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If you are stuck figuring out what to buy family and friends this holiday season, think of live theatre to get you out of a gifting dilemma. Theatre gift certificates make great holiday presents. In fact, you are not just giving gifts; you are giving enjoyable experiences to your loved ones.
A 20-year study from Cornell University concluded that experiences create more happiness than things. While buying objects creates happiness, that feeling fades quickly. Experiences, on the other hand, have a spectrum of positive emotions attached to them. First, there is the anticipation of the experience to get excited about. Then there is the enjoyment of the experience itself. Afterwards, you have memories of the experience that you will remember for a long time.
A recent study at San Francisco State University echoes this result. They also found that the people in their study who spent money on experiences were happier and more satisfied with their purchase than the people who bought material things.
With theatre gift certificates, you can give an experience full of wonder and excitement. In addition you have built-in versatility with a gift certificate. You need not worry about giving tickets for a specific show, such as the very popular tickets for Moulin Rouge! The Musical
for example, because there are a great variety of theatre options for everyone on your Christmas list. Maybe your parents enjoy big musical productions, but your brother and sister-in-law would like a storefront theatre production in a more intimate setting. You can make both couples happy by gifting them theatre gift certificates.
THEATRE GIFT CERTIFICATE OPTIONS
Broadway In Chicago Gift Certificates
If you would like to give a gift certificate for any of the large Broadway touring shows that come to Chicago (that you can see the list of on our Broadway In Chicago page) then you can purchase a Broadway In Chicago Git Certificate Here. Note though that these Broadway In Chicago Gift Certificates can only be redeemed at Broadway In Chicago box offices and cannot be redeemed online at Ticketmaster. If you want to be able to redeem the gift certificate for a Broadway In Chicago show online then you should purchase a Ticketmaster Gift Certificate instead.
Ticketmaster Gift Certificates
The well-known ticket purveyor Ticketmaster sells gift certificates that can be used for theatre productions (including all Broadway In Chicago shows) as well as concerts, sporting events, and children's shows. Get a Ticketmaster Gift Certificate Here.
StubHub Gift Certificates
If you want to give your loved one a Gift Certificate to be used at one of the very popular shows like Frozen, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
or Wicked and are worried that all the good tickets would be sold out by the time they try to redeem their gift certificate then a StubHub Gift Certificate is for you. StubHub is the world's largest ticket marketplace and a great place to find great tickets for the popular shows that sell out fast.
Goldstar Gift Certificates
Goldstar sells tickets for both large and smaller storefront theatres and is a great place to find ticket deals. You can see the shows that you could currently use this gift certificate for on our half-price tickets page.
Individual Theatre Gift Certificates
If you want to present someone with a theatre gift certificate for a particular theatre then you have plenty of options. Theatres such as Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Second City, Writers Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Court Theatre, Theater Wit, and Marriott Theatre each have their own websites where you can purchase gift certificates.
The Hidden Benefit
While you will be remembered as the person who gave original and memorable gifts this holiday season, you will be enjoying another benefit of your generosity with theatre gift certificates. You will not be frazzled from dealing with the holiday shopping crowds, as these gifts can be purchased online. Serenity during the holiday season is an experience you would like to have yourself, right?
Enjoy the ease of shopping online and give the unique gift of a theatre outing this holiday season. The happiness and enjoyment from receiving a material present tend to fade, while the great memories of a wonderful live performance will continue for a lifetime.