The postie can't beat the calendar, and your brother in Calgary (or your mate in Auckland, or a team spread across four time zones) isn't going to open a parcel on the 25th. If you're after a virtual Christmas gift for a loved one overseas, here's the good news: it lands in their inbox in minutes, and what they open is a real experience they get to book for themselves.
A virtual Christmas gift is a present you send online instead of by post. With Gifting Owl, you purchase a voucher for any amount, add a personal message and email it straight away or on a date you choose. Your loved one then books online from 19,000+ experiences in 100+ countries. It works for family and friends overseas, and for staff in different countries too.
(No headset required. The experience itself is the real thing: a massage, a balloon flight, a table somewhere lovely.)
Below, we've sorted ideas by personality, then added couples, families and staff. Skim for the person you're buying for and skip the rest. We won't be offended.
How Does a Virtual Christmas Gift Work When Time Zones Are Against You?
With a Gifting Owl gift voucher, you choose any amount in your chosen currency. You write your own message and pick a design. Delivery is by email only. You can send it immediately, or schedule it for a date and time you set, which is handy when they're eleven hours ahead and you'd like it to arrive on Christmas morning their time. If you'd rather hand it over in person, you can email it to yourself and print it.
Your gift recipient books online, and the voucher is valid for three years, so there's no January panic. One voucher can cover several experiences, with any leftover balance staying on their account. Every exchange is free: if they pick something pricier, they pay the difference by card, and if they pick something cheaper, the balance stays on their account.
Not sure what to choose? Use the message as a nudge ("Think massage. Or whales. Your call.") and browse the ideas below to get a feel for the amount. Virtual gifts don't have to feel generic, and a digital gift can still carry an inside joke, so go ahead and write one.
Experience Ideas Sorted by Who You're Buying For
Each idea below comes with one thing to know before you buy, because a gift lands better when the recipient isn't surprised by an early alarm.
For the Person Who Never Switches Off
Spa packages
Robes, warm rooms and nobody asking where the charger is. Packages vary, so read what's included on the experience page. Ideal for the friend or parent who always puts everyone else first.Massage
A simple, welcome way to say "you've earned this". Recipients choose their own time, so it fits around shifts and school runs. Suits anyone who carries December in their shoulders.Facials
A lot of lying still and a little pampering. Mention any sensitive skin when you book. A good match for someone who'd like a treat without giving up a whole day.
For the Food Lover
Cooking classes
Hands in the dough, apron on, and a plate to sit down to at the end. Mention dietary needs when you book. The perfect gift for anyone who keeps saying "I should cook more".Food walking tours
You eat your way through a neighbourhood, one tasting stop at a time, with a guide who knows which laneway is worth it. Wear comfy shoes and arrive hungry. Great for curious eaters and anyone heading overseas.Wine and vineyard tours
Rows of vines, a glass in hand and a view to match. Check whether transport is included, or nominate a driver. Made for the friend who reads the wine list first.
If none of those fit, fine dining, brewery tours and high tea sit in the same corner of the catalogue.
For the Adventure Seeker
Kayaking
Quiet water, a steady rhythm and the occasional splash down your sleeve. Pack a change of clothes. A great gift for first-timers who want adventure without a big commitment.Hiking and trekking
Boots, a trail and a view you've earned. Some guided walks start early to beat the heat, so the recipient may need to set an alarm. Suits fresh-air people who don't mind sore legs the next day.Skydiving
The plane ride up is oddly quiet; the way down is not. Check age and weight limits and the weather policy on the experience page. One for the person who says yes to everything.
For the Water Lover
Stand-up paddle boarding
You'll wobble, you might swim, and that's half the fun. Wear swimmers under your clothes. Good for beginners and anyone after a gentle workout with scenery.Jet skiing
Spray in the face, engine in the ears and a grin you can't remove. Check the rider requirements before booking. For the speed fan in your life.Diving and snorkelling
Fish, coral and the oddly calming sound of your own breathing. Visibility changes day to day (murky water happens), so read the conditions notes. Suits curious swimmers of all levels.
