Looking for some experience gifts for the family? This Christmas, we’re not gifting things but rather experiences! Check out our ultimate holiday gift guide to help with your last-minute Christmas shopping.
I curated this experience gifts guide for adventurous families who value experiences over material things.
From practical travel gear to meaningful experiences that create lasting memories, you’ll find thoughtful and unique ideas to make this holiday season extra special without culturing your home.
Scroll down to find the perfect gift ideas for:
EXPERIENCES | ROAD TRIPPERS | OUTDOOR PARENTS | TRAVELING FAMILIES | ADVENTUROUS KIDS | TRAVELING MOMS
Dive in and find gifts that inspire adventure, encourage connection, and bring joy to every journey!
1. Holiday Gift Guide for Families Who Love Experiences Over Things
When it comes to gift-giving, experiences often create more lasting joy and memories than material items. They inspire connection, adventure, and cherished family moments far beyond the holiday season. Here’s how to gift unforgettable experiences this year:
🎁 For Cultural Exchange Adventures: HomeExchange Membership
Let your family explore new destinations while staying in welcoming homes around the world. It’s a meaningful way to travel affordably and make lasting connections. We’ve been HomeExchange members since 2020 and couldn’t travel any other way. You can read our review here.
👉 Use code emilie-124b2 for 250 additional GuestPoints.
🎁 For Endless Family Outings: Museum, Zoo, or Theme Park Memberships
Gift a year of fun and learning with annual passes to favorite attractions, perfect for creating cherished family memories. Plus, your local museum or zoo membership offers more than you think. You can have access to many other museums across Canada and USA.
For example, with our TELUS Spark (in Calgary) annual membership, we could visit Science World in Vancouver and The Exploration Place in Prince George.
🎁 For Unplugged Escapes: Weekend Getaway
Surprise your loved ones with a pre-planned trip to a cozy cabin, seaside retreat, or a city staycation for quality family time.
A few years ago, we stayed at Baker Creek Chalets in Lake Louise, and it was so magical.
🎁 For Active Family Fun: Sports Gear or Lessons
Encourage an active lifestyle with equipment or lessons to dive into a new hobby together, from bicycles to paddleboards. Last year, we offered the kids some used ski kits. We offered them some new ice skates (and helmets) from Decathlon the previous year.
I’m also giving my husband new heated socks and mittens from Venustas (shut… he doesn’t know!)
Use code EMILIEBRILLON for 20% off
🎁 For Nature Lovers: National or Provincial Park Passes
Provide access to hiking trails, campgrounds, and outdoor exploration with a pass to stunning parks across Canada and the USA.
If your family loves camping, you could also offer a Harvest Hosts membership. You can read our review here.
Use this link to get 20% off the membership.
🎁 For Thrill-Seekers: Outdoor Adventure Experiences
Plan a day of zip-lining, dog sledding, or horseback riding with family-friendly packages to suit all ages. The grandparents offered us dog sledding in Boundary Ranch in Kananaskis Country a few Christmass ago, and it remains a wonderful memory.
🎁 For Creative Keepsakes: Travel Journal and Activity Kits
Encourage kids to document their adventures with a fun journal and themed activity kits to spark their creativity.
I created this fun road trip activity book for kids. It’s a perfect little gift!
🎁 For Winter Fun or Trail Days: Bike Trail or Ski Resort Pass
Give access to local bike trails or ski resorts for a season of outdoor fun and family bonding. You can get a season pass at your local ski resort or passes like Icon to try different resorts.
2. Holiday Gift Guide for Road Trippers
Road trips offer the freedom to explore at your own pace, discover hidden gems, and create unforgettable memories with loved ones. For those who love life on the road, these thoughtful gift ideas will make every journey more comfortable, organized, and memorable.
🎁 For the Cozy Camper: Fleece Blankets
Stay warm and cozy on chilly road trips with ultra-soft fleece blankets from Rumpl. Pair them with durable travel thermoses to keep your favorite drinks hot or cold, making every roadside break a little more luxurious.
🎁 For the Adventurous Family: National Park Passes
Give the gift of unlimited adventures with access to Canada’s and the USA’s most breathtaking national parks. Perfect for families who love to hike, camp, and explore the great outdoors, these passes open the door to a year of unforgettable experiences.
🎁 For the Organized Traveler: Packing Cubes
Packing cubes keep road trip essentials neat and accessible. Whether it’s a weekend escape or an epic journey, these organizers help maximize space and make packing (and unpacking) a breeze.
🎁 For the Memory Maker: Road Trip Journals
Help road trippers document their adventures with a dedicated travel journal. It’s the perfect way to treasure experiences and relive special moments.
I created this fun road trip activity book for kids. It’s a perfect little gift!
3. Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Parents
For parents who love exploring the great outdoors, thoughtful gear can make every adventure more enjoyable and comfortable. From practical essentials to innovative tech, these gifts are perfect for those who brave the elements, hike the trails, and inspire their families to embrace nature.
🎁 For Adventure-Ready Footwear: Waterproof Hiking Boots
Rugged and reliable, the KURU Quest boots offer comfort and durability for all terrains, whether tackling muddy trails, rocky paths, or snowy slopes. A must-have for every outdoor-loving parent.
🎁 For Warm Winter Days: Unique Winter Gear
Stay cozy and dry during cold-weather adventures with high-quality winter essentials:
- Merino Wool Base Layers by Wool Love Apparel – Soft, breathable, and warm, these base layers are a perfect addition to any outdoor wardrobe. Use code EMILIEBRILLON for 15% off.
