Over the years we’ve all accumulated stuff, material goods (and bads) that engulf the homestead, sometimes overwhelming the dwellers. Some of us do not know how to declutter and reorganize. Things just pile up over the years! All the birthdays, holidays of gift giving with shopping and buying can become treacherous. How do we explain capitalism to a child on Christmas without going into too much detail? Simply give a gift of an experience.
One year I gave my boys a trip to Diggerland USA, an amusement park in Berlin Township, New Jersey. We had a blast, even though it was a rainy day. We even have a video of me trying to run an obstacle course in a waterpark. Lets just say, I’m not as agile as I used to be! I’m so glad we have those memories to cherish and not a piece of plastic that goes inside, outside, then finds its way to the landfill. Not all experiences have to cost money. Planning and setting time aside for an experience can help reduce the time spent on shopping for this person, that person, and anybody you feel like splurging on.
If I could, I would go anywhere to gain a new experience. Giving the gift allows you the opportunity to go too! Traveling with a loved one is an experience for bonding, sharing laughs and memories. Whether you’re planning a road trip or soaring through the sky to a destination, giving and receiving an experience can be loads of fun. Catch a theater show while strolling the city; secure tickets for a whale sighting boat tour; plan an evening to go to a cooking class!
A Sampling of Experiential Local Gift Experiences
A little adrenaline
- R1 Indoor Karting Entertainment Center, Lincoln
Multiple gift-certificate-friendly attractions in one spot, including Time Mission with 25 portals through a time machine, a two-level, custom asphalt go-cart racetrack designed by Dutch racing legend Mike Hezemans, an Axe Bar with 10 throwing lanes, dystopian darts, an arcade and mini-escape rooms.. r1indoorkarting.com
- Level99
Eat, drink, and play with entertainment for the whole family (or a double date) – a plethora of innovative challenge rooms that are best experienced in groups of three or more. These challenge the brain and the reflexes, and your giftee can tackle many types of challenges. level99.com
- The Dusty Planet
Mini golf and arcade with a bar, especially created with art in mind. Families are encouraged to visit during the day, as the Dusty Planet offers karaoke and league play at night. The intricate and eccentric design puts UFOs front and center for an out-of-this-world mini-golf experience. thedustyplanet.com
- Electromagnetic Pinball Museum
It’s only $10 to free-play all day, as this org’s mission is primarily educational. But for a gamer who wants to experience how it used to be done, this could be the perfect gift – gift certs available for purchase in-person only. elecromagneticpinballmuseum.com
- Boston Skydiving
The most adrenalized thing we could think of, and definitely not for everyone. But if your giftee is ok with being tossed out of an airplane, this is a gift they’d never forget! Although it’s named Boston Skydive for some odd marketing reason, they actually lift off from Smithfield, RI – bonus points if you had any idea there was an airport there! Depending on your giftee, this might pair well with some fresh underwear. bostonskydivecenter.com
Getting out there
- Horseback riding
For young’ns and full-grown cowpokes, there are a number of stables around the state that offer lessons or guided tromps through the woods for giftees who might like horsing around. It’s another experience where you never forget the first time you tried it. candlstables.info and sunsetstables-ri.com are highly recommended examples.
