Christmas is in 5 days…how are you doing? Got everything wrapped up, under the tree, sipping on eggnog? I didn’t think so. Do the thoughts of hitting the mall make you feel woozy and faint… or maybe that’s just my husband who gets like that anytime he is near a mall in December? 😉 Do you have people on your list who always say they don’t need anything? Then how about giving a “gift of experience”?

There are some great local events coming up or even memberships or classes, which is a gift that keeps giving all year! Better for the environment…perfect for the minimalist …for the difficult to buy for….or just about anyone you love and appreciate…why not surprise them with a special gift of experience this year. 🙂

Here are 10 Local South Shore Experiences to Give this Year….

Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre Membership

Swimming, skating, aquafit, yoga, room rentals and more are yours when you sign up for an annual LCLC membership. The Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre has swimming or skating only memberships as well as the annual all-inclusive membership which comes with some extra perks. Separate pricing exists for individuals, couples, seniors and youth as well as family memberships.This is a gift that keeps giving and is also a gift of active living…what a great way to start the new year!

Ross Farm Season Pass

Sleigh and wagon rides, pumpkin planting and picking, feeding baby animals and taking nature walks are just some of the things to do at Ross Farm. At Ross Farm Museum they want their visitors to understand the importance of the land in Nova Scotia’s past. They want you to see why they take pride in our rural heritage, and help you discover what life was like on a Nova Scotia family farm during the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The cost for a family admission is $20.00 or you can buy a whole seasons pass for $40.00! Think of the fun weekends you can have visiting the Farm away from screens and technology. Sounds like a visit to the Farm is something we all could benefit from.

Nova Scotia Museum Annual Pass

Speaking of museums, did you know you can get an Annual Pass to the all the Museums in Nova Scotia? The Nova Scotia Museum Pass is your ticket to experience Nova Scotia’s culture and heritage like never before! The credit card-size Pass buys admission to any and all of the museum sites for one low price! Simply flash your pass to any Nova Scotia Museum site to gain immediate and hassle-free access to a great museum experience. There are 9 museums included on the South Shore alone, including Ross Farm, The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, Wile Carding Mill, and the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre. You could plan a monthly visit to a Nova Scotia museum for the whole year and still not see them all. This is a great gift for a family or individuals who like to travel our province!

Yoga Room of Essence

Yoga Room of Essence is an organization that takes pride in offering our community a variety of wellness options from Yoga and Meditation, to Reiki, Essential Oils and Massage. They are the first full service, flexible model Yoga studio South of Halifax! YROE’s vision is to provide people with flexible, unique, and affordable options for personal wellness, and to provide them with the inspiration and tools to live a fully aware, and authentic life.

Yoga Room of Essence has some great holiday specials on right now to make your gift giving easier.  You can save 10% on all Yoga Services when you purchase a YROE Gift Card….and Drop in and Punch Cards are also 10% now until Christmas!( Use code xmas17 online or at the studio) Who doesn’t want to start the new year focused on your personal wellness and committed to self-care? What a beautiful, thoughtful gift this would be…a true gift of experience.

Milk Painted Rustic Sign Workshop with Front Porch Mercantile

Been admiring those nifty re-loving your furniture and decor projects on Pinterest and Facebook but haven’t known where to start?  How about taking a DIY Workshop with Wendy from Front Porch Mercantile! You can join her at her studio in beautiful Lunenburg where you will learn how to use Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint to paint up a rustic backdrop for your chosen word and complete your own barnboard sign….you can choose from family, welcome, farmhouse, love, blessed, hello, joy. 🙂 They also offer Painted Pillow and a  “I LOVE Nova Scotia Barnboard” workshops as well. What a fun gift to give someone…especially if you do it together! 🙂

Lunenburg School of the Arts Workshop

Lunenburg School of the Arts offers workshops led by professional art educators and working artists. Their small and intimate class sizes allow students to work closely with instructors and each other, fostering self-expression in a supportive atmosphere. They currently offer courses like Coffee and Clay, Kids and Clay, Fun with Drawing Fundamentals, Marine Painting and more!  A fantastic gift of experience for anyone.

PC Cooking School Classes

Feeling like you’re in a bit of a rut when it comes to cooking? Want to learn some new skills and recipes? PC Cooking School at the Bridgewater Superstore offer three class designs for your enjoyment and preference. Whether demonstrative, Interactive or Hands On, their chefs will guide you through the creation of several flavourful recipes, and provide you with great time-saving tips and techniques sure to help make meal planning and entertaining a little easier and stress free. What a fun thing to as a date night or with a group of girlfriends! Love this. 🙂

Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival Pass

What’s better than having something to look forward to? This gift will have them dreaming of summer….Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival is a small town festival with a big reputation! Each year, music lovers flock to this distinct UNESCO World Heritage town for the best of Folk music and a healthy dose of fun. They are the longest running music festival in Nova Scotia and one of the oldest in Canada. This all-ages event takes place over four days in early August and offers something for everyone. Perfect gift for the music lovers on your list!

Mama Mia Sing-Along in support of the Liverpool International Theatre Festival

Calling all Dancing Queens and Super Troupers! The light is going to find you at the Astor Theatre when the Liverpool International Theatre Festival presents MAMMA MIA! The Movie Sing-Along. What’s the name of the game? You sing along to all your favorite ABBA songs you know and love -they’ll provide a fun vocal warm-up before the movie, a prop bag, and prizes for the best costumes. Tickets are $15/person and are available at the Astor Theatre during box office hours. Oh my gosh…this sounds like SO MUCH FUN! What a perfect way to beat the January blues. 🙂

There are many positives that come from giving experiences, including the happiness we get from just anticipating the event. I hope this list helps if you are considering the “gift of experience” giving this year. So much to do and enjoy right here on the South Shore!