My buddy Matt said it so good. When talking about the holidays last year, he told his wife that he would much prefer experience gifts over possession gifts.
Photo by Bentley Smith
First of all, the idea was delivered with great effectiveness. Simple, digestable. It comes across as being appreciative and helpful in providing some guidance. And definitely impactful due to the clarity of the message. Lending dignity to the other person while getting what you want. That is noble in my book.
More important of course, I couldn’t agree more with the concept. If you’re the kind of person that would rather go on a trip or check out a concert or fly somewhere to check out an exhibit – things you wouldn’t normally due unless pushed by your spouse or friends – over getting another item that isn’t going to improve your quality of life, then you might want to put this line into use.
Obviously there are some possessions can improve your quality of life. Camera to capture moments. Kayak to let you get on the water. Wine opener so you can drink the wine you enjoy. But like most American households, you probably already have most of the possessions that really do make a positive difference in your life.
[While this idea is applicable to the financial times we live in, there’s no timeliness factor to this post. It applies to even the best of financial times.]
I think everyone can agree that life is about meaningful experiences. Reflecting on great trips or experiences in the past, cherishing the memories… That’s what it’s all about, no?
But that’s not the purpose of this post. I think most of you are already enlightened to these ideas. The point of this post is just to tell you about this great line, “Experience gifts over possession gifts.”
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I couldn’t agree more! Once you get that pair of shoes or piece of jewelry, it loses its luster. My very favorite “things” are memories of good times spent with my family and friends. Bravo!
I really appreciate this post. So much to learn and experience with this perspective.
I seek to have the wisdom of a long-term perspective with a sense of urgency. I’m a work in progress!
When I finished remodeling my house in 2006 I enforced this experience over stuff rule. After finally decluttering, I didn’t want another trinket or as one friend calls them, “dust collectors.”
Along with outlawing trinkets, I also simplified my life by installing gas logs in my fireplace and upgrading the sprinkler. Cleaning ash and watering by hand were two experiences I no longer wanted to have.
I agree that some things are important, like the camera and wine bottle opener. For my relatives who just HAVE to give me an item, I requested Southwest Airline gift cards. That way, I’m ready to go on my next adventure without delay.
Thanks for this post. I heard it before you said it.
It took me a few years to catch on to this idea, but I agree completely. Although I am a geek that loves gadgets (need my Zune, Xbox, iPhone, etc) as far as gifts from others, I really would prefer a day trip to the coast, a concert or even time in a museum. Those are the things that I value and remember, and in this tough economic times, a lot of it can be done on the cheap!
Thanks for all your insights and tips. I like Flora’s idea of the Southwest Airlines tickets. I totally get how relatives WANT to give gifts. My wife had this idea, for gifts to our kids, of steering relatives to contribute to something together that, a) our kids could enjoy more, and b) are a little more experience-driven. We’ll see how it goes!!
I couldn’t agree more, and in fact I wrote about this very thing late last year in one of my newsletters. I appreciate experiences so much more than material gifts. Maybe because at this time I have all I need and experiences provide meaning and lifelong memories.
Experiences can be time and cost effective, too, a key strategy in these times!
Fantastic idea! We have used this idea in our family, and it really makes a difference in both the giving experience itself and in our relationships. Thanks!