When we moved, I totally decluttered. I got rid of perfectly good stuff–but it was just that…stuff. Stuff we didn’t use, stuff we didn’t need, stuff that was just for decoration, stuff that we used, but only so rarely that it wasn’t worth the space it was taking up. Stuff, stuff, stuff. It was overwhelming to think about the money that was spent on stuff and the time it took to maintain all of it.
Don’t get me wrong, stuff is awesome, if it makes your life easier {like my kitchen stuff or my laptop}, but now that the holidays are here, and decluttering is still fresh on my mind, I have a new outlook on gift-giving. Why spend hard-earned money on stuff people probably don’t need? This year, I am all about experiences and consumables as gifts.In the long run, it gives people memories–and not extra work. If you’re on board with the experience giving “experience” :), here are are few ideas to get you started:
- Gift cards to a movie theater. Going to the movies on a Friday night is totally a luxury around here, because, well, movies are ridiculously expensive {and I really have a hard time watching one without being in jammies :)}. A gift card to the movies is like a guilt-free pass to enjoy a movie on the big screen without having to take out a second mortgage.
- Gift cards to a local restaurant. Stimulate your local economy, encourage the receiver to experience a new place, AND give someone a night off from the kitchen…it’s gift-giving harmony.
- Tickets to a concert, show or play. This one is pretty self-explanatory…and odds are, your receiver wouldn’t justify dishing out the cash, but will have an amazing time on your dime.
- Give lessons for something. Contact a piano teacher, golf instructor, physical trainer, cooking school, etc. and arrange for lessons for the people you love. You will give them a new or honed skill, and they will always have you to thank for the results.
- Give the gift of Amazon Prime. They will have access to tons of free movies, a free ebook once a month, and free shipping {if they decide to use it}. They can start their own Friday Night at the Movies at no cost to them.
- Give sporting event tickets. If you have a sports fan in your life, and a professional or semi-professional team in the area, the chance to see them live will make their day.
- Pay for their hobby. Kind of obscure, I know, but if they love camping, gift them a campsite rental. If they love running {try not to judge them} pay for their entry into a local race. The possibilities are endless on this one.
- Give them an annual membership to a local museum, zoo, or botanical garden. Let them enjoy your gift all year long.
- For a bigger gift, try a vacation. Instead of stuff, get the family a vacation. Sure, it will be a delayed cash-in, but the memories you’ll make together will totally outweigh the Christmas day lack of stuff.
- Homemade coupons for services. These can be borderline lame, but if you give a service that is really worth it, they totally pay off. Give the kids a “get out of dishes” coupon. Younger kids love the idea that they have total control over that sort of stuff.
What are the BEST experiences you’ve been gifted?
~Mavis
PattyB says
I agree. Years ago, when I was a struggling single mom, I saved all year to be able to give my boys a bike each for Christmas. One bike was a used ready to ride beautiful bike. The other was all the parts to put a bike together for the son who only had a bike frame. They were thrilled, I was thrilled to be able to do this for them. In less than 3 months, both bikes were stolen. I couldn’t replace them. So I decided that thieves can’t steal memories so I took the kids on a “day trip” vacation, i.e. SeaWorld. They still remember both incidents but the SeaWorld experience was the best!
andrea d says
Great ideas! Another one… we have given Netflix subscriptions before. I’m always trying to get my MIL to do #4, ice skating lessons for my girls, but she has this idea that kids need toys to open- no matter how many times I tell her I don’t need more stuff to trip over. With five kids, the stuff really adds up fast.
Karen says
This is a great idea! I had been thinking about adding voice lessons (for me) and agility class (for my dog) to my wish list this year…
Chelsea says
My dad recently mentioned a few things he’d like to do, sort of a “bucket list”… He’s really not that old, by has diabetes, so it could catch up quick. He mentioned he wanted to go gliding, so I teamed up with my siblings, and we all got him a gliding gift certificate, with video. I think he’ll love it a lot more that the usual magazine subscription.
Mavis says
I love this.
Rochelle says
For my sons eighteenth birthday I gave him and his best friend glass blowing classes. They have them periodically on Groupon or Amazon Local. Great memories, fun pictures, and a marvelously wonky glass bowl.
😀
Stacy says
For the past 5 years I have had my 6 nieces & nephews spend the night during December for an experience. We’ve done everything from going on the Santa Train, The Nutcracker, Minute to Win it night, Zoo Lights, Christmas movies & this year we’re going to Walking with Dinosaurs. We always decorate gingerbread houses & have a special breakfast. This has become a tradition in which the young ones start asking me in November when I’m having them over. Not only do they have this great memory, it also gives mom & dad a night to finish up any shopping & wrapping they need to do.