Don’t we all have at least one person in our life who’s nearly impossible to shop for? You know the ones. They own everything they could possibly need or want. Their tastes are so specific that it’s impossible to pick out something they’ll love. If you’re still stumped and stressing over your gift-gifting, here are six experiences that you could give them instead of a tangible item. These recommendations should surprise and delight even the most discerning people on your list – especially since ultra luxury’s latest mantra has been “experiences over possessions.”
For the Sports Fan
An All-Star Moment: Legendary Basketball Matchup with the Pippens
Credit: Pexels/Santiago Pagnotta
Leave it to the Nieman Marcus Fantasy Gift Guide to deliver the ultimate sports experience. For $333,333, the basketball fan in your life can shoot hoops with the legendary Scottie Pippen and rising star Scotty Pippen Jr. in Los Angeles. What’s included: a shootaround with the former pro and son, followed by a private dinner hosted by Pippen and Pippen Jr. “As a final slam dunk to your day, sample Pippen’s premier bourbon whiskey, Digits, and then take home an autographed copy of his best-selling book ‘Unguarded,’ the gift guide promises.
For the Seafarer
Luxe Miami Beach Vacation Rental
They say the best luxury is time – so why not give someone special in your life (along with eight of their friends) a private vacation experience they’ll never forget at this modern waterfront two-story on Miami’s guard-gated Palm Island? For $250,000/month, they’ll get a lavishly furnished oasis of over 13,000 square feet with over nine bedrooms, stunning water and city views, and 100 feet of glistening waterfront. There’s plenty of amenities to keep everyone entertained: a movie theater, elevator, a pet room, 4-car garage, staff rooms, a recreation room, and full gym. And no Miami vacation home would be complete without a pool and Jacuzzi, a covered seating area with a summer kitchen, plus a boat dock and direct access to Biscayne Bay and the Ocean.
For the Car Collector
Get Behind the Wheel With Mercedes at the Mille Miglia
Credit: Pexels/Mike B
Robb Report is offering one lucky reader a rare opportunity to drive in the 2023 Mille Miglia, Italy’s rival to France’s Le Mans that ran from 1927 through 1957. The legendary endurance road race, now resurrected as an exclusive rally along the same route between Brescia, Rome and back, is open only to car models previously entered in the bygone-era event – so the person on your holiday list will be on the receiving end of a 300 SL from that period provided by the Mercedes-Benz Heritage Collection and co-piloted by a brand ambassador during the five stages held June 13 to 17, 2023. Not only will they get to drive a vintage Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, but here’s the best part: they’ll get to take home a 1950s-era 300 SL “Gullwing” as a memento… all for a mere $2.7 million.
For the Adventure Seeker
Heli-Skiing Trip to Antarctica
Credit: Pelorus
For the traveler who’s seen everything, you may need to up your gift-giving game. What could be more unforgettable than a heli-skiing trip from Pelorus? Known for bespoke itineraries in the rarest locations on the planet, the adventure travel company offers a once-in-a-lifetime $2.5 million trip to Antarctica for a group of up to 12 guests. They’ll be taken to the rugged (and untouched) powdery peaks of the Antarctic peninsula onboard a luxury superyacht, then board two helicopters that will transport them to each summit so they can ski further inland. A team of expedition leaders and experts will be on-hand to assist with an array of activities from ice climbing and kayaking to diving within a submersible to see a 300-year-old shipwreck.
For the Gourmand
A Connoisseur Moment: Hestan Napa Valley Luxury Experience
Credit: Pexels/Jill Wellington
Another Robb Report exclusive, this indulgent weekend of luxury showers three guests with wine and culinary pursuits in California’s picturesque Napa Valley. For $175,000, this Hestan experience includes a private cooking class at the Culinary Institute of America with highly lauded Chef Thomas Keller (yes, THE Thomas Keller), followed 18 holes of golf at the Silverado Golf Course with Chef Keller and Hestan Chairman, CEO, and founder Stanley Cheng. Top it off with three nights at the five-star Auberge du Soleil resort and relax in tranquility with a spa treatment for you and each of your guests at the resort spa.
For the Health and Wellness Buff
Advanced Detox Program at Chenot Palace Weggis
Credit: Chenot Palace Weggis
The affluent are more obsessed with health and wellness than ever before, plus most of us enter the new year pledging to be healthier anyway – so you really can’t go wrong gifting your most health-conscious loved one a coveted spot in the Advanced Detox program at Chenot Palace Weggis. Set on the dreamy shores of Lake Lucerne in the Swiss Alps, this iconic luxury wellness retreat offers the perfect mind and body reset for 2023. Starting from $8,725, the week-long program includes in-depth medical consultations, advanced diagnostic tests, a plant-based nutrition plan and a range of specially tailored treatments ranging from hydro-aromatherapy massages and acupuncture to intravenous nutrient therapy.
