Sunday, November 24, 2019 5:00 am

Tis the season for a lot of stressful shopping. As nice as it is to give and receive gifts, sometimes it can feel like you’re just buying a lot of...stuff. As cliche as it sounds, sometimes the best gift you can give really is time with your loved ones.

My holiday gift guide is chock full of experiences that your loved ones will really appreciate, no matter their interests.

ADVENTURE AND OUTDOOR GIFTS

Sleigh Rides: If you want to enjoy some scenery while enjoying a classic holiday experience, book a private winter sleigh ride. These are offered at numerous locations across Ontario, including St. Jacobs, Blue Mountain and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Sunday Sailing Around Georgian Bay: Spend some time out on the waters of beautiful Georgain Bay, learning about the historic ships of Discovery Harbour as well as some basic yachting skills.

ART AND CULTURE GIFTS Local Theatre Tickets: As wonderful as it can be, big-ticket shows come with some big-ticket prices. Local theatre troupes and orchestras offer some incredible shows at professional levels for a fraction of the price, plus less travel time if you're not located downtown Toronto. This is a fantastic way to support the arts and spend an evening with a loved one.

Art Gallery of Ontario Tours: The AGO works to make art accessible for all and whether you're shopping for a knowledgeable art enthusiast or someone who would enjoy learning more, the AGO's free gallery tours and talks, offered multiple times throughout the day (and free with museum admission), offer a wonderful opportunity to help engage your guest in the museum visit.

FOR KIDS

Ripley's Aquarium Overnight Reef Adventure: What kid doesn't dream of hiding behind once the aquarium is closed? Now they have the opportunity to sleep over in the lagoon tunnel and participate in fun, educational activities. The $99 price includes admission and a snack.

Saint-Marie Among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour: Both of these Penetanguishene attractions are must-visits for kids. At Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, kids can explore 17th century European and Native culture. Bonus: kids 5 and under are free! Next, head to Discovery Harbour to explore the tall ships - again, free for kids 5 and under. Note: both facilities are open seasonally starting in May. Consider pairing this gift with a related book to help them learn about the Huron community or historic ships before your visit.

FOR TEENS

Archery Dodgeball: Whether or not your teen is athletically inclined, archery dodgeball is a fun way to spend a couple of hours together. The price is $29.99 per person for 90 minutes of play, but note that 8 players are required.

Escape Rooms: The best thing about escape rooms is that they appeal to a wide range of guests based on the theme. Confundrum Escape Rooms in Burlington features theme's including Twisted Woods, Cypherspace and Da Vinci's office. The Ultimate Escape in Waterloo includes superhero and serial killer themes, among others.

FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE ENTHUSIASTS

Mixology and Cocktail Workshops: Perfect for wine or cocktail connoisseurs, the Bartending School of Ontario offers a variety of mixology workshops ($55), cocktail 101 classes ($60) and wine tasting classes ($60.) Bonus: this gift keeps on giving - hopefully back to you - so you can enjoy the tropical cocktail fruits of their labour.

Eigensinn Farm Dinner: Treat the foodie in your life to a fully authentic farm to table meal. Hosted on a real working farm in Headwaters, the eight-course meal is a once in a lifetime experience, including their own farm-grown and foraged produce, and meats from farm-raised, free-range animals. Be prepared for a big splurge here, and note that the experience is BYOB.

WELLNESS GIFTS

Float Sessions: Help your loved ones relax by enjoying the therapeutic benefits of a salt-water soak. Prices range from $65 for a 60 minute float to $300 for a 6-hour overnight float (with breakfast.)

Tailored Yoga Programs: Whether you're shopping for a new mom with a baby in tow, a man looking for a tailored, high-intensity workout, kids, teens, or someone who could benefits from a change in routine or some mindfulness coaching, there are a variety of yoga programs that appeal to different audiences and goals. Poweryoga Canada's 30 Days to Level Up goes beyond yoga to help create meaningful daily habits, including daily emails, group coaching and chat support for $50 - like a bootcamp for both your mind and body.