The Experiential Gift

 

The physical gift is just a small part of the present...

Finding a gift for an older friend, mother, sister or grandmother can be tough. The older I get, the more difficult buying a gift for my friends or family has become.

It has been my personal experience that the older we get, the less value we put in material things. In most cases, our tastes change as we age.

One of the worst things you can do is choose a gift based on stereotypes or with an “anti-aging” message. It’s best to take the time to consider the character of the special person you are giving to. Older people like things that reflect their interests and personality. After over six or seven decades of gathering stuff, many are downsizing their lives and only keep objects which are useful or beautiful. The last thing they want is clutter when they are trying to be organized.

So if stuff isn’t the answer, I go for passion. Older people are collectors or have hobbies and activities they can’t live without. This is where I got to thinking about creating something that shows my love and attention and the idea of a new experience came to mind.

It’s important to know that older people are more adventurous than we think. They are certainly more adventurous than they are portrayed in the movies! While they still appreciate things that are useful, most of them are interested in filling their lives with as many experiences as they can.

Think about the older person in your life. Is there a unique place that they would love to go to? How about a bus pass to go on a day trip or weekend adventure? How about a massage, a helicopter ride, or a boat cruise?

Not that all older people would like a helicopter ride. You shouldn’t eliminate adventurous options without thinking about their personality and interests.

Looking for the “experiential gift” with memories that last a lifetime for a special person? Check out Tinggly, an experience gift site that offers a variety of “experiential” gift ideas. There are many similar sites throughout the world.

You can give flight lessons, food tours, race car driving, wine tastings, art classes, and much more. Check out sites like Xperiencedays and Virginexperiencegifts.

Giving a physical gift is a small part of the present but when you take the time to make a personal, creative and insightful choice, you show how much you really care.