We are in full swing of the gift buying season and for many of us this is a stressful time of year. What can we give our loved ones that will actually mean something?  Thinking of fun and unique Christmas gifts each year can be quite a challenge.  It can often turn into what should be the “true joy of gift giving” into a tiresome chore.

Then on Christmas Day we have to find something polite to say about the unwanted gifts. We find ourselves with more stuff to take care of whether we like it or not.  Do we really need another sweater, kitchen gadget, or bottle of cologne?

So instead of spending money on presents of “stuff”, give the gift of “an experience”!  For the past few years, I have given my son and daughter-in-law a gift of experience that we can share together.  Last year the four of us spent an afternoon and evening together catching a play and dinner in L.A.  Once my husband and son took a cooking class together.  They loved learning new culinary tips and spending time together.

It is often more fun to anticipate an experience in the future than to wait for a tangible present. That is because while the stuff we own grows old and obsolete, memories of things we experience are etched in our hearts and minds.

Here are a few ideas for “experience” gifts you may consider giving:

• Tickets to a sporting event, or live stage production
• The gift of learning: Take a class together in something like art, cooking, sailing, or photography
• A gift certificate for dinner and a movie
• Spend the day at a museum or amusement park
• Take a scenic train ride with your family or splurge for a mini-vacation

Many people resist giving these types of gift because they are unsure of how to present it. Try using beautiful stationery to describe in detail the “experience” and deliver in a gift bag.  You might want to give a brochure or photos of the “experience”, place in a box and wrap with pretty Christmas paper.

Giving “experiences” rather than tangible gifts works for three main reasons:

• There are no material items that the other person will have to deal with
•  It will stand out in comparison to other gifts
•  It can allow the giver and receiver to experience the gift together

There are so many ways to make this Christmas season less about the presents and more about amazing experiences that will be remembered long after the packaged gifts are gone. I would love to hear what you do to make this season special and less materialistic.   Please comment below and share your thoughts and tips.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:11