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Is anyone else over stuff? Of course, giving and receiving gifts is a special part of the traditions throughout the Christmas holiday, but it always seems that on Dec. 26, we spend much of the day finding a place to put all the things we’ve collected over the month.
What if we considered “experiences” to fulfill those Christmas wish lists this year?
- CBS News Reported last year that 73% of people said spending time with family and friends was their favorite part of the holidays. Receiving gifts was at 4%.
- Mintel’s winter shopping report offered that 66% of respondents 25-34 said experiential gifts were more meaningful than tangible items.
- Susan Newman, the author of Little Things Long Remembered, notes that overloading children with gifts is developmentally harmful.
- Americans throw away 25% more trash during the holidays, leading to 1 million tons weekly.
“The experience of getting a new toy or digital device is fleeting. You can get bored with things, but experiences and memories are embedded in your brain.” – Susan Newman, child psychologist
So, what does it look like to make the change? Get creative with how you present your gift – offer a coupon to cash in, write a meaningful note, or host a family FaceTime if you can’t be together.
1. Gift of Time
Why not start this year with a gift of time for those in your closest circle of influence? Whether it’s your spouse, children or best friends, offer a coupon for a “Yes” day together at the beginning of the new year. Doing this gives you time to be present during the holidays and reserve sacred one-on-one time with your loved one later, doing the things they love most.
2. Family Togetherness
Something that our family can use together throughout the year is at the top of my list. Whether it’s a local trampoline park, children’s museum or aquatic park, something you can use over and over is a fun way to extend the celebration. And, when you are at the splash pad this summer, send a thank you video to the giver, letting them know how much you are still enjoying your gift.
- Children’s Experiences and Museums across the state
- Aquatic Park Season Pass
- Family Camp at Camp Ozark in Mount Ida, Camp Winnamoka in Arkadelphia or Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock
- Garden Membership – Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs or South Arkansas Arboretum in El Dorado
- Children’s Museums Membership – Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Amazeum in Bentonville, Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs or the Jones Center in Springdale
- Family Road Trip – brainstorm destinations or fun restaurants and research your path. Name the road trip and take off!
3. Sacred Getaway
Save time after the holidays to get away together. Check items off your Arkansas bucket list. Stay in a unique location and explore the area. Print off a fun coupon or craft one with seasonal materials and wrap it under the tree.
- Glamping in a Luxurious Bell Tent or set up indoors
- Unique stays across Arkansas
- Experience spring at Moss Mountain farm
- Stay off the grid at Longbow Resort in Prim.
- Hide away in the Beckham Creek Cave near Jasper.
- Stare at the stars from your bed at E. Fay Jones’ Stoneflower Cottage.
- Gather your lunch before bed at Dogwood Hills Guest Farm.
4. Go Wild
Maybe your people need some wild time and exploring Arkansas animals this year. Many of these locations offer annual memberships or behind-the-scenes, hands-on animal experiences.
- Arkansas Nature Centers
- Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge | Eureka Springs
- Little Rock Zoo
- Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo | Hot Springs
- Norfolk National Fish Hatchery | Mountain Home and Mammoth Springs
6. Ride On
It is no longer a secret. Arkansas is a world destination for off-road mountain biking. Take advantage of the multi-level skill courses and the biking community infrastructure with unique restaurants, service structures, and coffee shops ready along many routes.
- Oz Trails | Bentonville and Bella Vista
- Hot Springs National Park & Beyond | Hot Springs
- Holy Roller trails | Eureka Springs
- Buffalo River Trails | Ponca
- Monument Trails | across state
- Craighead Forest Park | Jonesboro
- Multi-use trails in Fort Smith
- IMBA Epic Trails around Arkansas
- Sylamo Mountain Bike Trail | Mountain View
5. Inner Critique
Cashing in on monthly theater tickets is one of my favorite gifts from Mother’s Day. Yes, it can be expensive, but it’s like 12 already, pre-planned dates!
- Ballet – Little Rock
- Symphony – Conway, Little Rock, Fayetteville, El Dorado, Bentonville
- Theater – Van Buren, Mena, Fayetteville, Eureka Springs, Fort Smith, Pocahontas, Searcy, Little Rock
- Concerts – Fayetteville, Rogers, Little Rock, Hope, Jonesboro, Fort Smith
- Do not pass up fine arts programs at Arkansas colleges
7. Be Creative
No one knows your gift recipient better than you. Maybe they don’t fit any of these categories, or they are the most complicated people to shop for. Here are some creative takes on Arkansas amenities that might just be what they need.
- Taste and Tour Arkansas Wineries
- Encounter Jesus
- Visit an Arkansas Battlefield
- Go Digging for the world’s finest crystals or a diamond
- Escape or Get Locked Away
- Explore a Battlefield
- Bathhouse and Spa Day
- Dine by the Water
- Visit all the national treasures in Arkansas
- Zipline over the Buffalo River Canopy
- Flea Markets
- Goat Yoga
- Ferry Over
- Ride the Rail
- Rope at the Rodeo
- Fly in a Helicopter
- Eagle Watching Tour
- Hang Glide from Arkansas’ Highest Point
8. Get Outside
Plan a day exploring the Natural State together.
- Sunrise hike on the Big Bluff Goat Trail
- Driving tour of Arkansas’ National Forests
- Trek together along the Ozark Highlands Trail or the Ouachita National Recreational Trail
- Chase Waterfalls
- Explore Caves and Caverns
- Visit any of Arkansas State Parks
- Climb the highest peaks
- Watch a sunrise or sunset from an Arkansas Mountain
- Kayak the Arkansas River
Like this story? Read more from Keisha Pittman McKinney
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3 responses to “Give an Arkansas Experience for Christmas”
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I LOVE this! What a great collection of ideas to support local and give the gift of experience.
so many cool ways to experience Arkansas instead of more stuff in a closet or on a shelf collecting dust. I’m ready to make a new 2023 list and explore more places!
[…] giving an Arkansas Experience as an alternative to more “things” is on your Christmas shopping list, then you will […]