The thought of the holidays only being a few months away brought this topic to mind, not to mention a few subtle online ads. I’m sorry to even mention the holidays already, but we know how it goes. They’ll be here sooner than we think. Although, purchasing a gift or creating an experience can happen for any celebration or event. So our question to you, our reader, is which do you prefer — a present or an experience?
I’m sure there are a lot of discussions out there regarding this question, and it differs depending on your age. As a young child, all you want are the presents (or things) and the more the better. As a young adult, I think you still want the presents but now they’re bigger and more expensive. As an older adult, you start to realize what is important to you. You may feel that you already have everything (material-wise) that you need. It’s the quality of time with your family and friends and the memories you create that will last a lifetime. Having experiences help us to live in the moment. And, these are the moments that will live on in our minds.
If you have adult children ask them what their favorite gift was as a child. Then ask them what their favorite experience was as a child. Lastly, ask them which one they still have, the gift or the memory of the experience. Sometimes we place so much emphasis on the monetary gifts that we forget the riches of the experiences we give our children. Once your children are grown and living their own lives, those gifts of experiences you gave them will not only remain in their hearts and minds but in yours.
Please comment below to post your answer. There is no right or wrong answer, just your thoughts and feelings at this given moment in your life.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read our blog. We appreciate your time and support.