Inside:Why giving Experience Gifts instead of toys and other things has been one of the best decisions we ever made.
Do you feel like your kids already have TOO MUCH STUFF and then birthday or the holidays come along and they just get MORE STUFF? Gifts of toys and stuffed animals and just general crap they don’t need.
Plus, even the STUFF they really think they want, they get tired of after just a few days. Then it ends up in the toy graveyard at the bottom of their closet or their toy bin – abandoned, unused and broken.
I think that we’re a generation of parents who are finally saying ENOUGH to the STUFF!
This is why several years ago, we started giving experience gifts in place of things. I’ve found, and my kids would enthusiastically agree, that this has been such a positive alternative for our family.
Make Lasting Memories
The reality is, as an adult, you probably would have a hard time listing off the gifts you received on your 8th Christmas. On the other hand, you probably have no trouble recalling a trip to the circus, playing Little League, or a family vacation.
If most of us were to really recall our childhoods, we would find that all the things we’d been given were nice, but the memories that we treasure are the experiences we had with our family.
Most of our kids have generous grandparents and other relatives, who with good intentions, lovingly load up our children’s rooms and our houses with all the latest toys, gizmos and gadgets. But it’s gotten to be too much. Our kids don’t appreciate it the way they should and it only contributes to the nurturing of an entitled generation.
This was why, many years ago, we discussed our plan with all those well-meaning grandparents, aunts, uncles and others, to shift gift giving occasions away from things and more towards experiences.
Most were very receptive and enthusiastically gave their full support to gifting activities similar to what you’ll find below.
It really is a win for everyone. Because it has given us reasons to spend quality time together as a family and it has become something my children look forward to each year.
We’re providing ideas below and hope you may find some inspiration for experience gifts that will create meaningful and long lasting memories sure to outlast any toy.
Ideas for Unique Experience Gifts
1. Online Classes
A Year Of Doodles– I LOVE this concept for so many reasons!
It’s like an extracurricular activity that you don’t have to leave home to attend! Stephanie Corfee offers amazing online classes for kids to practice art via doodling. I’ve posted before about some of our doodle projects and I’m a fan of this program. By enrolling in the the classes, your family gains unlimited access to the video lessons forever. Even after the class ends!
There is a new video each month and you can work at your own pace. Everything is geared towards children. So, it’s easy to set the kiddos up with some supplies(paper, markers, crayons) and a laptop/tablet while you’re busy with something else or join the fun right alongside them! Video art lessons that’ll provide hours of entertainment, encourage creativity, and last for a year, all for $35? This one’s a no brainer!
Another great option for online courses for kids is Jam.comThey offer everything from animation to cooking and lego to minecraft. You can open up a world of opportunity that will last far longer than any material good.
2. Tickets To Special Events
At some point in the coming months, chances are pretty good that a circus, Disney on Ice, a fabulous concert or some other live show will visit somewhere near where you live.
Tickets to any of those events would be a terrific way to gift an experience. Take a look here, enter the city you’re looking for shows in and you’ll be able to see calendars for the coming year. Also, don’t forget about local fairs, festivals, dinner theaters, rodeos, sporting events, or car races.
It’s not only giving a fun experience with lasting memories, it’s a change to spend time together as a family. And think beyond just mom and dad, grandparents can also attend these types of events with the kids. It will give them a whole different perspective and can be a way to bridge the generation gap doing something they both will enjoy.
3. Annual Passes
This is a favorite in our family. Becoming a member at a local museum or zoo is something the entire family will enjoy over and over again. Many of these memberships are part of a reciprocity program so that even if you’re traveling, you’ll get free/reduced admissions to other museums/zoos around the country.
Search for science museums, zoos and aquariums, or history museums/gardens by geographical locale. If you live near a theme park, annual passes are a welcome treat and usually more cost effective than single day admission prices. Don’t forget about water parks and attractions open seasonally as well!
