So a few years ago I started looking around at the massive amount of toys my children accumulated over the years between holidays and birthdays and I was mad. I was mad about two things specifically -- the amount of space these objects took up and the amount of time spent playing with them. Now, don't get me wrong. I LOVE that my kids have toys and play so nicely with them and each other but when I thought about it I started to notice how they always played with the same toys. They were never playing with the shiny new toys that they "had to have!" Those were the toys taking up space in my house. Those were the toys that had me angry. It was at this moment of momma-madness that I came to the decision that my children were not going to get new toys! So, I am sure you read that and whispered to yourself... or maybe you said it quite loudly... "What a mean mom!" It's okay. It does sound harsh... but I promise it wasn't. I decided at that very moment that my kids needed experiences more than toys. They needed to go places and do things and create memories rather than have a pile of toys sitting around my house. See where I am going with this? I told you I wasn't a mean mom... at least at this moment in time... only on occasion!
So like I said, this started a few years ago and I can tell you it is still going strong. Now for Christmas and birthdays, we ask family members for different experiences or memberships for the kids rather than toys. Do they still get toys? Of course, they do! However, they get far less and appreciate what they get so much more now. So what kind of experiences am I talking about? There are so many different options! Here are a few of my favorites that my kids have gotten over the years that they loved and a few that are in the list for Christmas and birthdays this year!
Memberships:
We always ask for a family membership to a local kid fun place that is close enough that I wouldn't mind making the drive a couple times a month. We are fortunate that we live near a science center and zoo but we also look for places like bounce places or indoor trampoline parks. We try to ask for memberships to places both kids can enjoy together and get a family membership we can all use.
Classes:
If your kids are into sports or hobbies that you pay for classes for, why not ask for family members to sponsor a month of that class? Whether its gymnastics, dance, or karate, classes are a great gift. It is also a great way to introduce your kiddo to something new. You can ask family members to sponsor something they have never tried before to see if they like it. Those first free classes don't always give a great idea of how they are going to feel after a couple classes, but a month provides a great experience and idea on whether or not they want to stick to it.
Tickets:
We ask for amusement park tickets or tickets to a place we have to travel a little farther for and might only go once or twice a year. This gives the kiddos to chance to experience something not as close and the rarity of it adds to the excitement. We also ask for tickets to special events, like shows, that are traveling in our city or nearby. This gives us something to countdown and look forward to!
Speaking of tickets, what about tickets to their favorite sporting event or to see their favorite team? We have a few local teams near us and love to get tickets to a ballgame each year. You might even be able to find stadium tours to add something a little extra to the experience.
Subscriptions:
Whether it is a subscription box or magazine subscriptions, these are great options for the gift that keeps on giving all year long! You can find an option that fits perfect with the age and personally of the kiddo and they can look forward to getting their package in the mail each month!
There are so many options to reduce the clutter, I mean give the gift of experiences all year long. Gifting experiences gives memories that will last a lifetime rather than toys that will last a few days.
Nicole Zawidski is the publisher of Bethlehem Macaroni Kid. She strongly believes in the power of gifting memories and uses the Macaroni Kid Event Calendar to help find those amazing experiences to gift. She recommends subscribing to the e-newsletter to get the inside scoop on the area plus the free event calendar delivered directly to your inbox each week.
