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The Experience Gift Guide: An All-In-One Present

So Much More Than A Gift Card: The All-In-One Experience Presents
Rebecca Zamon
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In this season of gift giving, it's all too easy to get lazy and grab for the first thing you see. And more often than not, the first thing you see is a gift card to whatever store you happen to be in.

In the past few years, the gift giving industry cleverly created the "experience" gift card, which entitles the recipient to, say, a day in a hot air balloon or a night at a hotel and spa. A huge trend for this season, giving "experiences" is both generous and simple -- they're easy to find at major retailers, and there's usually something for any personality.

We love the notion, but we have a sneaking suspicion that it comes across as a bit too easy. That's why we've compiled a list of some great experience gifts that require both effort and vouchers -- let us know if there's any experience you're hoping to get under the Christmas tree this year on Twitter at @HuffPostCaLiv or in the comments below.

Total Experience Gift Guide
The Recently Engaged Package(01 of05)
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For those in your life who you know will be getting engaged over the holidays (can't anyone keep a secret anymore?), this kit will help them on their path to marital bliss. A gift certificate to Browns Shoes will start getting the footwear in order, available in any denomination, Browns Shoes; a Passport to Prana yoga pass will provide at least a month of relaxation in the midst of planning, $20 or $30 depending on location, passporttoprana.com; and a handy jewelry cleaning kit to keep that ring sparkling, $15, Birks. (credit:Browns; Passport to Prana; Birks)
The SAD Package(02 of05)
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This might be an all-in-one package, but does the New York-based Gansevoort Hotel Group ever know how to come up with original ideas. They've pulled together a (pricey) package to help those afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder, complete with a penthouse suite, a Vitamin D-infused facial, a "compliment concierge" to dole out good vibes and a Photoshop with Santa service to enhance even your most hideous shots from the holidays, among other embellishments. All yours for $10,000 a night; visit hotelgansevoort.com for more information. (credit:The Gansevoort Hotel Group)
The Movie Lover Package(03 of05)
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Give the cinephiles in your life a treat with some goodies to ensure they have the best possible theatre experience around. Give them the chance to make their own movie-style popcorn with a Retro Series Popcorn Maker, $89.99, Kitchen Stuff Plus; then ensure that they can bring their drinks into even the oldest, most independent theatres with a Clip On Cup Holder that will (fingers crossed) keep beverages in place, $5.99, Amazon.com. Finish it all off with a themed gift certificate from Cineplex, and get to the movies! (credit:Cineplex; Kitchen Stuff Plus; Amazon.com)
The Book Lover Package(04 of05)
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People who love those dead-tree books really love those dead-tree books. Celebrate their library with these gifts to help complete it. Kick off with a Personal Library Kit to ensure that things lent out get returned, from $16, visit KnockKnock for retailers; let them geek out with Penguin-branded merchandise, like a Great Gatsby mug, prices vary, available at Chapters/Indigo, The Cookbook Store, Good Egg and other retailers; fill that up with Balzac's Atwood Blend -- yes, that Atwood, with $1 going to the Pelee Island Bird Observatory, $20, Indigo; and top it all off with a gift card that works at Indigo, Chapters, Coles, and even kobo.ca if they decide to go digital. (credit:KnockKnock; Penguin; Indigo)
The Toronto Weekender(05 of05)
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Created for business travellers who want to stay over the weekend, or those who live outside the city but want the occasional weekend in urbanity, the SoHo Met Club is a rather fabulous home away from home. Offering unlimited weekend stays for a year (booking a maximum of 72 hours in advance), the package includes discounts on food and beverages in the hotel and access to all of the amenities. Buy it for your favourite traveller from $3,499; find more information at sohometclub.com. (credit:SoHo Metropolitan)

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