Organize + Energize: Give Experiences Instead of Things This Holiday Season
Kristin MacRae, GoLocalProv Organizing Expert
Organize + Energize: Give Experiences Instead of Things This Holiday Season
This holiday season, think about giving experiences, rather than things. Here are 6 ways you can give experiences.
Spa gift cards. Most people that are disorganized are overwhelmed and stressed. Find out what spa they like to go to and purchase a gift card for a facial, massage, manicure, etc.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFitness gift cards. Do they like to work out? Find out where they take classes and purchase them a pass for a few classes!
Take them to dinner. How often do you get to see each other? Plan a night out at their favorite restaurant and enjoy the food and time together. Or, if you’d like, give them a gift card to dinner that they can use with their significant other. You could also take them to a play or movie they’ve wanted to see.
Book a weekend seasonal getaway. When’s the last time you enjoyed some fun times together? You could go skiing in the winter or plan a staycation in a town in your state, or a beach weekend in the summer or foliage trip in the fall.
Do they want to learn a new skill? Maybe they’ve been talking about taking up knitting, photography, or painting. Find out if they’ve been doing research and contact that business to see if they offer gift cards.
Give the gift of organization. You knew I couldn’t leave this out. When people are disorganized and surrounded by chaos, the last thing they need is more stuff coming into the home. If they’ve been hinting that they need help, talk with them about giving them a gift card and if they’re on board, give them the gift of this experience.
There are so many other experiences you could give, but these are just a few to get you thinking. Before you rush out to purchase gifts this holiday, really think about the people on your list. Are you wasting money on things that are going to get thrown in the back of the closet? Most people that don’t like what they receive feel guilty about getting rid of it. So, it stays in their home taking up space and energy. Be mindful of what you’re purchasing this holiday and think about if buying an experience will be better and I bet the answer will be, yes!
I have one very important tip for you. If you’re receiving an abundance of gift cards, be sure to have a system to contain them. It can be as simple as storing them in a labeled envelope and keeping it stored in a designated space. If you receive a gift card, it goes in the envelope right away. If you have a large amount of them, you can buy a mini accordion file and categorize the cards and label them. You can label them restaurants, beauty, retail, etc. Whichever system you choose, it’s just important that you have a system. I’ve found over thousands of gift cards in homes, hidden everywhere. The majority of people forget they even had them! A good system will solve this problem.
25 New England Labor Day Weekend Getaways - 2018
Massage at Revival Massage & Bodyworks
Providence, RI
Need to relax and refresh after a busy summer?
Spoil yourself with one of Revival's luxuriously therapeutic services and reinvigorate yourself.
Mystic, CT
For something completely different, Mystic Aquarium is a fun destination for a day trip that includes playing with starfish, a Sea Lion Show, seeing penguins and so much more.
North Conway, New Hampshire
For the leaf peepers, the best time to visit the White Mountains is right at the beginning of October, as that is when the fall foliage is at its peak.
The hotel provides great rooms with amazing mountain and cliff views.
Newport, RI
This Bed & Breakfast is located right in the historic district of Newport, Rhode Island. Each room is unique and complete with amenities like imported linens, spa showers, and fireplaces. It’s just steps away from the Newport Cliff Walk, providing excellent views of the Atlantic. Don’t miss the seasonal gourmet breakfast!
Across Southern New England
The Coastal Wine Trail is a nonprofit group of 14 wineries that are spread throughout Southeastern New England.
Vineyards on the trail include Preston Ridge Vineyard in Preston Connecticut, Travessia Winery in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery in Westport, Massachusetts and Coastal Vineyards in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
The heart of the trail is less than three hours from New York City and 90 minutes from Boston.
Boston Ma
Check out the super cool Boston Museum of Science and their brand new space exploration exhibit.
You're guaranteed to be in the museum all day and likely never get bored.
All exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday.
Boston, Massachusetts
Need your fix of Sam Adams Oktoberfest?
Take a FREE tour of Sam Adams Brewery, and see where some of the best beer is made. Learn about the history of Sam Adams beer, how it's made, experience the entire craft brew process, and of course, try some samples.
The tour departs every 45 minutes and lasts about an hour.
Block Island, RI
It may be fall, but it is not too late to get over to Block Island and explore all that it has to offer.
To make it easier to get around, rent a bike
Block Island features 17 miles of pristine beaches, protected by lighthouses and spectacular bluffs, and surrounded by rolling roads and winding paths.
Middletown RI
Newport Vineyards is in prime wine-making season, making the fall one of the best times of year to go visit.
Taste some great wine, and then grab lunch or dinner at Brix restaurant.
Boston, MA
What is cooler than riding a Segway around the city of Boston? It is hard to think of something.
