Last-minute travel-inspired gifts? Gift an experience

As this holiday season quickly approached, many people are still wondering what last-minute gifts they can find for their loved ones. Gifting an experience might just be what they most desire.

1. Gift a travel experience

If your loved one loves to travel, but this Christmas season they’re with family at home, give them a travel experience at home!

Gift a cooking class: Checkout your local cooking schools, community centres, restaurants and cafés. They’ll no doubt offer cooking classes for people of any age, from tastes close to home, to those from dream destinations. Give your loved one the chance to learn the cuisine of their dream destination.

Gift a historical/architecture/art tour: Ever wondered how much we actually know our home towns? For the history buffs, gifting a tour might just be the perfect gift.

Wine or beer tasting: A wine and beer tasting might just be the perfect gift for enthusiasts. The West Coast happens to filled with possibilities. From California, to Washington, to Salt-Spring Island, to the Okanagan, there are many distilleries, wineries and breweries for the choosing.

Adventure activities: Skydiving, hot air balloon ride, zip-lining, or a day of rock climbing could be a great gift for the thrill-seekers.

Photography or nature tour: For the herbalists and animal lovers, a gift in nature would go a long way. Gift them a photography workshop or a guided nature tour for a day of capturing moments. Otherwise, arrange a visit to an animal sanctuary, zoo, or wildlife reserve for a unique encounter with different species.

2. For the music aficionados

Music can be a way to explore your own backyard or re-visit a favourite travel destination or experience while staying close to home.

Membership: You already know the local venues hit? Go ahead and book them an annual show pass – a gift that’s bound to make music lovers ecstatic.

Concert tickets: You know what kind of music they like, but not the specific artists? A ticket to a local band performance can be a ticket to discovering a new favourite.

Festival Pass: Gift them a pass to a music festival featuring a lineup of artists they love. Festivals often offer a diverse range of music genres, so even if you are not sure what they like, there’s bound to be some artists that hit the right note.

Music lessons or workshops: Your loved one has always wanted to learn the guitar but has never found the time? A class might just be the push they need.

3. Gift a health and wellness retreat

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, it can just be a ticket to a local spa, a gesture that will go a long way for a loved one. If you want to delve into fancier health and wellness experiences, there are a lot for the choosing.

Spa day: Gift a day at a spa or a weekend wellness retreat for relaxation, massages and other relaxing treatments.

Yoga or meditation retreat: Enroll them in a yoga or meditation retreat to unwind, practice mindfulness and connect with inner peace.

Fitness class package: Provide a package of fitness classes, such as yoga, Pilates or dance, allowing them to explore new forms of exercise.

Aromatherapy and essential oils: Gift a set of essential oils from your local herbalist or an aromatherapy diffuser for creating a calming and fragrant environment.

Mindful Walking or Nature Meditation Session: Arrange for a guided mindful walking or nature meditation session in a serene outdoor location for your loved one.

Whether through music, travel or wellness, you’re bound to make your loved one happy with one of these last minute gift-experiences!

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!