It was Christmas 2013 when I first remember feeling the glazed eye overwhelm, being surrounded by stuff, in the midst of newborn exhaustion after our 3rd babe was born that fall. I think it was the sense that as a mama, I wouldn’t be able to manage, to keep up with it all, that we would just be indefinitely surrounded in chaos.

I have come along way since those early days - the days of toys strewn about are limited. It is but a very brief, very sweet, season in the grand scheme of things when our kids want to play with toys. Knowing that we are blessed in a family of givers, we have spent the last 5 years gifting our kids experiences - amusement park memberships, monthly simple dates (think like ice cream outings and a trip to the movies and sleeping in a tent in our living room), and one year the promise of a PUPPY! That helped me relax some regarding the new items coming into our home through the generosity of others.

Believe it or not, we may opt for tangible gifts this year, even knowing some of those things may have a short shelf life. We will still keep it minimal and many of them consumables, But knowing I have a system for moving items out that no longer serve a purpose helps me to be okay with that. I’ll let you know how it plays out, ha!

In light of all these things, below are my 2022 ideas for experience gifts AND tangible gifts that add fun and excitement (plus, the tangible things are either consumable or can be easily passed on once you are passed that stage!). The most important part is gratitude, teaching our kids that generosity comes in many forms and that paying it forward is the best part. Here’s to a holiday season focused on family fun and blessing others.