7 Best Experiences to Give as Gifts in 2026

Forget the store-bought box of chocolates or flowers and instead discover our unique experience gifts in Australia! The best gifts are the ones that create cherished memories and long-lasting experiences and it’s starting to catch on in 2026. Experience gifts have surged in popularity as people seek exciting and meaningful ways to show their love and appreciation towards their friends and family. So whether you're searching for a memorable birthday gift for your best friend, a special anniversary surprise with your partner or just a thoughtful gesture, these experience gifts from us are sure to make your giftee’s day feel special. Read on to discover our 7 top picks for the best gift experiences all across Australia.

1. A perfume making class in Sydney

Perfume making is definitely one of our popular gift experiences for couples. Even if your giftee is a complete beginner to DIY, everyone is welcome to join a perfumery class and have fun! At Kiss Ready Lips, step inside their light-filled studio in Sydney and instantly smell the aroma of pleasing, bright fragrances. Your passionate teacher, Louella will guide you and your loved one step-by-step through the process, from picking different scents that match well to blending essential oils and creating your own customised perfume. Even if your gift recipient runs out of their perfume, they can always come back to the studio and get a refill, which means they’ll be able to cherish this perfume and make special memories they can look back on for years to come! 

This class is also highly rated among our ClassBento community, like Whitney Ngoun sharing this review with us. She said: 

Louella is an amazing teacher and my partner and I had such a great time at her workshop. I booked her class as a birthday gift to him, in order for him to learn a new skill and have something he created as his own to keep as well. We were both blown away by her passion and knowledge for oils and perfume, and now I have a new profound appreciation for scents. I highly recommend this class as it’s very organised and the best two hours and an half that I spent on that Sunday.

2. A Turkish mosaic lamp workshop in Melbourne

If you're looking to brighten up someone's day, gift them an opportunity to create their own one-of-a-kind Turkish mosaic lamp. Head to Anatolia Art Studio in Melbourne and be inspired by all the different colourful works of art. As your giftee sips on some Turkish tea, they’ll first get a demonstration on designing the lamp. Then they’ll have plenty of time to get stuck in and create it themselves! Choose from a variety of stunning glass tiles and beads to assemble them into a beautiful lamp that will add a lovely touch to their home. If you’re looking for birthday gift experiences for her, a Turkish mosaic lamp making class is the perfect activity to spend quality time together and make something beautiful at the end of the class.

3. A fun paint and sip class in Brisbane

When it comes to fun experiences to give as gifts in Brisbane, it doesn't get much more fun and enjoyable than a paint and sip class. Combine a cosy evening filled with laughter, paint, wine and good food and you’ve got a fantastic experience gift that they’ll adore. Our paint and sip classes in Brisbane provide the perfect setting for you and your special someone to explore their artistic side while sipping on their favourite beverage. The team at Wesley Taylor Art Studios will guide them through the creative process step-by-step to make their own unique masterpiece. At the end of the class, enjoy a mouth-watering Italian feast, catch up with loved ones and laugh about all the fun memories you both made!

4. A woodburning class in Perth

For those who love working with their hands and being creative, help them discover the art of wood burning, also known as pyrography. iCreated Studio in Perth offers a wood burning class that provides an in-depth introduction to this ancient medium. Your giftee will learn how to use a nib tool to burn and create intricate patterns or heartfelt messages on wood. By the end, they can take home their one-of-a-kind piece of personalised art to display or hang in their home. Perfect for experience gifts for men or women, surprise your loved one with a wood burning workshop and make it one to remember!

5. A BBQ cooking class in Adelaide

Gather your loved ones for a day of BBQ cooking, fun and laughter in the great outdoors in Adelaide! Under the guidance of expert chefs at Weber Grill Academy Australia, they’ll learn the secrets to creating mouth-watering BBQ dishes, from perfectly fire-roasted pizza to crackling roast pork. This unique experience gift is perfect for couples looking to bond over the grill or for families seeking an enjoyable, festive activity that can be savoured together at the dining table.

Discover more unique experience gifts for creative souls here.

6. A clay play workshop in Canberra

Step inside Deep Blue Ceramics’ studio in Canberra and get your hands on some clay play! As an ideal experience gift for kids, couples, and adults alike, clay hand building is the perfect activity to help people unwind, relax and make their own handmade pottery. They can learn how to mould and shape clay to make several ceramic creations to decorate their home or use every day. Pottery classes are also perfect experience gift ideas for beginners and experienced potters, which means anyone can join, regardless of their experience or skill level. Take your friends and family to a pottery class in Canberra and get their hands on some clay, guaranteed to be an amazing experience gift they'll love. 

Here's what one of our ClassBento community members, Cherie R., had to say about the class:

"Mum and I just wanted to do something nice and relaxing together and this was perfect. We learned about pinch pots, attaching clay sections together with scoring and slip, and the process of painting clay before it gets fired. Both of our teachers were lovely, welcoming, and encouraged creativity. The materials were well set up and easy to use and the atmosphere was just beautiful overall."

7. A glassblowing gift experience in Tasmania

If you're seeking unique experience gifts in Tasmania, consider a glassblowing class from Poatina Arts. You'll learn how to create stunning glass works of art. From colourful, funky ornaments to elegant glassware, the options are endless to what you can make. Your giftee can take their glass art home, as well as new passions and fond, cherished memories with their loved ones. What could be better than that?

8. A blacksmithing class in Melbourne

For a gift that’s a little more adventurous, why not let them try their hand at the ancient craft of blacksmithing? At Forge On, they can step into the workshop and learn how to heat, shape and work metal under the guidance of an experienced blacksmith. It’s a hands-on experience where they can get stuck into the craft, learn something completely new and create something they can take home. Whether they’re naturally crafty or simply curious to try something different, a blacksmithing workshop makes a memorable experience gift for someone who loves getting creative with their hands.

9. A Kintsugi workshop in Sydney

Give someone the chance to turn something broken into a beautiful work of art with a Kintsugi workshop in Sydney. Your loved one can learn the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics while embracing the cracks and imperfections that make each piece unique. Perfect for anyone who enjoys mindful making, handmade crafts or trying an experience they won’t find in a typical gift shop.

In a world full of material possessions, experiences as gifts are a breath of fresh air. They allow us to step away from cliché gifts and instead embark on exciting adventures that help you both spend quality time with each other and make something special to cherish. Whether it’s designing a Turkish mosaic lamp, customising a unique perfume, grilling up a BBQ feast or getting their hands dirty with pottery, each experience is a memory in the making. So in 2026, give the gift of adventure and watch your loved ones’ faces light up as they unwrap these unique present ideas experiences!