- Heated Socks and Mittens from Venustas Official – Keep hands and feet toasty even in freezing temperatures. These rechargeable heated options are ideal for long winter hikes or outdoor play with the kids. Use code EMILIEBRILLON for 20% off.
🎁 For Hydration: Insulated Water Bottles
Durable, stylish, and built to last, the YETI water bottles keep drinks hot or cold for hours, ensuring hydration on the go. Perfect for everything from trail hikes to campfire evenings.
Take the guesswork out of outdoor exploration with smartwatches that track hikes, monitor weather conditions, and keep parents connected on their adventures. A reliable and functional companion for any outdoor trek.
4. Holiday Gift Guide for Traveling Families
Traveling as a family is all about making memories, enjoying new experiences, and embracing the journey together. These thoughtful gifts are designed to make family trips smoother, more organized, and full of fun, so everyone can focus on what matters most—quality time.
🎁 For Seamless Travel Journeys: Carry-On Luggage
Simplify airport travel with functional and stylish carry-ons from Samsonite or Monos. Lightweight and designed for easy organization, these suitcases are perfect for families on the go, helping everyone stay packed and prepared for their next adventure.
🎁 For Organized Packing: Personalized Packing Cubes
Keep each family member’s belongings neat and sorted with colorful, personalized packing cubes. Kids will love having their own designated cubes, making packing (and finding their favorite items) a breeze.
🎁 For Stress-Free Entertainment: Travel Activity Books & Games
Long car rides or flights can be challenging, but portable activity books and games keep the kids entertained and happy.
🎁 For Family Memories: Custom Travel Photo Book Credits
Help your family preserve their favorite adventures with a custom photo book. It’s a creative way to relive cherished travel moments and create a keepsake they’ll treasure forever.
🎁 For Healthy Snacks On-the-Go: Reusable Snack Containers
Snack smarter with eco-friendly options like reusable snack bags. Perfect for picnics, road trips snacks, or flights, these containers reduce waste while keeping snacks fresh and accessible for hungry little travelers.
5. Holiday Gift Guide for Adventurous Kids
Fuel your little explorer’s curiosity and love for adventure with gifts designed to inspire their creativity, encourage outdoor exploration, and make every trip more exciting. These thoughtful ideas are perfect for kids who can’t wait to explore the world around them and create lasting memories.
🎁 For Little Explorers: Kid-Sized Binoculars
Spark your child’s interest in wildlife and nature with lightweight binoculars designed for small hands. Perfect for birdwatching, spotting wildlife, or taking in scenic views on hikes and outdoor adventures.
🎁 For Capturing Memories: Compact Travel Printer
Encourage kids to document their adventures with a lightweight travel printer. They can print photos instantly and create scrapbooks, journals, or keepsakes to remember their favorite family trips.
🎁 For High Energy Kids: Outdoor Gear
- Hiking Boots for Kids: Equip your young adventurers with durable and comfortable boots from Decathlon. They’re built to handle mud, snow, and rocky paths, keeping kids comfortable on any terrain.
- Decathlon Kids’ Ice Skates and Snowshoes: Make winter explorations magical with gear designed for little adventurers. These are perfect for skating on frozen ponds or trekking through snowy trails, fostering an active love for the outdoors.
🎁 For Cozy Camping Nights: Sleeping Bags
Make camping a fun and cozy experience with cool, kid-friendly sleeping bags. They’re practical for backyard campouts or overnight adventures in national parks.
🎁 For Nature Enthusiasts: Outdoor Adventure Kits
Inspire curiosity with kits packed with essentials like a magnifying glass, compass, and bug-catching tools. They’re perfect for hands-on learning and exploration in the great outdoors.
🎁 For Mini Road Trippers: Travel Journals for Kids
Give them a space to draw, write, and record their favorite travel moments. Encourage creativity and reflection with this fun activity.
I created this fun road trip activity book for kids. It’s a perfect little gift!
6. Holiday Gift Guide for Traveling Moms
Traveling moms deserve gear and accessories that simplify their journeys and enhance their comfort, all while keeping them stylish and organized. Whether she’s navigating airports, managing family plans, or finding moments of relaxation, these gifts are tailored to make her travels seamless and enjoyable.
🎁 For Staying Organized: Multi-Functional Travel Backpacks
Designed with busy moms in mind, these backpacks feature compartments for everything: laptops, passports, baby essentials, and more. Stylish yet practical, they make juggling travel and family logistics a breeze.
🎁 For Staying in Touch: GigSky Credit for eSIM Cards
Keep moms effortlessly connected no matter where their travels take them. With reliable eSIM options, she’ll enjoy peace of mind, knowing she’s always reachable, whether it’s for work or to check in with the family.
It’s the eSIM card we’re always using when traveling outside Canada.
🎁 For Comfort During Travel: Pact Clothing Airport Collection
Soft, sustainable, and chic, the Pact Airport Collection clothes are perfect for long flights or layovers. Moms can stay comfortable without sacrificing style, making travel days more luxurious.
🎁 For a Reliable Connection: Power Banks with Multiple Ports
A must-have for managing family travel plans, these portable chargers keep phones, tablets, and other devices powered up, ensuring moms are always ready to navigate or entertain the kids.
🎁 For the Frequent Flyer: Priority Pass Membership
Give her the gift of pre-flight relaxation with access to airport lounges worldwide. Quiet spaces, comfy seating, and complimentary refreshments make long layovers or delays much more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
Why not go beyond the usual gifts this holiday season and give something that inspires adventure, encourages connection, and creates lasting memories with experience-based gifts for your family?
After all, the greatest gift isn’t a thing—it’s the memories we make, the experiences we share, and the bonds we strengthen along the way.
Happy gifting and even happier adventures to you and your loved ones! 🌟
