Forget Packages, Boxes, and Bags... Experiences are the New Top Gift

Monday, December 2, 2019


holidays, Christmas, Christmas gifts, gift guide, unique gift ideas, unique present idea

This post is a collaborative post. As always, all opinions and ideas are entirely my own.

The holidays are upon us! While they bring a lot of togetherness, happy memories and festive cheer, they can also bring some not-so-welcome things – such as the pressures of gift-giving and the massive tide of consumerism from Black Friday onwards…


Quite often, a well-intentioned gift is actually the source of a lot of stress, both for the giver and the receiver. Knowing someone well enough to really understand what they’d like, feeling the burden of getting someone a gift solely because they bought you one, or the pressure of delivering a magical experience, all adds up to a great deal of negative feelings around what should be a celebratory merry time of year.

holidays, Christmas, Christmas gifts, gift guide, unique gift ideas, unique present idea


More and more of us are now finding the solution to this holiday stress is giving experiences as gifts. Experiential gifts can be super thoughtful, highly rewarding to give and help put the magic back into a wonderful time of year. Whether it's finding no service fee tickets to that must-see show, doing something different like a cookery class, or even receiving something homemade like a book of vouchers for help around the house, you can give and gain some wonderful memories! And what could be more in the holiday spirit than that?

holidays, Christmas, Christmas gifts, gift guide, unique gift ideas, unique present idea

A Gift That Lasts

Plenty of people really enjoy the act of gift-giving - finding, wrapping and passing on the perfect item for a loved one. But even if you enjoy that part, dealing with what comes after - the paper and toys on the floor, the additional clutter, and if you have kids, the endless supply of small plastic parts everywhere - can be much less fun. Everyone knows how quickly the joy of the latest must-have toy or gadget can fade. As proven by the popularity of decluttering experts such as Marie Kondo, most of us are beginning to feel a little overwhelmed by how much stuff we own. The average home in the U.S. owns over 300,000 items! That is a lot of stuff that rules our lives and may no longer give us the joy it originally did.

Experiences for All


Extensive research published in the Journal of Psychological Science has shown in empirical terms what we already knew - that experiences give us more lasting happiness than material possessions. Experiences also provide a wonderful opportunity to strengthen bonds with friends and family members, with the anticipation of the event providing almost as much happiness as the event itself - truly the gift which keeps on giving. Encourage the wider family to get in on the act as well. Things like annual memberships to zoos or science centers, tickets for a big sports match, or even a weekend away can give extended family members a chance to bond, as well as giving a truly memorable present.

holidays, Christmas, Christmas gifts, gift guide, unique gift ideas, unique present idea

Call it a Millennial Thing

There have been countless reports on millennials and how they want to be wowed by experiences. They don’t need materialistic things (except for the latest camera phone so that they can post their experiences on the gram). They want to do and live with loved ones. Take a hint from the millennials and scrap the wrapping paper products this year. Surprise someone with a coffee gift card with a required catch up attached to it. Nothing is as great a gift as your time.

The Who’s of Whooville were on to something when they realized Christmas could still be without the materialistic things. “And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.” Don’t let the pressures of the season get to you by trying to find that one thing for that one person. Find an experience they can enjoy with loved ones and give them the gifts of memories that will last a life time.



holidays, Christmas, Christmas gifts, gift guide, unique gift ideas, unique present idea



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