How to give a special gift that will be remembered for a lifetime, show tickets

Who needs more stuff? Why not give someone a memorable experience instead? And one of the best ways to do that is to buy show tickets as a gift. Most professional arts groups allow patrons to buy and give flexible tickets that can be used at any time during the organization's season, or at least easily exchanged throughout the year.

Things You'll Need

• A computer with Internet access
• A telephone
• Your local newspaper's fall arts guide or entertainment listings section.

Instructions

1. Get a copy of your local newspaper's fall arts guide or a couple of its various weekend entertainment sections. Do an Internet search for arts organizations in the area. In other words, familiarize yourself with the options available.

2. Think about what kind of arts activity your gift receiver might like. Don't buy tickets to a French opera, if your person is into NFL football and "Dumb and Dumber" movies. Think action or light comedy instead. If someone has never been to a live show before, it's really important to make that first experience positive. Save the more adventurous (or sophisticatedly subtle) material for later.

3. Once you've scanned all of the arts seasons and spotted the perfect show, call the company's box office and ask about gift options. Make sure there is flexibility, not only in times and dates but also in show choices. That way, even if you whiff on picking the title, there's still a chance that the person might find something else interesting in the season.

4. Buy good reserved seats. Nothing can spoil a live theater adventure like not being able to hear the dialogue or music. The best spot in most venues is 10 to 20 rows back from the stage in the center. The earlier you buy, the better the seats. And general admission should be only for rock concerts, not live theater.

5. To go all out, include a gift card that will cover dinner at a favorite restaurant. Once again, remember this is about your gift receiver's tastes, not yours. Pick something you are sure that person will love.

6. If you can, provide your gift receiver with context about the show. Why it's important. Why it's interesting. Why you thought that person would love it. Start a discussion. And check back afterward. Ask how it went. It's another chance to chat.

Tips & Warnings

• Get tickets for a show early in the company's season. Toward the end of the year, if some unexpected quirk keeps your gift receiver from going, your effort might all go to waste. Plus, if your person loves the show, that gives a greater chance to go to other ones later in the year.

• Remember about this gift: No maintenance required, no storage space needed. It fits everyone, and it's a fond memory that will stay with that person forever.

• Make sure to talk about the gift with the person after they receive it. You want them to be happy and know the options available to them, including the potential of switching shows, times and dates.