There has been a bit of a surge in interest in the last few years
about experience gifts versus physical gifts. With the popularization of
minimalism, sustainability, and intentional living, experience gifts seem like
a no-brainer. As a parent, I completely see the merits of limiting the “stuff”
and avoiding overwhelm – not only for your children, but also for you as the
parent keeping it all in order! I have been brainstorming what we could gift to
Isabelle this year and came up with these ideas.
Weekly
Activities/Clubs
If your child is involved in a regular, scheduled activity, or if
there is something you were thinking of signing them up for, this makes a great
gift! Dance, swimming, gymnastics, hockey, music – the possibilities are
endless. As for what they can actually open on Christmas morning, you could
purchase something they need for the class or activity. A bodysuit and tights
for dance, a swimsuit for swimming lessons, skates for hockey, etc. Or, you
could give them a small toy that emulates the activity, which you could use to
help explain the activity if it is new to them or they are very young.
Visit to
Local Attractions
You likely have a museum, children’s centre, or special local
attraction available to you – why not get your child a pass to that? They will
have fun spending time with you, and it would likely be educational, too.
Road Trip
This might not be for all children or families, especially if time
in the car is more stressful than fun. But if you like short trips, consider a
road trip to somewhere new or somewhere you have been before but could explore
a little more.
Family
Vacation
While a road trip could definitely be seen as a family vacation,
this category is meant to be more of a larger vacation. Some families like to
forgo presents to take a trip together instead. I am a huge fan of this idea,
if your budget can accommodate it.
A Visit to
the Bookstore or Library
Instead of purchasing your child books to open on Christmas Day,
let them know that you will spend an afternoon together choosing a few books
for them to enjoy. This can be at a bookstore or a library, but the key
component is spending time together looking through all of the options and
making the selection together.
I came up with plenty more ideas for older children, but it was a
little bit harder to think of things that made sense for toddlers. What else
would you add to the list?
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