My sister and I usually do a shared experience to celebrate our birthdays. Hence our Harrogate trip recently, 2 nights in a hotel near the convention centre and the day at the knitting and stitching show. Lovely memories for both of us. Great ideas again Sam.
My daughter, who lives in Chiang Mai Thailand, bought me a 3 day “Indigo” class. We harvested the plant, processed it into indigo dye, and finally tie dyed fabric. The instructor is a fabric expert who teaches at the local university. Amazingly fun.
Me and my partner went on a stained glass day course, and we both came out with a complete panel each. It was such an enjoyable day and I’d love to do that again. One birthday weekend, we visited Charleston House (home of the Bloomsbury set) and Monk’s House (home of Virginia and Leonard Woolf), both in East Sussex. It was the perfect weekend, not just because it was glorious weather, but because both houses were filled with art and home decorated home furnishings which gave us ideas for our home. Far more memorable than a random gift.
Thanks Sam. Lots more inspiration for us. I’m about 35 miles away from the V&A in Dundee and it has some fabulous exhibitions throughout the year. Last night a friend and I went to a live stream of The Nutcracker ballet (my Christmas to her) at a local cinema. Darcey Bussell introduced the programme from the Royal Opera House Covent gardens and during the break spoke the the wardrobe mistress about all of the costumes- it’s was just amazing ( last time we did that it was the Russian State ballet from Moscow ). 🤓🏴
Thanks for sharing all your sustainable Christmas tips! I’ve been watching them all ☺️ I have five grandkids (two plus three) and the other year we where so fed up with buying more toys for them and decided to give them ”tokens” for a surprise experience together with us instead. It was really appreciated! And it gave us a really nice moment as well which the toys doesn’t. Fortunatley they all love getting clothes made by me as well. Regarding present for us grownups we stopped giving that many years ago! Sometimes we play the ”Christmas present game” though, just for fun. I certainly use my old decor, I love to take it out year after year. And we pick pintree branches in the forest and bring indoors as well. I live in Sweden and we can do that as long as we don’t destroy anything.
We were given National Trust membership for an anniversary present, but due to Covid we couldn't get much use out of it. For a birthday I was given a voucher for a dolphin watch in Cornwall. The first trip was cancelled due to bad weather. The second attempt was really enjoyable, sailing in a catamaran (on a calm sea) with a pod of dolphins bow waving, and the best bit was there was a baby amongst them. In the past I have given my husband flying experiences in different aircraft and a driving experience.
I buy tickets for things a lot because they are clutter free. Last year, I bought my husband tickets to see Divine Comedy and a few years ago, I took my mum to see her first live ballet. As for me, as much as I love sewing, I would like someone to buy me a plastering course for Christmas. 😁
I gave my husband the choice of an experience. We ended up going to Niagara Falls with friends for 2 days. We did a tour of the old hydro plant tunnels, and of course enjoyed seeing the Falls and also checked out some wineries. My daughters have taken me to two different ballets and taken their dad to the theatre. If money is an issue just picking a day to go on a hike and have a picnic. There are so many ideas going through my head!
My husband just got me tickets for Chelsea flower show. A few years ago I got him rhs membership, but national trust is also a good idea. Not heard of ecosia but I’ll check it out.
Yes National Trust & RHS are great gifts & come with lots of extra benefits as members too - a love a flower show, only been to Chelsea once but go to 2 or 3 a year - you wouldn't be able to tell looking at my garden mind 🤣
Great ideas, ta. I especially like the skill swap and monthly craft-with-friend suggestions. I gave open-dated whale watching tour tickets to family one year. Very exciting and $$$. Found out a few years later that they never used them 😢😭 Friend and I are taking each other out for ice cream this year. 🍦
Oh that's so sad that they didn't use your voucher, I wonder if putting a date on the experience makes a difference - I'd definitely have gone to that 🤗 Enjoy your ice creams - hopefull when it's a bit warmer, although I did have some last night 😋
@@Frugalisama Ta. It was valid for 2 years (maybe too far away to feel urgent/remember to book in?). I’d like to have gone too. 🐋 We’re in Australia so summer Christmas = ice cream season 😋
Last year I gave theatre tickets to my son’s family to The Lion King. My daughter’s family got tickets to a Green Bay Packer’s game. Both were well received and within driving distance of the families. 💗
Lovely gifts & ones to remember too - I often get my hubby tickets to the football or concerts/gigs as a gift - he doesn't ask for much but tickets are so expensive aren't they, so a good gift idea I think 👍
@@Frugalisama Yes, ticket prices have really risen. An experience is so much nicer than unwanted/unneeded stuff though. Now that my grands are growing up, I want to give them something they’ll remember, especially if I get to partake with them. Making memories together can have lasting effects. 💗 I also made dresses for the girls to wear to the theatre!
