The Best Experiences To Give In 2020

Our editor gifted her entire family AncestryDNA® kits last year and it was a huge hit! Copy her idea for a fun activity to dive into genealogy together as a family. Fingers crossed, the follow-up gift is a family trip to discover forgotten origins.

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RVing with your immediate family or inner circle is a safe way to travel and allows for a fun and engaging experience you might have otherwise overlooked.

Puppy mania was in full swing this past year as the need for companionship grew. The only problem is puppies don’t come fully trained. This is the perfect gift for the new dog owner in your life, or treat yourself as you make life easier with your new four-legged friend.

For the nature lover and yard guru, this gift is a fascinating experience and contributes to a healthier environment. These super pollinators — yes, the kit comes with bee cocoons with baby bees just waiting to hatch — will make a garden thrive!

Context is bringing travel to you! Learn from scholars and specialists about the lives of the people, history, and culture of the world’s greatest cities via their virtual programming.

This indoor practice putting mat is trusted by Dustin Johnson and more than 100 PGA Tour Pros, so you know it’s good! TrueRoll technology, precision crystal velvet surface, and automatic ball return come together to create the perfect way to improve a golf lover’s game all year. Use promo code GATEWAY15 for an extra 15% off!

For the explorer who wants peace of mind, there is no better gift than this Air Medical Transport & Travel Security Membership Program. Never worry about not being prepared for a medical emergency; Medjet is ready to move you to a hospital at home in the case that bucket list trip doesn’t go exactly* as planned. Now transporting for Covid-19 as well!

This year one of the biggest trends in travel has been vacation rentals. Airbnb offers the best one-of-a-kind, clean experiences for you and your family or closest friends. Filter by “unique stay” to find treehouses, castles, yurts, and more!

For all the foodies on your list, gift them the ultimate virtual gourmet cooking class with Truffle Shuffle. TravelAwaits expert Melissa Klurman describes her experience: “During the pandemic, I’ve been both missing my travels in France and Italy while also doing a whole lot of cooking at home. The chefs who created the Truffle Shuffle program came right from the kitchen of The French Laundry and created a home culinary program that’s fun, informative, and as decadent as a trip to Piedmont with a truffle sniffing pooch. They ship everything you need to make the dish of the week — they even throw in a cocktail so you can sip while you stir. Extra bonus: For every kit you order, Truffle Shuffle donates a meal to a health care worker. A win/win for the holiday season.”

“I received this custom Paint Your Life portrait of the “Merry Band of Idiots”, the affectionate name for our pack of dogs, in 2020. It has since been one of my most prized possessions and hangs as the focal point in my office. Their team of extremely talented artists transforms treasured photos into beautiful paintings and forever keepsakes. The details included truly brings these pets to life.

Paint Your Life will recreate cherished family memories, weddings, homes, and can even paint loved ones that have passed into family portraits. As Paint Your Life says, tears of joy are guaranteed with this gift!” — Allison Weston

Since a trip to wine country isn’t in the cards, the best way to discover exclusive wines from the world’s best independent wine makers is with Nakedwines.com. They take all the guesswork out of picking a good bottle, and with no price markups. If you know a wine lover or are a connoisseur yourself, Nakedwines.com is the best for curating a great selection, supporting small businesses, and– all for a great price.

This incredible jewelry has been featured in British Vogue in the edition guest-edited by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex. TravelAwaits expert Sarah Kingdom explains “Local Zambian craftswomen make this jewelry by hand, using natural materials from the South Luangwa Valley in Zambia.”

Another suggestion from TravelAwaits Sarah Kingdom, take a trip through the Luangwa Valley with this stunning black and white wildlife photography book that captures iconic wild animals of the area. The beautiful images were all captured by renowned wildlife photographer Patrick Bentley and a portion of the proceeds goes to wildlife conservation.

Can’t go to Italy? Bring a little bit of Rome to your kitchen with a virtual pasta-making class led by 84-year-old Nonna Nerina and her granddaughters. “Nonna Live” allows anyone to live stream a 2-hour cooking class of their choosing. Beware — once you try this handmade pasta, you won’t want anything else!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … caviar! The Caviar Co. is offering “12 Days of Indulgence 2020,” where each day features a different type of caviar and roe with a favorite way to indulge. This package makes for a unique and memorable way to celebrate the holidays!

One of our favorite gifting finds so far this year! For the competitor missing the action, The Skills has created a number of online courses to motivate the budding athlete in your life or help pick up a new sports or life skills. The coolest part—these courses are taught by some of the most accomplished athletes of our generation, like Michael Phelps, Maria Sharapova, and Shaun White.