Why Gifting Experiences Might Be the Best Idea This Year

“Just the right thing” may not be a thing at all. By giving experiences instead of things, we can focus on the real goals of exchanging gifts.

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While it can be joyful and exciting to partake in this season of gift-giving, there’s a fine line between finding a gift that its recipient will truly enjoy, and just buying them something, anything: Does Uncle Fred really need another tie? He’s so hard to buy for. What does that guy want, anyway?! When we’re feeling the pressure to get everything done to prepare for the holidays, gift-giving can end up being rushed, stressful, maybe even a little mindless. 

But it’s not so difficult to shift toward a more mindful way of gifting, such as gifting experiences, instead of more items they may not want or need. This could mean anything from an offer to cook and eat a meal with them, to a ticket for a special event, workshop, or class, to an online course. By gifting experiences instead of things, we can focus on the real goals of exchanging gifts: to express love and generosity to the people we care about, create opportunities to connect with them, and contribute to their greater well-being and happiness.

By gifting experiences instead of things, we can focus on the real goals of…