How do you wrap experience?
I always marvel at the loss of the holiday spirit in stores, parking lots and malls as it gets closer to the holidays. Economy or no, the stores are packed. People are getting grumpy. So much to do and so little time…it’s that crazy count down to Christmas.
I want the gifts I give to be memorable. My son, Eric and daughter-in-law, Cari have encouraged us to give their children experiences rather than “things.” We go to plays, bake cookies, go tubing down the Russian River, and go to concerts. These are great times for all of us and last a whole lot longer than a sweater or new video game.
In that realm, this year I’m giving my husband a kit to participate in the National Geographic Genome Project. (Shhh! Don’t tell him, he won’t be getting this until Christmas morning). I’m really excited about this gift. By participating in this study he will find answers to some of the oldest questions we have about ourselves: Who are we and where did we come from? To find out more about purchasing one of the kits for yourself or as a gifts go click here.
Are there wine lovers on your Christmas list? Looking for memorable gifts?
There’s still time to give your favorite wine lover a gift that will never be forgotten.
The best wine gifts don’t always have to be wrapped up with a box and a bow.
Let them experience wine!
Choose one or both of these gifts to leave under your tree this year.
Taste, learn about and judge top rated Pinot Noirs. Pit your palate against the experts.
- Taste 40 top-rated Pinot Noirs in a blind tasting
- Enjoy Pinot Noir Workshops conducted by expert winemakers, viticulturists and wine educators
- Attend Pinot Noir Shootout Ceremony
- Attend a reception featuring top Pinot Noir winemakers showcasing their wines with specially paired hors d’oeuvre
- Meet and taste with top Pinot Noir winemakers
Be one of a select few to attend the 8th Annual Pinot Noir Summit in San Rafael, California on February 27, 2010.
Registration to the Pinot Noir Summit can be accessed online. For complete details and to purchase tickets visit http://www.affairsofthevine.com/pn_summit_8.php
Only 250 tickets available. Tickets for the entire program are $125 per person.
Pinot Noir Reception & Awards Ceremony Only tickets are $75 per person.
Winemaker for a Day
Send your wine passionate friend to camp…Wine Boot Camp® that is. The ultimate fantasy experience for wine lovers provides the experience and knowledge needed to become totally confident in the understanding and appreciation of fine wine. At the intensive, highly enjoyable one-day Wine Boot Camp® adventure wine lovers experience firsthand the joys and frustrations of winemaking while they work hands-on in the vineyard and the cellar under the tutelage of top winemakers and viticulturists.
Enlist in Wine Boot Camp 2010 or buy a Gift Certificate for your favorite wine lover.
The cost of Wine Boot Camp is $495 per person and includes all seminars and educational materials, working in the vineyard, lunch with wine in the vineyard, dinner paired with appropriate wines, extensive wine tasting, a bottle of wine created by the recruit, transportation to all food and wine events, and an I Survived Wine Boot Camp® T-shirt & cap.
Tickets to the Pinot Noir Summit and/or Wine Boot Camp registration certificates can be emailed to you so that you can present them on Christmas.
12/22/2009 at 1:17 pm
The gift of an experience is a wonderful thought. It’s precisely the gifts of “things” that cause the spirit of the holiday to be lost. Everyone is stressed, items are sold out, salespeople are tired, customers are angry and what is really gained?
Giving an experience is so much more in keeping with the spirit of Christmas. And give “things” to people on their half-birthdays instead. If a birthday is Feburary 1, then on August 1 give that person a gift. Everyone will get the same number of “things” over time.
But on Christmas, bake cookies or other foods, invite guests for dinner, visit friends, go touring, be welcoming, friendly and happy. It will be a much merrier and spirited Christmas that way.