Box sets on the sofa have their charms but they are no substitute for real life. 

From British Basketball Trophy Final tickets to Darkest Secrets Walking Tours of Edinburgh, we have lots of gift suggestions for experiences to help you live every moment to the max.

Browse them all here. 5pm Christmas Gifts make it easy.

6 or 12 Mile Helicopter Flight or City Tour with Adventure 001; from £29

One day in the future you will have your very own jetpack.

But until then if you want to take to the sky, your best bet is to jump into a jet-powered helicopter and soar like an eagle.

This Big Deal from Adventure 001 offers a chance to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the world, making it the ideal gift for an adventurous type…

Come fly with me

There is nothing quite like the sensation of hovering in a powerful, fast-moving helicopter while it accelerates high into the sky – whoosh!

Next, look down and gape at streets and fields while they shrink smaller and smaller and smaller…

Your friendly pilot will point out local landmarks, so don’t forget to take your camera.

Fly like an eagle

This Big Deal is for a choice of three powerful, jet-powered helicopter experiences: a six-mile countryside buzz flight, 12-mile countryside buzz flight or 25-mile city tour.

All are available until April 2022 and take place at a choice of locations in Scotland and England (including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Ayrshire, Fife, Perth, Dunblane, Northumberland and Newcastle). Up to three passengers can join each tour.

For added adrenaline, there will be a chance to upgrade to the front co-pilot seat on the day, paying Adventure 001 directly.

Give a loved one the gift of wings

Surprise someone special with a jet-powered helicopter tour and they will be thanking you for a long time to come.

And if you are overdue a few thrills, then why not buy multiples and go along with them? Go on, you know you want to…

Canoeing, Kayaking + Paddleboarding Package with Action Adventure Activities; from £39

Ever fancied a go at canoeing or kayaking or even paddleboarding but couldn’t make your mind up as to which one to choose? Then this activity is ideal for you. You will get the opportunity to try out all three crafts with a little guidance and help from the friendly, experienced instructors.

Brought to you by Action Adventure Activities near Gartmore, on the edge of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, this paddle sports experience would make an outstanding gift.

Lasting approximately one hour to 90 minutes on the water, it is available for one person, two people or a family (one adult and three children or two adults and two children), meaning it could be a group present too.

Fantastic introduction

A great introduction to kayaking, canoeing and the very hip sport of paddleboarding, your trip is based at Action Adventure Activities’ farm near Gartmore, on their own private lochan.

The area’s spectacular landscape of mountains and lochs provides an atmospheric backdrop for this experience.

You will be shown the basics of the different sports, with guidance from an expert instructor.

Experienced instructors

Based deep in Braveheart country on the edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Action Adventure Activities have spent over 30 years in the Scottish hospitality industry and the staff have a wealth of experience in numerous outdoor pursuits.

Safety is their prime concern so, when you take to the water, you know you are in good hands.

There is a minimum age of five for this Big Deal. All under eighteens must be accompanied by a participating adult.

All craft, wetsuits, buoyancy aids provided. Valid from 02.04.22 until 26.06.22.

Board meeting

Paddleboarding is a variation on the traditional Pacific sport of surfing. In this sport, stand up paddle boarders remain upright on their boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water.

The sport is on the crest of a wave in the States, where this traditional Hawaiian activity has become an outdoor pursuit as popular with hipsters as it is with families.

With this offer, you will be able to learn canoeing and kayaking skills from the experienced instructors while enjoying the scenery from a new perspective.

1 or 2 Night Stay in Choice of 3* or 4* London Hotel + Tickets to Disney's Frozen The Musical with OMGhotels.com, from £109 per person

‘Do you want to build a snowman?...’

The wait is over. Frozen The Musical has finally arrived on the London stage – and you can be a part of the magic.

This Big Deal gives you the chance to experience the magic of this Disney classic live in Covent Garden while on a thrilling theatre break.

Unforgettable spectacle

Fall in love with Disney’s Frozen all over again at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Watch as a glittering winter-scape unfolds on the stage while you immerse yourself in favourite songs like ‘Let it Go’ (as well as a few new ones).

Lose yourself in incredible special effects, stunning costumes and jaw-dropping scenery that bring Elsa and Anna’s adventures to life in a whole new way.

Stay in a smart London hotel

Experience the magic with this Big Deal is for a one or two night theatre break from OMGhotels.

You will be staying in a choice of comfy three-star or stylish four-star hotel such as Hilton, Holiday Inn or Ibis.

Included is two tickets to Disney’s Frozen the Musical (you can even opt for them to be sent to you in a shiny golden gift envelope).

In the morning, you can tuck into a tasty hotel breakfast before exploring city sights like Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and The London Eye.

As a bonus perk, you will also get a £5 Amazon gift voucher. Valid until 30 the April 2022.

Excluded dates may apply.

A glittering gift

It goes without saying that this Big Deal would make an incredible birthday, Christmas or anniversary present.


