Help me: Experience gift ideas

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

The Rosebud theatre is always a neat little thing.

This is an actual theatre or a proxy for the clitoris?

[bagofpucks]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

Aspen Crossing has themed train excursions.

https://aspencrossing.com/railway/

Originally Posted by Locke

Really? Thats interesting.

My mom has her motorhome on a lot at Aspen and I've been there numerous times and the one thing I've always found absurd has been the quality of the food.

I've never had a bad meal there. In fact I often state that I think the Beef Dip at their local little pub is the best. They grow their own vegetables and their meat is all locally raised.

Anyways, you're right, it could have just been a bad day.

Yah, we have young kids, so it’s not as if we’re very bougie or have super high expectations, but it was brutal. We had invited some friends along and were a bit embarrassed as we had said the food we usually punching above its weight. The adult meal was chicken fettuccini Alfredo, so maybe stay away from any excursions with that meal…haha. All that said, the kids food was still solid, so if they had just given us all the same meal we would have been more than happy. However, if I had planned it as a date night with my wife and they served that, I’d be pretty choked.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

Yah, we have young kids, so it’s not as if we’re very bougie or have super high expectations, but it was brutal. We had invited some friends along and were a bit embarrassed as we had said the food we usually punching above its weight. The adult meal was chicken fettuccini Alfredo, so maybe stay away from any excursions with that meal…haha. All that said, the kids food was still solid, so if they had just given us all the same meal we would have been more than happy. However, if I had planned it as a date night with my wife and they served that, I’d be pretty choked.

Okay...so pub food aside here is my story:

I went to Aspen crossing with my wife just to sort of 'get away from it all' and lo and behold they were having some sort of 'Christmas in July' thing.

$20 bucks a person got you a full on turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

We literally went for the weekend, packed up some camping food, nothing fancy, everything easy, but figured...'what the hell' right?

Turkey dinner? For $20? We dont have to cook or clean? Cool.

I was fully expecting a very, very mediocre meal from a campsite.

They slopped the mashed potatoes on, put on the gravy, served up the turkey, slapped on the veggies, etc. all on your crappy paper plate.

And it was arguably one of the best meals I've ever had.

The turkey was locally raised, killed and cooked, the potatoes and vegetables were grown either in their own gardens or one of the farms nearby, they baked their own bread, I could go on and on. I was astonished.

It was goddamned delicious.

My wife makes a pretty killer Turkey dinner and even she was saying it was better than she could have done.

Thats all I can say. We plan on making a special point of going again next year.

Maybe the train food isnt of the same quality. I cant really say. I'm just relaying my own experience.

And frankly, what they offer is quite affordable.

[bagofpucks]

Originally Posted by Locke

Okay...so pub food aside here is my story:

I went to Aspen crossing with my wife just to sort of 'get away from it all' and lo and behold they were having some sort of 'Christmas in July' thing.

$20 bucks a person got you a full on turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

We literally went for the weekend, packed up some camping food, nothing fancy, everything easy, but figured...'what the hell' right?

Turkey dinner? For $20? We dont have to cook or clean? Cool.

I was fully expecting a very, very mediocre meal from a campsite.

They slopped the mashed potatoes on, put on the gravy, served up the turkey, slapped on the veggies, etc. all on your crappy paper plate.

And it was arguably one of the best meals I've ever had.

The turkey was locally raised, killed and cooked, the potatoes and vegetables were grown either in their own gardens or one of the farms nearby, they baked their own bread, I could go on and on. I was astonished.

It was goddamned delicious.

My wife makes a pretty killer Turkey dinner and even she was saying it was better than she could have done.

Thats all I can say. We plan on making a special point of going again next year.

Maybe the train food isnt of the same quality. I cant really say. I'm just relaying my own experience.

And frankly, what they offer is quite affordable.

Oh yah, my food comments are solely based off dining on the train for one of the excursions. I’ve heard the pub is fantastic from a number of folks. That’s good to know about the turkey dinner, we might have to keep an eye out for that!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

Oh yah, my food comments are solely based off dining on the train for one of the excursions. I’ve heard the pub is fantastic from a number of folks. That’s good to know about the turkey dinner, we might have to keep an eye out for that!

