Hey Hey Friends!
It’s TUESDAY TALK, which means Fancy Ashley and I are here chit-chatting about a random topic. Each month we invite you to chit chat along with us as well as join the link-up!
I was browsing around on Facebook this weekend and happened upon an article about gifting kids “experiences” over presents at Christmastime. I cannot find the exact article or I’d link it here but during my search I stumbled upon a ton of other similar ones. Basically the gist is our kiddos all have too much…too many toys, too many games, too many {fill in the blank} but as parents we want that big exciting Christmas morning so we just add to all the excess they already have. Instead of doing that, gift “experiences” and make some amazing memories instead.
I’ve gotta tell you-I’ve been majorly convicted about this around our house the last couple years. We used to travel to Missouri and be surrounded by family on Christmas Day. When we did that, I didn’t feel pressured one bit to make the Christmas look big, but since we’ve had Christmas at home {and it’s just us all day long} I feel the pressure. Now, let me add-I’m the only one putting pressure on myself. My kids aren’t being bratty about this, but I’m doing it to myself. I read this article and everything resonated with me. My kids don’t play with a ton of toys anymore. They’d rather be outside throwing the football, hitting the volleyball against the house, playing four square…you get the idea. So WHY would I buy them more things just to buy more things?
I’ve gotta tell you-I’ve been majorly convicted about this around our house the last couple years. We used to travel to Missouri and be surrounded by family on Christmas Day. When we did that, I didn’t feel pressured one bit to make the Christmas look big, but since we’ve had Christmas at home {and it’s just us all day long} I feel the pressure. Now, let me add-I’m the only one putting pressure on myself. My kids aren’t being bratty about this, but I’m doing it to myself. I read this article and everything resonated with me. My kids don’t play with a ton of toys anymore. They’d rather be outside throwing the football, hitting the volleyball against the house, playing four square…you get the idea. So WHY would I buy them more things just to buy more things?
This year we’re changing it up! I’m not exactly sure how it’ll look just yet but we’re gonna cut down the Christmas purchases and enjoy experiences together as a family. Typically, Tab has a bowl game sometime during the holiday season so it’s hard for us to plan our winter break until his schedule comes out. I’m hopeful we can turn whatever bowl game he has into a little family trip, keep it a secret from the kids, and surprise them on Christmas day with a FUN experience and a GO-PACK-YOUR-BAGS kind of moment.
I must add that we’ll still get them gifts but way less than we typically purchase. I’m starting now to train their little minds to be excited about this concept.
#wishmeluck
Here’s a list of experiences we could gift our kiddos instead of scanning Amazon for the hottest toys in 2019…
{Just in case you’re looking for some ideas}
{Just in case you’re looking for some ideas}
*Season Passes-to a local water park, museum, zoo, etc. My mom has done this for my kiddos for the last two Christmases and I’m SO appreciative. I hope she’s reading this and does it again. 🙂
*Theater tickets-this could be big like a musical in Dallas or as small as tickets to the local movie theater. Let me be honest-my kids would love both.
*Sports Event-Gift them tickets to a baseball game, volleyball game, etc.
*Hotel Stay-All four Slaughter kids would be pumped about a night at a local hotel. If you make it The Great Wolf Lodge or Gaylord they’d be even more pumped.
*Gift Card for a fun night out-Top Golf, Medieval Times, putt-putt golf, bowling, etc.
*Manicure/Pedicure-My girls would love a gift card to get their nails done.
Okay, have YOU done this?? And if you do this in your family, please share your ideas!
*Hotel Stay-All four Slaughter kids would be pumped about a night at a local hotel. If you make it The Great Wolf Lodge or Gaylord they’d be even more pumped.
*Gift Card for a fun night out-Top Golf, Medieval Times, putt-putt golf, bowling, etc.
*Manicure/Pedicure-My girls would love a gift card to get their nails done.
Okay, have YOU done this?? And if you do this in your family, please share your ideas!
