Each year, as December rolls around, we find ourselves in the same festive frenzy – searching for gifts that strike the perfect balance of thoughtful, useful and within budget. We scour Oprah’s Favorite Things list, Google “this year’s hottest gifts” and make lists of what we think would be good gifts for family and friends. We wrap pajamas they probably already own, pick up another candle or settle on a pair of fuzzy socks they will likely forget they have by February. But, what if this year, you gave something different…something they will actually remember for years to come?
The Gift of Experiences
Instead of wrapping things that collect dust, why not give memories that last a lifetime? About 10 years ago, I just couldn’t think of a thing to give my BFFs that they didn’t already have, so I decided to give them an experience; one involving myself, too, so we would have a shared moment, a story and a chance to deepen our connection as friends.
Why Experiences Make Better Gifts
In a world where everyone is busy, offering your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. The first year that I gave an experience to my BFFs, Emily and Karen, I gifted them an afternoon at a local vineyard, Divine Llama, for a llama trek and a wine tasting. To say they had a good time would be an understatement. The trekking experience was out of the box for both of them. We spent that day together laughing, meeting baby llamas and talking about how we’d always have this day.
How many gifts end up in a donation pile or tucked away in the back of a closet? Experiences don’t require shelf space. There are no awkward sizes, no mismatched aesthetics and no exchanges necessary. No gift receipt is needed! In the years since that first experience, I have given concert tickets to my BFFs. Thankfully, we all like the same music, country, so I find the artists we either have never seen or those who are our favorites and get the best seats available.
Years from now, your friends won’t remember the scarf you gave them, but they’ll laugh about the llama that nipped at their hair or argue about who Tim McGraw really looked at when he smiled.
Other experiences that can be fun are wine paint nights, craft nights, dinner and a movie, or driving through the local holiday light display followed by dinner. Any activity that brings you and your friends together and makes memories is a good idea.
Memories > Merchandise
At the heart of the holidays is connection. While physical gifts can be fun, the moments you spend laughing, learning or simply being present with your friends will always outshine another pair of slippers or a candle in the year’s favorite scent.
This Christmas, ditch the predictable gifts and start building a collection of unforgettable memories. Your friends will thank you this year and for many more to come.
