I’ve talked to more and more people who are giving EXPERIENCES for Hanukkah and Christmas. And why not: they’re unique, special, create a memory that lasts longer than gift.
And I’m not anti-stuff: I’ve got a guide to some of my favorite things on JasonDeRusha.com.
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GET OUT THERE!
PAISLEY PARK TOURS: 3 different levels - you can bring kids as little as 7 to the 90 minute $75 tour. Walk through the very spaces where Prince recorded, produced, and performed, and see concert wardrobes, awards, instruments, artwork, motorcycles, rare music, and video recordings. https://www.paisleypark.com/tickets
MINNESOTA STATE PARKS PASS: Pick a favorite, plan a visit, and gift a $35 gift card to cover an annual vehicle permit! https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/gift_card.html
ST. CROIX RIVER CRUISE: I think the Sunday brunch would be a great experience trip, a gift card.
SATURDAY TEA: Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis does tea on Saturday afternoons, Reserve on Open Table: https://fluence-media.co/4pMOPdt. The Mad Hatter in Anoka does tea service (https://www.madhatteranoka.com/tea-experience/), so does the Saint Paul Hotel. https://www.saintpaulhotel.com/experiences_offers/afternoon-tea/
PRINCESS BRUNCH AT STARLING: FUN GIFT ideas, Saturday January 10 from 10am-Noon. Belle & Rapunzel will be there. INFO: https://fluence-media.co/4oENsMQ
WINTER SKOLSTICE: TCO Stadium in Eagan has tons of events all winter long, including an Ice Festival. It’ll be different/smaller than last year’s MN Ice Festival - but still fun. Jan 16 - Jan. 25 WINTER SKOLSTICE.com
LUMINARY LOPPET TICKETS: Wouldn’t this be a fun gift? The candlelit Luminary Loppet on Saturday, February 7, is the Twin Cities’ most magical event of the season. $30. https://fluence-media.co/40T67fD
SEE A COMEDY SHOW: Acme Comedy Co: https://acmecomedy.seatengine.com/
EXTREME SANDBOX: Live the dream by driving excavators, bulldozers, construction equipment in Hastings. https://fluence-media.co/3CzxLUV
DATE NIGHT HELICOPTER RIDE: How Cool - A splurge but what a special memory with Dinner at Holman’s Table & a 15 or 30-minute helicopter flight from Minnesota Helicopters. Book: https://fluence-media.co/4fx8xoR
FAMILY FUN
MINI-GOLF: The only golf I excel in: Can Can Wonderland has a cool arcade, Puttshack is now in North Loop - also at Southdale (sort of a Top Golf for mini golf - super fun), Puttery in North Loop is more adult.
BOWLING: Elsies in NE, RanHam below the Nook in St. Paul are some of my favorites.
TWIN CITIES MODEL RAILROAD MUSEUM: How about a trip to the train museum? They have a Saturday night train exhibition that runs through February. https://www.tcmrm.org/visit-the-museum/
ESCAPE ROOMS: We’ve done these as a family and as a team-builder at work. Great for my math and logic peeps. Puzzleworks, St. Paul; Escape The Room, Minneapolis; Zero Hour Escape Rooms
GAME SHOW: Same deal - we’ve done this as a family and loved it. Frustrated game show hosts, unite! Game Show Studios, Rosedale Center; Great Big Game Show, MOA; Game Show Battle Room, West End SLP
THEATRE TICKETS
Great gifts for the holiday season, but the links will also get you to the next batch of plays coming soon. New family tradition for you?!
STAGES THEATRE, Hopkins: Elf the Musical
SIDEKICK THEATRE, Bloomington: Elves & the Shoemaker
ORDWAY CENTER, St. Paul: Jesus Christ Superstar
GUTHRIE THEATRE: A Christmas Carol through December
CHILDREN’S THEATRE COMPANY, Minneapolis: Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
LOCAL COOKING LESSONS
I love gifting this kind of thing - best done in pairs or groups!
COOKING CLASSES: Cooks of Crocus Hill is laser-focused on education right now. Get it! https://cooksofcrocushill.com/cooking-classes/
PIZZA WITH PETE: Red Wagon Pizza’s Pete Campbell (legend!) does private pizza classes - redwagon-mpls.com/pizza-with-pete
CHARCUTERIE CLASS: From the Diner (she’s awesome) offers classes at venues all over the area. Alyssa did this with her mom and sister last year! https://fluence-media.co/48XFxnr
LIVE THE CRAFTING LIFE
Everybody’s so creative!
FLOWER ARRANGING WORKSHOPS: Sip ‘n’ Bloom does these all over town. https://fluence-media.co/3V0MnTx
WREATH / FLOWER ARRANGING CLASSES: Northerly Flora does wreath creating classes in December, flower arranging all year. https://fluence-media.co/3YTeDIX
ORNAMENTS / WREATHS / COOKIES: Fox and Pantry (Plymouth) has classes for everyone on your list. FoxandPantry.com
LOCAL DRINKING CLASSES
Should I be teaching these? Honestly, I’ve learned so much from sitting down and sampling and talking to experts.
COCKTAIL CLASSES: Butcher & The Boar + Starling: jesterconcepts.com/2025holidaygiftguide
WINE / LIQUOR CLASSES: Surdyk’s has them on select Monday nights inside Sidebar. Super fun. https://fluence-media.co/4evXquY
TWIN CITIES WINE EDUCATION: I’ve been to Jason Kallsen’s classes and had him in my home. TwinCitiesWine.com
IN-HOME WINE CLASS: One price and Krista will come do a class/tasting for you. minnesotawineschool.com
PAMPER YOURSELF
You deserve it, your family deserves it, here are some of my favorite pampering gifts.
SPA EXPERIENCE: Anda Spa at Hotel Ivy (we’ve been there and loved it), Idlewild Spa at Omni Vikings Lakes, Watershed Spa in NE, Glacial Waters Spa at Grand View Lodge (also DeRUSHA approved).
SKIN CARE: How about a skin consultation? Tareen Dermatology | Skin Sisters
STYLIST: My friend Jodi Mayers is a stylist, you could give the gift of a closet clean-out! https://fluence-media.co/40SyQkQ
CANDLES: Perfect neutral gift for any host. Check out locally made Excelsior Candle Co and my personal favorite, Koselig Candle Co.
LOCAL GIFT MEMBERSHIPS
This is a no-brainer! Support terrific non-profits and share your love for them with friends.
MIA, Walker, Minnesota Zoo, Minnesota Children’s Museum, Science Museum of Minnesota , Arboretum, American Swedish Institute - we’ve given all of these as gifts.
I host DriveTime with DeRusha on 830 WCCO radio weekdays 3-6pm. You can find it wherever you get podcasts. I’m also is the food/drink editor at Minnesota Monthly- read my latest reviews at mnmo.com/Jason. Follow me on Instagram too! This effort is entirely reader-supported, if you enjoyed this guide - please share it with friends - my weekly newsletter is emailed for free!!