“Experiences, Not Things.” The saying was etched in sparkly red letters on a plush white throw pillow, carefully positioned on an elegant chair in a store window. I recall stopping in front of the small store, staring at the pillow while pondering the words before me.
Experiences, not things.
The moment was particularly poignant because just hours before, I had engaged in a discussion with my girlfriend about how travel is the perfect gift. You see, it’s actually three gifts in one:
1) The gift of anticipation. Planning a trip with friends and family fosters closeness and offers a continuous build in excitement! From the moment you start thinking about booking a trip to the last-minute discussions about wardrobe, you’re on a happy high anticipating your great adventure.
2) The gift of experience. These include the sights you see, the foods you eat, and of course, the laughs you share with loved ones. Often, experiences also involve discovering a new country, culture or customs, which make them all the more enriching!
3) The gift of memories. Going through your camera roll; sharing an inside joke with a friend (“what happens in…”) or finding a ticket stub in your jacket pocket. You relive the moment all over again, hanging on to the good times until you start the cycle all over again.
This is why we choose experiences over things.
Of course, there are experiences, and then there are Priceless Experiences. Whether you’re booked to travel abroad or prefer to stay closer to home, Priceless Cities is available exclusively to Mastercard cardholders and provides access to unforgettable experiences around the world.
The best part is, there’s something for everyone! Enjoy a glass of prosecco and a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour at the hottest restaurant near you or play golf with a PGA pro while staying at a world-renowned resort and spa. You can even skip the line at a popular theatre show or take a hands-on donut workshop!
This holiday season, giving the gift of a Priceless Experience is as simple as can be! Visit www.priceless.com and filter the list of experiences by interests, things to do or locations. From there, you can select an experience that closely matches the interests for the person you are shopping for. The best part? Everything is itemized before you purchase, including how long and how many people are covered, if gratuities (if applicable) are included, the highlights you can expect, and of course, what makes it Priceless.
I recently had a chance to check out a Priceless Cities experience in Miami, and I was thrilled with the process from beginning to end! From the moment I booked online (we selected “Relish a magical night of cuisine, cocktails, and Miami views at Three Restaurant”) to the final sip of dessert wine, I truly felt that I had been offered an experience like no other.
In fact, the curated menu that we enjoyed is only offered through this Priceless Cities experience! Our thanks to Executive Chef Brian Vaughn who masterfully prepared every dish and personally attended to us. My husband and I were in Miami for a press trip – sans kids – and we couldn’t have asked for a better date night. What I loved most is that all the details were taken care of – we simply had to show up and enjoy. It truly was a night we won’t soon forget!
If you’d like to give an experience this holiday season, visit www.priceless.com and find the perfect gift! For my friends in the GTA who may wish to stay local, may I propose:
Welcome spring with a lollipop making workshop at Papabubble
Watch Peter Pan at the Soulpepper Theatre and meet the cast
Enjoy a private shopping experience with the founders of Crywolf
Remember, experiences, not things! Wishing you all the happiest holiday season!
This post is sponsored by Mastercard in Canada. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.
Miami is on my bucket list. Looks amazing