The Best Gift Is An Amazing Experience

Sometimes, giving and receiving gifts just feels like adding more stuff to the pile. In my case, I have boxes in the garage and a few in the attic of things I am clearly living quite well without. Why do I have them? What is in them? It has become more and more important to me to have less stuff. My plan, which is working quite well, is to use gift ideas for birthdays and holidays that provide an experience rather than a possession.

This is how I came up with the idea of giving gifts that offer an experience rather than a material possession. For instance, tickets to concerts and plays, gift certificates for massages and facials and an all expenses paid weekend vacation at a coastal rental have been some of the best gifts I have ever gotten. They stay with me because I remember the performers on the stage, the relaxation of a deep massage, and the joy of spending a week on the beach.

Anything you can get a gift certificate for makes a good experience based gift. Rather than giving things that can be set on a shelf or displayed on the wall, a gift of an experience avoids the burden of more possessions. Plus, your friend and loved one is more likely to remember a really great day longer than they will a pair of pretty salt shakers or comfy sweater.

A massage of any kind makes a great gift because it is guaranteed to give your friend relaxation and enjoyment. There are lots of types of massages to choose from, too, and your town surely has more than one masseuse. If you know what you friend likes, spring for a one hour session with that type of masseuse. If you don't, choose your favorite.

Really, any sort of spa experience you can get a gift certificate for makes a really wonderful gift. You can give your friend the relaxation, pleasure, enjoyment and comfort that they want. How often do we really have the chance to do that for someone we love and care for? Choosing this experience as a gift lets you share your feelings in a tangible way.

Certificates are more personal than gift cards but still have the versatility that lets the recipient customize the gift to their preferences. For instance, a gave a friend of mine a birthday gift certificate for a facial at a local spa. She loved it but when she got to the spa decided she would prefer a pedicure. Since the gift certificate was for the spa in general, she was able to get exactly what she wanted through my gift.

Think outside of the "material possession" box to share your affection in a more genuine and powerful way. Consider buying a friend fresh flowers on their birthday rather than picking out a piece of clothing you think they will probably like but may or may not need.

There is a plethora of great and unique gift ideas that will actually make an impact on the recipient's life. Rather than adding one more knickknack to their shelf, consider giving the gift of an experience.

I'm a consumer product tester with a particular interest in online sweepstakes. For more resources and information, check out Makobi Scribe.