ajc.com 2008 Holiday Guide

Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" resonated from the speakers as more than a dozen people at Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Duluth shook their own hips.

It was an appropriate song, with lines such as, "I never knew she could dance like this," and "Hey, girl, I can see your body moving/And it's driving me crazy/And I didn't have the slightest idea/Until I saw you dancing."

Skip Barber Racing (ENLARGE)

Mazda MX-5 Miatas at Skip Barber Racing school, which offers racing and driving schools at Road Atlanta.

Magic Carpet Ride Balloon Adventures (ENLARGE)

Hot air balloons

Jenni Girtman/AJC (ENLARGE)

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio is one of many that can teach you new skill and grace while also working off some holiday calories.

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As a Thursday night workshop with instructors began, some couples moved round and round the dance floor. The music continued to change, from a tango tune to Ella Fitzgerald's "It's Only a Paper Moon," meaning sometimes the steps no longer matched the beat, but they still kept working.

"Two-three-four, turn her around," instructor Michelle Rigo told a group of six trying to learn the mambo in one area of the dance floor.

The three guys struggled with spinning their partners, as Rigo offered other ways to describe the arm motion: "Stir the pot." "Wipe your brow." Then she put the pressure on them.

"If you're late, she'll never make it," she said.

More people may be trying dancing after the holidays. It's one of many trendy experiential gifts that offer a solution to those seeking a last-minute idea (or the present for the person who seems to have everything).

From dancing to skydiving to racing schools, the idea of giving them just what they always wanted — to do — is on the rise.

Americans plan to spend a quarter of their total gift spending on gift cards, and the percentage of gift cards purchased on experiential gifts has risen to 31 percent, up from 23 percent in 2004, according to a 2007 American Express survey. The biggest age bracket: 18- to 44-year-olds.

"It lets the gift giving last longer," said Kathy Casper, who teaches dance at parks, churches and synagogues in Gwinnett, north Fulton and east Cobb counties and schools such as the North Georgia Academy of Dance.

Being active after the holidays also erases some of the guilt from eating too much between Thanksgiving and the end of the year.

"A lot of people like to start up classes in January because it's also a form of exercise," she said. "You can take a group class that's fun and also lets you feel good about doing some exercise."

Here's an idea of prices for dance classes as well as other experiences such as race car driving and skydiving that might be right for someone on your list.

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ON THE DANCE FLOOR

Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Atlanta

The studio offers an introductory special with five lessons (two private, two group and a party) for $30.

Contact: 678-417-7444, www.fredastaireatlanta.com, 4317 Abbotts Bridge Road, Suite 2, Duluth (also located in the King Plow Arts Center in Atlanta)

Top Shelf Dance

Tanya Arnhold and Josh Jones offer private and group lessons at various locations in metro Atlanta, starting at $60 per session, with the opportunity to customize packages based on number and type of lessons.

Contact: 404-664-5552

All About Ballroom

Kathy Casper teaches in Gwinnett, north Fulton and east Cobb counties; cost is $65 per person and $120 per couple, for a six-week class.

Contact: 678-517-3412, www.allaboutballroom.net

Duluth Parks and Recreation

Gift certificates for ballroom dancing and line dancing classes at its facilities cover six weeks of instruction; cost is $75 per person and $130 per couple.

Contact: 770-814-6981, www.duluthga.net

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IN THE WILD

Zorb

It's not in metro Atlanta, but reportedly the only place in the U.S. to ride in a Zorb — a giant inflatable ball — is Pigeon Forge, Tenn., about four hours from Atlanta. The Zorb was created in New Zealand, and now Zorb Smoky Mountains is offering the experience. You can ride in the 11-foot-high ball alone, or with friends. You can bounce around, get strapped in or slip and slide, with some water added. Prices range from $33 to $105 (gift certificates are offered in $25 increments). It's open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week, and no reservations are required.

Contact: 865-428-2422, www.zorb.com/smoky, 203 Sugar Hollow Road, Pigeon Forge.

Chukkar Farm & Polo Club

The Alpharetta farm offers excursion rides, at $100 per person, that's part trail ride, part lesson and can be customized to your experience on a horse. Beth Millwood also throws in an introductory polo lesson, if you desire.

Contact: Beth Millwood, 678-614-7007, www.chukkarfarmpoloclub.com, 1005 Little River Way, Alpharetta.

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ON THE TRACK

Skip Barber Racing School at Road Atlanta in Braselton offers a variety of racing and driving schools, depending on whether you have an adventure seeker in your family, a teen just starting to drive or someone who aspires to be a race car driver. Prices start at $495 for a one-day introduction course and go up to $3,495 for a three-day experience at the MX-5 Cup Racing School. The prices are holiday specials, with $100-$500 knocked off the regular price if purchased by Dec. 31.

Contact: 1-800-221-1131, www.skipbarber.com, Road Atlanta, 5300 Winder Hwy., Braselton.

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UP IN THE SKY

Flight School of Gwinnett

The school, which is located at the Gwinnett County Airport, offers a $59 discovery flight. The hands-on experience is a popular gift for Christmas, graduation and Father's Day, said founder and co-owner Lanny Pruchnicki.

"It's a really good experience if you wonder, 'Boy, I wonder what this is like,' " he said. "I don't think people believe they can actually go out and fly."

Over 1 1/2 hours, you're taken through a preflight inspection of the Cessna 172, and then it's up into the wild blue yonder, with you in the pilot's seat. Under the direction of an FAA-certified flight instructor, folks are able to start the plane, taxi out and even talk to the control tower.

"The individual will do takeoff under supervision of instructor. In air, [they] will do 99 percent of the flying," Pruchnicki said.

Contact: 770-513-0000, www.theflightschool.com, 600 Briscoe Blvd., Lawrenceville (north side of the entrance off Ga. 316)

The company offers hot air ballooning experiences during the week or on the weekend, priced at $225 per person on a shared flight or $350 per person on a private flight.

Contact: 770-436-9960, www.magicballooning.com. Departs from Snellville and Cumming.

Skydiving

One sure way to get the adrenaline flowing: Jump out of an airplane. Check out these operators for free-fall or tandem dives. Expect to pay $160-$190 for a first outing.

Skydive Atlanta: Thomaston/Upson County Airport, 2333 Delray Road, Thomaston. Info: 800-276-3483, www.skydiveatlanta.com

Skydive the Farm: 1195 Grady Road, Rockmart. Info: 404-295-5000, www.skydiveatlanta.com