You ask your dad what he'd like for Christmas and he says, "Nothing, honestly. I've got everything I need." (He means it. It doesn't help you one bit.) That's the moment an experience gift starts to make sense: instead of guessing at sizes and tastes, you give him a day to look forward to.
Experience gifts make some of the best Christmas gifts for dad because they match what he already enjoys and leave nothing to store. Pick the one that fits his weekends, such as skydiving, a brewery tour or a spa package, or send a Gifting Owl gift voucher so he can choose from 19,000+ experiences in 100+ countries. The voucher is valid for three years and arrives by email, straight away or on a date you schedule.
Below, we've sorted our favourite Christmas gift ideas by the type of dad you're shopping for, from thrill seeking dads who'd happily jump out of a plane to the one whose perfect Saturday is a long lunch and no phone. Find the one that sounds most like him and start there.
Why Is an Experience Gift a Good Christmas Present for Dad?
A wrapped present does its job on Christmas morning. An experience carries on: there's the choosing, the booking, the day itself and the story he tells afterwards (usually at a barbecue or dinner where nobody asked, and everybody listens anyway). It also takes up no room in the shed, which is handy if the shed is already full.
It's also a simple way to show you've been listening. If he talks about the footy, the fishing or that winery he still raves about, there's probably an experience day built around it. A gift that matches an interest he already has tends to land well, and the right one can even spark a new hobby. Because the voucher stays valid for three years, there's no pressure on the date either.
Christmas experience gifts
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Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World Full-Day Tour
Kyoto: Small-Group Gion Geisha District Walking Tour
Barcelona's Coastline Helicopter Flight
Which Experience Gifts Suit Which Kind of Dad?
Plenty of dads fit two or three of these. If he's torn between types, picture a free Saturday and ask what he'd pick, not what he'd say he wants.
Thrill Seeking Dads: Skydiving, Rapids and Rock Faces
If his idea of a relaxing weekend involves a harness, start here.
Skydiving: the freefall is over quickly, but the plane ride up and the wobbly walk across the landing field are what he'll talk about. Weather can move a jump date, so book with a bit of flexibility. It suits the dad who has been saying "one day" for years.
White water rafting. You paddle as a crew, you get properly soaked and someone always falls in laughing. Check the rapids grade on the experience page so it matches his fitness and nerve. Best for dads who'd rather share an adventure than tackle it alone.
For more of the same, browse our adrenaline gift ideas. Rock climbing and abseiling, zip lining, caving, biking and outdoor rope courses are all in there, along with hiking and escape rooms for dads who like a challenge at a gentler pace.
The Foodie, the Beer Fan and the Whisky Drinker
For the dad who plans a trip around where he'll eat, a tasting experience gives him a built-in excuse for a long afternoon.
Walking food tours. A local guide leads you from stop to stop and explains why the little place on the corner always has a queue. Wear comfortable shoes and arrive hungry, because you'll be eating the whole way. A good fit for dads who like to understand a city through its food.
Brewery tours: tastings plus a bit of brewing know-how, usually from a guide who loves the subject as much as he does. Sort out the trip home beforehand so everyone gets to enjoy the tasting. It's an easy one to share if you're a son or daughter keen to tag along.
Wine lovers might prefer wine tasting at a vineyard, where the best part is a glass in hand and a view of the vines (the only downside is the drive home, so go as a group). Whisky fans can look for a distillery experience, which typically comes with a tasting and a guide who can explain what he's sipping.
Brewery Tours gift ideas
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Sake Tasting Omakase Course by Sommeliers in Central Tokyo
Nashville Distillery and Craft Brewery Tasting Tour
Tédelúpulo Beer Spa Premium Experience in Buenos Aires
The Dad Who Is Always Planning His Next Trip
A travel gift doesn't have to mean a long-haul flight. Sometimes it's just a better view.
