Here at Bay Area On The Cheap you hear a lot about fun things to do — for free or at a sweet discount. Our holiday gift guide is no different.

That’s because one of the best ideas for gift-giving during recessionary times is to give people something fun they can do to get them out of their funk, rather than some cheap or overpriced random object that will just take up space in small Bay Area houses and apartments.

Here’s how to turn some of our cheap activities and discounts into affordable holiday gifts.

1. Give an introductory lesson or experience: If the person you’re shopping for always wanted to try an activity, set them up with a lesson or first-time experience. Often you can get great introductory deals or freebies. For example, you can sign your 7 to 17-year-old up to fly a plane with the Young Eagles program at The Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos — for free. Dragon Boat lessons in Foster City by the Bay Area Dragons racing team are also free and come with life jackets, paddles, boats, and expert coaching. For thrill-seekers,  get them a indoor skydiving iFly Earn Your Wings Package* gift certificate. You can get it for only $27.45 (reg. $54.95) when you sign up with Goldstar (it’s free), then put “iFly” in the box.
2. Give tickets to local sporting events: Sports fans know game tickets can cost a bundle, whether they follow the Warriors, 49ers, San Francisco 49ers, Sharks, Raiders, or another team. That’s why they make perfect gifts. Right now you can buy Golden State Warriors tickets starting at $15 (75% off with no fees/taxes) for January games. Use our promo code BAYCHEAP to get the discount. You can get $25 off San Francisco 49ers tickets plus a 20% voucher. Or, if your sports fan is more into skiing or snowboarding, give lift tickets for Tahoe. Right now you can get Northstar lift tickets for only $52 (reg $79). Or you can get half off lift tickets at Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort. Value: $70 Cost: $35 (while supplies last).
3. Give tickets to a favorite show: Popular local options available right now at a discount are OVO by Cirque du Soleil in SF (38% off deal); and Stars On Ice in San Jose (50% off for 2 kids when you buy 2 adult tickets); and WICKED in San Francisco ($25 off plus a $20 voucher). Even if it turns out the recipient can’t use them, tickets are easily re-gifted.
4. Give a movie gift card: Starting at only $10, movie cards make great stocking stuffers, or you can put them in box along with some gourmet popcorn you make at home for free. The Fandango Bucks gift card can be sent instantly by e-mail, or you can have it mailed in time for Christmas, along with a greeting card and free shipping for only $1.95. For $4.95 you can also add your own custom design. Purchase Fandango Bucks and receive a free gift valued up to $100.*
5. Give admission tickets to a favorite attraction: Everyone loves the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, and the museum has the insufferable lines to prove it. The price of admission tickets can be off-putting at $24.95 each. But as a gift, under $25 is still cheap, and with our special link you can give Skip-The-Line California Academy of Sciences tickets for only $21.95 ($3 discount). Other good options are the Exploratorium and the San Franciso Zoo or Oakland Zoo.
6. Give theme park passes: Theme park passes make great teen or family gifts, especially when you can get them at a discount. For example, you can give passes to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo at $20 off the regular admission price of $49.99. If you’re not sure which attraction, theme park, or activity the giftee would like, give them a San Francisco CityPass (starting at $59) or a Go San Francisco Card (starting at $50) that gives a number of attraction options to choose from — as many as you can fit into 1, 3, 5, or 7 days.
7. Give a hot air balloon flight over Wine Country: You can still save money even on splurge gifts. Set someone special up with a hot air balloon flight over Napa Valley or Sonoma Wine Country for as low as $113 (reg $230). Or for a cheaper Wine Country gift, consider a Wine Country Explorer Card for only $41 that entitles the recipient to two full days of wine tastings at more than a dozen Napa/Sonoma wineries.
8. Give a folding bike with ultra-portable frame: This one is a “thing” but also something to do. A folding bike makes a great gift, now that rising gas prices make it harder to drive a car everywhere. Good for running errands in the city, commuters going short distances, college students, campers, travelers, apartment dwellers. A good one is the Kent Compact 16 Aluminum Folding Bike (16-Inch Wheels)* for an unbelievable $159.99 at Amazon.com. That’s 20% off the already low regular price of $199.99. You can also get free Super Saver Shipping.