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View our Cookie PolicyIs a weekend away better than a beautifully wrapped present? We break down when to choose experiences over physical items - and how to decide for the person you're buying for.
The debate between experience gifts and material gifts has been running for years. Research consistently suggests that experiences make people happier in the long run — but that doesn't mean a physical gift is always the wrong choice.
The real answer depends on who you're buying for, what they value, and the occasion itself.
A landmark study from Cornell University found that people derive more lasting happiness from experiences than from possessions. The reason is straightforward: experiences become part of our identity, while objects tend to fade into the background. We explore the research in more detail in the psychology of gift-giving.
Experience gifts work particularly well when:
Popular experience gifts in the UK include afternoon tea, escape rooms, spa days, cookery classes, theatre tickets, and outdoor adventures like kayaking or hot air balloon rides.
Physical gifts get an unfair reputation. A well-chosen object can carry just as much meaning as an experience — sometimes more, because it serves as a daily reminder of the person who gave it.
Material gifts work particularly well when:
A pair of premium noise-cancelling headphones, for example, is something the recipient will use and appreciate for years:
Some of the best gifts combine both elements. A beautiful cookbook paired with a cookery class. A journal alongside a creative writing workshop. Hiking boots with a guided trail walk voucher.
This approach works because it gives the recipient something tangible to hold onto while also creating an experience to look forward to. Adding a personal touch — like an engraved message — can make the pairing even more memorable.
Rather than defaulting to one category, ask yourself these questions:
The most thoughtful gift isn't automatically an experience or an object — it's the one that shows you understand what the recipient actually values. That's a question of personality, not category.
Gift-giving is deeply wired into how we build and maintain relationships. Understanding the psychology behind it can transform how you approach every occasion.
AdviceA name, a date, or an inside joke - small touches of personalisation turn ordinary gifts into keepsakes. Here's how to do it well without it feeling gimmicky.