Yeah man. We were blown away.

You go to a campsite, you dont feel like cooking or cleaning, your expectations are pretty low and then....that.

I was quite impressed.

Who knows, maybe it was just a really good day? I'm not sure. We'll see what happens.

The Pub is great though. Seriously. Has to be the best Beef Dip around.

[edslunch]

I gave my wife a PG photo shoot for her 48th birthday. She loved it.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by Locke

I'm going to guess, based on my Helicopter suggestion, that we have to be cognizant of a budget.

I dont mind the higher end suggestions, while I may not be able to splurge to the super high end I’m sure others here may find the recommendations helpful.

[Fuzz]

How about a guided tour of an artisan wood shop?

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

How about a guided tour of an artisan wood shop?

While a solid suggestion, I can assure you she is not interested in that one.

[Wormius]

It also might be too late, but Mt. Pleasant has some adult pottery classes. I think there is a short Christmas ornament themed one.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Tickets for a show with Calgary Philharmonic, Theatre Calgary, Alberta Theatre Projects, Arts Commons.

The Asylum for Art on 14 St SW has brunch and music on the weekends.

Ollia's Macarons on 17 Ave has macaron making classes (haven't been to them but they sound interesting).

This. And you don't necessarily have to be a classical music lover to enjoy it. They do themed concerts (Star Wars, Harry Potter etc.) in addition to the Bach and Mozart stuff so there is some pretty neat variety.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

This. And you don't necessarily have to be a classical music lover to enjoy it. They do themed concerts (Star Wars, Harry Potter etc.) in addition to the Bach and Mozart stuff so there is some pretty neat variety.

And they're very good.

[calumniate]

https://fallentimbermeadery.ca/visit...-and-tastings/

This is a nice little drive out of town. Not really a showstopper or anything but it's interesting enough, and tasty.

[Locke]

How about a Tennis match atop the Burj Khalifa?



And then you could buy some Gold out of a Vending Machine?

[Scornfire]

There's no gift I've ever regretted more than taking my Family Dog Sledding outside of Canmore last year (mad dog's expeditions), the Dogs were all distressed, pinned up outside in -40 degree weather and absolutely ####ing shivering (These definitely weren't Huskies, Malamutes or Samoyeds despite what their online portfolio would suggest) and constantly fighting each other, it was awful. I would never again, even with a more reputable operation, if it were BC I would've had cruelty officers over there the next day. 0/10

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Wormius

It also might be too late, but Mt. Pleasant has some adult pottery classes.

[MoneyGuy]

Long weekend away that you organize fully so she does nothing but pack some things. Maybe Waterton or Banff. We did Waterton this summer.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

This is an actual theatre or a proxy for the clitoris?

https://www.rosebudtheatre.com

It's a real thing.

Originally Posted by surferguy

I’d like to gift my wife a series of “experience gifts” for Christmas.


I’d like to do a series of these for the year so ideas for anytime of the year are welcome.

I’d like these to be for in and around the Calgary area if possible (up to an hour away is ok - eg Banff).

Date night ideas?

Events coming through town?

Unique ideas?

I need help.

What's your budget?

What are experience categories that are aren't good categories to recommend based on her interests and personality? (ie: you'll live permanently on the couch if you forced her to do sky diving or helicopter ride if she's afraid of heights, alcohol yes/no, upscale more opulent vs small town etc.).

Also, are there some things that on their own aren't experiences, but if combined with something else, they are in her eyes? (ie: a nice location you've gone before = not really a great option. But hire a photographer to get some nice photos you can print and hang on the wall = worth considering?)

[surferguy]

My budget is tight. I don’t mind spending a bit for an overnight somewhere as an example but we just returned home from a lengthy overseas trip so I don’t have a heap of extra money laying around.

So maybe 1 or 2 bigger nights out and 3/4 date nights planned. We haven’t had much for date nights over the last few years as our kids are younger. So it would be nice to take my wife out again.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

This is an actual theatre or a proxy for the clitoris?

Because it's hard to find for some men?