Article by Karen Creason
Originally published in Franklin Lifestyle
No need for wrapping when you give the gift of an experience. Have you ever wanted to fly a plane? We show you where you can do that! Adult experiences like learning to cook or taking in the Shiners show in Nashville and family-friendly experiences like the newly-opened, first U.S. installment of the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk experience, Zoolumination and some new sporting experiences are all on this list.Give the Gift of Experience
1-Tennessee Flight Training: Take the controls as you take to the skies tnflighttraining.com $199 2 – CalPay Picnic Company: Luxury Style Picnics @calpaypicnicco Starting at $225 3 – Shiners: A Cirque meets Broadway meets comedy show shinersnashville.com $55 – $105 4 – Italy From Scratch: Pasta making and cooking classes. Also offering authentic Italian 4-course meals @Italyfromscratch From $115/pp 5 – Tee Line: Curling, Bowling, Restaurant, and Bar @teelinenash From $30/pp 6 – Nashville Gun Club: Trap, skeet & sporting clays @nashvillegunclubFrom $12.50 7 – Anakeesta Theme Park + Astra Lumina: Enchanted night walk amongst the stars Anakeesta.com $49.99/adult, $37.99/child 8 – Laser Tag: Phazer Kraze is middle Tennessee’s largest laser tag arena and arcade Phazerkrazelasertag.com From $8 9 – Zoolumination: See the zoo in a whole new light with the country’s largest Chinese Lantern Festival nashvillezoo.org/zoolumination $19/adult, $15/childGift of Giving Local
There is always something special about supporting local businesses particularly at the holidays. Here we have rounded up some of the best local gifts and activities. From glittery drink cubes to pickleball paddles, our local businesses have something for everyone. 1 – Oribe Holiday Signature Set (Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body creme) @931BeautyCo $185 ($39 savings) 2 – Teaspressa instant cocktail and glittery champagne cocktail cubes @BelleMaisonNashville From $14.99 3 – Franklin Theatre: Your personalized message on the marquee for 24 hours franklintheatre.com $50 donation 4 – Goo Goo Cluster’s 5-count seasonal tin $15 8-count collector’s tin $25 GooGoo.com 5 – Enjoy a holiday staycation at Nashville’s locally-owned, historically charming Germantown Inn. GermantownInn.com $299-$399/night 6 – Pickleball starter kit from Diadem. Includes 2 paddles and 2 balls TheTennisStore.net; 545 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin $79 7 – Gameday Graduate: Crewneck sweatshirt GamedayGraduate.com $40 8 – All natural cocktail mixers and rimming salts with high quality, regionally harvested ingredients Walkerfeedco.com $13 9 – Axe Throwing fun for ages 10 and up sticksandstonesaxetn.com $25/ppGift of Artisans and Makers
The artisans and makers in and around Franklin offer plenty of handmade items for your gift giving or personal enjoyment. Who doesn’t need a ready to go S’mores board tray complete with food safe sterno to use indoors, at your fire pit or to bring as a hostess gift? Stay warm with a snuggly handmade blanket, gift the chef in your life a new Amish made cutting board or get a treat for your furry best friend. 1 – Franklin Theatre photograph mounted on wood trentonleephotography.com $45 2 – Gorgeous Southern Knit Studio blankets made with the softest, wool free, chenille yarn @Mercantile1858 $119 3 – JA Gems: Handcrafted one-of-a-kind gemstone jewelry jagemsjewelry.com From $69 4 – S’mores Board and Tray: Food safe, indoor safe, removable compartment S’mores tray – great for serving! Falcon Woodcraft – 615-428-7733 From $75 5 – Handmade dog and cat collars, leashes and accessories @thebarkersmarket From $11.95 6 – O’Reillys: Amish made exotic wood cutting boards oreillysamish.com From $79 7 – Little Big Dog Treats: Small batch dog treats handmade by a young adult with Down syndrome Littlebigdogtreats.com $10 8 – Noble Springs Dairy: Handmade goat soap and lotion. Also offers baby goat petting and tours @noblespringsdairy From $6 9 – Brittle Brothers: Gift box of Amazon’s #1 best selling brittle from Brittle Brothers – made right here in TN BrittleBrothers.com From $42.99
