Many people I talk with are interested in giving experiences as gifts this season, so I’ve put together a short list of unique gift experiences. These businesses are owned by some kick-a** women entrepreneurs who are eager to share their creative talents and energy with you.
1. Maker’s Weekend with Liz Hallen – River’s Bend Woodworking Studio
Photo, courtesy River’s Bend Woodworking
Experience the pleasure of working with wood and creating something you love. In the Maker’s Weekend class, you will learn how to hand cut dovetails, learn about layout and design and get to know and use many kinds of handtools. We’ll break for lunch at Biederman’s Deli, where you can enjoy fresh homemade soups and sandwiches. This fun class is designed for those who have always wanted to learn woodworking and those who are new to woodworking. By the end of the weekend you will have completed a beautiful, dovetailed, lidded box that will last a lifetime.
“I do this to participate in beauty and to share that with others.” – Liz Hallen, fine woodworker/business owner
Cost: $450 (includes all materials, and lunch)
Schedule: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: River’s Bend Woodworking Studio, LLC
17 Railroad Square, Plymouth
To Book or Buy a Gift Certificate: lizhallen@riversbendwood.com
2. Helicopter Tour over the White Mountains with Stacey Berger – White Mountains Helicopter
Photos, courtesy White Mountains Helicopter
Go above and beyond with your gift giving this year. Give the gift of flight! White Mountains Helicopter offers personalized helicopter experiences over the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, perfect for the adventure lover on your list.
“I do this because I want to create awe.” – Stacey Berger, pilot/business owner
Cost: $90 and up
Location: Warren, NH
To Book or Buy a Gift Certificate: visit www.flywm.com
3. Individual Meditation Instruction with Darlene Nadeau – Aviva Wellness
Darlene Nadeau, Aviva Wellness
Learn to relax into your inner center of peace and stillness. You will reduce stress, calm your nervous system, and rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. Your instruction is thoughtfully designed to align with your unique nature and support your highest priorities. One session may be all you need to begin a healthy and life-changing practice.
“I love to help people discover their deep inner stillness that naturally resides within.” – Darlene Nadeau, meditation & yoga instructor/life coach/business owner
Cost: $65, one-hour session
Location: AVIVA Wellness Center, 3 Binks Hill, Plymouth, NH.
To Book or Buy a Gift Certificate: call 603-493-1478 or email: dncoach@yahoo.com
4. An in-depth Re-imagining of Your Home with Sara Holland – Sara Holland & Company
Image courtesy Sara Holland & Company
Make your home more lovely, comfortable, or valuable with a lifestyle consultation. During this two-hour session at your home you’ll share with Sara your lifestyle needs and wants, as well as what you love and what you’d like to change about your home. She’ll discuss ideas for staging and renovation, market trends, curb appeal and lifestyle goals. Sara will then provide you with a detailed road map to creating your ideal home, complete with resources, that you can reference as you transform your house into home. This would be a perfect gift any homeowner.
“I do this because I want to help people live a better life.” – Sara Holland, Realtor/business owner
Cost: $250
Includes: two-Hour Home Visit & Consultation Report
Location: Your Home
To Book or Buy a Gift Certificate: call 603-210-4444 or email: 
sara@sarahollandco.com
5. Portrait Experience with Maundy Mitchell – Maundy Mitchell Photography
Experience a magazine-style photo session. It’s a day of pampering with professional hair and make-up styling and guidance throughout. It’s a special day out that you can enjoy on your own, with your partner, mother, daughter, sister or a best friend.
Whether you would like to celebrate a milestone or boost your confidence with a little makeover, treat yourself or your loved one to a photo shoot – you will surely enjoy this experience.
About two weeks after your session, you’ll return to the studio to choose your portraits.You will leave that day with the portraits you love, portraits that will be cherished by you and those who love you for generations.
“I do this to help people see their own beauty.” – Maundy Mitchell, portrait photographer/business owner
Cost: session fees start at $350, portrait collections start at $1,200
Location: Maundy Mitchell Photography
2 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH
To Book or Buy a Gift Certificate: email maundy@maundymitchell.com
