Hey there,

Have you ever found yourself caught between two different ideas that both feel right in their own way? That’s exactly how I’ve felt about holiday gift giving over the years.

About 5 years ago, I recorded a podcast episode about why I didn’t do experience gifts for my kids. Back then, the idea of wrapping up my time and attention as a gift felt uncomfortable. I wanted my kids to know that our family values spending time together every day, not just on special occasions.

But fast forward a few years—and another podcast episode later on why I changed my mind about minimalist gifts—and I now see the value of experience gifts, especially for older kids. They’ve grown to appreciate the excitement of tickets to a concert or a zoo pass, even if they can’t enjoy it immediately.

So, what’s changed?

Why Traditional Gifts Made Sense Before:

• Younger kids love the “now.” When my kids were toddlers, tangible gifts they could unwrap and enjoy instantly brought them the most joy. A zoo pass on Christmas morning wouldn’t have meant much to a 4-year-old.
• My time wasn’t a “present.” I’ve always wanted my kids to feel like my presence is an everyday thing, not something reserved for holidays. Especially when they were young.
• Logistics were overwhelming. The planning and follow-through for experience gifts felt like an extra layer of stress during an already busy season.

Why Experience Gifts Work Now:

• Older kids value experiences. My older kids now get excited about things like concert tickets or a family membership to the zoo. They understand the joy of delayed gratification.
• Less clutter, more memories. Experience gifts allow us to focus on creating memories rather than finding room for new toys.
• Aligned with our values. Our family values connection and simplicity, and experience gifts fit perfectly with that.
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Here’s the takeaway: There’s no “right” way to give gifts. What matters most is that your approach works for your family and feels aligned with your values. For us, traditional gifts were perfect for our younger kids, and now, experience gifts have become a meaningful addition to our holiday traditions.

Ready to Simplify Your Holiday Season?

Whether you’re leaning toward traditional gifts or excited to explore experience gifts, the key to enjoying the holidays is clearing the clutter and creating space for what truly matters.

That’s where Decluttering Simplified comes in. This step-by-step course will help you declutter your entire home in just four weeks—just in time for the holidays.

You’ll even get access to a holiday-specific mini-course with scripts for setting boundaries about gift giving and managing well-meaning relatives who might go overboard.

​Click here to join Decluttering Simplified and start creating a home and holiday season that feels lighter, calmer, and more joyful.

Here’s to making the holidays work for you.

Holiday warm and fuzzies from me to you,
Krista