Experiences over stuff
I have 4 children. They all range from 5 years old to 7 months old and they all have toys. As you can imagine, our house is full to the brim and every Christmas we of course add more.
This Christmas, I’m going to try to choose experiences over things as gifts. I want my kids to have the opportunity to try new things that maybe mom and dad can’t do with them or provide for them. I want to encourage creativity and thinking and sometimes things don’t always offer those opportunities.
So our kids will probably ask for toys ( LEGO is already on their lists) we are also going to ask for experiences too. So what does this look like?
Ask for memberships
Every year for the past 3-4 Christmases I have asked my parents for a Phoenix Zoo membership for the kids and I. My kids love going and I love getting them out of the house. I find that most memberships (including the zoo) pay for themselves and are worth their money in a few visits. Some other memberships I may look into (since my kids are getting older) will be the Phoenix Children’s Museum, IDEA Museum in Mesa, or the Arizona Science center. Besides museums you can also get memberships to attractions like Odysea, McCormick Stillman Railroad park or any of the jump gyms. I love getting my kids out and about and if it’s “free” even better.
Trying a new hobby or lessons
For my daughter’s 2nd birthday we asked Nini if she’d get a dance lessons for her. We were able to find a relatively inexpensive class for her to join and she loved it. Since it is something she enjoys I will probably gift her lessons again. I have friends and family members who have received gifts of swim lessons or music lessons. It’s a fun way for grandparents to give something that maybe mom and dad couldn’t provide.
Subscription boxes
Technically this is still “stuff” but it’s consumable and usually creative. I did some research on what was out there since I have kids just now getting to the appropriate age for boxes. I found that Kiwi Crate has boxes for babies-preschoolers ( Tadpole and Koala Crate) and for kids aged 5-8 ( Kiwi Crate). I like that they encourage creativity and learning in consumable materials. There are even cooking ones that deliver ingredients and materials needed to make creative foods! I will probably ask for one of these for my little baker, Jace.
One on one time experiences or vacations
This last one I think is the most valuable. As a child, my favorite “gifts” were the one on one experiences I had with those I loved. My grandma took me (or my cousins and I) to special places like Build A Bear, As You Wish, or the movies. Vacations can also count as an exciting Christmas gift, especially when the whole family gets to go together.
The purpose of trying to gift more experiences is to find a gift that keep giving and expanding my kids’ mind, talents or creativity.
I’m with you Abby! I absolutely agree that experiences trump things. I’m not just saying that because I sell experiences, either! 🙂 My daughter, now 10, realizes the value of spending time with family. She really loved a short weekend trip we had to the ocean with Grandpa Dave. Of course, trips to Disneyland are always on the list, too. I bought a handful of small gifts this year, but she only asked for a couple things 1.) a premium membership to Prodigy, a math program used at school and 2.) tickets to a musical in April.
I’m hoping the next few years we will spend more time together exploring and that we won’t continue to accumulate more stuff! Merry Christmas!