Unique experiences make memorable gifts
can Finding be tricky, just especially the right gift someone for someone who’s really This year, hard take to buy a look for at during a different the holidays. kind of present — a unique experience gift that won’t end up tucked away in a cupboard when the shine wears off. Fun for couples: Sometimes it’s nice to be able to share a gift with someone — and get a little romance into your life at the same time. Life Experiences offers a huge variety of gifts for every twosome — from couples’ massages and cooking classes to wine tours and Maritime lobster parties. Life Experiences; $39 and up; lifeexperiences.ca Mush, mush! The best way to treat lovers of the winters we get to enjoy in Canada is to send them . . . wait for it . . . dogsledding! Participants can dogsled for an hour, a day or even overnight, depending on the location. Destination Canada’s Keep Exploring; $100 and up; keep exploring. canada. travel Or, get cosy at the ski lodge: Take a friend, your mom or your partner for some fun and R&R at a resort.You can take your pick — ski resorts offer everything from helicopter skiing and snowboarding to soul-soothing superluxe spas with hot tubs. And don’t forget the cosy fireside cocktails for, well, just about everyone. Canadian Ski Council; price varies with package; skicanada.org
Ride the train: What better way to appreciate the beauty of nature across our country than with a train ride? No one has to worry about driving and you can customize trips according to your schedule and preferences. For a wild ride and some truly spectacular sights, check out Via Rail’s regional train routes. Via Rail; price varies according to destination; viarail.ca Movie tix: It’s true, you can watch a movie on a smartwatch or on a tablet, or just about anywhere. But, really, there’s nothing like watching one in a movie theatre and digging into a giant bucket of popcorn — especially with all the great movies that come out during the holidays. Cineplex; gift cards available in any denomination; cineplex.com
You’ve gotta eat: Who has time to come up with healthy meals, especially during those crazy busy weeks when you’re working late and trying to fit in a workout? Check out meal kits from Chefs Plate, which feature new weekly recipes with locally sourced specialty ingredients delivered right to your bestie’s door in a refrigerated box. And she or he will love you forever. Chefs Plate; $25 and up; chefsplate.com A gift of learning: We all know someone who’s always talking about taking a course. This year, make it easy for them to follow up — and give them an easy start with LinkedIn Learning, where they can take courses on everything from design to information technology. LinkedIn Learning; starting at $26/month; linkedin.com/ learning
For a drinking buddy: Craft breweries are popping up all across the country — and a fun way to celebrate the holidays is with a beer and brewery tour. Give the gift of a brewery visit, where your recipient can also sample beer and/or cider. Bonus: Some breweries also offer regional snacks to go along with the libations. Merit Brewing. Tour and tasting for $10; www. meritbrewing.ca
There’s never been a better time for being stuck for Christmas gift ideas. With a little creative thinking and some online searching, you’ll likely soon have too many choices.