Buying gifts is so special but often an experience is something that will last much longer. On day 7 of Blogmas, I want to share how to give the gift of 12 months of fun as an alternative to a traditional gift.
Why an experience over a gift?
A gift is lovely, there is no denying that. I love to give gifts to people and see them enjoy it. Often the enjoyment is fleeting though. Maybe it is a gift that has one use or is fairly disposable.
This is where the gift of experience differs. An experience can last forever thanks to the memories it gives the receiver. A gift that offers family, a couple or even friends time together is worth so much more than any other thing you could give.
I think 2020 has taught us how valuable time is and to make the very most of it. Taught us that slowing down while making sure we invest our time with those we love.
It’s also taught us that actually having no plans is OK for a bit but we need freedom and plans, something to be excited about and look forward to. This is the perfect year to gift fun!
How to give the gift of 12 months of fun
Now how can you gift Fun? It’s really simple if you just think outside the box a little. Of course there are lots of things you could gift that would be fun. Family games for example would be lots of fun. But its hardly an experience.
Instead, what about 12 gifts, one for each month that will mean fun and memories for all? All you need is 12 envelopes, a notepad, some money in some cases and a little forward planning! Below are a list of ideas for the people you might be buying for this year.
Family fun
A national Trust Pass
A cinema pass
Meal Voucher
Tickets to your favourite Zoo
Day out at your favourite theme park
Ice creams at the seaside (For this you could put the money in an envelope and surprise them)
Merlin family pass
Membership to local swimming pool
TV Streaming subscription
Afternoon Tea
Weekend away
Spa Day
Train tickets to somewhere exciting
Family photoshoot
Shopping vouchers
Voucher for ice skating
Tickets to the theatre
Concert tickets
Pantomime tickets
Book a day out on a coach trip
There are so many wonderful experiences you can gift to your loved ones this year. Places like Groupon and Red Letter days are perfect for these kind of gifts.
Do you like the idea of an experience over a gift? Have you ever given an experience to someone, How was it received?
Snap! My post today is about gifting experiences instead of things. Such a fabulous idea.
What a great post, I love the idea of something that lasts the whole year. A National Trust Pass is something I kind of want for myself, haha!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Actually good ideas!
Great idea! I also prefer getting experiences over gifts (that I may not like). Also, an experience might be something to look forward to, especially after the year we’ve had.
All the best, Michelle (michellesclutterbox.com)
This is such a great post! I love the idea of giving experiences over gifts! Thanks for sharing!
What great ideas, I have just set up a subscription under my Daughters name to sponsor a hearing dog
Great ideas here. I love getting experiences as a gift. I just love the opportunity to make memories and experience something. Although we haven’t given any experiences this year because I’m worried we won’t be able to bloody do any of them haha x
Yes! This can be a great idea! Family experiences and making memories is much better than a material object.
Such a lovely idea! I really like the idea of experiences rather than objects, I’ll deffo look into that next year for a more minimalist life x
I think it’s a great idea to buy a gift for someone that last 12 months, buying an experience for someone probably means more to that person than any other gift! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
These are some lovely suggestions. I definitely prefer giving and receiving experiences over material gifts.
I love this Claire! I’m kind of strange in that I really don’t enjoy getting gifts. I don’t like “stuff”, and much prefer experiences. I would absolutely love something like this! I think it would work well for couples and continuing to date as well. Great idea!
This is a great idea.
When my parents lived close to tivoli in copenhagen they normally gave the kids year passes.
And the kids’ other set of grandparents normally give yearly passes for the local science park.
I do love to give experience gifts, but I love the idea of one that gives a whole year of fun. I’ve given magazine subscriptions as presents before which have been nice x
I think I’d rather receive an experience over a physical gift for Christmas. It makes for a really thoughtful present.
I prefer to gift people ‘experience gifts’ than a box of chocolate or clothes as experience gifts last for a lifetime.
This is a much better gift idea than receiving normal presents as this is more meaningful, fun and exciting. Thanks for the suggestions.
Oooh there are some great ideas here – we love our National Trust pass, we get to visit so many amazing places. Kaz
It is definitely one of my greatest purchases. Such great value and always a reason to go out x
Thanks for sharing, these are all great ideas for gifts that last the year 🙂
Thank you. I’d much rather an experience over a gift x x
I love the concept of this and it’s definitely something a little different for gift ideas this year
I have bought my daughter and her partner annual passes to a local farm park as my granddaughter has just turned one, and its a great day out
Excellent ideas here. We got cinemas passes last year that we’ve yet to use due to COVID. I never thought I would say this, but I’m excited to go and see a movie again in somewhere other than my living room.