You asked what they'd like for Christmas and got, "Oh, nothing, honestly. I'm fine." (They mean it, which is exactly the problem.)
Finding Christmas gifts for people who have everything is a different job from ordinary gift shopping. The cupboards are full, the wish list is blank and there's not much shelf space left. What they probably don't have is a morning in a hot air balloon, a long lunch among the vines or a first-ever helicopter flight. That's where the Christmas gift ideas below start.
Christmas Gifts for People Who Have Everything: Start With a Day, Not a Thing
People who seem to have it all aren't always high-flyers. Often they've simply spent years setting up a home and now own the furniture, gadgets and hobby gear they need. Parents who've reached that stage, a partner with a well-stocked life, a friend who buys what they like when they like it: all are open to a day out they'd never get around to organising themselves.
That's the case for experience gifts. They give someone something to look forward to, and they take up no space at all. Our Christmas gift ideas page shows the full spread, and these unique gifts are where we'd start.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Itchy Feet
Some people are always one long weekend away from booking a flight. Give them the nudge.
Hotel Getaways
Think waking up in a quiet beach town, or stepping out to explore a city they've been meaning to see. Hotel getaway vouchers suit the hard workers who rarely switch off, and the weekend wanderers who'll happily walk a new neighbourhood all day.
A practical tip: if you know somewhere they've been talking about visiting, point the gift that way and let them pick the dates. If their plans change, exchanges are free for any experience (if the new choice costs more, they pay the difference).
Premium Experiences
Our premium experiences lean towards boutique, private and small-group outings, with a bit more personal attention. Picture diving off the deck of a yacht to snorkel a quiet reef, scented oils from a skilled masseuse, or glamping on a jungle safari. It's a treat for the person who would never splash out on themselves, which is most people who have everything.
The honest catch: the more intimate the experience, the fewer spots each day, so it helps if they book early. Small-group touring runs through plenty of the wider range too, not just the premium picks.
Christmas experience gifts
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Kyoto: Small-Group Gion Geisha District Walking Tour
Barcelona's Coastline Helicopter Flight
Best of Niagara Falls Tour: Journey Behind Falls & Boat
Hot Christmas or Snowy Christmas?
Christmas falls in summer in Australia and in the middle of winter in the UK, so half of us dream of shade while the other half dream of snow. Match the gift to the weather they're craving, or to where they're heading.
Water Sports and Snorkelling
Kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and jet skiing are all on the water experiences list. For something quieter, snorkelling keeps them near the surface with colourful fish and coral, while scuba diving takes them down to reefs and wrecks. It's perfect for anyone happiest when they're wet.
Water and weather can shuffle plans, so check the cancellation policy on the experience page before you buy.
Driving Experiences
Engine noise, gravel spraying and a steering wheel that actually matters: driving experiences range from rally driving to track days. They suit the car person who's already got every accessory but has never really opened one up. Expect a safety briefing first (it's part of the fun, honestly).
Snow Days
For someone who's sweating through a southern summer and wishing for a white Christmas, there are ski slopes, snowclad hiking trails and snowmobiling, with a crackling fire to come home to. A tip for the buyer: suggest they pack warm layers and a spare pair of gloves, because a cold, damp hand ends a good day early.
Whether they're heading for sand, sea or snow this Christmas, the Locations and Activities menus on our site let you explore gift ideas by where they'll be.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Parents Who Have Everything
There comes a time when your parents have all the furniture, the gadgets and the hobby gear they'll ever use, and the house is happily full. If that's your mum and dad, shift from giving things to giving time. Experiences close to home or in far-flung places let you match the way they like to travel, and they're easy to do together.
Food Tours
A food tour is a tasting walk through a city or region, with a bit of history and culture served alongside. Tell them to go hungry and wear comfortable shoes. It suits parents who love a good meal and a good story about where it came from.
Walking Food Tours gift ideas
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Dumpling Discovery Walking Tour
A Food and Drink Journey Through San Diego's East Village
Hungry Osaka Food Tour ShinSekai - Feast Like a Local
Winery Tours
Rows of vines, a glass in hand and someone explaining why this one tastes of pepper: a winery tour is a relaxed way to discover more about a favourite wine. For a romantic touch, suggest an afternoon slot so they catch the late light between the vines. Tastings add up, so sort out the lift home.
Brewery Tours
Most brewery tours take visitors behind the scenes to see how a favourite beer is made, and many finish with a tasting of a few different styles. They suit the beer fan who's tried everything on the shelf but never seen a fermenter.
Gift Ideas That Get the Heart Racing
It's easy to settle into routine and forget there's a whole world outside the window. If your person has been plodding along lately, a bit of adrenaline is a fun way to shake things up. Add a personal message to the voucher ("go on, you'll love it") and you're sorted.
Skydiving
The freefall comes first, then the quiet pop of the parachute and a very long look at the view. Skydiving suits the adrenaline junkie, and the one who says they'd "never" do it (who often loves it most). Jumps depend on the weather, so tell them to keep a few dates spare.
Helicopter Rides
Lifting off straight up feels nothing like a plane, and the landscape below turns into a map. Helicopter rides can be local or overseas. The flights are short, so choose a route with scenery they care about, whether that's coast, city or mountains. They suit the person who's seen every view from the ground.
Helicopter Tours gift ideas
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Niagara Falls, Canada: Small-Group Helicopter Tour
New York City Small-Group Helicopter Sightseeing Flight
Experience Helicopter Attractions of Los Angeles
White Water Rafting
With an expert guide calling the paddle strokes, your giftee tackles the rapids head on, heart pumping. You will get soaked, so quick-dry clothes are the tip. It suits families and groups who like their fun a bit loud.
Hot Air Ballooning
Drifting in near silence, skimming treetops and watching the landscape wake up. The honest downside is the early start, and a flight can be called off if the wind isn't right. It's perfect for couples and anyone who likes their thrills gentle.
Romantic Christmas Gifts for Couples
Christmas does tend to spark romance, with so much goodwill in the air. If that's on your mind, these ones are for sharing.
Dinner Cruise
Dining under the stars is hard to beat. A dinner cruise can be a small, personal outing with around a dozen guests or a bigger party where they can dance all night. Check the departure time on the experience page so it fits their evening.
Whale Watching
Seeing a whale surface from a boat tends to leave even the chattiest person quiet. Whale watching depends on the season and the location, so check when sightings are best before they book. It suits nature lovers and anyone who enjoys being on the water.
Hiking and Trekking
Going on foot is one of the best ways to get to know a place, and the trails range from challenging to relaxed. A tip: ask what pace they like, then choose accordingly. It suits the people who love being outdoors.
Spa Day
Facials, massages and a few hours of being looked after. A spa day is the perfect gift for the friend who is always busy looking after everyone else.
Can't Decide? Send a Voucher
If you can't narrow it down, a Gifting Owl voucher lets them choose. You pick any amount in your own currency, and they discover more than 19,000 experiences in over 100 countries, from skydiving in Queenstown to exploring ancient ruins in Rome. They book live on Gifting Owl, and the voucher is valid for three years, so there's no pressure to decide by New Year.
It's flexible, too. One voucher can cover several experiences, with any remaining balance staying on their account, and exchanges are free (a pricier pick just means paying the difference).
You can personalise it with a message and a choice of design, and we email it straight away or on the date you schedule, say Christmas morning. Or send it to yourself, print it and tuck it into a card.
Sorted Before Christmas Eve
Pick an idea or two from this list, send the voucher and enjoy a calm Christmas Eve. Browse the experiences, choose your favourite and happy gifting!
