Running out of time but still want to give a meaningful gift? Skip the lines and shipping stress and go for an experience instead. It’s more fun to give, more memorable to receive, and way better than adding more “stuff” to their life. These last-minute ideas are thoughtful, local, and best of all, don’t require wrapping.
Cooking Class at Bleu Duck Kitchen
Give the foodie in your life a delicious experience at Bleu Duck’s Sunday School. These hands-on workshops from one of Rochester’s favorite local restaurants mix creativity, good food, and plenty of fun in a warm, welcoming space.
Their chefs and bartenders lead every class, teaching everything from pasta and dumpling making to knife skills, cocktail crafting and oyster shucking.
Tickets sell out fast, so grab a spot for your favorite home cook and give them an experience they’ll savor long after class is over. And if you’re lucky, they might even test out their new skills on you.
Check out upcoming Sunday School dates and buy tickets and be sure to follow Bleu Duck on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Local Photoshoot
Give a gift that lasts longer than anything you can put in a box. Professional photos are personal, and a thoughtful way to capture a season of life they’ll want to remember.
Rochester is full of talented local photographers, each with their own unique style so there’s something for everyone. Think cozy in-home lifestyle sessions to outdoor golden-hour outdoor portraits, or creative studio shoots.
Use our Rochester MN Guide to Photographers to find the perfect fit for their personality, style, and your budget.
Quarry Hill Nature Center Membership
Give the gift of nature this year with a Quarry Hill membership. Your gift supports the Nature Center’s mission of natural science discovery while helping your loved one connect with one of Rochester’s most beloved outdoor spaces.
Everyone can enjoy the Nature Center and library, explore the trails, go birding, or hunt for fossils (all free and open year-round!). Membership helps keep these experiences going by supporting hands-on education, preserving green space, and maintaining trails and exhibits.
Memberships start at $60 and include perks like special member-only events, priority summer camp registration, discounts on classes, ski and snowshoe rentals, birthday parties, and more.
Sign someone up for a membership on their website or contact 507-328-3950 or quarryhill@qhnc.org for more details.
Salt and Float Therapy
Give them a chance to fully unwind with a salt room or flotation session. Rochester has a few great spots offering these calming, restorative therapies.
Salt therapy uses tiny salt particles in the air to support easier breathing, healthier skin, and better sleep. Float therapy (sensory deprivation) offers a quiet, low-sensory space that lets the mind and body fully relax.
Soliflo’s Halotherapy Hangout is Rochester’s new mobile wellness studio, parked at 317 North Broadway Avenue on Saturdays. Their 22-foot unit fits up to six adults for halotherapy “hangout” sessions: $35 for 45 minutes, $30 for 30 minutes, or $20 for 20 minutes.
They’re also planning to add salt-bath float therapy and red-light sauna sessions at their 2026 grand opening. Book online or contact 507-330-7654 or info@soliflo.com to gift a session.
Nalu Float creates a peaceful escape using float tanks filled with 800 pounds of Epsom salt to create a deeply calming, low-sensory experience. Their float sessions come in 90-minute ($85), 60-minute ($70), or a 45-minute intro float ($49). Add a 30-minute infrared sauna session for $22, or 45 minutes for $30. Stand-alone sauna appointments are also available. Gift a session by booking online or text 507-529-1012 for more information.
Rochester Art Center Membership
Give a gift that lasts long after the holidays with a membership to the Rochester Art Center. It’s perfect for art lovers, curious minds, or anyone who loves exploring local culture. Memberships start at $40 and come with great perks.
A one-person $40 membership includes free admission to all exhibitions, members-only event invites, discounts, and an e-newsletter subscription. The $65 membership covers two people and adds free admission to the History Center of Olmsted County.
Higher-level memberships come with extra perks, like discounted Total Arts Day Camp tuition, free admission to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, and access to more than 180 participating museums through the Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums program.
For a look at what’s happening this season, check out our Guide to Winter at Rochester Art Center. You can stop in during open hours or call 207-722-2552 to pick up a gifted membership.
And don’t forget to visit their website for current exhibitions and programs or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
