The Christmas season is now well behind us, and we still
have another 10 months before we start to frantically shop for gifts. Admit it, often when you buy a gift, aren't
you just buying it because you feel obligated to? You may not know what to get some people on
your list such as your parents who have everything they need or your best
friend who can buy anything she needs.
If you routinely struggle with buying the perfect gift (and
who doesn't?), why not vow to do something different next holiday season.
Instead of buying "stuff" that your friends and
family may or may not appreciate, why not give experience gifts?
What Are Experience
Gifts?
Experience gifts are when you pay for your gift recipient to
have a fun adventure on your dime. There
are all sorts of experience gifts from the safest (such as taking a cooking
class) to the exhilarating (such as riding with a race car driver on a race
track) to the awe inspiring (such as visiting the Grand Canyon skywalk).
Experience gifts are likely to touch people emotionally more
than other gifts because you must listen to people and know their interests,
hobbies, wishes and dreams to pick the perfect experience gift.
A Gift That Won't
Soon Be Forgotten
Think. What gifts did
you receive for Christmas 2011? My guess
is that you can't remember. What about
Christmas 2012? That holiday is only a
few weeks removed, but you may still have trouble remembering what gift you
received.
The gift of experience is different. Give someone a gift of experience, and they
won't soon forget it. In fact, they may
remember it for the rest of their lives.
Perfect for Any Event
While you may just think of giving a gift of experience for
Christmas, they are also well-suited for Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays
and anniversaries.
If you can afford it, you may challenge yourself to give a
gift of experience each year or for each major present giving occasion in a
calendar year. Your friend or family
member will look forward to your gift more than any other.
While friends and family may seem to love the traditional
gifts you give, chances are, they are probably indifferent or dissatisfied with
your gift. Next year, give the gift of
something they have always wanted to do, and they won't be able to stop telling
you how much they loved their gift.
