Experiences as Gifts
Things to Experience in Tacoma
Let’s be honest: gift giving during the holidays is exciting and stressful at the same time. I’m thinking to myself, “Will they like this gift? Is the color okay? Is this a practical gift?” I also don’t want to give a gift that will sit in the back of their closet for years to come (yes, I’m referring to the 64-ounce flask I received years ago).
To take the stress off and reduce the amount of stuff in the house, I decided to give the gift of an experience instead of material gifts as often as possible. An experience gift has so much to offer: it creates lasting memories with your loved ones, lets you try something new and increases overall happiness. Not much to mention, it’s the perfect gift to arrange last minute.
Here is a holiday gift guide of experiences to gift to your loved ones this year:
Paint and Sip Classes
For my 21st birthday, my cousin gifted me a Groupon for my partner and me to attend a paint and sip class. It was so much fun, and we have our paintings hanging up to this day. I’m always reminded of this day whenever I look at our paintings. Paint and sip classes are great experience gifts for everyone of all artistic levels. There are so many themes to choose from based on interest: mountains/forests, sunsets, etc. All you have to do is: paint, drink, and have fun. What sounds better than that? Your friends and family will appreciate this thoughtful gift and will always remember the experience when they look at their painting. I recommend checking out Uncorked Canvas in Tacoma for their paint and sip events.
If you are feeling up for it, make a DIY version of the paint and sip at your home. Grab your favorite bottle(s) of wine, paint supplies and a blank canvas, and follow along with a Bob Ross episode. I guarantee there will be lots of laughter and memories that will last forever.
Attend a Plant Workshop
One of my friends spontaneously bought us tickets to attend a terrarium making class. As a plant lover, it was such a fun way to learn about the terrarium assembly process and understand how to choose the plants that will thrive best in those conditions. To this day, we still talk about how much we enjoyed the class. Plus, our terrariums are still thriving too!
This holiday season, consider gifting the plant lover in your life a workshop to a local store. Tacoma has many local plant shops such as Jade & Co and The Fernseed that offer wreath making classes, terrarium workshops, bonsai assembly, and so much more. It’ll be an enjoyable experience, plus you get to leave with a new plant.
Photo by The Fernseed
Visit a Museum
I’m always in awe of the many museums Tacoma has to offer. With Tacoma’s Museum District, there are six different museums all within walking distance from each other. With a variety of exhibits ranging from Dale Chihuly’s glasswork to old-time classic automobiles, there’s a collection out there for everyone’s interest. Gifting the experience of a museum visit has a big impact: it helps the community thrive, provides access to art, sparks creativity within us, and offers a fun, learning atmosphere.
Here are some museums to check out in Tacoma:
- Children’s Museum of Tacoma – perfect for families with little ones!
- Foss Waterway Seaport – learn about Tacoma’s maritime heritage; great for boat enthusiasts.
- LeMay America’s Car Museum – check out the classic collection of automobiles.
- Museum of Glass – view beautiful collections dedicated to glass and glassmaking.
- Tacoma Art Museum – explore the art and artists of the Northwest and broader western region.
- Washington State History Museum – explore interactive exhibits and learn about Washington’s unique places and their impact.
If you are looking to explore other museums outside of Tacoma, some honorable mentions include:
- Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia
- Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle
Check Out a Local Eatery or Coffee Shop
Is there a restaurant your friend or a family member has been wanting to visit? Consider purchasing them a gift card to the restaurant of their choice. This is a perfect gift for everyone – couples for date night, parents and kids for a fun afternoon out, or your foodie friends in general. It’s like the saying goes: “The way through someone’s heart is through their stomach.” Here are some of my recommendations:
Photo by En Rama
Photo by Wooden City
If you have a coffee enthusiast in your life, consider giving them a gift card to one of the many fine Tacoma’s coffee shops. These are a few of my local favorites:
Photo by Curran Coffee
Photo by Cremello Cafe
Want one of these gifts for yourself? Tell us the most cherished gift that you have received for a chance to win two tickets to Tacoma Art Museum! *Giveaway is now closed as of 12/12/2023
