Give the Gift of Memories: Experience-Based Gifts for the Holidays

The last newsletter focused on the Three Gift Rule and how it can help us focus on giving meaningful gifts this holiday season. Today, let’s think about how giving our kids experiences can build lasting memories. Experience-based gifts don’t just minimize the clutter in our homes—they can also strengthen bonds and encourage kids to explore new interests.
Here are some practical ideas that can be tailored to your budget:

1. Backyard or Living Room Campout: If you have a tent or are an excellent blanket fort maker, you can make this a reality! Grab sleeping bags and flashlights, and make s’mores over the fire or in the microwave. Your kids are sure to remember this one for a long time.
   
2. Sledding Adventure: Make memories with your kids by taking them sledding! Bundle up, grab the sleds, and head to a hill you haven’t been to before (or pick your favorite!). End the day by coming home and having hot chocolate and marshmallows and laughing about all the times everyone fell off!
3. Baking Day: Let your kid choose their favorite recipes and spend a day in the kitchen making them. From sugar cookies to puppy chow, the options are endless, and I guarantee your kiddo will want to do it again.
4. Lessons or Classes: Has your child been asking to learn how to play the guitar or play a certain sport? Maybe they want to get better at art or learn how to decorate cakes. Why not give it to them as a gift? This is a great way to let your kids experience and explore different interests they have.
5. ​Tickets to an Event: If your kid loves a particular sport, try to find tickets to a high school, college, semi-pro or pro game you could attend together. If they are into theater, check out what’s playing at your local children’s theater or at the high school. Make a date of it and grab dessert afterwards.
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There truly are a lot of possibilities for experience-based gifts. These types of gifts make us think about each of our children and what they really like, making them thoughtful and meaningful. As Jesse Jackson said, “Children need your presence more than your presents."  My challenge to you in this upcoming season is to look for ways to connect with your children, because a strong parent-child relationship is built through moments of connection and being present in their lives. If you have friends who are in the same stage of parenting as you, forward this newsletter to them, and then challenge each other to be creative in giving experience-based gifts this season - you won’t regret it!