Black Friday is just two days away, leaving many people searching to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones this holiday season. As a parent I find myself asking the bigger question. What does my child really need? The answer is not another video game or the latest toy, but rather more time with his busy family and opportunities to experience new things that are not a part of our regularly scheduled lives. So before you run out to the nearest store or hop online to shop the best deals, I would encourage you to consider gifting an experience rather than a tree full of meaningless items. Experiences lend for time to strengthen family bonds and create lifelong memories. Below are my top picks for experience giving without breaking the bank.
1. Board Games- In my house we like to have family game night. It’s a time when we put our devices down and unplug from the world of work and social media to spend time together. During the holidays many stores offer great deals on board games ranging from $5-$10 each.
2. Movies- Another fun thing that we like to do in our house is to have a family movie night. You can score some really great deals on dvds and blurays this time of year or you could consider gifting a movie subscription or even purchase gift cards to local movie theaters.
3. Dinner, Drinks, or Dessert Out- If you’re a family that doesn’t eat out much, the holidays are a great time to give your loved ones gift cards to their favorite restaurants or coffee establishments.
4. Annual Passes & Memberships- Living in Florida we have an ample amount of theme parks and tourist attractions to choose from. If you’re on a budget consider purchasing memberships to local museums and art galleries, or passes to State parks. If you don’t mind spending a little more look for annual passes to zoos, aquariums, water parks and theme parks. For active families, consider gifting family gym membership, pay an entry fee for a race or outdoor activity.
5. Sporting Events & Concerts- Living in Central Florida, we have access to countless sporting events and concert arenas. Consider gifting single or season tickets to watch your family’s favorite team. If sports aren’t your thing, consider purchasing concert tickets to see your family’s favorite performer(s).
Regardless of what you choose to purchase this year, remember it’s about the experiences and lifelong memories. Stay safe, stay on budget and to buy from the heart.
0
