Why gift an experience?

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
– Winston Churchill (paraphrased)

We’ve all asked ourselves: What do I buy for the person who has everything?

Buying gifts has become harder, not easier. People tend to buy the things they want, and it takes the magic out of gift giving when you say, “just tell me what you want”. Buying that special gift is particularly difficult when almost everything on the market is disposable, and giving a gift card just feels like a bit of a cop-out.

That’s why the gift of an experience is, in my opinion, an altogether better option. It’s not about buying something luxurious or exciting; it’s not even about splashing the cash, it’s about giving the gift that allows the receiver the time and space to take stock and enjoy the company of those closest to them. You didn’t just buy ‘something’, wrap it up, and hand it over in the hope they like it. You’ve given the gift of making memories, the chance to do something they would never usually do, and that is something special.

So what’s the difference between a good gift experience and a bad one?

So you’ve decided you want to gift an experience. Whether it’s for a milestone birthday, an anniversary, or just because, picking the right experience can be a bit of a minefield. What makes it good? What makes it bad? From my perspective, it comes down to the following:

A bad experience gift

If you’re going to put the work into a special gift, then you want to ensure that it isn’t:

• Overly scheduled: It shouldn’t feel busy, rushed, or like you have to be in multiple places at one time.
• Loud, crowded, gimmicky: Your gift should feel special, personalised, and like a one-of-a-kind experience just for them and their loved ones.
• Require effort from the recipient: It’s not quite as special when the recipient has to put in the work to make the gift happen.
• Feel like something they’d never book themselves: You want the gift to feel thoughtful, and if it’s something they’d never dream of doing because it doesn’t appeal to them, you’ve missed the mark.

A good experience gift

• Feel effortless: All they should need to do is be excited for the experience, get dressed and turn up; everything else has been taken care of.
• Be a special occasion: Not all experiences are built the same, but if you really want to give something special, it should feel like it’s something that doesn’t happen every day.
• Feel luxurious: Real luxury isn’t about excess, gold taps, or velvet ropes; it’s about exclusivity. It’s the feeling that this moment isn’t available to just anyone. It’s private, it’s quiet, and it feels like a secret you get to keep.

Why private, shared experiences matter more

This brings me to the heart of it. We spend so much of our lives surrounded by noise, both digital and physical. We are constantly reachable, constantly scheduled. The ultimate upgrade isn't adding more to the mix; it's stripping it away.

There is a profound difference between going somewhere public and having a space that is entirely yours. When you remove the queues, the other guests, and the need to "perform" socially, you’re left with the only thing that actually matters: presence.

The best experiences don’t announce themselves; they unfold. They allow you to just be there, with the people you care about, without watching the clock.

When gifting an experience makes the most sense

We see this most often with the big milestones, the ones where a physical object just feels insufficient.

• Milestone birthdays: When someone turns 40, 50, or 60, they generally don’t need more "stuff". They want a memory.
• Anniversaries: Particularly for couples who already have the house, the gadgets, and the routine. The gift here is breaking that routine together.
• Meaningful "Thank You" gifts: Sometimes words aren't enough, and a voucher feels impersonal.
• Celebrating without a party: Not everyone wants the big bash. For some, the perfect celebration is escaping the noise, not creating more of it.

The Dorset perspective

Down here in Poole Harbour and along the Dorset coast, we find that some of the most meaningful gifts are the ones that offer nothing more than time, space, and a beautiful setting.

Stepping onto a private yacht like Skyfall has a unique way of slowing everything down. There is no agenda, no rush to get to the next attraction, and no one else around to distract you. It’s just the sea, the scenery, and the company. Whether it’s arriving by boat for a lunch at The Pig, watching the fireworks from the deck, or sharing a champagne sunset in peace, it’s about providing a setting where the rest of the world melts away for a few hours.

It’s about intention

Ultimately, gifting an experience isn’t about spending more money. It’s about knowing what matters, and choosing it quietly.

When you choose to give someone a few hours of peace, privacy, and connection, you aren't just ticking a box on a gift list. You’re telling them that they are worth the time. And that, in my experience, is a gift that no store-bought item can compete with.