Birthdays

I purchased an experience for a Christmas present, it wasn’t taken up an expired. In my experience it was a waste of money.

Ha ha. Me too AD

ATG theatre vouchers only work in 35 venues.
I would be wary of those, personally.

For Christmas 2021 I gave my daughter and her husband a night's stay at the Mermaid Inn in Rye, with dinner and breakfast. This year I am getting them brunch at the Shard when they decide on a date, then I will book it.

I've both bought and been given experience days - it depends on their interests but there are lots to choose from. Have a look in your location as there are often local businesses offering these. I've still got a balloon flight to take! I recently did a Birds of Prey day and that was great.

Something went wrong there. It should read "they will speedily reject it"

It occurred to me that these video personal messages from their favourite celeb, would also be a great gift for elderly or housebound people - a surprise on the day and something to treasure and replay whenever they want.

I devoutly hope that if this idea occurs to any of my nearest and dearest, they will

ExDancer - it's a great idea to provide an 'experience' joint birthday present as long as you choose an experience you know they would like and not one driven by what might suit you (although they might happily coincide). Also, as others have said, ensure the terms and conditions allow a good window of opportunity. I recall my daughter being bought two post-natal massage sessions by a friend many years ago and my daughter never having the time because of the massage salon being too far away from home and the fact that she was breast-feeding. Eventually, we had to squeeze the two sessions in right at the end of the eligibility period and I had to go and sit in the waiting room with my grandchild. The benefit from the gift was lost given the scramble to take advantage of it. So - maybe it's best to talk beforehand about your plan and if you could get a date in their diary beforehand, buy an experience that you can book for that particular date so there's no issue with expiry.

ExDancer

I'm beginning to go 'off' the experience idea. Perhaps a National garden voucher might suit. I know they are wanting a new swinging seat in their garden.
I wonder where you get them (off to Google).

If you find a garden centre with a lot of choice you could give them a voucher, then if they don't want a seat they can use it for something else.

Can't go wrong with an ATG theatre voucher, then they can put it towards a show of their choice.

I'd check that the experience is something that the recipient can access and wants to do. We have received a couple that have been fabulous but rather more that simply haven't been taken up either through difficult location or not something that we really want to do and so are forgotten about until it is too late.
Personally I'd rather have a membership bought for me for something that really interests me.

Gave grandson flying lesson for 21 st..is just about to take it up from nearly a year ago, victim of suitable times and vagaries of English weather. However hope we will be lucky this time….not good when weather dependant, although something he’ll enjoy

I bought each of my sons a flying lesson which they thoroughly enjoyed.

I would consider buying someone an ‘experience’ day if I thought they were up for it! My son in particular loves trying new things. My daughters prefer the ubiquitous spa days. I would be a bit sceptical about receiving an ‘experience’ myself though! A spa ‘treat’ would be my worst nightmare as I hate being fiddled about with. (Having my hair or nails done is an ordeal. Dentist is ok as it’s quick!) Would prefer a nice walk with my children/grandchildren, or a trip to a museum, and a pub lunch. Yes I am boring!

A nice day out is good as a present, or a meal/theatre vouchers, but I think the 'experience' companies are a bit over rated, as someone else said you can often get a similar experience direct from the venue and then you don't have a lengthy process to go through when you want to book, with passwords and PINs involved! DH always gets me random experiences and sometimes they are not things I would choose to do, but I put on a smile and go anyway!

My grandchildren bought me an experience for my Christmas present. I went for this experience and had a wonderful time, so I would highly recommend it.

A few years back I bought my DH a gliding lesson for his birthday as he’d always gone on about how he’d love to do that. He opened it on his birthday and I saw his face drop, he then informed me he actually didn’t want to do it after all. He’s not mentioned gliding since that day. Personally if someone was buying me something like that I’d only really like a spa day or weekend. Champneys have an offer on at the moment 2 for 1. Maybe some interest to you?

My stepmother emailed a bit before my birthday and said “I want to get you something really indulgent and just for you for your birthday. What would you like?”
I was thrilled, and sent her two options complete with websites, & contact details. Next thing I know, my occasional massage therapist texts saying “I’ve just had vouchers for two sessions bought for you, when do you want to use them?”
It was so thoughtful of my stepmother as her original question included her awareness of what goes on in my life, and her genuine desire to indulge me, but also her desire to make it ‘just right’. Typical of her, too, she’s brilliant.

I bought my DH a canoeing experience with lunch. Unfortunately he let the date expire so we didn't go. We did do the zip line at Aberdare though which was a great experience.

Sometimes its worth ringing the venue as you can get deals/vouchers and its cheaper than buying an experience as they put their commission on top. A couple of spa day and afternoon tea were a couple of gifts l bought but went through the venue

Red letter hotel break was nothing but trouble! Refusing refunds etc etc, tried same break through hotels.com.
Not a problem and cheaper!

I know it sounds perhaps lazy and a little dull, but I think giving money is a better option as it will definitely be used for something they enjoy? Also saves them having to go to the bother of exchanging a gift, not using it or giving it away

I always buy my DD and SiL and experience. They range from walking over the O2 dome, going down the helter skelter on the Olympic Park, zip lining in Wales to fancy meals out.

Our daughter got us a voucher for a posh restaurant,knowing we like our food !

Why not a “promise” cheque. A lovely card with a promise inside to contribute towards a gift of their choice? You an suggest putting it towards a garden seat, meal out, etc.
I do this for mine. A well known money saving site had special Christmas cheques you could download and print out. I did one for my daughter and sil for a meal out, including babysitting.they made an occasion of it.

I think money is a really impersonal gift to receive. Personally, I'd much rather have a voucher for something the giver thought I would appreciate. If I've been given money, it invariably ends up just being spent on normal everyday essentials.