Giftless Gift Guide: Show you care without giving them more STUFF
1. Learn About the Art of Aging Cheese
Where: Affinage 101 Experience at Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese, 445172 Gunn's Hill Rd. Woodstock, ON. (View Map)
How to Book: Book online at gunnshillcheese.ca
For the turophile on your list (that's just a fancy way of saying they love cheese), a ticket to Gunn's Hill's Affinage 101 Experience is a home run. Over the course of this two hour experience, guests will get the opportunity to step into the shoes of a cheese maker during a part of the cheese making process that is rarely talked about in depth on a regular tour- aging. You'll learn about washing and flipping wheels (and try it yourself), and do a taste test of different batches and ages. Top it all off by creating a number of different fondue recipes and enjoying them as a group.
2. Theatre Tickets
Where: Theatre Tillsonburg; Theatre Woodstock; Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts
When & What: Theatre Tillsonburg's The Birds and the Bees, Feb 6-16 2020; Theatre Woodstock's 37 Postcards, Feb. 14-22 2020; ITOPA's Run for Your Wife, Feb 14-23 2020
Get Tickets: www.theatretillsonburg.com; www.theatrewoodstock.com; www.itopa.ca
Two big thumbs up for community theatre! Surprise the one on your list with a night (or afternoon) out on the town! With so many productions coming up in the new year, you can choose between towns or choose the play they'll love most or opt to see them all. Now grab your seat and enjoy!
3. Tickets to Walter's Music Venue
Where: Walter's Music Venue; 836074 Hubbard Rd. Bright, ON. (View Map)
When: The 2020 Season starts in June! Select from a number of shows or grab season tickets!
How to Book: Call the box office at 519-463-5559
The Walters Family know entertainment and their beautifully restored barn theatre is a treat for anyone who loves a good show! When you give the one on your list show tickets or even a season's pass, they'll roll up to this beautiful country property and be dazzled by what they find. Walter's Dinner Theatre is home to tasty meals (catered by Quehl's in Tavistock) and all sorts of amazing musical acts. This upcoming season you can expect everything from performances by the Walters family themselves to big band music, an ABBA tribute, history of rock n' roll performance and so much more.
4. A Flight in a Harvard
Where: The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, 244411 Airport Rd. Tillsonburg, ON. (View Map)
How to Book: Email info@harvards.com for details and check prices online
Fancy a bird's eye view of rural Ontario? Then do it in style within a historic aircraft! During the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association's flight experience, the lucky giftless gift holder on your list will get a chance to ride in a vintage, bright yellow aircraft used during World War II to train pilots (hence the colour so other pilots could see them coming). They'll feel the excitement and thrill of being up high like no other aircraft will give them.
5. Gift Card for From Tree to Table Experience
Where: Ottercreek Woodworks
When: Spring dates coming soon
How to book: Grab them a giftcard online and they'll have first crack at booking when spring dates are released
Tree to Table is an experience that brings guests away from the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives to slow down and create something from start to finish with their hands. Joining woodworker David Schonberger, guests are treated to a walk in a beautiful Carolinian forest to see it in a new way. Following that, they'll select a piece of raw lumber in David's workshop and work with him to craft a beautiful charcuterie board to bring home with them. At the end of the experience, all the guests sit down to enjoy a savoury spread of local preserves, breads and meats that give a true taste of Oxford County. This extraordinary experience recently won the title of Ontario's Best Culinary Experience from the Culinary Tourism Alliance.
6. Yoga Pass
Where: Indigo Lounge, 264 Tillson Ave. Tillsonburg, ON. (View Map)
When: Classes run year-round
How to Book: Pick up a punch card or 2-month expiry card at Indigo Lounge
This year, give that special someone the gift of relaxation when you provide them with a yoga pass to an Oxford County studio. In Tillsonburg, The Indigo Lounge offers a diverse range of classes aimed at reconnecting with one's self. From yoga and Zumba to reiki and just about everything in between, you can actually choose from a number of classes. Their experienced instructors will guide the one on your list to total relaxing bliss! Even better? They can follow up class with a delicious and healthy meal from the Indigo Lounge Organic Cafe found on site.
In Woodstock, Radiant Health Yoga specializes in just that- yoga. Select from warm and hot yoga, beginners yoga and everything in between. We're feeling zenned out already.
7. Art Classes
Where to get it: Tillsonburg Station Arts Centre, 51 Bridge St. W. Tillsonburg, ON. (View Map); Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre, 125 Centennial Lane Ingersoll, ON. (View Map) or Woodstock Art Gallery, 449 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON. (View Map)
When: These community art hubs run classes through out the year. Check out their facebook pages for details on upcoming clases that might tickle their fancy!
How to Book: Register online at stationarts.ca; Register by mail or in person for Ingersoll Creative Arts classes, info here; register online for Woodstock Art Gallery classes at cityofwoodstock.ca
So many creative endeavours, so little time! This Christmas, give them a chance to express their artistic side when you sign them up for a class at a local art institution. From printmaking and watercolours to pottery 101 and just about everything else in between, these galleries and cooperatives are a hub for artistic expression. Hop onto their respective websites and pick a class to suit the one on your list!
8. Dinner at an Oxford Restaurant
Where: Restaurants throughout Oxford County
What's better than quality time well-spent over a solid meal? Nothing! Rather than giving them more stuff, why not take them out for dinner or lunch on the town at one of our Oxford restaurants? From fine dining at spots like The Elm Hurst Inn's Mansion Restaurant and SixThirtyNine to authentic British pub food at Charles Dickens, drool-worthy panzerotti at Louie's Pizza and Pasta, home cooked goodness at Quehl's, delicious sushi at Sushi Cove or something in between, there's a spot for any eater in Oxford. Browse a full selection on our website.
9. A Cooking Class at 1909 Culinary Academy
Where To Get It: 1909 Culinary Academy , 5158 Trussler Rd. Ayr, ON. (View Map)
How to Book: Register online
Whether you're looking for the youngan on your list or a full blow adult, a cooking class with 1909 Culinary Academy is ALWAYS a good idea. This brand new facility in rural Oxford is inside of an old schoolhouse and hosts a chef school, restaurant and loads of community cooking classes. From Italian and Mexican cuisine to cheese classes for kids, there are loads of unique classes to choose from in 2020.
Want more great holiday ideas? Check out the holiday inspiration section on our website!