Christmas is the perfect time to encourage new interests – musical instruments, cooking lessons, language tutoring, or creative workshops can inspire skills that last a lifetime. For children, such gifts spark curiosity and build confidence, while for adults, they provide creative expression and proof that it’s never too late to learn something new.

With three in five Britons receiving unwanted Christmas gifts worth an estimated £1.27 billion and concern mounting over the environmental impact of festive waste, FindTutors, a tuition service by GoStudent, is encouraging people to consider giving the gift of a skill instead.

Google search trends show a remarkable surge in interest for experiential and skill-based gifts. Since 2004, online searches for gift experiences have increased three-fold, and experience-based vouchers are now the fastest-growing segment.

With 25 million children’s toys gifted at Christmas neglected by the end of January and the additional waste created by the festive period estimated to exceed three million tonnes, the stark reality of Christmas waste highlights why consumers are seeking alternatives and increasingly turning to meaningful, skill-based gifts that create lasting value rather than contributing to landfill.

Experiential gifts also provide significant psychological benefits over material items. Key psychological benefits include stronger relationships, greater gratitude, enhanced wellbeing, lasting memories, and personal growth.

Paloma García Aranda, Educational Psychologist comments, “Gifts based on experiences enrich children’s emotional and cognitive development. Unlike toys, which often have a very intense but brief emotional impact, experiences generate anticipation, emotional connection and learning that lasts over time. They also encourage creativity, independence and bonding with the person giving the gifts.”

For those wanting to give a skills-based gift to an adult relative or friend this Christmas, why not give one of the most desired skills in 2026, according to data from FindTutors platform:

• Languages: Opening doors to new cultures and career opportunities.
• Music: Boosting creativity and cognitive function.
• Technology and Graphic Design: Essential as technology transforms every industry.
• Sports: Improving fitness and increasing connections with like-minded individuals.
• Arts: Taking a break from outside stressors.

And for children, the most popular searched-for skills are:

• Coding and computing: Building problem-solving and logical thinking.
• Musical instruments: Developing creativity and emotional intelligence.
• Languages: Cognitive development and global awareness.
• Creative arts: From painting to drama, fostering self-expression.

“Perhaps you have a friend or family member keen to change career in 2026, or someone who wants to learn a new instrument, master a language, or develop their creative skills as a new year’s resolution. Skill-based gifts support these ambitions,” says Albert.

“Our platform matches people to tutors in hundreds of subjects from musical instruments and languages to coding, cooking, photography, and beyond. So why not surprise friends and family with presents far more exciting than just another pair of socks.”

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