3 different types of
experience gifts
1.take a trip Over the years, we have used mini vacations as family holiday gifts. We pick a destination, schedule a weekend (ideally within a month or two of the actual holidays so we do not have to wait too long to enjoy the gift) and plan a small itinerary of fun activities. Trips have been as simple as weekend getaways to Atlanta and Savannah to enjoy being tourists in our own state and as big as adventures to Legoland in Florida and Dollywood in Tennessee. With each of these trips, the anticipation of cashing in the gift left us with a sense of holiday excitement up to and throughout the actual trip.
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Milledgeville Scene | The Holiday Issue 2021
2.useful items Another angle to take when trying to create experience gifts is to invest in a material gift that will allow you to share time together in a special or unique way. When we first bought our house in Milledgeville, we surprised our children by buying a canoe for the family for Christmas. That canoe has taken us on numerous adventures together on Lake Sinclair and the Oconee River as well as state parks all over Georgia. Just last year, we got a wood-burning fire table for our patio as a family Christmas gift. Time spent hanging out and talking by the fire on chilly evenings is a gift that keeps on giving.
3.event tickets Events are another fun way to surprise someone with a unique gift. My husband and I have each given each other concert tickets to see some of our favorite bands perform as birthday gifts. Once, my husband got me tickets to see a comedian we both like, giving us a nice evening getaway to Athens for the two of us. Two years ago, we surprised both of our children with event tickets: Atlanta United tickets for my son to enjoy with his dad and Atlanta Ballet tickets for my daughter and me. Not only did this allow each of them to enjoy seeing their activity of choice performed at the highest level, but it also allowed them to have precious one-on-one time with a parent. Other event gifts have included dinner and Broadway show tickets for my in-laws and Cincinnati Reds gift cards for my Ohiobased parents, allowing them to get game tickets and in-the-park concessions whenever they are inspired to go to a game.