4. Local Eats, Treats, and Places To Meet
Gift cards for ice cream, FroYo, the local food chain with a playground, movie tickets, a round of mini golf, a pass to the community pool, or indoor trampoline park are all fabulous gifts that families will enjoy. These are big helps when there is no school or to reward an accomplishment!
5. Lessons/Tuition/Youth Sports
Families with multiple kids are hit pretty hard when it comes to extracurriculars. Whether it is Summer camp, dance, music lessons, or a sport a child wants to try, the expenses for required equipment and the actual participation fees add up quickly.
Although you may not be able to gift an entire year of ballet classes, maybe you could pay for a week of ballet camp. How about chipping in for Summer camp, purchasing some sporting equipment for that young athlete, or helping purchase an instrument a child has committed to? With 4 kids, all with various interests, this would be a HUGE help and expand our options!
6. Special Trip/Vacation
When the kids are old enough to travel well, it can be exciting to change things up. Take a vacation to an opposite climate during the holidays or to celebrate a milestone birthday. The adults in our extended family decided to forgo giving gifts for holidays and birthdays and instead we take an annual trip to the mountains together.
Those memories are priceless and way better than a cute sweater or random home decor item. Our kids have chosen a trip to a theme park or family getaway over a traditional birthday party several times and we all have those times to laugh over again and again!
Hopefully, these ideas have sparked your imagination and made you think about giving lifetime memories with experience gifts instead of a material object.
Presents that are fun to experience are so much fun to give and receive!
If you’re looking for some other unique gift ideas check out:
The Best Subscription Boxes for Kids
Gross Gifts for Boys; Icky Fun They Will Love
Battery Free Gifts for Kids; Tech Free Can Still Be Fun!
Do you have any other ideas for experience gifts?
Shelley says
I really enjoyed this post! Thanks for the reminder that experiences are more memorable than gifts. I can hardly remember any gifts from last Christmas. I’m definitely trying “a year of doodles” for my daughter!
Cat says
Love that someone else is doing this! This year I directed our kids to fill out their lists with 4 categories, but no more than 5 items in each category… Something I Want; Something I Need; Something to Read; Something to Do. I got this idea from this family’s 4 gift rule (http://hugsandpunches.com/how-we-do-christmas/) and decided to start with the list first.
See my kids “suffer” from Too Many Grandparents-itist as well and between step parents and step parents with step parents they are truly blessed with too much love (and gifts) during the holidays. Usually my requests for toy alternatives were brushed off, but this year with the KIDS requesting specific wants, needs, reads, & dos, I’m getting more positive feedback!
At first my kids couldn’t think of anything they needed or anything to do, but after we talked about needs vs wants and activities they’ve been begging to do, they completed their lists quickly. For example: My 10 y/o son said he “needs” jeans so he doesn’t have to wash laundry so often (a valid request since he is down to 1 pair after his growth spurt); my 5 y/o daughter wants to go to her favorite pizza place for dinner with her family as a “do”; my 11 y/o stepson wants a whole series of books as his “read” so he can read them over again with having to check them out from the library (his words!).. And don’t tell the kids but us parents are probably making them this DIY tent for a group kid’s gift (http://blog.bitsofeverything.com/2014/08/diy-fort-kit.html).
Fingers crossed this starts a new tradition in our family! I’m happy to tell everyone who asks that I’ve already finished my Christmas shopping because I never started! Each kid will get something from their “Do” list from me and I’m hoping as time goes on my kids will tell their kids, “I always remembered mom took me to _____ every year at Christmas. I have the best memories of that.” Warms my heart already. Thanks for listening, GREAT IDEA! Keep it up!
Nidia says
I am feeling so grateful after reading all the comments and feeling this is an answer to my prayers! Thanks…my thanksgiving dinner is going to be great! Love you all!
Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green says
My husband and I take a trip nearby each year near Christmas time for part of gift. It’s so much fun and we don’t have to try to find room for more things.
My parents, brother, husband and I also do something together each year as part of our gifts. One year we’ve gone to a NBA game, a concert, and a nice dinner out of town and a fancy movie theater. We always have a great time!
