This holiday season my focus is giving experience gifts – presence over presents that everyone on your guest list will love!
It’s the midst of holiday giving , I can’t help thinking about all the gifts guides and advertisements urging us to buy more stuff. I feel this pressure eventually leads to more stress for the giver and receiver. How more more things do you need? As a stylist, I love clothes but we are swimming in excess. So often the excitement with these tangible items fade quickly. The AVERAGE family spends $1,700 on clothes annually while giving or throwing away over 200 pounds of clothes per year. This year my gift guide is focused on experience gifts.
Let’s face it, experience gifts can be easy to arrange, thoughtful, and rewarding to both giver and receiver. Going to the movies as a family, taking a french class, learning a new skill or simply receiving a homemade “spa day” are priceless memories or skills that last a lifetime.
EXPERIENCE GIFT GUIDE
ONLINE FRECH CLASS
We know French is Beautiful and you can now learn from french teacher, Carrie Anne, with her French is Beautiful Fresher Course! Comprehensive was created for Francophiles looking to re-engage with their high school or college French. This course is also suitable for dedicated intermediate learners looking for an immediate, immersive dive into la langue française and a fast track to fluidity. If that’s too much then start with one of her other classes. First, speak like pro then dress like one. You’ll love her style and approach. Follow her on Instagram too!
MODEL MEALS – MEAL DELIVERY
Model Meals is the no subscription required, 100% Whole30/Paleo approved, ready-to-eat, meal prep service that offers delicious food to keep up with your goals. The menu changes weekly, arrives fresh and is expanding to a city near you!
Receive $25 off your first order. Sign up here.
READ MORE: How to Have a Productive Week
CHARITY DONATION SHINE ON SIERRA LEONE
Give the gift of Nourishment this holiday season! For just $36 you can donate in honor of a family member or loved one and provide lunches for a student at the Muddy Lotus Primary school for an entire year! It is the perfect way to spread love and light this holiday season!
STYLE & SHOOT: PERSONAL STYLING & PHOTO SHOOT
Are you tired of being the insta-husband snapping photos for your partner? Do you need an updated headshot for your LinkedIn? Consider the gift of style with a photoshoot. I’ve partner with my husband to offer a styling and photography package for the holiday season. I’ll help you or your loved one shop and put together 3-4 looks. Next, you’ll schedule a time to shoot with Robin Mark Photo (Stuart). I’ll be there to make sure you’re styled to you look your best! Offer is for a limited time!
GIFT OF FITNESS WITH CLASS PASS
Whether your recipient is a long-time lover of ClassPass or is brand new to fitness, a gift is a great way to give them a jump-start on their fitness goals! Whatever city you are located there are multiple studio options for them to use. I love the flexibility and being introduced to new studios. A minimal amount of $45 is a great start!
Working on Bunda via Class Pass
PERSONAL MEDITATION CLASS WITH ANGELA WHITAKER
Meditation an help you deal with stress, negative emotions, reduce levels and more! Why do we often not take the time to do it in the morning? Don’t know where to start to meditate effectively? Work with Angela wherever you are! Angela Whittaker teaches all different types of meditation techniques. In her signature class, HarmonyInMe™ , she combines breathing awareness, guided visualization, intention recognition and mantra practice. She will instruct you in Primordial Sound Meditation, where you will receive your own individual mantra. This seven hour comprehensive course can be learned through private instruction in person, via Skype or in a group setting.
UNLIMITED MOVIES WITH MOVIE PASS
Movie Pass has gotten a bad rap for limited theaters and movies, but they are making another update to improve their service. Give the gift of the movies with a yearly membership for 3 movies a month or upgrade with the “Red Carpet Package.” Either way the monthly membership is still less than the price of 1 regular priced ticket. So take them to the movies!
AMAZON PRIME
I know several extended family members who use Amazon all the time, but did not want to pay for the Prime membership. In the past, we’ve given these family members a Prime membership (click on “give the gift of prime” and enter their email address). This is partially a material gift as well, but tends to make purchases they are already making faster and easier.
SPA DAY
The gift of self-care and pampering never gets old. Send your love one to the spa for the day or just a massage. If funds are tight, spoil them yourself! Either way you’ll come out on top.
Even if you’ve already purchased gifts for this year, consider adding some experiences as well or slowly transitioning to more experience-based gifts over time. The family time and memories are worth so much more than gifts, and statistically, giving experiences may help reduce your stress levels and contribute to more bonding.
Have you tried to give experiences instead of gifts in the past? What other suggestions would you add to this list?
