Holiday Gifting: Experiences vs “Stuff”
Back in March, we wrote about our loved ones being “collectors”. Let’s be honest - I use the term “collector” as a nice way of saying a person who has too many things - and I say this without judgement because I am one of them.
Regardless if one is a collector or not, people are moving in the direction of gifting experiences as opposed to things.
Studies have shown that people enjoy greater well-being from life experiences and consider them to be a better use of money.
When your mom says, “I don’t want anything, I just want to be with you”, she really means it. The gift of quality time is so much more important than material things. (Ironically, she’s probably the same person who continues to give you socks and underwear well into your 50’s.)
Here are some experiences we recommend that would not only be fun, but also create memories that will last a lifetime.
1. For Gathering experiences - Malibu Table Maven is the perfect way to “gift a memory” to someone special. Robyn Simon creates unique, customized experiences for you and your peeps, whether it’s a picnic at the beach, on a boat, at a park or in your backyard. She also offers tablescape styling services so your entertaining space is transformed into a whimsical design, creating an inviting ambience for you and your guests. So instead of giving more "stuff" to your loved ones this holiday season, call Malibu Table Maven and give the gift of time and connection.
2. Get outdoors to watch a movie together - Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where movie screenings are held outdoors on Fairbanks Lawn, an open grassy field inside Hollywood Forever Cemetery, under the stars.
Moonlight Movies on the Beach at Long Beach’s Granada Beach, where movies begin at sunset. Every year at the end of the summer, they show “Jaws” - there is something absolutely terrifying about sitting, drink in hand and toes in the sand, right next to the water, hearing the theme from “Jaws”.
3. See a live performance - As I’ve noted here before, my mom has too many things already (this is why I have this business!) My brothers regularly gift her a night at the symphony (at the Hollywood Bowl or Disney Concert Hall), an antiquing trip or a play (we saw the Pageant of the Masters last year).
Anyone that lives in SoCal, let alone anywhere else in the US, should experience Pageant of the Masters at least once in their life. Faithful recreations of classical and contemporary works of art, with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces, are performed from July through September.
What are your folks like? Make arrangements or a plan. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Just making a plan for an experience to share is all anyone would ever want.
The next generations, Gen Z and beyond, are trying to make a smaller footprint and I know my Gen X self makes fun of the fact that they take pics of every single thing they possibly can. (They make an entire experience of going to get a hot dog!) Why can’t we gift the simplest things like taking a walk, picking flowers, or going to see the largest ball of twine? (Hat tip: “National Lampoon's Vacation”)
Doing something together is all that matters. You’ll thank me later when you’re scrolling through your phone and you see the memories that pop up.
