Collect memories, not things.
In recent years, the market for experiential gifts has grown, as people seek to move away from gifting things that may not be wanted or needed. It seems to be a particularly millennial trend with an astounding amount of money being spent each month on live experiences.
Perhaps one of the reasons why this has become so popular is because experiences have to be personalised, which means that you really, really have to know the person that you’re gifting the experience to.
Here are a few suggestions from us on experiences that you could gift.
Make mosaic with London School of Mosaic
These short courses are for beginners as well as for hobbyists with many years of experience. You will be introduced to all technical aspects of making mosaics from cutting tiles through to layout. It may even be therapeutic!
Slide on some slippers with Juta Shoes
Design and make your own unique bespoke pair of sustainable leather espadrilles. It’s a fabulous idea for a hen do or a birthday party.
If you’d like to gift someone else the opportunity to make a pair of shoes, you can do so by clicking here.
Photo Credit: Kanahaya Alam
Build a bike with Bamboo Bicycle
You can build your bike and ride it too. Build any style of bicycle (MTB, Road, Hybrid, Track, Fatbike). Always wanted a custom bike? This might be the very thing for you.
Buy a workshop gift voucher here
Learn sustainable living with Monkton Wyld
Monkton Wyld Court is an education centre for sustainable living with a large country house and grounds in an idyllic location in Dorset.
From bee-keeping to scything, yoga to hedgelaying and timber building, Monkton’s programme promotes low-impact, land-based skills for changing modern life.
Have a Cornish holiday at Roseland Cottages
Take your pick of 4 listed cottages which are surrounded by private and National Trust farmland at St Anthony-in-Roseland, an area of outstanding natural beauty and heritage coastline.
Spend some time with a loved one, and recharge!
Create a chair with The Windsor Workshop
Take part in a 2- and 5-day courses in a purpose-built workshop to make stools and chairs.
You’ll take away your very own chair at the end, and have learned valuable woodworking skills.
Learn leather with Wolfram Lohr
If belts and wallets are your thing, a workshop with Wolfram Lohr will provide much insight into the world of leather and creativity.
Vouchers are available for both the belt and wallet workshops.
Harvest herbs with Holtwood
People with an interest in natural remedies or herbs might find this one interesting.
You’ll spend a day designing or harvesting a medicinal forest, depending on the course you choose.
You could visit Yeo Valley!
Every year, Yeo Valley run a full programme of activities to give you a taster of life in the valley.
From tours of their busy working farm and organic garden to hands-on courses and exciting special events, there’s something for everyone.
Choose your course at Centre for Alternative Technology
CAT is an education and visitor centre demonstrating practical solutions for sustainability. They cover all aspects of green living: environmental building, eco-sanitation, woodland management, renewable energy, energy efficiency and organic growing.
Take your pick of short courses! Who knows, you may find yourself face to face with a bird.
Learn upholstering with The London Chair Collective
Pia from London Chair Collective runs a popular, but small, evening class at St Augustine’s workshop teaching traditional and modern Upholstery techniques.
Do you have a favourite experience? Let us know in a tweet!
Want to know more about joining the Blue Patch community? Click here.
Preeti is the Marketing Manager at Blue Patch. Born and raised in India, she spent some time in the US, completing a degree in Psychology and Biology, after which she moved to the UK in 2010 to study an MSc in Finance and Management. She can often be found obsessing over her plants, trying to clamp down on an ever-increasing collection of nail polish or exploring and taking photos of random corners of London. New experiences are definitely her thing.
