What? Don’t ask for gifts? Tiffani, you’re crazy. Y’all, I’m really not. I want you to stop asking for material gifts. I’m the first one to admit, I love receiving a nice new handbag for my birthday, or a gift card to Starbucks, but there are FAR better things to ask for. I love adventure, and doing things. Over the last few years, I’ve realized that gifts aren’t really all that. Now, by gifts, I mean stuff. Stuff is what isn’t all that great. Stuff accumulates at the top of your closet and in the bins under your bed. Stuff is really just stuff.
I’m no longer asking for stuff, I’m asking for experiences. Now, I don’t mean I want my friends and family to gift me a trip to Turks & Caicos, but I totally wouldn’t be against that. I mean, instead of a gift, lets go for a hike, lets take a day trip to somewhere we’ve never been, or spend the afternoon at a distillery or brewery. Those are the things I will remember. Those are the things I want you to remember. Gifts are great, I don’t want anyone to think you should not enjoy gifts, but really y’all, when is the last time you looked back on a gift and felt elated with joy because of all of the fabulous memories you made with that gift? Here are a few reasons WHY you should STOP asking for gifts.
1. It’s not possible for everyone to buy you a gift, and if they are, theres a good chance one friend/family member is going to feel bad if they get you a gift that is far below what another person gets you. I know I’ve felt this way before. It’s a crummy feeling. If you make it known that you don’t want gifts, but experiences, friends have more of an opportunity to get creative. I’m almost certain a nature hike and a picnic could be pulled off for under $15, and would be much more memorable than a Starbucks gift card.
2. Stuff accumulates in your closet. Experiences accumulate in your heart. I have tons of bags, I always asked for a new handbag for holidays. Now? I have a closet full of bags, and I regularly use maybe three of them each year, but the memories I have made take up absolutely no space in my home, other than in the picture frames on my walls, and in the memories I cherish.
3. Do you really need whatever it is you’re asking for? Needing a new car or computer is one thing, but needing a new pair of $400 heels? Yeah, I don’t think so. Needs are a total different category. I think it’s totally acceptable to ask for something you need, especially if you can’t afford it yourself.
4. You are way more likely to find a new passion doing something as opposed to getting something. Groupon is a great way for people to gift experiences at a low cost. Wether it be a massage or a two hour flying trapeze class, go out on a limb and go for whatever it is.
5. In 15 years, the stuff you asked for is going to be worn down and old. You’re going to continue to want new stuff when your old stuff becomes weathered. Why not just skip the stuff?
Wether you’re gifting a friend a short day trip to the next city over, or gifting your girlfriend a ticket to a blogger conference (thanks T!), they are going to remember that experience for far longer than the bundle of stuff you picked up from TJ Maxx for them!
Stuff lasts a few years, memories last a lifetime.
This post was totally inspired by Thomas gifting me with my Ticket to Thrive Blog Conference, which just so happens to be THIS WEEKEND! I am so excited to be heading down to Houston tomorrow, and to see what Thrive is all about!
20 comments
This is so true lady! I've actually requested for donations for a trip I've been wanting to go on from my family as opposed to material items. It's going to be a gift that's so much more memorable than something I won't remember a couple of years down the road. Thanks for sharing!
x Sarah
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
I so agree.. the past 3 years for Christmas I've told my mom to donate to charity because there is not a single thing I need that I couldn't buy myself 🙂
I have read that experiences bring more happiness than things. Plus it's nice to streamline and just keep the things that bring you joy!
I love this post. I completely agree about experiences instead of gifts, and I would love to make a "wish list" of shared experiences for Christmas or a birthday, rather than material goods. My boyfriend's birthday is coming up and I'll keep this in mind for him, too!
I LOVE the message in the post! I'd rather have experiences too!
What a great post!! I definitely agree with you on experiences! Thanks for sharing this wonderful message!
xo Ashley
I love buying my friends and family creative gifts, and this is such a great concept of gifting peoples experiences. 🙂
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
I couldn't agree more. Life sin't about getting, it's about giving! I love creating DIY gifts from the heart for my loved ones. Xoxo Mindy
Yes 100% yes! I never ask for gifts anymore because honestly I don't need anything at all! There's literally nothing! This post is genius and I totally love that you said it!
I agree. My family hasn't done gifts in a long time.
This is a great post. I think that more people need to re-evaluate their focus and put more emphasis on living their life to the fullest while they still can!
I absolutely love this. I think it's better to give than to take! Love this.
xo
Lauren
The Fashionista's Diary
Exactly! I'd rather have people put money towards something that has a meaning to me! You go girl!
Yes, please do! After implementing this for birthday, holidays and our anniversary, my boyfriend and I have so much more fun. And it's always great to tackle a new adventure together!
Yes Mindy! Theres a huge difference from hitting up the $ section at target and creating gifts from the heart! Those are the kinda gifts I'd love to receive. It's all about putting your heart and mind in to gifts!
Thanks Nicole! If I REALLY want it, I'll but it myself. Glad we share similar views!
It's really interesting that you wrote about this because research suggests that people who are wealthy // rich are actually happier but NOT because they have more stuff…. but because they have more money to spend on meaningful experiences and that it really does enrich your life 🙂
also you really don't need that much in my opinion 🙂
XO,
Hannah from HMS Jewels
So true. As I've gotten older, I've really started to value spending time with people more than gifts. Such a great post!
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
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