Birthdays

One of ours bought my husband two Red Letter day experience vouchers for his recent 80th birthday. One works well and is eagerly anticipated. The second would be excellent for the giver, not for us. The Red Letter Day staff understood and have converted it into a credit voucher which can be used for absolutely anything on their site. A credit remains if the chosen item is of a lesser value, it’s possible to top up if needed. We plan to top up and book a very expensive hotel we’d usually shy away from as a treat for Mr C post surgery. Our son is happy as long as his gift will be used. They do get a lot of negative reviews, we found the staff incredibly helpful.

My FIL used to give money at Christmas! I found it bizarre when we called at their house on Christmas afternoon. He'd take out this wad of notes and go round the room peeling off each person's allotted amount like the Lord of the Manor giving largess to the peasants
All the same, actual cash is seriously more sensible - but slightly embarrassing if you're on the receiving end.

Hundreds of millions of pounds are wasted every year on unused gift vouchers. Why not just give money - the voucher that you can use anywhere?

silverlining48

What a pity if experience gift vouchers are Not used. They are chosen with recipients interests in mind and usually last a year, so plenty of time. Not a cheap gift either.

A year is not really that long if you work and have only weekends. Sometimes (like the balloon flight) the weather is wrong which means lots more people are trying for the same few dates. Add in holidays and bank holidays, child care etc.

Some involve other costs - if only getting to the venue (some may be 50 miles away). A trip up the shard with a meal in one of the restaurants may not be awkward if you live in London but would be more problematic if you were out of area.

Also, I may like a spa day but can I find a day that my friend can come with me? This involves two families with commitments - and then combine this with availability at the venue. And as time goes by the bookings at the venue are taken.

I suppose once we are retired we may find these experiences are easier to "fit in".

silverlining48

What a pity if experience gift vouchers are Not used. They are chosen with recipients interests in mind and usually last a year, so plenty of time. Not a cheap gift either.

That's my thinking too. Surely if people can't (or won't?) use them, they could pass them on to someone who would actually appreciate them. I'd love to be given something like that. Some people seem very ungrateful.

What a pity if experience gift vouchers are Not used. They are chosen with recipients interests in mind and usually last a year, so plenty of time. Not a cheap gift either.

I think the thing to do is not be obsessed by presents being surprises and discuss the potential present with the recipient in advance. You could wait until THE DAY and then talk it over and not book it until everything is fixed.

DD usually gives us an 'event' of some kind as a birthday present. As said up thread she and I go to a sewing event. She has taken DH to various air events, bu the success of these events is that no money is spent until the day, date, time and place are fully agreed and it is known it is something the recipient will enjoy, because we have checked.

That way the gift isn't 'wasted'.

I bought a spa day for 2 for my DD a few years back. Paid extra for any day and it included lunch etc. Never used it. It would probably be a good idea to sound them out first. My children have bought us vouchers for afternoon tea, pub lunch and restaurant vouchers. The are in the drawer as we can't use them.

I wonder, Hetty how much money Virgin et al are making from people being unable (or unwilling) to organise their "special experience" days?

I know of two that were never used and two that were.
50% wastage.

*Theatre Voucher
*Cinema voucher
*Vidgin experience day voucher do they can choose
*Special meal out
*Interest putting eg I have my son/dil a stargazing experience- SE England
Cookery lesson

Just a few suggestions

My grandson enjoyed driving supercars - but then I knew he would. Some 'special' experience gifts bought for siblings never were used - due to inconvenience, time or distance booking constraints - or they just didn't appeal and passed their use by dates. I do like the National Trust suggestion and a meal out voucher seems to always be welcomed.

I bought 2 of my daughters a day at a local wildlife park, including 30 minutes inside the meerkats enclosure, interacting with them.

A swing seat for the garden or a fancy bench or a water feature sound good?

We were gifted a tour of a vineyard and talk and wine tasting last year.Money wasted, we didn’t want it so didn’t go.
You have to be sure recipients really want the experience and will use it.

If they like Galleries and Museums a National Art Pass might be a good gift and lasts all year

I think a swing-seat will give years of pleasure.
I would ask them to choose - you can say you will contribute up to £x so they can choose something more expensive if they want to and are able.

We have done this for adult children. You can always "christen" it with some sparking wine - or maybe gift the wine now with a tag about when they can drink it (on their new swing chair).

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).

My friend & I bought our husbands a flight in a light aircraft with lunch and a visit to an aviation museum. It was a great success and the voucher was valid for a year.

Red Letter Day experiences can be swapped for a different experience. You get a credit if it’s cheaper or pay a supplement if it’s more. The gift recipient is in charge.

Alternatively a adopt a Donkey for them at the Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth and send them on a day out there together- dad and daughter. They also sell knitted donkeys in the shop there to remember their day.

Why don't you buy them an alpaca walking experience together? I don't expect they have spent time just the two of them alone for some years. They will enjoy it, surely.

Took my husband to magic mike the other week! Was very exciting, would definitely recommend and it really spiced up our life (if you know what i mean😜)

About 15 years ago our DD bought us a balloon flight with Virgin.. The flight was delayed at least twice due to the weather. However we had a lovely time and enjoyed a different view of out local area.

I had often wanted to drive a 40 ton articulated lorry, just for a minute to see what it is like to do. DH bought me an hour's driving lesson at a local HGV driving school which was brilliant. The boss drove a 40 ton artic to a local former airfield now a private industrial area. I then sat in the driver's seat, the golden rule was if any other vehicle appeared I was to stop immediately and put the handbrake on, move it out of gear. He taught me how to do a 3 point turn and after 45 minutes he let DH have a quick drive too. We then headed back to the base and had to get off the road completely to let an abnormal load through. Very good value and much better than the experience days offers.

I think you need to know if they will definitely use it.
My daughter and son-in-law had a balloon flight gift for their wedding anniversary about five years ago.
They had it extended (and wanted to use it) but never got to use it because they couldn't make the available dates work.
It was wasted.

My driving-mad son couldn't fit in a super-car day gift from his then girlfriend. He actually bought another (and didn't say) so that she wouldn't be upset (and probably cross with him !

However, two of my daughters have used spa day gifts successfully but they both have more work flexibility.

If it has limited availability I'd be wary.

An 'experience' as a present does not have to be something with a whiff of danger. We have a spate of Birthdays from late January to mid February. This year presents have ranged from

Tickets for Strictly Tour, Tickets for The Treacherous Orchestra, A Spa Day with lunch, and a Short Break in a very posh hotel.

We have also discovered that you can buy a personalised, Birthday Greeting video by a Celebrity, eg Sports, film or soap stars. DD organised one for DGS's birthday. DGS was speechless when his favourite actor from Game of Thrones, appeared on the TV in the living room just as he was blowing out his 16 candles. The star delivered a longish personal message (written in advance by DD) and finished by inviting the Birthday Boy to open the envelope on the mantlepiece. Surprise, Surprise - tickets for a return flight to Belfast, weekend in a hotel and best of all tickets for entrance to Game of Thrones Experience in NI.

DGS was unusually speechless!!!

PS 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.