Father’s Day was a few weeks ago and so was K’s birthday. Both received the gift of an experience from me. My dad has always wanted to do an architectural boat tour on the Chicago River and K got a much-needed massage gift certificate.
Overall, I consider myself to be a pretty good gift giver. I listen throughout the year and make notes on my phone about things people would be interested in. Did you mention in a conversation you would love to learn how to scuba dive? Awesome! I will be taking note.
As I have gotten older, my wish lists have gotten shorter. I would rather receive an experience or activity rather than another sweater. I have even had to make actual requests to my mother to tone it down at Christmas. (sorry mom!)
I don’t need too much anymore, and right now I legitimately have nowhere to put it in our tiny apartment.
If you are having trouble thinking of good “gift of an experience,” here are a few I have either given or have received:
- tickets to hockey games
- tickets to baseball games
- trapeze lessons
- massages
- segway tour
- flight in a WWII plane
- indoor skydiving
- cooking lessons
- money towards specific honeymoon activities
- tickets to see Anthony Bourdain
- knitting lessons
- yoga passes
The Winter Classic in Washington, DC
Learning trapeze
Anthony Bourdain at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago
The point is, I do not need/want a tangible item for every occasion. Being able to do/see things I normally would not spend my money on is the real joy. The gift of an experience has allowed me to I swing on a trapeze, learn to cook pasta, and knit a million scarves!
waste not want not 