Hill Gift Guide: Unique. Experiences.

Originally uploaded to flickr by gin soak.

Anytime one of my girlfriends is in need of a gift for any random occasion, she emails me for a suggestion.  Why?  Because, she says, I always have unique ideas.  I’m not sure if this reputation is deserved, but my secret is twofold:  seek out people who don’t have a traditional storefront and/or opt for an experience over an item.  If the recipient is like me, they don’t need anyTHING.  In fact, things are typically a source of stress because I don’t have anywhere to put them and still maintain space for traversing our “compact” rowhouse.  Hence, I tend to go more for an experience — something fun to do or new to try that one wouldn’t necessarily do for themselves.  Also, I make it my mission to buy local and, as a business person without a storefront, I also look for other local businesspeople whose homes are the base for their commercial creativity.  So, here’s my guide for unique experiences and gifts you won’t find in any retail store.  For additional options, check out our guides for the hard-to-shop-for, homes, kids, Hill fanatics, and the epicure.

For the active person on your list, help them keep their swing in good form with lessons at Capitol Hill Golf.  Their simulator will make you feel just like you’re out on the links, despite our winter weather.  Looking for something a little more physically challenging?  Hill trainer Katherine Hambrice (202-460-5284) offers in-home Pilates to get toned for that February Caribbean cruise.  Her personal story of triumph is a major motivator during that second round of abs.

How about something for the home?  Amy from Aesthetic Answers can help transform an environment with her amazing eye for interiors.  From choosing paint colors to restoring a favorite piece of art or even creating one from scratch, Amy can help with a nagging design project (oh, like maybe finally choosing and hanging the artwork in the bedroom after, what, 9 years?).  Perhaps the person you have in mind wants to get things around the house in order before moving on to decor.  That’s where Jill-of-all-Trades can help.  A licensed and credentialed organizer, Jill can help turn any home, closet, garage or junk drawer into a practical, usable, neat space.  If you’re looking for an ec0-friendly idea, greenliving consulting offers home eco-assessments that help identify your current level of greenness and then helps you choose products and practices that fit with your lifestyle and priorities.  If its a handmade bauble you’re looking for, crafter Karen Kormondy, formerly owner of Ipso Crafto, does it all.  Recommended by a reader for her wooden toys, Kormondy could put Martha Stewart to shame with her talents in upholstery, decoupage, knitting and yarn crafts too, which she blogs about regularly.

Maybe you have a packed-calendar-always-on person on your list .  Give them something that will free up some time or help them focus on themselves for a change.  Shopping or personal styling with Wardrobe 180 can help the ladies and the gents get a new look for the new year.  Jenn will bring fashion week right to your closet, minus the starvation and judginess.  If the object of your gift wants to go beyond dressing for the job they want, send them to see career coach Bonny King-Taylor.  With packages ranging from individual sessions to discussion groups, King-Taylor offers several settings for learning how to take control of your career.  Finally, though we can’t yet clone ourselves we can partake in indulgences that give us back some time.  Help someone free up time on the weekend or in the evenings at home by taking some housework off their hands with Saving Grace Home Therapy.  This also makes for the awesomest of hostess gifts — Saving Grace can do Deep Clean Therapy to get things back to ship shape after hosting parties and house guests over the holidays.

Speaking of house guests, is the whole family coming in for the holiday?  Take this opportunity to do a family portrait.  Studio Juno will capture your brood looking fun and natural, rather than Sears Portrait Studio posed.  BONUS: the photos can be used as gifts throughout the year and for next year’s holiday card.