Nearly half of U.S. shoppers admit that finding the right gifts for the holidays are a challenge, including setting a budget and finding time to shop.
A survey of last year’s gifting trends revealed 45.4% of consumers struggled with deciding what to buy for someone, according to The Wrap Up: Snappy’s 2022 Holiday Gift Report. But military couples shared that gifting an experience to each other proved to create a lasting memory.
The gift of an experience can be anything from a weekend away with your spouse to a spa day with a friend; be a tourist at your duty station or drive to visit extended family. Other ideas can include checking out all the ice cream shops in the area or hiking a new trail you’ve never been to. It doesn’t really matter what the experience is — what matters is you’re gifting your time and presence to someone special.
Not everyone’s love language is gift giving, but everyone can appreciate experiences — especially in military life when you can’t be physically present all the time. The holidays are a good excuse to reconnect. Use experiences to celebrate your relationship, marriage, or friendship.
Experiences for all seasons of life
Memories can be made wherever, whenever. Do you have small children and can’t get a babysitter? Have a date night in but go beyond the usual takeout containers and a movie. This time, order an adventure box or play a trivia game. Are you far away from family or recently moved to your new duty station? Get out and explore! Make a bucket list with a spouse or friend of things you’d like to do while stationed there.
Gifting an experience can factor in small children, moves, being away from family or feeling isolated. They can be as cost-effective as you’d like. You can always modify experiences while still making them memorable.
For your military family
Alexandra Simon, 2022 NAS JRB New Orleans Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year, shares her family’s Hanukkah experience in December 2022.
“Instead of exchanging gifts, we opted for a family experience on a Royal Caribbean cruise,” she said.
Simon shared that her kids and family had all the toys and things they needed, so they planned a vacation instead. What made this cruise special was that it took place during Hanukkah.
“Hanukkah that year started on December 18 and the last night was December 25, so we were able to celebrate most of Hanukkah on the cruise ship,” Simon said. “We were pleasantly surprised that the cruise had a giant light-up Hanukkah and had a lighting each night. They even brought in a rabbi to lead the candle lighting and Hanukkah blessings. The dining room had a special Hanukkah menu that included traditional foods eaten during the holiday like latkes.”
For a military spouse friend
Trade to-do lists for a day (within reason, of course), such as light housekeeping, decluttering or childcare. Maybe the military spouse friend in your life can benefit from swapping grocery pickups or other errands. Knocking a few things off a friend’s to-do list would surely be appreciated.
For a deployed spouse
For a deployed service member, try an experience you’d both enjoy together once reuniting.
“Choose an experience you can look forward to while you’re apart. Try a top-notch dinner theater show or concert,” Air National Guard spouse Emily Whitcomb shared.
Separation makes holiday gifts extra difficult, but planning an extra special event or outing for when they return gives you both something to look forward to.
For your neighbor
For a neighbor, especially one who’s recently moved to the area, consider a gift that could be used in a situation they’d need it most. Whitcomb suggests giving a neighbor a sort of “Survival Kit.” Curate a basket of twist ties, stamps, gum, tape, lip balm, batteries, pens, plasticware, paper clips and thumbtacks.
“It’s hard to find those things when you’ve just moved and buying them means you have to buy bulk instead of just the one or two you need. It’s usually a very thoughtful, appreciated, basically free gift,” Whitcomb said.
Want more holiday inspiration? Check out this year’s 2023 Shop Military Family Owned Gift Guide
Read comments
