4 Reasons to Skip the "Stuff" This Holiday Season

The Best Gift: Something To Look Forward To After The Holiday Rush

After the rush of opening gifts at the holidays is over and the newness of a physical gift eventually wears off, so does the excitement. Gifting an experience—whether it’s a special hotel stay, dinner at a MICHELIN restaurant, concert tickets, cooking lessons, or a round of golf at an epic course—gives the recipient something to look forward to, long after the holidays have wrapped.

Ditch The Clutter, Make The Memories

One of the main reasons I now opt for experiences or time together over physical gifts is the clutter that builds over time. This past year, I set out to purge our home and was actually ashamed of all the excess bursting from drawers and closets. While I love a good-smelling candle or a unique piece of jewelry, I’ve realized I truly don’t need any more “stuff.”

What makes gifting an experience special over a physical gift is the memories that can be made together. While I obviously don’t expect my girlfriends to gift me a big-ticket experience, I’ve started asking my besties to plan something unusual that we’ve seen on social media like goat yoga or a pretty afternoon tea, or schedule a gals’ trip together later in the year, with everyone paying their own way in lieu of gifts. Part of the fun is seeing what’s on everyone’s bucket list.

Scottsdale, Arizona, is one of my favorite girlfriend getaways, thanks to its spa culture, exceptional restaurants and recreational hiking. If you’re looking to gift a gals’ trip, Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale is a besties’ dream, where they’ve perfected the art of swim, spa, sip and repeat.

And if you’re a family, surprise the kids with a winter trip to one of my personal favorite properties: South Seas in Captiva, Florida. It’s a place where dolphins and manatees show off daily. Everyone will be thrilled by the resort’s new water park, Captiva Landing, bay-view pools and water sports.

Experiences Feel Personal

Gifting an experience or trip over a physical gift also shows that you truly know the person and what they enjoy. It’s also a chance to try something new. One of my friends has asked her husband for a dream trip to Hawaii over the holidays this year, instead of a big haul of gifts underneath the tree. They plan to take surf lessons together for the first time as a family.

If you’re looking for a “skillcation,” Wayfinder Waikiki in Hawaii is a perfect base for those looking to catch some waves. The hotel also offers regular events where guests can learn everything from the art of hula dancing to lei making. Or if Hawaii feels too far, try a private, hands-on sailing lesson at the Inn at Perry Cabin in Maryland. A trip to the Chesapeake Bay is filled with nautical history and delicious seafood to boot.

Hectic Holidays, Easy Gifting

Gifting experiences also solves several problems over the hectic holidays. They’re perfect for the friend or family member who is hard to buy for or already has everything. And if you’re in a pinch, you can buy the experience, print it out and wrap it up. No rushing around at the last minute. Experiences are truly the gift that keeps on giving, long after the holidays are over. 

Explore more destinations across the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio, a collection of distinct, independent properties by Pyramid Global Hospitality. Located in diverse destinations across the globe, Benchmark’s resorts and hotels reimagine immersive travel, inspiring guests to create memories born from meaningful exploration, authentic moments, and innovative experiences – no matter the occasion. Benchmark guests can earn complimentary gift cards, on-property perks, and destination experiences through the collection’s signature Mosaic Rewards program.