For the Person Who Loves a View
Hot air ballooning
Drifting is silent apart from the burner's occasional whoosh. The honest downside is a very early start, and flights depend on the weather. Each experience page shows the cancellation policy before booking. Ideal for early risers and sunrise fans.Helicopter tours
Coastlines and city grids laid out like a map, with headsets so you can hear the pilot. If you're taking photos, dark clothing cuts reflections in the glass. Suits the person who always asks for the window seat.Paragliding
A short run-up, then slow, quiet flight. Wind decides the day, so flexible dates help. A good fit for adventurous people who'd rather float than freefall.
Fine Dining gift ideas
Show more experiences
Singapore Small-Group Street Food Night Tour With 9 Tastings
Vertigo Experience For Two - Dine on the Edge
Dubai Burj Khalifa with Dinner and Level 124 Access
For the Nature Lover
Whale watching
The waiting is part of it: horizon, spray, then a tail. Sightings depend on the season, so check the best months on the experience page. Lovely for families, grandparents and anyone who likes a boat.Safari
A guide who spots what you'd walk straight past. Bring binoculars and a camera with a decent zoom. For animal lovers and keen photographers.Horse riding
Slow hooves through countryside and a fair amount of patting. Wear closed shoes and long pants. Suits anyone who wants a peaceful outing at an easy pace.
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
For the Person Who's Always Planning the Next Trip
Flying gift ideas
Show more experiences
Tandem Paragliding Flights from Vik
Kaikoura Whale-Watching Flight
Niagara Falls, Canada: Small-Group Helicopter Tour
Guided city tours
A local guide, a few hidden corners and no map-checking. Morning slots are often quieter. Great for visitors and locals who've never seen their own city properly.Landmark experiences
The Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum and Angkor Wat are all in the catalogue. Popular sites often run on timed entry, so check what the ticket covers. Suits history fans and bucket-list keepers.Hotel getaways
Someone else makes the bed and breakfast takes as long as it likes. Check the inclusions before booking. Ideal for the friend who's overdue a break from routine.
For the Creative Type
Photography tours
A camera, a guide and a sense of where the light is best. Suits keen amateurs who've outgrown their phone's portrait mode.Art classes
Paint on your sleeves and a canvas to take home. Beginners are fine; ask the class host if you're unsure.Escape rooms
Locked doors, clues and a lot of "wait, try that again". Best for a group of friends or family who enjoy puzzles.
What Can You Give a Partner Who Is Far Away at Christmas?
If your partner is on the other side of the world, the best gift gives you both something to look forward to. Write your own message as an invitation ("Dinner's on me when I land") and let them choose the date. Our couples gift ideas are a good place to start.
Fine dining
Candles, a long menu and a table for two. Check the dress code on the experience page. Suits couples who rarely get a night out.Dinner cruise
City lights sliding past the window while dinner arrives. Take a layer for the deck. A good choice for anniversaries or a reunion treat.Sailing cruises
Wind, water and nothing on the calendar. Ask about the departure time when booking. Good for couples who like their romance with a bit of fresh air.
Which Gifts Can the Whole Family Share?
When ages are mixed, pick something nobody has to sit out. Cultural tours with local guides work well for families, and whale watching suits everyone from small kids to grandparents. Check minimum ages on each experience page before you purchase, especially for younger children. Our family-friendly and kids' categories group the options that welcome everyone, so you can send one digital gift to the whole household.
How Do You Send Gifts to Staff in Different Countries?
A team scattered across several countries makes one gift hard to get right, especially when you don't know what each person enjoys. Email delivery solves the logistics, and each person books the experience that suits them.
Corporate discounts start from 10% off at 10 vouchers and increase with quantity. Vouchers can be co-branded with your company logo. Order through our corporate page, or enquire there for large orders.
Can You Send a Virtual Christmas Gift at the Last Minute?
Yes. If it's already late, a Gifting Owl voucher is your shortcut, because email delivery takes minutes. Our guide to easy last-minute Christmas gift ideas has more ways to get sorted quickly.
Can You Use the Same Idea for Other Occasions?
Yes. The same approach works for any occasion, from birthdays and anniversaries to thank-yous. With three years of validity, a voucher you buy now might save your skin in March.
Over to You
Pick an amount, write a note that sounds like you, and send it. Whichever experience they choose, they'll book it online in their own time. Happy gifting!
