Experience Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

It’s the season of joy and giving, and nothing brings me more happiness than showering those I love with gifts I think they’ll enjoy. In fact, shopping for the perfect gift in a little shop playing Christmas songs, or wrapping a special item in festive paper is one of my very favorite seasonal activities. I love to check people off my lists, drop gifts at my neighbor’s door, and watch my kids’ faces light up when they unwrap something they’ve hoped for.

But.

With all that joy and giving can come an excess of….stuff. Sometimes it sparks joy for a minute or a day, but then accumulates in the back of a closet or stuffed under someone’s bed. Sometimes it feels like our house is bursting at the seams with too. much. Stuff. And as much as I love shopping for my kids, they can accumulate STUFF faster than anyone. Stuffies. Barbies. Hot Wheels. Pokemon Cards. Teeny tiny legos and miniature figurines. Kids’ toys are so much fun to buy, and so, so easy to make your house a disaster. Or at least, that’s how it feels at my house.

That’s why last year we started requesting specific experiences for our kids from family members. My daughter was gifted a week of horseback riding camp by her grandma. My son was gifted tennis lessons. This year, we hope to expand those “experiences” and prioritize gifts that don’t take up space in our house.

If you’re anything like me, and gifts have become a bit overwhelming in volume and are starting to clutter up your bedrooms, living rooms and hallways, try an experience (or two!) this year. To get you brainstorming ideas for your own shopping list this year, I’ve put together some of my very favorite experience options. Good luck and happy shopping!