THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION
It’s the 22nd of December, and you’re just starting your shopping.
Stuck for Ideas???
I am sure that Amazon still has the Chia Nutcracker in stock (imagine that) and, of course, socks. But are you aiming to have the most forgettable present under the tree?
Why not give an experience, not something that will end up under a bed, in a closet, or garbage can? Or worse, next year’s white elephant exchange. Ghastly.
Give An Adventure
Why not give them something that keeps giving?
For Little Kids
Books. Books can take you anywhere your imagination allows.
But don’t stop there. YOU read the book to the child or record yourself if you cannot be there.
What about a book a month club and you discuss the book with them afterward?
If the book involves a particular food, go out and taste some, even if it’s just ice cream.
Find a special place to read together, a nook, a park, or a fort built out of cushions and sheets.
For a couple with children: a book of babysitting coupons so they can schedule regular date nights.
Or offer to sit for an hour each Wednesday afternoon so they can do something for themselves. Go to the store, friend time with no interruptions, or catch up on 52 weeks of sleep deprivation. What about a coupon for a facial, pedicure or foot massage as well?
Do you have a skill you can pass on? Sewing, basketball, piano playing, or fishing? There’s a gift that keeps giving.
Giving For Bigger Kids
Give them an experience. A trip to visit you for the weekend all by themselves. A fishing trip, a trip to the beach, or a class you can take together.
Expose them to theater or music (short of attending an acid rock concert).
Go to the best burger joint in town and give them an hour of YOUR undivided attention. That means you both turn off your cell phones, at least while eating. Give experiences, get back memories — what a win-win.
Remind them that you are the coolest Grandma/pa, Uncle/aunt, big sister/brother around.
For Adults Acting Like Kids
What about lessons such as golf, dancing, bowling, or a foreign language. Follow it up with a round of golf, or a date to the best dance club. Why not a quick trip to Montreal to try out your French?
Double down and sign yourself up for the same lessons. You get memories and maybe a new-found talent.
52 Keurig pods, or 12 bottles of wine. Add a note saying, “Let’s share a special time” once a week or month.
An oil change, bank deposit, or pick up the dry-cleaning. Why not offer to do it for someone?
It Takes Two
Start a book club with your best friend, a sibling, or someone else. They live somewhere else? Hook up via the computer.
Share a puzzle. It can be a Christmas scene or a place you went on a trip. How about a picture featuring one of the photos from that trip?
Home for the holidays? Share a soda or a pizza with a friend at “your place” from school days.
Take a Tip, Take a Trip
I can’t afford that. We have a $25 limit on gifts.
O.K., so give them a trip to a favorite local restaurant or movie.
You know they are saving to go somewhere. Airlines have gift cards. Hotels have gift cards.
Or knock it up a level. Get a gift card towards a restaurant or hotel in their destination. That makes a great inspiration to reach their goal. Just make sure you check that there are no expiration dates.
All In
I pitch in with two members of my extended family to buy the family an event. Maybe its an activity, a show, a special meal, but doing it as a group makes it that much better.
I know of families who “skip” presents to put all their money towards a group trip. Some contribute to a big pot all year long. Then on Christmas morning, after mom has spent many sleepless nights putting it all together, dad announces the destination.
I know some families who then supersize it. They save additional money for a tour or upgrades to park-hopper passes. Motivation can be a fantastic tool.
Don’t Forget To Give To Everyone On Your List
That includes yourself. Take a trip to the toy store from your youth, if it’s still there.
What about a Christmas tree in the park, or take a look at the five and ten.
Take a trip through your memories, or if time allows, take a trip.
If you can’t be home for Christmas, celebrate the first week in January when plane tickets usually drop. Your family and friends are just the same during the other 364 days.
I am working towards going somewhere in Europe for a week at the beginning of December.
Until that happens, its a trip to a Christmas store or a drive to see Christmas lights.
Toys, socks, and ties don’t last – Memories do.
This Christmas, give someone an experience. It’s a gift that gives back.
To read more, click on any of the orange links.
“See the World” Continued on Page T3 “Taste the World” Continued on T11
PLEASE scroll down to the “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom and tell me your thoughts on:
“What do you prefer for Christmas? Material stuff or the stuff that makes memories?
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