A one-hour tour cost $60, while a two-hour tour will cost you $90, but you will see Boston in a different way than ever before.
Boston Segway tours are located at 364 Boylston street.
Burlington, VT
If you’re a couple that digs the art scene, a trip to Burlington, VT to spend a nice weekend at Made INN Vermont may be right up your alley. A self-proclaimed “urban-chic, historic” B&B, their rooms have one wall painted with black chalkboard paint (and come with colored chalk) so you can add your own personal decorations.They also come with rotating vintage toys, vinyl albums, and vintage art for guests to enjoy.
Each morning guests are treated to a gourmet, cooked-to-order Vermont breakfast that supports local farms and producers. On top of all of this, they boast views of downtown Burlington, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondack Mountain
North Adams, Massachusetts
What was once a series of dilapidated Victorian-era row houses, is now one of the most innovative and romantic hotels in the Berkshires.
As part of the Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art (MassMoCA), The Porches Inn features unique designs and bold colors, while still paying homage to the generations of mill workers' families who once lived there.
Ashland, NH
Set directly in the middle of the White Mountains and Lake District of New Hampshire, this finely decorated 1896 Victorian house provides a desirable intimate and cozy getaway.
With six bedrooms, five of which are pet -friendly, as well as six custom suites that include double whirlpool baths, the Glynn House provides for couples who are interested in romantic adventures or a laid-back weekend.
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art
North Adams, MA
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art features art exhibits such as "Here Comes the Sun,' "Free Roses" and so much more.
The Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
Cape Cod, MA
Take a Whale Watching trip near Monomoy Island on a 90-minute tour led by ferry captain, Keith Lincoln.
The tour also features a view of the Monomoy Lighthouse and a great chance of spotting sea ducks and maybe a white-tailed deer on the beach.
The Cog Railway at Bretton Woods, Mt Washington
New Hampshire
Passengers experience a sense of adventure and history on the Mount Washington Cog Railway's 3-hour guided train tour to the highest peak in the Northeast.
With approximately one hour to spend at the 6,288 foot summit, visitors can take in the spectacular panoramic view, spanning the mountains and valleys of New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, north into Canada, and east to the Atlantic Ocean.
Sturbridge, MA
Take a trip to Old Sturbridge Village as they celebrate Charlotte's Webb and much more.
This production is a reinvented version of the story, set in a timeless New England era that honors the 1830s but with a modern license to breathe fresh air into the story.
In addition to the performance, tour the Village for a “Charlotte’s Web Summer” where you can visit their adorable piglets, see costumed historians re-constructing the Allen Piggery, weaving and spinning yarn, blacksmithing, farming, making tin objects, and demonstrating other aspects of 19th-century life, and special exhibits.
Portland, Maine
Allagash Brewing Company offers FREE beer tasting every day that they are open. Participants receive four, 3 oz samples of beer during the tastings.
The tastings do change every few days.
Lenox, MA
A beautiful brick estate in the Berkshires of Lenox, MA, the Cranwell Resort is great for luxury. As a guest there, you have the option of pre-ordering treats for your room like chocolate covered strawberries, locally brewed beers, and flowers – or maybe a pleasant surprise for your significant other. There are plenty of dining options that strive to use fresh and locally produced ingredients.
With options for golf, skiing, and ice skating, Cranwell is a great option for anyone and for pretty much any time of the season.
Mashantucket, CT
The 9 million sq. ft resort and casino gives you and your friends or significant other plenty to do on your getaway. Gamble, see a show, play golf (weather permitting) or just relax in the hotel and spa area.
Harvard, Massachusetts
The Fruitlands Museum offers four galleries of New England history set on 200 acres of land with 2.5 miles of walking trails woven into it for folks to enjoy the scenery.
Shelburne, Vermont
Who doesn't love Teddy Bears? Assuming that you do, plan a trip to Vermont and take a tour of the Vermont, Teddy Bear Factory and see how the bears are made.
Tours run seven days a week and children under 12 are FREE. The tours take about an hour and 15 minutes.
Boston, Massachusetts
For just $5, you can take a tour of Harpoon Brewery, and see everything that goes into making beer. That $5 also includes beer tasting.
Sandwich, Massachusetts
Pamper your mind, body, and soul at the Daniel Webster Inn and Spa.
Head over to the nearby Heritage Museum and Gardens for some wonderful exhibits.
One of the more popular attractions is the Carousel Gallery.
The working carousel was designed by Charles Looff in 1908. Rides are unlimited with the price of admission.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Springfield, Massachusetts
Head over and check out the plaques of some of the greatest players in basketball history, and so much more.
The Hall of Fame is open Wednesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
