"When I was pregnant with my first baby, I'd see moms wearing jewelry with their kids' initials or birthstones and dream of the day I'd get my own. When my kids were in preschool, I'd make a holiday wish list of things I thought would help me up my mom game, like a stand mixer or a fancy sewing machine. My elementary-aged kids may have wanted the latest video game or baby doll, but I asked for spa gift certificates and expensive new boots."
"My husband and I were younger then; our income was smaller than it is today. As a new mom, the holidays were a time to ask the people I had taken care of all year long for items I had wanted, but put off buying due to budgeting for necessities like diapers or groceries. Now that my kids are teenagers, material gifts aren't what I want for Christmas."
"In recent years, I've asked my now-teenagers for the gift of time spent together rather than trendy earrings or pricey perfume. Yes, in my mid-40s with a higher income, I buy some of these things for myself throughout the year anyway, but also, the older I get, the less things matter. My husband and I try to give them experiences instead of presents, and that's also my request for my own holiday gifts."
When the children were young, gift requests focused on material items such as jewelry, appliances, and spa certificates while budgeting for necessities limited purchases. As the children became teenagers, the preference shifted toward shared experiences and intentionally spending time together rather than receiving physical presents. Increased household income allows for occasional self-purchases, but relationships and memories take precedence over acquiring more things. The parents give their children experiences instead of traditional presents and request the same in return. Examples of planned activities, like classes or restaurant outings, serve as meaningful holiday gifts centered on togetherness.
Read at Business Insider
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