Looking to think outside the gift box this festive season? Try giving someone the gift of an experience. Christmas experience gifts (as opposed to material ones, like your standard socks, for example) are all the rage right now, and we’re seriously here for it. Not only does it avoid any wasteful packaging, it promotes emotional connection over material consumption. What could be better than that?
Here are some of our favourite Christmas experience gifts to try out on your shopping list this holiday season.
App Subscriptions
What do you get the person who already has everything? There’s an app for that.
Insight Timer is the most active online meditation community in the world. Offers tons of guided meditations for free, but the in-app subscription unlocks extras like full courses, offline downloads and advanced player functions. Costs US59.99.
For anyone who’s bored to tears on a treadmill, Class Pass changes up your fitness routine to keep you on your toes. Partners with some of HK’s most popular studios, like Flex or Torq, with monthly plans that start at $158.
SWEAT With Kayla is an uber-popular fitness app for women, helmed by fitness juggernaut Kayla Itsines. Gives access to 28-minute workouts every week, with monthly (US19.99) or annual (US119.94) subscriptions.
Know someone who loves a bargain? Discount app the ENTERTAINER hooks up its user base with deals on everything from hotel discounts to 2-for-1 dinners. Sign up for the app before Dec. 30 and lock in the early bird price of $288.
Streaming Services
Netflix and chill? Don’t mind if we do. This pioneer of online streaming offers subscriptions from $63/month.
Sure, you can use music-streaming platform Spotify for free. But upgrade to their premium subscription for $58/month and your loved one will never have to hear another annoying ad mid-Ariana Grande album again.
Amazon Prime gives its users access to original series like Boardwalk Empire and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as movies, TV series, live events, songs, online books & magazines, and quicker delivery when you order off Amazon. US12.99/month
Activities
Escape reality by picking up a virtual reality gaming package for the whole fam. Zero Latency offers multiplayer VR games at its sizeable space in Kwun Tong, starting from $300 per player for one hour.
Hong Kong Rock Climbing Adventure offers guided forays into the world of extreme sports with day tours that get you ziplining, abseiling and rock climbing. Some outings are suitable for total beginners, like a canyoning outing to Ping Nam Stream ($680 per person).
Sea Kayak Hong Kong provides half and full day kayaking tours around some of HK’s most untouched islands and coastlines, starting from $450. Also offers many multi day camping expeditions, like a two-day tour of the UNESCO Geopark ($2,400).
Experience Gift Companies
These one-stop shop online platforms have done the legwork for you, with a wide range of experiences from gourmet dinners to flight simulations.
Gift Something is a premium online retailer with an impressive inventory of experience gifts. From cake-making courses ($669) to a dinner cruise for two ($11,390), there’s an experience for most shoppers’ budgets here.
Not your standard lai see, Red Packet specialises in experience gifts. For $799, choose from a list of experiences like a massage, a 45-minute makeup lesson, or dinner for two and a salsa dance class.
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