Gift Giving: Choosing Experiences Over Stuff

There’s just something about family milestones and celebrations that make you pause. Whether it’s a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or even the first day of homeschool, it’s worth celebrating in a way that feels meaningful. And for many families, gift giving is starting to look a little different. It’s not always about wrapping up something physical—it’s about making a memory. Instead of another toy or gift card, why not mark the moment with something unforgettable, like a cruise in Boston? It’s a beautiful way to turn a special day into an experience you’ll talk about for years.

Why Stuff Doesn’t Always Stick

We’ve all bought the thing that ended up forgotten within a week—sometimes even sooner. Toys break, clothes go out of style, and let’s be honest, most gift cards get used on snacks. Traditional gift giving often focuses on stuff, but experiences? Those tend to stick. It’s hard to forget the time you tried something new together, laughed way too hard, or stepped outside your usual routine. That’s the kind of “gift” that becomes part of your family’s story.

Making Memories Out of Milestones

Every milestone, big or small, can be a chance to create a moment instead of just buying a present. Whether it’s finishing the homeschool year, getting through a rough season, or celebrating a new job or graduation—those are moments that deserve to be remembered.

And they don’t need to be grand to be meaningful. A spontaneous day trip, a special dinner, or a fun activity you try together can make just as much of an impact (and often more) than something store-bought. There’s something extra special about choosing to do something instead of just giving something.

Simple Can Still Be Special

You don’t have to fly across the country or spend a fortune to make a memory. That’s what I love about experience gifts. Whether it’s a cooking class, a hike in the mountains, or a unique local adventure, there’s always a way to turn the everyday into something worth remembering.

Even the quiet moments—like trying something new in your own town—can become family favorites. A local adventure or weekend staycation might not seem like much at first, but you could end up discovering a hidden gem or creating a new inside joke that sticks for years. That’s what makes experience-based gift giving so different from the usual presents: these kinds of memories don’t fade or get tossed out—they grow with you.

The Best Gifts Aren’t Always Things

We tend to think of gifts as objects, but the truth is, the best ones often aren’t things at all. They’re the belly laughs, the “remember when…” stories, the time spent just being together. Whether your family is big on adventure or prefers something more low-key, the shared memories will outlast anything you could wrap in a bow.

These days, many families are shifting their focus from buying more stuff to spending more time. And honestly? It makes sense. When you look back years from now, it won’t be the gadget or toy you remember—it’ll be the sunset on the water, the silly moment during a game night, or the way your kid smiled when they tried something new.

A Meaningful Shift in Gift Giving

So the next time a milestone, anniversary, holiday or celebration rolls around—big or small—when gift giving, consider skipping the shopping list and planning something meaningful instead. Maybe it’s a dinner cruise, a scenic adventure, or just a fun activity everyone can enjoy together. The point isn’t perfection—it’s presence.

Because at the end of the day, the most lasting gift you can give is time. And the memories you make? They’ll mean more than anything you could ever buy.

Forest Rose

Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, &  Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!