Image Credit: Larry Lamsa
Tips for Experiential Gifts from LivingSocial
HapaMama: I love the idea of gifting experiences, rather than material things. What kind of person would an experiential gift be good for?
LivingSocial: Experiential gifts are ideal for the girl or guy who has everything because you eliminate the chance of giving those hard to buy for people something they already have. LivingSocial makes it easy for everyone to give an experiential gift, from the creative gift-giver to the last minute shopper. Most LivingSocial deals can be gifted – just look for the gift icon. Whether you want to give the gift immediately or schedule it for a future date, the printable gift vouchers and digital delivery options make wrapping a cinch.
HM: What are some tips on choosing an activity that your friend or family member will enjoy, especially if it’s someone of a different age or stage of life than yourself?
LS: With experiential gifts, you want to take it a bit further and consider the person’s less obvious desires. Maybe they have always wanted to drive a racecar and it always seemed out of reach. Or perhaps you can tell the person needs some rest and relaxation, so you opt for a pampering spa treatment. Whoever the person is, think back to your last email or conversation with them – if they’ve been super busy, something low key like a dinner out with their beau would be perfect. But if they’re eager to get active, think rock climbing, paintballing, or even hot air ballooning.
HM: I always feel a little silly if I don’t have something wrapped to give my loved ones for the holidays. Any suggestions on how to make the experience of presenting an experiential gift feel special?
LS: We’ve got you covered! Our Pinterest page features more than a dozen DIY ways to dress up a LivingSocial gift voucher. Check out this festive tree in a mason jar idea for the holidays, or this easy Nutcracker one. And who knew toilet paper rolls could end up looking so pretty?
HM: Now, some technical details… Does the person you’re giving a gift to have to live in your area? Do they have to have a LivingSocial account?
LS: Thanks to our digital delivery, you can e-gift to anyone, anywhere in the country with ease. The recipient could live a thousand miles away, and you can still gift them a great experience right in their hometown. Just go to livingsocial.com, enter your desired city at the top right of the page, and for browse local experiences your lucky giftee can enjoy, from restaurants to sporting events to concerts and more. The recipient does not need an account with LivingSocial to enjoy the experience you’ve selected especially for them.
Image Credit: travel junction via Flickr
Here’s a hint at something good I found on LivingSocial for HapaPapa… cheers! I even used a function on the site to schedule an email with the voucher to be sent to him on December 25.