Making Memories Bright

As the holidays draw near, the quest to find the perfect gift begins again. There’s someone on every list who’s difficult to shop for — the person who doesn’t need or want “more stuff.” They’re not alone — Forbes reports that roughly three-quarters of Americans prefer experiences over products.

So this year, why not give them what they really want? Give your friends and family memories that will last long after the holidays are over. Read on for experience-based gift ideas for everyone on your list. And you can still shop locally!

For Foodies

Got someone in your life with epicurean tastes? These foodie-focused gifts will let them savor local flavors and learn a thing or two along the way.

Give the gift of knowledge with cooking classes. The Kitchen Workshop in Paoli offers hands-on instruction in small groups (12 students max) highlighting different cuisines and an in-depth series on kitchen basics, sauces, grilling and baking. Or choose a culinary course from Chester County Lifelong Learning. Next month’s selections include lessons on knife skills, pastas and sauces, dumplings and dips, winter soups and gnocchi. Yum!

For the wine connoisseur, consider gifting a wine tasting or class. Downingtown’s R Five Wines hosts guided tastings with their wine educators on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m., plus frequent BarSide Chats with local experts. Or give a gift that keeps on giving with a subscription to a local vineyard. Penns Woods Winery’s Wine Club provides quarterly wines and a host of perks — special discounts, complimentary vineyard tours and tastings, member-exclusive events and previews of new releases.

Got someone who prefers the hard stuff? Treat them to a day at Elverson’s Botanery Barn, from the folks behind Revivalist Gin and Resurgent Whiskey. Sip signature cocktails, tour the distillery, stroll through the garden (in warmer weather), then enjoy dinner at the onsite restaurant.

Finally, you can’t go wrong with a delicious meal. What’s better than a gift certificate for a dinner at one of our area’s fine dining establishments, like Andiario in West Chester, Talula’s Table in Kennett Square or — for the vegetarians and vegans among us — Ground Provisions in Historic Dilworthtown?

For Art Lovers and Creatives

There’s no shortage of great local gifts for artsy folks on your list. Here are suggestions to suit a variety of tastes.

For those who like to get their hands dirty, consider gifting art classes. Places like the Chester County Art Association in West Chester, Chester Springs Studio at Historic Yellow Springs and the Wayne Art Center offer classes for all ages in many mediums — painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry-making and much more.

If you’re shopping for someone more comfortable behind the camera, try The Photography Workshop in West Chester. Their team of dedicated professionals lead year-round, comprehensive photography classes for teens and adults. Offerings include photography boot camps, smartphone photography classes, Adobe Lightroom tutorials and photography excursions around the area.

For theater lovers, consider an acting course at West Chester’s Uptown Studio. The winter session includes acting and improv classes for adults, plus loads for the kiddos — acting, singing, dancing, improv, audition prep and more.

And for music lovers, gift tickets to an upcoming concert. On January 24, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra has a concert at Wilmington’s Grand Opera House, and the Kennett Symphony performs at Longwood Gardens on March 23. Plus, there’s lots to enjoy at our local theaters — see the article in this issue for details.

Or opt for passes to a local museum, like the Delaware Art Museum. Better yet, gift a museum membership. Members of the Brandywine Museum of Art enjoy unlimited free admission, guided tours of the N.C. Wyeth House & Studio, Andrew Wyeth Studio and Kuerner Farm, invitations to members-only events and more benefits.

For Self-Care Fans

After the craziness of the holiday season, we could all use a break! Give someone on your list the gift of rest and relaxation this year.

Treat your friends and family to a day at the spa. Pieris Day Spa in Coatesville provides all sorts of facials — hydrating, anti-aging, oxygenating, deep cleansing — while Healing Hands Massage (West Chester, Downingtown, Media and Berwyn) offers a wide range of massages. They even do house calls!

For something less traditional, consider a gift card to West Chester’s East Coast Float Spa. Unwind and float weightlessly in water filled with over 1,000 pounds of medical-grade Epsom salt. Float therapy is said to relieve pain, promote relaxation and recovery, and improve sleep.

Help soothe both body and mind with the gift of yoga classes. In West Chester, In Harmony Wellspring Yoga has classes for all ages and skill types, including Yoga for All, Mindful Movement, Chair Yoga Mix and Restorative Yoga.

Or consider services at The Healing Sanctuary, a holistic wellness center in Exton. They offer massage therapy, energy healing and reiki, sound healing, meditation and mindfulness sessions, as well as events and classes throughout the year.

For the Active and Outdoorsy

Help your friends and family get a jumpstart on New Year’s resolutions with the gift of fitness.

Going to the gym can be daunting, but gifting a membership might provide the incentive needed to get going. Our area has a gym for every vibe — West Chester’s Fitness Factory offers cutting-edge equipment, Paoli’s Main Line Gym aims to be “the best gym for busy people,” while Exton’s Maxout is geared towards families.

If you’re looking for a gift of a certain kind of exercise, consider gifting classes. Phoenixville’s Stride Spin & Fitness provides spin, barre, HIIT, hot yoga and Pilates classes, while CrossFit Kennett Square has CrossFit (naturally), weightlifting and endurance programs. With eight locations, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine has a variety of exercise classes, such as cardio, cycling, strength and aqua classes, plus family-friendly and virtual options.

Or help inspire someone on your list to brush up on their moves with dance classes. West Chester’s Carousel Ballroom has group classes and private lessons in ballroom and Latin dance, plus wedding dance lessons for couples, mothers and sons, and fathers and daughters. In Kennett Square, Calabrese Arts hosts classes in a range of styles, from salsa and Argentine tango to swing and hip-hop.

For those who prefer to get their steps in the great outdoors, consider a membership to a garden or arboretum. At Longwood Gardens, members get year-round general admission, complimentary guest tickets, discounts on Garden Shop, dining and ticket purchases, access to Member Appreciation Days and members-only hours, and much more. Similar benefits are offered at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens, Mt. Cuba Center and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.

For Daredevils

Last but certainly not least, here are some options for the risk-takers in your life.

Let your friends and family blow off steam with some axe throwing. At Tilted Axes in West Chester, they’ll get a two-hour session with an axe coach who’ll show them the ropes and guide them through a series of games. Or check out Angry Jack’s Axe Throwing Club in Exton and Phoenixville for more thrills. And tension relief!

Reach new heights with indoor skydiving at iFLY in King of Prussia or flight training at Chester County Aviation in Coatesville. Take to the skies with a 30-minute discovery flight alongside a seasoned instructor. Know someone committed to getting their pilot license? Consider a gift card to Brandywine Flight School in West Chester, which provides private, instrument, commercial and CFI (certified flight instructor) flight training.

This holiday season, go beyond another tie or PJs by gifting experiences that create lasting memories. Whether it’s an adrenaline-pumping adventure, creative outlet or relaxing escape, experience gifts make thoughtful and truly personal presents that last for years to come. Happy holidays, and happy gifting!