Why We’re Choosing Experiences Over Gifts This Season

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We’re aiming to simplify Christmas – by choosing experiences over gifts this year.

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Why We’re Choosing Experiences Over Gifts This Season

Whenever I think back to my childhood around the holidays especially, I can’t help but have my mind wander to all the wonderful memories and experiences that we had over the years. There were things that were always consistent like chopping down our own Christmas tree, decorating cookies, and decorating that Christmas tree while listening to the Amy Grant Christmas album, and my brother and sisters and I fighting about everything. My parents also always made sure that there were extra surprises thrown into the mix and then there were our special, tangible, gifts like our American Girl dolls and all their accessories that I will forever remember. But, as an adult, I can tell you hands down that the experiences are what stands out more than anything.

Sounds pretty magical, right? It totally was. And parents worked so hard behind the scenes to make sure our holidays were memorable and I honestly had no clue until adulthood just how much sacrifice actually happened on their parts.

Now here Chris and I stand, raising children of our own, and more than anything I want them to be able to look back on their childhood and remember what we did, how they felt, and the true magic of the season. Last week, I shared how I’m de-stressing the holiday season this year in partnership with Health Warrior and today I’m taking things one step further to share how this sentiment is also a huge part of my healthy lifestyle.

Why experiences over things?

Well, it’s simple really. I explained last week that I was giving up stressing about gifts for everyone and the same goes for our kids and even Chris this year. We’ve cut back because one, we don’t want all the stuff as we’re getting ready to move in the new year, but it really is just stuff. Stuff that we don’t need. Stuff that will be tossed sooner or later. Stuff that isn’t serving a purpose in our life. But experiences? Those are worth their weight in gold.

Experiences are part of our healthy lifestyle, the same way that Health Warrior is. And just like it’s a routine for me to make sure that our chia seed bars are in my purse for on the go moments or packed in Branden’s lunch – we’re working to make experiences more routine. (And ahem…click here for my full review of these amazing Health Warrior chia seed bars and why they are so wonderful!) But beyond that, these amazing bars fuel us through those experiences so that we are powered by real food that is easy to travel with, only 100 carlies per bar and 3 grams of sugar. They are a mom win in my eyes!

Experiences that create memories and laughter within our family unit bring us closer together. They are great for our mental health and physical health as they get us up and moving, it’s a win/win situation all around.

We have already been incorporating in a few new holiday experiences this month, but our big experience this year will obviously be moving and the kids get to decorate their new rooms. Beyond that, Chris and I have a few tricks up our sleeves, just like my parents did, but we will also be exploring a new city in the new year and experiencing these big changes together. We’re so excited for this adventure!

Looking for more holiday advice? I’ve got you covered mama!

Now don’t get me wrong, Santa will still be making a stop here and has some pretty amazing things in store for both Branden and Blake. But it’s also been so important for us to teach ourselves to scale back, focus on what really matters and the meaning of the season as a whole.

XOXO,

Allison