Experiences Instead Of Presents

[johnworf]

Two out of three of my adult children have asked for zoo membership this year as a family Christmas present. One of them had this for a present last year and said he'd been at least six times already (up to July). It feels a bit like I'm not giving the grandchildren much to unwrap on the day but I know they'll get lots from other people.

The problem is their houses are drowning in toys so it seems a good idea not to add to the clutter (and toys won't be played with much anyway).

Anyone else doing this and what are the experiences you're getting for family?

I get where you are coming from.
I do think experiences rather than 'stuff' are the way to go, But if everyone did that then children wouldn't have anything to unwrap on Christmas morning and that brings them so much joy.

Could you strike a balance and give them the membership and possibly wrap up a couple of zoo themed gifts?
Depending on their age, it might be nice to start a collection of those plastic zoo animals (I forget the name of them, do you know the ones I mean?)
They last forever, don't take up much space and are the type of thing that could be kept for future generations along with the story of how granny would buy us zoo memberships every Christmas and give us a new animal for our collection.

You could also do little gifts on the theme of whichever animal you gave to that child. If you gave them a giraffe for example, then a giraffe hot water bottle and giraffe socks.

I agree experiences are a great present especially if you have a small house and drowning in toys like we are! How about an animal themed book or colouring book/ stickers depending on age.
I often buy tickets to the theatre for mine and then get them the book to open on the day.

I think it’s a great idea and if they are drowning in toys they don’t need more. Remember you are giving them lovely memories of days out !

My mum bought my DH family tickets to the zoo for Christmas last year. I think experiences are a fantastic gift and if that's what they are asking for I'd go with that.

My mum means well but if she had her way she'd buy DS gifts all year round! I am grateful but it's unnecessary.

It is lovely to have gifts to open on Christmas day but it's also great to have a fun day at the zoo!

Do you mean the Schleich (sp?) animals? yes that's a great idea!

Giving gifts all year round is very much a grandparent vice! I'm a sucker if they ask for things but started to say 'no' much more as they really don't need more plastic tat.

zoo membership type things is fab.... I would go for animal /world books ... theres lots of scope as ages change and for fiction and non fiction.... less stuff and also something that can be shared..

AssertiveGertrude that's what I'm trying to do. When I look back to my childhood (when God was a lad), I remember lots of trips and days out with family (many who are no longer here), but very little of any of the toys I owned.

Another great idea!

Love the theatre tickets and the book to go with the story. That might be their brithday present.

Yes those are the ones I was meaning 😊

I would love my parents and in-laws to do this. We have suggested in the past but got told no as they enjoy the choosing. Which I understand but often what they choose is inappropriate or just gets lost in the sea of ‘stuff’ which I personally think is a shame. The recipients joy is my main focus when present buying rather than my own so I’m happy to do whatever parents suggest!

A magazine subscription is also a good one. The week junior/ match of the day/ Lego spending on interests.

I think if they've asked and you're happy to give it, just give the membership in a card. It is not very joyful to have so much to unwrap that children baeely know what they have received. Tbh I probably remember the experience gifts more than most toys.

We're doing it this year, I decided christmas day. We buy for dgd, dd and son in law all separate gifts but this year its a family experience instead. They all love Harry Potter and dgd has been read the first book and seen the first couple of films so it was pretty easy, we've booked them a 2 day trip to Harry Potter studios and London. I've bought a couple of hogwarts trunk gift boxes from Amazon to pop a few trip themed items in like pjs, griffindor hoodie, stunning pop up book and I'll pop a couple of m&s choc frogs in nearer the time. I've shopped asda and m&s sale for the clothing bits and they were a steal. My mums bought dgd a hedwig bag and dB will gift some spending money, they thought it was a fab idea. Haven't spent more than what I'd normally spend on them either. I'm definitely going to do this again for christmas 2024 and book some kind of stay somewhere.

Just to add I'd love a gift experience over a physical gift myself. There's a cat cafe near by I've never gotten around to visiting I'd be over the moon, not expensive a £5 per person.

We usually do experience gifts as our DC's main presents. DD gets theatre tickets (& we make it a girly day out with myself & granny). DS gets vouchers for an activity he likes. But we tend to wrap them differently each time. Sometimes the tickets are inside something like a related book, sometimes inside a big box, etc. DD enjoyed the puzzle box we used a couple of years ago, she still has that. They still have something to unwrap but it isn't going to get dumped in a pile! I think the idea of wrapping with a small toy animal is lovely.

We have also done a couple of magazine subscriptions, starting with a couple of back issues to unwrap. Our DC enjoyed The Phoenix & Beano but the one we've continued with is Kids National Geographic.

@Mrsfussypants1 that sounds like such a wonderful gift!! I’m sure they will absolutely love that 🤩

Magazine subscriptions are such a good idea. I guess you could do other subscriptions too like books or Mud & Bloom etc.

My other son has said he would like Next vouchers as his 2 children are growing out of their clothes so fast. I'll probably give them a small gift to open on the day.

I'm hoping to get an RHS membership from them all (clubbing together). I've bought them National Trust memberships in the past that were well received.

A cat cafe sounds ace!

I love doing this, and will often request theatre tickets as a gift.
There is a big age gap between me and youngest sibling, they had a huge amount of stuff as inherited lots from older ones. From about 5 I would give him a couple of choices and we would go out for the day. He still remembers the steam fair at Warwick castle 20 years later 😀
I have given theatre tickets, cinema tokens, afternoon teas, lots of different days out. Am also keen on subscriptions, there are lots available and it feels like it lasts longer. What's not to love about a box of brownies arriving every month?!

My dds definitely prefer an experience over gifts. We are doing the Harry potter studios instead of physical gifts this year with my mum and sister.

Me and DH usually do a day out together rather than buying stuff.

A zoo membership sounds fantastic. A bit of a random suggestion but how about a pin badge display to hang up in their room as there's usually a badge you can buy from days out. We have several from zoo's/museums and more. Or a pretty Cork board they could add photos/memories of the year to?

We used to buy a magnet from each place.... but now our fridge is built in so no longer magnetic! So we've switched to badges!