Experiential Gifts For Kids And Adults Who Have Too Much Stuff

Many middle-class South African’s are surrounded by clutter, so why do we want to add more with gifts that will seldom be used, if at all? In fact according to a survey, one in seven people polled said they have a room in their home they cannot use because it is filled with things they rarely use. We often find that when children receive a toy as a gift that they play with for a few days (or a few hours) and then it sits under their bed or in a cupboard for the rest of the year until it is cleaned out.
So why not give gifts that will create awesome memories instead of adding to the clutter? We’ve put together some of the best ideas for experiential gifts the internet has to offer, for kids and adults!

WILD CARD – ACCESS TO SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS

Who doesn’t love a trip out into nature, and what better way to ensure you dedicate some time to the outdoors than with a Wild Card from South African National Parks? They are available for individuals, couples and families and range in price from R655 to R1280.

https://www.sanparks.org/wild_new/

TOBOGGAN FAMILY PARK

An awesome gift for kids and a great day for the whole family. According to their website – Cool Runnings Cape Town says: “It’s fun for kids and adults, and it’s completely safe and the combination of speed and skill makes it a thrilling challenge for even the most die-hard speed freak.”

Rides are R45 each for children and R55 for adults with unlimited day passes at R360 for children and adults. Discounts are available for weekdays and family combos are available.

VINTAGE WORLD WAR II FLIGHT

A 20-minute introductory flight in the 1942 Vintage Army Cub is perfect the adventure lovers, avid historians, aspiring pilots and thrill seekers young or old. This flight takes you back in time as it flies over the Johannesburg city skyline in true vintage style.
R 1 539 from Celestial Gifts: https://www.celestialgifts.co.za/activity-gift-vouchers/introductory-flight-in-the-1942-vintage-army-cub-jhb.html

TANDEM PARAGLIDING

Amazing views of Cape Town and a breath-taking experience for youngsters or adults alike. Create incredible memories as you fly with an experienced pilot – with a picture and video package as an optional extra.
Prices from R 1 350 at https://tandemflight.co.za/

COOKING CLASSES

Trends show that more and more South Africans consider themselves “foodies” and “cooking enthusiasts” and embrace cooking as a leisure pursuit. For the aspiring chef, why not a cooking class? Just search the web for a cooking school near you, prices start at about R465 for a single lesson and go up for ongoing courses.

Here’s a Johannesburg option from Celestial Gifts: https://www.celestialgifts.co.za/activity-gift-vouchers/single-session-cooking-lesson-you-choose-jhb.html

CERES STEAM TRAIN

An unforgettable experience for the kids as well as the grandparents. The Ceres Rail Company runs steam train trips to the Elgin Railway Market every weekend. It’s a 3 hour train journey from the Cape Town foreshore to Elgin where you will spend a leisurely 3.5 hours at the newly established, Art Deco & Art Nouveau inspired, Elgin Railway Market.
A perfect gift at R750 per adult and R500 for kids: http://www.ceresrail.co.za/

CREATIVE WRITING COURSES

There are also many online options – mainly around courses and online learning. What about a very special gift for the aspiring writer? The SA Writers College offers over 40 online courses for everything from the Basics of Creative Writing to Advanced Novel writing and prices range from the R5000 mark to R9000.

https://www.sawriterscollege.co.za/

It’s easy to buy a nice bottle of wine as a gift for the wine lover – but what about a wine-tasting course? The Cape Wine Academy offers a number of courses for all levels and has a presence in Johannesburg and Cape Town. According to their website: “We promise that no matter where you are on your wine journey, we have a course or encounter that will allow you to experience wine in an enjoyable, fun and educational manner.”

www.capewineacademy.co.za/courses

These are some of the best options we found in our research – but there are many more! Think about the passions and interests of the person you are buying for and do some searches online – there’s a wealth of options! Celestial Gifts is an online shop dedicated to experiences and is a great place to start: https://www.celestialgifts.co.za/

Happy Shopping!