"When my kids were little, we embraced the magic of Santa Claus. Christmas morning meant lots of presents to unwrap, some from mom and dad, and plenty from Santa. Still, we valued giving our kids experiences, as well. When grandparents and other relatives asked for holiday gift ideas for our kids, we'd always suggest things like a membership to our local zoo or movie theater gift certificates - gifts that would provide us with time together as a family instead of sending more stuff into our house."
"My teenagers are now 15 and 17, and while they look forward to the items from their Christmas list that do end up under our tree, they also like finding things to experience together as a family. And it's not always the gift of travel we bestow upon them; there's also magic and memories to be found in the things we do together at home."
A family prioritizes experiences over material gifts during Christmas, choosing cruises and local holiday events instead of excessive presents. When the children were young, Santa traditions coexisted with experiential gifts like zoo memberships and movie theater certificates requested from relatives. After the children stopped believing in Santa, the focus shifted more strongly toward creating memories through travel, road trips, and festive outings. Teenagers still enjoy some wish-list items but equally value at-home traditions such as assembling gingerbread houses, driving to see holiday lights, and attending holiday theater. Shared experiences strengthen family bonds and reduce household clutter.
Read at Business Insider
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