It’s December 24, and if you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet, you might be thinking about one final trip to the mall. And that means fighting traffic, finding a parking spot, and elbowing your way through the crowds.

But you have another option for those last-minute gifts. And it’s something you can do from the comfort of your own home, which means you won’t have to change out of your pajamas or your comfy polar-bear slippers.

Today’s AoK is to consider giving one or two experience gifts to the people on your list. Experience gifts are things that don’t come in a box, can’t be picked up and shaken, and don’t need to be returned when they’re the wrong size. Instead, they’re experiences that you and you loved one(s) can do together.

Here are a just few ideas for experience gifts:

- A romantic, home-cooked dinner for your wife or husband.
- A camping trip for the kids
- Spa or massage treatments
- A wine tasting tour
- A hot air balloon ride
- Gourmet cooking lessons
- A canoe or sailing trip
- Bungee jumping or skydiving
- Recreate your first date or the first time you met your spouse

If you really want to have fun with this idea, you could write your experience gift on a card and wrap it in a box so it looks like a more traditional present. And remember, your experience gift doesn’t need to be expensive – some of the best ones don’t cost anything at all. The idea is to give something that will create a lasting memory for you and your recipient, so focus on things that you can do together.

And have a very Merry Christmas!