Now that Thanksgiving is over, the holiday season is officially upon us, fast-tracking its way to you. If you’re inclined to wait until the last minute to get your Santa on, don’t panic. There are plenty of gift guides out there to help make your shopping duties a non-event, even a breeze. For those adventurous types on your list who may not be into material goods, experiences make unique gifts. Here’s a selection that ranges from cultural to culinary, from the East Coast to the West.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Travel through scenic wine country and taste food and wine pairings as the train goes from downtown Napa to St. Helena. Choose from a variety of trip experiences, including a hop-on, hop-off tour in which you can stop in at wineries.
FROM $55 winetrain.com
Brooklyn Boulders Climbing Class
Learn how to boulder or perfect your belay at one of Brooklyn Boulders’ indoor climbing gyms. (There are locations in Boston and Chicago as well.) The gym offers private lessons and group classes.
FROM $49 brooklynboulders.com
Thermal Bath and Massage at Aire Ancient Baths
This cavernous and candlelit space with six swimming-pool-like baths heated to varied temperatures and an aromatherapy room will provide instant relaxation to stressed-out souls. Just when you thought you hit maximum Zen, it’s time for a 30-minute massage.
FROM $133 ancientbathsny.com
Baking Class at Momofuku Milk Bar
If you can’t get enough of Christina Tosi’s crack pie, check out her Milk Bar baking class in Brooklyn. Extra perk of the two-hour class: Students get to take home their cake and truffles.
$95 milkbarstore.com
Tiny House Hotel in Portland, Ore.
The tiny-house movement, praised for reducing environmental and financial costs, has arrived. Discover what it’s like to live in 120 square feet of space by staying at Caravan, a hotel made up of six tiny houses, in the Alberta Arts District of Portland, Ore.
FROM $145 tinyhousehotel.com
Cheese 101 Class at Murray’s Cheese
Want to learn the difference between edam and gouda? Learn how to pick cheese for your next dinner party by taking Murray’s Cheese 101. These classes include tastings and wine pairings.
Horseback Ride at Sunset Ranch in Hollywood
Saddle up for a guided horseback ride up Mount Hollywood as you take in spectacular views of the sunset over Los Angeles, then mosey back to the ranch for a barbecue and live music.
New York Public Theater Membership
Gain a tax break and discounted tickets to the next groundbreaking show when you become a member of the Public Theater, where “Hamilton” began before moving to Broadway.
FROM $65 publictheater.org
Grazing, Pecking, Rooting Meal at Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Travel to Blue Hill at Stone Barns in the Hudson Valley for a magical farm-to-table culinary experience. Get there early so you can visit the livestock or have a cocktail by the fireplace.
FROM $238 bluehillfarm.com
Boroughs of the Dead New York City Walking Tours
Take a walk on the dark side and learn about New York’s haunted history. Tours take place in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens (and will be coming to the Bronx and Roosevelt Island in 2017). There is even a Ghosts of Christmas Past tour, adding a whole new meaning to holiday spirit.
Tags: Gift Guide 2016, Holidays, Shopping
