The Ultimate Gift Guide for Holiday's.

Are you ready for the hottest, most sought after gift this season? 

Maybe it has to do with too many months of avoiding crowds or a realization that we have enough stuff.  This year, more than ever, experiences make the best gift.  It doesn't have to cost much, but will take time to think about the person you are gifting to.

When you give an experience, the options are limitless.  We reached out to ANTIDOTE users and these are the top 5 experiences that people shared. Don't feel constrained by these ideas, they are meant to get your juices flowing.

TOP EXPERIENCE GIFTS

• Plan a movie night:  Watch your recipients favorite childhood movie or genre. Amp it up with popcorn and drinks. Or better yet, consider "dinner and a movie."  Here's five tips to get you going from LifeHack.

• Organize a volunteer day: Pick a cause that your recipient cares about - consider a food bank, park clean up, animal shelter,...  Amp it up by adding brunch before or ice cream break after.  Just Google "volunteer opportunities near me" to get started.  Here's a TimeOut Guide with just 5 ideas in NYC.
• Lead a hike: Share your favorite secret hiking spot.  Amp it up with a picnic lunch at a special place along the way - like a waterfall or overlook.  Check out these family friendly hiking tips.
• Create a nature scavenger hunt:  Hide clues to a story or poem along a nature trail.  Have your participants find the clues and put them together.  Amp it up with hot chocolate afterwards.  Learn how to create your own scavenger hunt here.
• Visit a historic site: Does your recipient like old gardens and homes, battlegrounds? Take them to a place that has historical significance.  Amp it up by downloading a story about the place to share, or prepare a snack that was popular back in the day.  The Cultural Landscape Foundation has the largest database of historic landscapes with stories about each one.  

A few added tips from expert experience guides:

• Try to have the experience as close to the holiday (Xmas, birthday) that you are celebrating.
• Think through necessities like bathroom breaks, drinks and snacks, and places to sit and rest along the way.
• Take it slow.  An experience isn't about how many paintings in a museum you see or how many miles you log.  Stay flexible and follow your recipients energy.  If you are taking a hike, have a few check points where you can decide to take the short, medium, or long route.
• Have a back up plan. Think in advance of your contingency plan.  If someone isn't feeling well or the weather isn't cooperating, give some thought to how you'll handle it.  Having a plan will take the stress out.

 Let us know your favorite experience gift.

- Abigail