- Boat Tours
They may feel a little off-brand for RI wintertime, but they’re an appreciated gift when the nice weather returns. There are constant tours of Newport, Narragansett Bay, and the Providence River. newportsailing.com, sail-newport.com,
- RI Troll Hunting
Thomas Dambo, a dedicated dumpster diver from Denmark, is the world’s leading recycle artist. He created 170 giant trolls stationed across 20 countries. They sound scary, but they’re magnificent sculptures. Follow the “Troll Trail” to discover 5 trolls in RI. These are free installations, so to make a gift of it, promise to drive the giftee to the diverse locations. You can find a map at thomasdambo.com
- RI Area Mystery Day Road Trips
A “Before You Go” package includes a self-guided day trip with the help of a well-curated itinerary and a beautifully crafted booklet with directions, destinations, hints, details on small businesses, hidden gems, and unique local spots, revealed one envelope at a time. guesswheretrips.com
- 15-Minute Field Trips
Hands-on educational programs that intersect art, nature, advocacy, and community. Activities range and are located at camps, farms, parks, schools and libraries across the state. This does sound like one for just the kids, as it boils down to mini after-school program-like experiences. 15minutefieldtrips.org Gift cards available by emailing 15minutefieldtrips@gmail.com
- Walking Tours
Tours focusing on specific aspects like the architecture of PVD, the food and history of Federal Hill and the ghosts haunting PVD or Newport can all make wonderful gifts. pvdtourco.com, providenceghosttour.com, ghostsofnewport.com.
Brain food
- Local Theater
There are so many local theatres and most of them offer gift cards or season passes of some sort. Another way to be memorable for a giftee who enjoys visiting a stage, from posh PPAC to avant-garde Wilbury, to the intimate “street” community theaters, there’s a lot of theatricality going on around us.
- Music Classes
These are also on offer for all ages, and if you track down your favorite local musician, there’s ⅓ chance they’d be up for music lessons. Motif has interviewed quite a few musicians who first explored their craft under the tutelage of local legends like Mark Cutler, Roz Raskin, Corinne Southern… for formal orgs, check out the School of Rock in Seekonk or in Attleboro, or the Zabinski Music Studio in PVD. zabinskimusicstudio.com, schoolofrock.com
- Escape Rooms
Escape Rooms are a fun group challenge — and not nearly as claustrophobic as they sound. A group coupon for RIRiddle Room or EscapeRoomRI (which looks unsettling like “Escape FROM RI,” but they’re cool) can provide a memorable experience, and a reason to get out of the house with other humans during the barren months of Jan and Feb. excaperoomrhodeisland.com (Pawtucket) or ririddleroom.com (Warwick)
Make something
- Taste Buds Kitchen, East Greenwich
A culinary adventure for kids, adults, and families. Hands-on lessons from this national chain happen in East Greenwich. tastebudskitchen.com
- Mixology Classes
The gift that will keep on giving back: If you give bartending classes, who do you think your giftee will practice on afterward? There are several bartending schools in our area that offer one-off classes, as well as less formal instruction, including Patrick Hamilton’s classes at Skeff’s in East Providence. Find more at @thehamiltonbartends (or check his profile on page xxx)
- Aster Candle
These candle-making workshops help you or your giftee create your own one-of-a-kind scented candle. Aster candles are soy wax (vegan), with cotton core wicks (lead and zinc free). They combine essential, phthalates-free fragrance oils to customize pleasant olfactory hues. The vessels are recyclable and sustainable. astercandle.com
- Blackstone River Glass Center
For over 3 decades, glass-making has been the owner’s passion to share with the community. Workshops for beginners and experienced levels available at their Cumberland studio. blackstoneriverglass.com
- Gather Glass
For the joy of glass blowing in PVD, there’s long-established Gather Glass, where you can fashion ornaments, glasses and other treasures of transparent artistry; then cool off with an organic, locally made ice cream afterward. gatherglass.com
- Blue Door Studio, Cranston & Lincoln
Build your own art portfolio with an array of classes for all ages: drawing, painting, ceramics, digital media, and fashion design.Gift cards available! bluedoorartstudio.com
- Studio Glob
A new studio takes a similar hands-on approach, but with ceramics. Channel your inner Patrick-Swayze to create bowls, vases, and much more. Or inspire your giftee to take it to the kiln, in Smithfield. studioglob.com
Of course, there are thousands more we could mention – but we’re out of space. The most important thing is to know something about your giftee. Then go with something they’re interested in, or something you think they’d have an interesting time trying. And remember, you can add a level of thoughtfulness by pairing… a favorite restaurant gift card can pair with a free experience to create an exciting, personal package.