My wife just told me the other day that I had a good idea. I know, it was a special moment. She wants to receive the same gift from the kids this year that I received last Christmas—gift cards. I know what you may be thinking—that’s a generic gift that requires little thought. Wrong! I asked my kids to get me gift cards to places where they wanted to spend time with me alone. Basically, their gift cards bought them a “Date With Daddy.” It was such a huge hit that my wife has become a Christmas copycat. I call that a double win!
In our home, we put a lot of emphasis on Jesus’ birth at Christmastime. We teach our kids that God’s son is the perfect gift. It’s a way to temper all the buy-buy-buy enthusiasm that takes over kids’ minds every December. Most of that stuff from the store gets used, discarded, or donated anyway. That’s why I really like our new tradition of buying gift cards for dates. The best gifts are experiences. And when you can pair an experience with something to unwrap, that’s a recipe for a fun Christmas. So, this year, think outside the toy box. Here are 6 experiences that are better than toys.
1. A Fine Dining Experience
I’m never going to shy away from a good meal. Sharing food and great conversation is one of life’s greatest gifts. I love how Ecclesiastes 3:12 says it: “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.” That includes dining—so live it up today with your kids. Make reservations at a fancy place. Take your time and really enjoy the meal. If you’re adventurous, do what I did once and sign up for a cooking class. I learned from a trained chef how to make amazing pupusas. Look them up. They’re delicious. The meals come with memories. Start cooking some up. (And go ahead and order dessert.)
2. Plane Tickets
A buddy recently told me a story about how his dad surprised him with tickets to attend a baseball game when he was 7. Dad came out one morning and said, “OK, tomorrow we’re going to get on a plane and go watch the Phillies.” What a cool memory! If you can’t afford to travel that far, rent a car. Book a local hotel. Make the getaway feel like a big deal, because it will be. Present the gift in a dramatic way—like concert tickets wrapped up in a band shirt, or a tackle box with a note inside about the offshore fishing trip you booked for the weekend. Budgets will dictate the activity, but your enthusiasm has no price tag. So, whatever you do, make it known that you can’t wait to spend time together.
3. Golf Clubs
I, like many dads, like to golf. The best part about it is it takes so long. Maybe you disagree. I like that it requires me to spend four hours on the course hanging out with my playing partners. Picture you, your kid, and hours of uninterrupted time in the cart and on the greens. If 18 holes isn’t their thing, try Putt-Putt courses or even Topgolf. My son loves that. The recreation is half the gift. The fun and competition is the other.
4. A Tent
Camping is an inexpensive way to get outdoors and have some fun. Pack some granola bars, bug spray, and s’mores fixings, and go spend a weekend sleeping under the stars. I remember one family trip when the stars were especially stunning. It made me feel so small, and, really, in awe of God who, as Job 9:8-9 says, “stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south.” Camping provides moments like this one, and since there are campgrounds in all 50 states, it’s accessible to everyone. If you want to go all in, gift the tent alongside some cast iron cookware, fishing poles, flashlights, along with a pocketknife to get your kid camping-ready.
5. A National Park Pass and an Itinerary
No matter where you live, you’re probably a daytrip away from a national park. About 70% of Americans live within two hours of a national forest or grassland. So, book the trip. One of my coworkers told me about how pretty much every summer of her entire childhood included road trips with her dad in an old camper. They were jammed into that thing like sardines but made so many memories. Parks like Yellowstone, Acadia, and Glacier boast awe-inspiring views. Pro Tip: If your kid is in fourth grade, he or she gets into national parks for free all year long! Same for you if you’re a military veteran or part of a Gold Star family.
6. Towels … and a Postcard
Find a postcard of a beach, lake, or river and write “Let’s go!” on the back. Then wrap it up in the towels. It’s an invitation for fun. Put the date on the postcard—that way you’ll have something to circle on the calendar. In fact, order a calendar and hang it up. Do a countdown. If the beach is too far, look for a water park nearby or a natural spring. Hype it up as the day approaches. Get all the sunscreen and sunglasses packed. Order a snorkel online. Anticipate fun, then make it happen.
Sound off: If money weren’t an issue, what are the best non-toy gifts you’d give to your kids?
Huddle up with your kids and asked, “What makes a gift meaningful?”