What I dread is the shopping - an idea

Rosa recently said, "

What I dread is the shopping.

I don’t want any part of it. I’m trying to figure out how I can give great gifts without any shopping at all, giving them only by creating something that people will welcome much more gratefully. I want them to be gifts from the heart that you cannot hold in your hand, or wrap in a package.

I am with her in many ways; so, last year, my wife and I began to do something different at Christmas. Instead of a hand-held gift, we purchased experiences! Last year, for my sons and their wives, we purchased a weekend away. One family lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma; so they received a weekend away to Branson, Missouri. Little did we know that this trip would be part of the recuperation process after my son's heart attack. The other family lives in Spokane, Washington. They created a snow trip out of their present. It's really easy to go online and purchase a vacation package; they are not as expensive as one would think. The dates are open so they can select when to enjoy their gift.

This year, my wife and I agreed to give experiences to each other. One of my wife's lifelong dreams was to see a professional presentation of the Nutcracker. So, last weekend, we dined at a restaurant we enjoy and attended the Pacific Northwest Nutcracker performance. Additionally, we are going to attend an Hawaiian Christmas concert this week.

So, Rosa and all who think like we, there are creative ways to provide meaningful Christmas experiences that, in memory, will last a lifetime. Perhaps you have some ideas about providing experiences. Let us know!

Comments

[Marisa Tyler]

Its always so difficult trying to wrangle all your christmas lists. I'm trying to make things easier on myself to, I dread lines and crowded stores. For instance, I just recieved a copy of the Limited Edition Christmas Classics DVD set, which includes movies like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Frosty the Snowman", and "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" and 4 others.It came with a hoilday music cd as well. I work with them, so I consider it to be my early christmas present. I soon realized that this was the perfect gift for families. It will inspire the family to spend time together watching the best of the holiday movies. So I decided that a simple token of togetherness was what I would be handing out to my relatives and friends this year. You can get the set anywhere they sell DVDs or at http://www.christmasclassics.tv. A simple solution is always near!