’Tis The Season: A Guide to a More Meaningful Holiday Gift

A guide to giving an experience as a meaningful holiday gift.
Give the gift of delicious brew this holiday season.

It’s that time of year again—the decorations are up, the air is cheery and holiday shopping has commenced. So why not do something a little different this year and give loved ones a gift they can experience first-hand? Here are a few suggestions:

Lakeshore Players Season Tickets

Lakeshore Players Theatre is the main performing arts center for the northeast area, not to mention one of the oldest theaters in Minnesota. Lakeshore Players Theatre was founded in 1953, and operates year-round. Lakeshore Players Theatre.

White Bear Lake Area Historical Society Membership

Know a local history buff? The White Bear Lake Area Historical Society offers memberships with free access to their newsletter, The Lake Area Preserver, free admission to Fillebrown House tours, discounted events and an invitation to the members’ holiday party. There are different levels of membership, ranging from the Aerial membership for $500 to the family membership for $30. White Bear Lake Area Historical Society.

Big Wood Brewery Tree Chuggers Membership

Everyone knows the person who would love a brewery membership for Christmas—and what better brewery than one located in our own downtown? The membership includes free beer, a personalized Chugger mug, priority access to events and new beers, and more. Soft Wood membership is free, while the Hard Wood membership costs $79 for the first year, with a renewal price of $39 every year. Big Wood Brewery.

Art Classes at White Bear Center for the Arts

White Bear Center for the Arts offers classes from watercolor to woodwork. With over 60 different instructors and hundreds of classes to choose from, students get the best training available from working artists. White Bear Center for the Arts.

Yoga Classes

For the athlete in your life, LifeCore Yoga offers 12 different class options and a month of unlimited yoga, which is extremely popular during the holiday season. There are classes for beginners, special events, chakra-balancing yoga and even a yoga class for the whole family. Class prices range from $5 to $85, and a month of unlimited yoga is $150. LifeCore Yoga.

Quilting Classes

Debbie Engh and Laurel Riter started Bear Patch 19 years ago, and they’ve held classes since they opened the doors. Let your gift recipient be a part of a tradition, where they can create projects from placemats to king-size quilts. Classes range from $10 to $65, with holiday gift certificates available. Bear Patch Quilting.