Experience Gifting
This guest blog is written by our oldest daughter, Stephanie.
Do you ever scroll through Amazon trying to find a gift for your loved one and can’t find anything he needs or even wants?
Does your child have all the clothes she could ever wear? (And you should know because you’re stuck folding them all!)
Can you really justify buying one more toy when you know darn well that the toy closet is bursting at the seams, and the kids have more glitter unicorns than you thought the universe could produce?
Have you ever considered giving the gift of an experience?
Many years ago, my family decided that we would forego the traditional birthday party experience. Instead, we created the tradition of taking our kids to a local pizza place and taking them to a movie. This tradition of an “experience” has now carried over from birthdays to Christmas. Our kids gladly trade gifts for travel, and Christmas shopping has been replaced by travel planning. Building memories has become our favorite Christmas gift!
If you want to dip your toe into experience gifting, here are some ideas:
- Season tickets to the zoo, aquarium or another local attraction your loved ones enjoy visiting for the gift that keeps on giving for the whole year.
- Movie theater gift cards and a hoodie (because movie theaters are always freezing!)
- A day at a local amusement park and pocket money for snacks.
- A hike at a state park with an ice cream reward at the end of the hike.
- A facial and a mani/ped at a local spa.
- An escape room.
- A cooking lesson or dance lesson.
Remember that you may include yourself as part of the gift, meaning you may be included in the experience to make memories, too. Or, you may gift the experience for the recipient(s) without your own participation. It is up to you and your own circumstances. Gifts are best given with no strings attached, but memories are best made together. Give your experience gift thoughtfully, and maybe prayerfully!
