Where to gift Albany-area experiences with theme parks, circuses, more

Stuck on what to get a friend or loved one this holiday season? Well, sometimes, the perfect Christmas present isn’t pulled from Santa’s sack or plucked from a store shelf.

It’s easy to go overboard buying holiday gifts, especially as we contend with a barrage of enticing sales. However, maybe this is the year to forgo the tactile and tangible and gift an experience that is enriching and emotionally rewarding. 

Experiential gift giving is about making memories through experiences, like concert tickets, outings, park passes and more. Recipients will remember a golf lesson or and value a museum membership or year’s-worth of movies more than a sweater that will likely land in a donation bin before long. 

This gift-giving trend continues to grow and is particularly popular among parents. According to a new study by Lingokids.com, a top early learning app for kids, 90 percent of parents polled said they want their children to receive experiential gifts this holiday season rather than traditional toys to support long-term development and eliminate household clutter.

“Today’s parents are not just focused on entertaining their children in the short term, but looking at how best they can help their children thrive well into the future,” says Cristobal Viedma, founder and CEO of Lingokids. “Alternative gifts that prioritize experiences and education, without sacrificing fun and entertainment, are top of mind for parents this holiday season.”

Practicality and longevity aside, experience gifts demonstrate originality, are easier to deliver (little wrapping involved) and reward the giver and receiver. These tokens can also bring people closer together: A 2017 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research notes that relationship improvements that recipients derive from experiential gifts stem from the intensity of emotion that is evoked when they consume the gifts, rather than when the gifts are received.

There are plenty of experiential gift options for children and adults, including many locally, to suit almost any budget. So, if you’re stumped and looking for something that is more sentimental, won’t be cast aside and better stands the test of time, here are a handful of ideas:

Sponsor an Animal at Catskill Sanctuary: Animal-loving family members and friends may appreciate sponsoring an animal with Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a 150-acre farm animal refuge located in New York’s Hudson Valley region. The feel-good sponsorships include a printed photo and opportunity to visit the chosen rescue animal, a complimentary one-year sanctuary membership, free weekend tours from April through November and reduced admission to most special events. Sponsorship dollars help offset costs of food, shelter, medical care and more. Visit casanctuary.org.

New York State Empire Pass: Starting at $80, the pass provides unlimited day-use vehicle entry to most state parks and Department of Environmental Conservation facilities. Pass holders will receive a wallet-sized card that can be shared within a household. The card can be used by parents, grandparents, caregivers and others so you can share the cost. A lifetime option is also available for $750. Visit parks.ny.gov.

Monet: The Immersive Experience: The 360 degree digital art exhibition at Armory Studios NY in Schenectady invites you to step into the colorful world of the French painter Claude Monet. Tickets range from $20 to more than $50 depending on experience. Visit monetexpo.com/albany.

Cirque du Soleil: A clown imagines his own funeral procession where acrobats, aerialists, and clowns send him off in high-flying and whimsical fashion in “Corteo: Get Carried Away with Life,” the contemporary Canadian circus’ production set to be performed in April at Albany’s MVP Arena. Discount tickets are available via Groupon or you can buy tickets directly through the venue, of course. Visit mvparena.com.

Regal Unlimited Movie Subscription Pass: For as little as $18 a month, the pass holders can see as many movies as they’d like and enjoy extra discounts and benefits all year long. Landmark’s Spectrum 8 Theaters in Albany offers Film Aficionado Ticket Books featuring 25 movie tickets for $225. Visit regmovies.com.

Rent the Runway membership: Fashion lovers can receive a shipment of designer clothes and luxury brands every month with an annual membership. A bit more splurgy, prices for the subscription service start at $89 per month but discounts of up to 35 percent are available. Visit renttherunway.com.

Billy Beez: Winters are long in the Capital Region. With a Billy Beez Mega 10-Pack children can jump, slide, swing and much more at Crossgates Mall indoor play park. Prices range from $180 to $200. Visit billybeezus.com.

Lake Placid Bobsled Experience: Gift the chance to soar down a bobsled track, zoom around banks and reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour like an Olympic athlete at Mt. Van Hovenberg in Lake Placid. The experience is priced at $125. Non-thrill-seekers may be more inclined to take part in an Olympic Legacy Tour priced at $15. Visit mtvanhoevenberg.com.

Six Flags Great Escape: The theme park offers several season pass options starting at $65 that are easily giftable and available to use not only locally, but at theme parks throughout the country. A little further away, the Legoland Resort in Orange County is offering holiday deals on one-day tickets and season passes. Visit sixflags.com/greatescape.

Final note: A majority of museums, including the Albany Institute of History & Art, The Children’s Museum at Saratoga, The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology, The Hyde Collection and The World Awareness Children’s Museum offer membership packages for individuals and families.