I found you on the Pinworth Projects Link Party.
AmieJo says
I love this idea. I think this is something I will have to talk to my husband about doing.
Erin Kennedy says
I have actually never heard of this, but it is such a great idea. Love your ideas and pics!
Aisha says
Great tips! i love experiences over physical things anyways. Last year my boyfriend surprised me with a trip to Washington DC!
Kim says
Looking back, the memories I treasure most are the experiences I have shared with people that I love and value. You are on the right track with these recommendations.
Jen @ The Halfway Homemaker says
We try to do experience gifts as well. My husband’s 40th birthday gift was a family trip to Hawaii.
Sarah White says
Great ideas! I’ve been really thinking of getting our family a “family gift” of yearly passes to a local children’s museum so that we can go often. I think these kinds of gifts are really great!
Jessica Doll says
I love this concept! Last year we all planned to take a vacation together instead of exchanging gifts.
Caroline says
Those are really great ideas and I know kids appreciate those gifts a lot more then toys!!!
Jeanette Ford says
Great Tips! With 4 kids it is hard to pay for all the activities they want to do. This is a great idea. And thanks for reminding me I wanted to check for Disney on ice tickets. LOL
naima says
This is the greatest alternative I’ve ever seen as an alternative to tangible gifts ever. I definitely will use this when i have children
Leigh Powell Hines says
I really love this post because it’s how I spend a lot of my life daily. My kids don’t have as much material possessions as others, especially when I go in other’s homes and see for myself. My kids have plenty, but I prefer to spend out money on experiences and trips.
Amanda {Planning It All} says
I love gifting experiences – my parents are both retired and have downsized to a 2-bedroom condo so they do not have space for anymore “stuff” so I’ve been brainstorming ideas for experiences instead. Great list!
Danielle K says
I love this. My son honestly has so much stuff that I would much rather have experiences with him than more toys.
Lauren says
This is such a great idea! I need to start incorporating this into my Christmas traditions!
xoxo
Lauren
http://www.dressingdallas.com
Alana (@ I have a Future and a Hope) says
My kids love getting to do things as a family instead of physical toys. One of their favorite things is going to a hotel near by that has an indoor water park at Christmas and spending a few days there. If I ask them what they remember the most, it’s our trips as a family. 🙂
Erin says
This is SO true! The experiences are always so much more memorable than the physical gifts. This year my mom bought the whole family tickets to the Lion King for Christmas so we can all have a night out together 🙂
Patti says
Great ideas and I agree. My husband’s only brother is turning 50 so for his gift they are going on a weekend trip together and bought tickets to a tournament ball game.
Kira Lewis says
That’s fantastic! How much fun!
Lani @ Life Anchored says
We’re getting a family pass to the children’s museum this year as our gift for our little guy.
Kristine @ Big Dreams, Shallow Pockets says
Memories are sooo much better than things. My grandmother used to always give us memberships to the zoo and what an amazing gift that was! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Susan Mahlburg says
I was JUST telling my husband that what I really want for Christmas is a date night!
Cajun says
This is a great idea! Last year, my sister and I got my mother and Aunt concert tickets to see Cher. IT. WAS. E-P-I-C!!!!!!!! Just them opening the gift was so gratifying, and we still had to wait until March 31 until the concert. But then getting to take them to see their idol was so awesome. I don;t think we will ever be able to top that experience. It was fantastic and highly reccommended.
Ricci says
This is a fantastic idea!! I have 5 nieces and 2 nephews and I feel like I never know what to get them!! I think gift cards to their favorite stores/things they need for their various extracurricular activities would be a great gift!!
Neely says
My husband and I are big on gifting experiences. For the first birthday we spent together(they are a day apart) we took a vacation. We would rather have memories than things.
Hannah Diane says
This is such a great idea! Love it!
Karen says
Those are wonderful ideas to do instead of buying all toys for the kids.