Experience gifts (Seattle, Redmond, Kirkland: rentals, home, school)

[Prince Mongo]

I am making an effort to give more "experience" gifts this year for Christmas, as opposed to material items. I would like to find some unique or off-beat type Seattle experiences to give as gifts, but am having a hard time finding the right thing. I have given museum memberships to my partner the past two years, so I would like to find something a little different perhaps related to the arts. Another friend likes outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and kayaking. The kayak rental place on Alki has gift cards to use for rentals, which is a good idea, but I would like to hear other suggestions as well.

[homesinseattle]

Great idea! For my clients, I often do the same, have gotten them memberships to the Seattle Art Museum, Wing Luke Museum, tickets to the symphony, opera, ballet. A couple times, I bought National Park/WA trail pass memberships for some outdoorsy clients.

I got gift certificates for some clients new to town who were learning to kayak (at Agua Verde Paddle Club near UW). I bought one client a seaplane flight to Victoria BC as a gift. Just got my daughter indoor skydiving (I Fly) for her birthday.

[Hemlock140]

One of the best gifts I ever received was a class at a glassblowing studio. It was great fun and I brought home a globe that I made myself. Now if only I could find a place that offered a chance to drive a zamboni it would be at the top of my Christmas list.

Redmond School of Glass | Redmond's blown glass studio, with classes and retail gallery

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

One of the best gifts I ever received was a class at a glassblowing studio. It was great fun and I brought home a globe that I made myself. Now if only I could find a place that offered a chance to drive a zamboni it would be at the top of my Christmas list.

Redmond School of Glass | Redmond's blown glass studio, with classes and retail gallery

That's a beaut, I haven't done that. Zamboni, well: everyone needs a dream. The latter could be easy, if you have a relative with a bit of imagination and boldness. 1) go to an ice rink, ask someone when the zamboni comes out. 2) when very few people are around, charge the maintenance shack, find the driver, slip him three twenties in an envelope, he'll give you a lesson right there. I'd bet money on it. My father wanted a glider ride, so similarly I made it happen for his birthday c. 1993: where there is money and will, there is a way.

Two more things, one unique to Seattle and other I've not seen elsewhere, though could be:

1. Whale Watching Tour in the San Juans. Requires the person to take foot ferry to Friday Harbour, usually. The tours are right there, from small to a little big bigger boats. Those tours can be mild (wine and cheese) to a little wild (wet or cold weather suits, rubber boats). I went on somewhere in the middle and loved it, about June 1 some years ago. I'm guessing that is the season, though who knows?

Cost was mild, thinking about $75. Again, check it out on your own. They are totally rewarding, I brought my camera w/big zoom and got a few good Orca shots in 'sports' mode. They're all over the place, leaping and jumping. I need to go again, it's the type of thing you should really do at least once.

2. Group painting and wine: good for team morale events, rather fun on your own. I don't drink, but it was still way-fun as half my colleagues got a bit tipsy. None of us could paint for squat, which made for some hilarious painting. Add wine, well: you figure it out! Thought this would be dumb, but was really enjoyable for a few tens of dollars per participant. I see two places in Kirkland that do this, meaning there must be at least a few more.