Experiences as gifts… loving this blooming tradition!

I recently posted about a trip my daughter and I took to Ocean City this winter. This came from my daughter asking for and getting a local trip for Christmas last year. And, it’s the best tradition ever!

My 11-year-old daughter has gotten to an age where she does not want many toys but has not started to care enough about clothes and shoes to ask for a bunch of that for holidays. Because of that, a year ago, she started asking for experiences.  

Last Christmas she asked for a trip. Santa provided the hotel and an experience, and I paid for the rest. We did a local visit to a fun area in DC only about 30 minutes away.  My daughter and I both love hotels so we did not need
to go far to enjoy a night away.

Then came her birthday, and again, she did not have any huge wants, so we went to a concert, and she brought two friends.

So, when Christmas came around this year, she knew exactly what she wanted… another trip. This time she asked for 2 nights so that we could really enjoy without feeling rushed.

I know there may eventually be Lululemon clothes on her list or she may want to upgrade from her from her Kookaburra to full Uggs, but I hope the Christmas trip always happens.  In fact, I want to plan something similar with my son before he graduates. The one-on-one time with the kids gets less and less as they get older and I genuinely cherish it.  It would be harder for my husband because of his back injury, but I may even try to see if we could make something work around that for him.

I should add that my kids have several grandparents still living.  That blesses them with fun and love and stories.  It also gives them a chance to ask for an extra gift or two for holidays.

I know this won’t be for everyone, or every stage, but I highly encourage experiences as gifts. It doesn’t have to be a trip, it could be a membership to the aquarium or a sporting event. But, if it works for you, those memories will last forever. Give it a try.

Let me know in the comments if you need some ideas.  I would be happy to throw some out.