Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the Holiday season is finally here. Some of you may be stressing out about what gifts to buy, how much money you’re spending, whether so-and-so will like this present, etc.
In this article lies the answer to all of your Holiday gift-giving problems. All you have to do is think outside of the gift box.
Possessions are nice, yes, but they rarely make a meaningful impression on anyone. The truth is, unless you hand-make a present or give something super creative with a story behind it, your gift runs the risk of not having a lasting effect on the recipient.
How many times have you received a gift that you never used or never wore? How many gifts have you returned to the store? Â Giving someone something they can experience is more likely to be enjoyed than something they might use.
Studies show that we appreciate experiences more than physical gifts. Experiences become part of our identity. We can relate to our experiences more so than the possessions in our lives.
Looking at a photo or a souvenir from an fun experience brings back a flood of emotions and memories of those people and that adventure. Experiences also foster relationships. People love to talk about fun things they have done, places they’ve been, and things they’ve seen.
Giving someone an experience can be as elaborate as you want it to be. Â It could be as simple as a trip to a local venue like a concert, sporting event, movie theatre or restaurant; or as extravagant as a surprise vacation to Europe.
A great way to save money and find fun things to do in your area are sites like Groupon, Living Social, Dealster and DealOn that offer short-term discounts on anything from restaurants, to getaways, to merchandise. Â
For the outdoorsy person:
- a trip to the mountains or the beach
- a hiking trip
- rock climbing
- sky diving
- bike tour
- horseback riding
- rafting
- hot air balloon ride
- kayaking
For the music lover:
- concert tickets
- instrument lessons
For indulgent gifts:
- tickets to a beer/wine/chocolate tasting event
- cooking classes
- tickets to a food festival
- gift card for a spa or massage
For the fine entertainment lover:
- tickets to a play
- tickets to a comedy show
- tickets to a dance performance or movie theatre
- dancing lessons, etc.
For the athletic person:
- tickets to a sporting event
- an entry to a race (if he/she is a runner/triathlete/cyclist), Warrior Dash, or Mud Run
- surfing lessons
- personal trainer sessions
Another thing to remember is that a shared experience is even better than a solitary experience. Loved ones love to spend time with each other so a gift that you can enjoy together is definitely a bonus. For example, if your dad loves to golf, buy him a few rounds of golf; he would probably love it more if you joined him for a game or two.
The point is to be creative and think about the person you are trying to surprise. Ask yourself what kind of person they are. What things do they like to do? What is something you could do together?
Have a great holiday and remember that a good gift does not need to be in a box with wrapping paper and a bow.
Sources:
Gift (photo): http://lacedwithgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/gift.jpg
Experience (photo): http://www.masternewmedia.org/images/experience_id490147_size400.jpg
Sports (photo): http://onlinehorsebets.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/sports-betting.jpg
Mic (photo): http://www.iebermuda.com/images/EntertainmentPic.jpg
Groupon/Living Social Photo (photo): http://www.savoyswing.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Groupon_LivingSocial.png
Research:
Physorg (photo): http://www.physorg.com/news189277732.html
Consumerism Commentary (photo): http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/holiday-gift-experience/