Adventurous Gifts: Volume 1

Sweaters and candles are nice but a present that helps make a dream a reality is a true gift. A few years ago, I mentioned to a friend that I wanted to study physics (hey, to each her own). On my birthday, that same friend gave me a copy of Stephen Hawkings' "A Brief History of Time." I loved that book, not only because I wanted to read it but because my friend had helped me do something I had been wanting to do.

Since this site is all about expanding horizons and trying new things, I thought it would be good to assemble a list of outside-the-box gift ideas for your adventurous friends and family. Today's post has 10 suggestions for gifts of new experiences. I think there is a little bit of everything here but I'd like this to be an on-going project. If you have some suggestions for "Adventurous Gifts: Volume 2" let me know.

THE GIFT OF MUSIC: National Geographic Music goes waaaayyy beyond the your top 40 playlist and connects you to music from around the globe. Visiting their homepage, you can search music by artist, region of the world or genre (everything from Aboriginal Traditional to Zydeco) . Whether your friends are fans of Zimbabwe's Thomas Mapfumo or Uzbekistan's Matlubeh, a gift certificate for a world of music is a gift indeed.

HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE: Soaring Adventures of America offers gift certificates for locations around the country. Their site says they're a member of the Better Business Bureau and guarantee 100% satisfaction.

SPA AND BULLDOZER (Excavate and Exfoliate): Dig This, the only place in the country where you can learn to drive heavy equipment for fun is blending the benefits of a soothing facial with the thrill of commanding full-size heavy equipment. The company, partnering with the Steamboat Grand Hotel, offers a package that includes a minimum half-day session at Dig This, two-night stay at the Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel, a 50-minute European facial at the Grand Spa, and daily breakfast at The Cabin Restaurant.

SPA AND CHOCOLATE: The Chocolate Spa at the Hotel Hershey is an experience like no other: Whipped Cocoa Bath, Chocolate Hydrotherapy, Chocolate Bean Polish, Chocolate Sugar Scrub, Chocolate Fondue Wrap, Cocoa Massage... enough said. If Hershey, PA is too far from home, check out SpaFinder.com to find something in your neck of the woods.

BETTER THAN CARRY-OUT: How about an interesting international dish delivered right to your friend's doorstep? Destination Dinners offers recipe kits that share culture through food. Each kit offers pre-measured, hard to find spices, sauces and dried items as well as step-by-step instructions, a shopping list for fresh ingredients and fun facts and trivia about the destination you are "traveling" to. Choose cuisine from Thailand, Bangladesh, Israel, Japan, Jamaica and more.

I'LL DRINK TO THIS: Do you know an adventurous wine lover? Here's a gift that teaches the basics of wine making while it teaches patience. Amazon.com has a do-it-yourself kit for making your own Chianti. The kit comes with all the equipment and ingredients need to get started on a fun new hobby.

PLAY WITH FIRE: Who hasn't been fascinated watching a glass blower practice her craft? An easy way to experience the thrill of working with fire and glass is with a beginning bead making kit. Amazon.com has one that includes everything you need but the gas canister (found in hardware stores) and protective eye ware. Your friends will be making gorgeous mini works of art in no time.

DANCE! DANCE! There are many different styles of dance to choose from but if your giftee is a fan of "Dancing with the Stars," why not start with Arthur Murray Studios. They have franchises around the world, a variety of dance programs and an Internet coupon for a free introductory lesson (at participating locations).

KNIT ONE...Knitting is huge! Everyone is picking up this stress-reducing hobby that generates something you can actually use. Why not get your giftee some needles, a skein of beautiful yarn and link her into the free online tutorials from Lion Brand Yarn.

UH...WHAT? If the giftee has always wanted to speak Italian or Mandarin or Tagalog why not make her dreams a reality with a gift of language. There are many instruction methods and many different price levels. Your options range from classroom instruction with the local community college or Berlitz organization to at-home learning with audio programs like Rosetta Stone. There are actually many at-home programs at many price points so try a Google or Amazon.com search for the desired language.

12/15/08: To find Adventurous Gifts: Volume 2, click here.

*These ideas are meant to inspire you and the sites listed here are starting points for your shopping. This listing is not intended to guarantee any product or service. Consumers are responsible for educating themselves before entering into any kind of agreement with any/all providers.

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