Helicopter tours are the headline act. He sees a coastline, city or mountain range the way the map does, and the flight is usually short enough to suit a dad who gets restless. Seating and weight notes differ between operators, so check the experience page before you book. If he has ever muttered about flying lessons, this is a gentler way to get the same grin from the passenger seat.
Hot air ballooning is the slow version, a quiet drift at sunrise (the early start is the price of admission, so warn him to set an alarm). Paragliding sits at the other end for dads with a head for heights.
If he keeps a travel wish list, an icon like the Eiffel Tower, Machu Picchu or Angkor Wat makes a good anchor for a trip he can plan with you. A hotel getaway voucher can turn it into a weekend away for the whole family.
The Outdoors Dad: Whales, Safaris and Saddles
Outdoor experiences suit the dad who is happiest with binoculars and a thermos. Whale watching is a good place to begin. Sightings depend on the season and location, so check the best months on the experience page. If he gets seasick, plan for a calm day and a travel tablet. Safaris, horse riding, birdwatching and animal encounters sit in the same family if he'd rather stay on land, and a guided stargazing night gives him something to do once the sun goes down.
Whale Watching gift ideas
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Vancouver Island: Cowichan Bay Sunset Whale and Wildlife Tour
Gold Coast Swim with Whales Experience (Jun - Oct)
Sydney Harbour: Narrated Whale-Watching Cruise Including Meal
The Dad Who Wants to Learn a New Skill
Plenty of dads have a hobby they'd love to get better at. Photography tours and art classes are good starting points, and golf lessons or flying lessons suit the dad who is always watching the fairway or the sky. A guided session with an expert tutor can teach a new skill in an afternoon, and he comes home with something he made himself. Many are pitched at beginners, but check the level on each experience page.
The Culture Lover
For the dad who reads every plaque at every monument, theatre shows, city tours and history or architecture walks give him an afternoon full of stories. If he doesn't travel much, a guided walk through his own city can be a lovely surprise (he'll see his hometown with new eyes). Glance at the duration first, as some guides set a brisk pace.
The Dad Who Deserves a Proper Rest
Some dads rarely sit down. A spa package gives him permission to, with treatments, pool or sauna time depending on the venue. Massage and yoga sessions are also available. Some dads need a nudge to accept a day off, so a short note in the voucher saying "this one's an order" helps.
The Dad Who Lives for Family Days
If his favourite days are the loud ones with the kids, a family-friendly experience keeps everyone together. Theme parks, waterparks, aquariums and escape rooms all work across ages, and they make memorable days that turn into traditions. Check the age and height limits on each page before booking.
How Do You Choose the Right Experience for Dad?
Start with his weekends. What does he do when nobody is asking him to do anything? That's your category.
Decide if you're going too. Some of the best gifts for dad are the ones you do together, such as a brewery tour or a zip lining morning.
Think about where he lives. Plenty of experiences are close to home, and others are worth a trip, so choose based on how much travel he'd enjoy.
What If You Can't Pick Just One? Send a Gift Voucher
If you've read this far and he's somehow all of the above, a gift voucher takes the pressure off. With Gifting Owl you choose any amount, in your chosen currency, and he picks from 19,000+ experiences in 100+ countries, booking live on the site. One voucher can cover several experiences, and any balance stays on his account.
A few details suit a busy buyer. Vouchers are valid for three years and exchanges are free: a cheaper choice leaves the balance on his account, and for a pricier one he pays the difference by card. You can add a personal message and pick a design. It arrives by email, sent straight away or scheduled for Christmas morning, or you can send it to yourself to print and hand over. Browse our gift vouchers for dad to see how it looks. Cancellation rules depend on the supplier, and each experience page shows its policy before he books.
The same voucher works for a birthday or Father's Day, so it's worth remembering if he's now on your list for all three.
Ready to Choose?
Pick the type of dad that sounds most like yours, then browse the experiences or send a voucher and let him decide. Happy gifting!
