Sometimes, the best gift is the one that's least expected.

This year, instead of just buying the hottest holiday products, offer your friends and family a fun, memorable experience with gift certificates to Davies Symphony Hall.

If you know anyone who loves live music—or who's never been to the San Francisco Symphony—a gift certificate is a thoughtful present that stands apart from the socks, sweaters and gadgets we usually exchange at this time of year.

Gift certificates don't expire and can be used for any SFS performance, including Handel's Messiah, A Charlie Brown Christmas—Live, violinist Christian Tetzlaff performing Bach in recital, and a New Year's Event with Seth MacFarlane and the San Francisco Symphony, all coming up this month.

(What, you didn't know the creator of "Family Guy" is also a Grammy-nominated singer?)

Gift certificates are available in any amount and are redeemable in person, by phone or online. Choose a digital or printed gift certificates in one of eight different designs, add a personal message, and we'll take care of the rest.

Share the love of music with a thoughtful present they won't see coming; buy someone on your list a San Francisco Symphony gift certificate.