The gift of an experience
Looking for a last-minute gift? Why not skip the perfume counter and tie rack this year and instead give something much more impactful in the form of an experience. Outings and activities shared with loved ones are often the most memorable and rewarding times of all. This holiday season, the Gazette spoke to local experts to help show you how easy it is to be creative and give the gift of an experience.
What is an experiential gift? They come in many forms, depending on interest and budget, and can range from anything like a day at the spa, or a concert or play, to wine tastings and in-home cooking lessons.
“I think experiential gifts are really popular today because they allow people to share great experiences with family, friends, coworkers, clients, and more,” said Alexander Apostolakis, co-founder of Tigris CSG, a Montreal-based company that specializes in organizing and hosting corporate and custom outings and experiences throughout Canada.
“It solidifies personal and business relationships and leaves a lasting impression; material gifts eventually become obsolete, but memories and relationships last a lifetime.”
The top two custom activities requested on a personal level by Tigris’s clients are private golf lessons tailored to group size and skill level, and in-home gastronomic experiences.
“Whether you’re a beginner or a scratch golfer, people who love golf are always looking to improve their game and the experience is even better for someone who has never swung a club before because they haven’t developed any terrible habits yet,” Apostolakis said. “Clients love this activity because in a lot of professions being able to hold your own on a golf course is a big plus, so it’s both a useful and enjoyable gift.”
Home chef experiences are starting to become highly sought-after, as well.
“The gastronomic experience is amazing and we can tailor it to any size group and budget with a range of excellent culinary professionals from local chefs all the way up to renowned Michelin-star-rated chefs,” Apostolakis said. “The experience comes with a bit of instruction by the chef as well as wine pairings and tasting options so the whole thing is customizable; it’s a pretty original gift idea and a great way to impress your family, friends, or clients.”
In addition to in-home gastronomic experiences, there are several options for cooking classes in Montreal for groups of all sizes and cuisine types.
Some of the well-known courses are offered by Ateliers & Saveurs, Elliott Cohen Culinary Art, and Académie Culinaire.
Keeping with the food theme, another experience gaining steam this holiday season is wine tastings. There are many restaurants in and around Montreal that cater to the growing demand for experiences crafted around wine. One of them is La Bullerie, in St-Joseph-duLac. Opened last fall, La Bullerie is a restaurant and events venue set on a vineyard just 40 minutes from Montreal that offers a range of wine- and food-based experiences.
“A lot of material gifts can be so trivial,” said Luciana Morena, sales representative with PMG Group, the Montreal-based events management company that owns La Bullerie. “If you want something memorable, an experience at La Bullerie is one of a kind.
“We specialize in amazing sparkling wines, which we’re proud to produce right here in Quebec, and our restaurant has a one-of-a-kind view; we have a range of packages but our highlight is the Dégustation package combined with a wine tour, a night at our bed and breakfast, a gourmet basket you can enjoy with your family on site, and brunch for two.
“The feedback we receive from people who’ve come to enjoy one of our experiences has been incredible; it’s a gift you can’t go wrong with.”
Aside from these elaborate ideas, other experiential gifts that are ever-popular include things like performance tickets — whether it be to a sporting, musical or theatre event — and spa treatments.
“Our sales definitely ramp up during the holidays and even in the days following,” said Brenda Lemco, manager of Curgae Spa on Sources Blvd. in the West Island. “A gift card to a spa is a fabulous gift because you’re enabling the recipient to have some quality time to pamper themselves. If you have someone in your life like a new mom, or someone that always has a lot on their plate, this is such a nice way for them to treat themselves to some me-time. After all how many candles and scarves do people need?”
With all of the options available today to suit just about any taste, it’s no wonder why experiential gifts and gift cards can serve as thoughtful and interesting solutions for anyone in need of a lastminute present.
“Being surprised with the gift of an outing can evoke some priceless reactions, and is often the highlight of someone’s holidays,” Apostolakis said. “It’s always nice to share positive, happy experiences with people who are important to you.”