So why not whisk your favourite person off to a spectacular London show? And to make it extra special, opt for the two nights and four-star hotel.

Trike Tour for 2 including Photo Shoot with Trike Tours Scotland - Chauffeur Driven Trike - Choice of Locations; from £99

Crown someone the king – or the queen – of the road with this Big Deal from Trike Tours Scotland.

A trike tour and photoshoot for two people, it is a fantastic way to feel the freedom of the road and see Scotland in a new light.

Established in 2006, Trike Tours Scotland has taken hundreds of people on the ride of their lives.

Not only do passengers get to travel in style, the trike always raises smiles and waves from the people it passes.

Choice of iconic Scottish locations

An exciting way to enjoy Scotland’s breathtaking scenery, this offer is for two people to enjoy a trike tour and photoshoot around one of seven iconic Scottish locations.

Take your pick from tours of Edinburgh, Callander, Loch Lomond, Perthshire, Stirling or South Queensferry.

For further tour information, please visit Trike Tours Scotland.

Chauffeur-driven trike

Your chariot for the tour is a stylish, 1600cc, chauffeur-driven trike.

Your chauffeur will meet you at a pre-arranged location at your tour destination.

After kitting you out in warm leathers and helmets, you will all set off on the trike for an hour long spin around the most interesting sights in the area.

Photoshoot

The tour includes a photoshoot with your chauffeur taking up to fifteen professional shots of your party with the trike, which will be emailed to you as a souvenir of your biking experience.

To crown the tour, your biker chauffeur will serve tea and coffee and Campbell’s shortbread served on a silver platter – even bikers like a touch of elegance every now and then.

Plus, if you choose option three of the Big Deal at Callendar or Loch Lomond, then you’ll also get to enjoy a dram of whisky. Valid until 21.12.21 and then 11.03.22 until 30.10.22.

Round of Mini-Golf with Slushie for 2 or 4 at Adventure Golf Island, Fife Leisure Park; from £13.90

Pirate ships, rope bridges and river rapids – if only you could find that kind of adventure in everyday life.

As a matter of fact, you can – in Fife no less (yes, we said Fife. No, we didn’t mean Fiji).

You just have to head to Adventure Golf Island at Fife Leisure Park, where you can enjoy Pirates of The Caribbean-themed golf for two or four with this Big Deal.

Head to the Caribbean (in Fife)

Adventure Golf Island is a Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired crazy golf course for all the family.

The course is fully landscaped and added floodlighting means that you could even make it an evening adventure.

Fife Leisure Park is easy to reach, as it’s just a 45 minute drive from Edinburgh and around an hour from Glasgow.

Pirate-themed golf

The Big Deal option one is for two people to try out the Treasure Island course at Adventure Golf Island. The experience will last around an hour, with a slushie each included.

Option two is for four people, making it ideal for families.

This offer is available seven days all the way until the 16th March 2022.

You also have the option of either upgrading to the indoor Pirates Cove course or adding it on as an extra. Please arrange this directly with the venue.

Choose from a variety of slushie flavours, including Irn Bru, Dr Pepper, and raspberry amongst others.

Thrilling special effects

The Treasure Island course is in a beautifully landscaped setting of waterfalls, fountains and river rapids.

Get ready to encounter Captain Jack Sparrow’s Jail, the Caribbean Adventure pirate ship and the rope bridge. You can also expect some thrilling special effects along the way.

The biggest challenge is the daringly difficult Hole 11 – do you have what it takes to conquer it? Plus if you can master the ‘18th Hole Challenge’, you will win a free round of golf.

£24.95 for a Gin Stills Tour with G&T, Tastings & Cocktail with South Loch Gin, Edinburgh

You can keep your quinoa, freekeh and teff.

The only super seed that really gets our juices jumping is juniper.

Find out how delicious juniper berries get turned into even more delicious gin with today’s Big Deal from South Loch Gin in Edinburgh.

Small batch stills

This Big Deal option one is for one person to take a gin stills tour and tasting at the award-winning bar.

Lasting around 60 to 75 minutes, you’ll see how gin is made and, of course, sample the fruits of their small batch stills.

You will be welcomed with a G&T made with one of the brand’s Distillers’ Edition Gins – it’ll be paired with a specially selected tonic and garnish which best compliments the gin.

The team will explain how they match the different tonics and garnishes for the best results, perfect for when you are planning your next G&T night at home. While you enjoy your G&T, the team will talk you through their botanical store and let you see and try the botanicals.

Next, the tour moves over to the copper pot stills for a unique tasting of several more Distillers’ Edition Gins, and finishes with a tasty gin cocktail.

Valid from the 2nd of January until the end of March 2022, the class is suitable for both gin aficionados and novices.

Fun day out

There is no reason not to gin-dulge to the max – book a couple of offers and enjoy it all with a friend.

Alternatively, this would make a swish and stylish gift with a difference.

There are many more experience gift suggestions on 5pm's Christmas Gift Pages and you can explore them here.