'Tis the season to give and to get. With a mindful approach and attitude rooted in gratitude, how about giving the gift of experience. Experiences are wonderful opportunities for you to do something with and/or for someone else. Here are a few experiential gifts that you can give and even participate in yourself:
Visit a local museum - train, aquarium, rocks and stones, science, etc.
Take a cooking class - kitchen or grilling
Learn more about wine and how to pare with particular foods
Sporting event - football, hockey, baseball, soccer, gymnastics; ice skating
Tickets to a concert or musical event
Painting or coloring class - these can be held at a paint bar, community college, local art studio
Glass or mosaics class - make a beautiful table, goblet or platter
Make a photo album for someone and include pictures of you and them (a memory of your time with each other)
Try a new restaurant - dress for the theme (Cuban, Mexican, Italian, Thai, German, etc.)
Visit someone who is homebound
Invite someone to your home for dinner - arrange for them to be brought to your house and then wine and dine
Hold an "Arts and Crafts Day" and provide ingredients for decadent ice cream sauces OR ingredients for pampering bath salts
The idea behind giving someone the gift of an experience is the memory far outlasts the last bite of the meal, the last splash of cologne, the last swipe of lipstick. An experience creates a memory and that can last a lifetime. It creates a mindful bond of gratitude shared by the two of you.