🎁 Presents vs. Experiences: The Gift of Thoughtfulness

🎁 Presents vs. Experiences: The Gift of Thoughtfulness

At a certain age, you stop needing things. You stop wanting things. Or maybe you just buy what you need throughout the year—--no wish-list required.

Which makes holiday gift giving a bit trickier. What do you get for someone who already has what they want?

As a “friend” of mine once pointed out (with a wink), surprises become fewer and farther between as we get older. And that’s exactly why I lean into creativity when it comes to gifts.

I listen. I pay attention. I pick up on those little hints people drop throughout the year—the “I’ve always wanted to try…” or “I’d never splurge on…” moments.

Then I surprise them. Not with something necessarily extravagant, but with something unexpected. Something they wouldn’t buy for themselves but would absolutely love.

Because surprises are fun. And putting a smile on someone else’s face? That’s my favorite kind of joy.

But here’s the thing: sometimes the best gift isn’t a thing at all.

✨ Maybe your adult child doesn’t need another sweater or gadget.🎶 Maybe they’d rather have tickets to their favorite concert.✈️ Or a plane ticket to visit their college roommate across the country.🍷 Or a wine-tasting weekend with you....just the two of you.🎄 Or a whirlwind trip to the Christmas markets in Europe—mulled wine, twinkling lights, and memories that last far longer than any wrapped gift.

Experiences create stories. They say “I see you. I know what lights you up” They linger long after the wrapping paper is gone.

There’s another kind of gift worth considering—the meaningful gift. These are often homemade or deeply sentimental, carrying an emotional weight that far surpasses their price tag. One year, I collected handwriting samples from my daughter’s loved ones and had each one turned into a charm. Now she cherishes a sweet, handwritten memory from me and her grandparents. Another time, I discovered an old recipe written by my great-grandmother and had it scanned and printed onto a teacloth. My mother was moved to tears by the gesture. Gifts like these become treasured keepsakes, and Etsy is a wonderful resource for finding artists who can help bring them to life.

So, when the holidays roll around, you have choices. You can wrap a box or you can wrap a moment.

Either way, the magic is in the thought.

Kicking the Chaos would love to hear your thoughts on this topic so please share with us.