Say it with me: No more socks and scented candles! These are much better gifts for those impossible-to-shop-for people on your list.
For crafters: Embroidery or sewing class
This class at Brooklyn's 3rd Ward is $99 plus $15 for materials. Nationwide, there are various sewing classes at Joann Fabrics, or just search for sewing classes in your city. (Like these in Portland, and these in Chicago.)
Via: etsy.com
For food tourists: A walking food tour
The best way to experience a city is through its pizza, and its dumplings, and its tacos, and its barbecue, and... Anyway! Here are three good ones around the country: In New York, Sidewalks of NY offers tours of the West Village, the Lower East Side and NYC food trucks. (Gift certificates are available for all three.) In Austin, Texas (home to more than a few excellent restaurants), Austin Eats gives walking and biking tours, and can also arrange a private/custom tour. And in Miami, Miami Culinary Tours has tours of South Beach and Little Havana.
For anyone fearless: Skydiving
Skydiving scares the crap out of me (see also: bungee jumping), but I have to admit that I'm kind of tempted to try it. It's the closest thing we have to actually flying! On Skydiving.com, you can buy gift certificates that are valid at skydiving schools nationwide — a tandem jump is $309 with a video and $209 without. Or if you want to get really crazy (and you're giving this to someone who's an experienced skydiver), you can get them a gift certificate for an accelerated freefall — which means NO INSTRUCTOR ATTACHED. Gulp.
Source: JIM SMITH/AFP/Getty Images
