The gift of memories

It’s March, and dare I say that graduation is on the horizon. I implore you, on this momentous gift-giving occasion, and on other occasions as well (birthday, anniversary, Christmas, etc.), consider the gift of memories instead of things. I was going to write this post closer to Christmas, but the inspiration behind it is graduation-based, so I think now is more apropos. Plus, it’s now and not later which, as usual (although not always), is better *wink.*

The gift of memories: The beginning

I’m sure that prior to this epic adventure, I had participated (both giving and receiving) in giving the gift of memories on a smaller scale – tickets to the theater, special shopping sprees together, a day trip to the city. But this was the first real trip. For my college graduation, I asked for a mother/daughter trip somewhere. We went with Adventures by Disney to the Czech Republic and Austria. IT. WAS. EPIC. The full awesomeness of the trip is beyond this the scope of this article, but know that there have been few trips ever to compare.

It’s been more than ten years since we took that trip, and we still talk all the time about the memories we made together. No “thing” – not a car, or sparkly jewelry, or a designer purse – would have been better than the gift of memories we made together. I previously shared one frequently re-told story from this adventure, but there are many more.

The gift of memories: The legacy

Since that amazing trip, I’ve taken many opportunities to give or request the gift of memories. Our anniversary is close to Christmas, and most years we skip presents (or give small gifts) and combine Christmas and anniversary together and take a trip instead. We’ve skied in the Rockies, basked in the sun on beaches in Thailand and the Dominican Republic, had staycations at the Ritz, walked the ancient roads of Italy, and more.

On a smaller scale for various occasions, we’ve done fancy dinners, a night at a local hotel, tickets to a show, or even just a promised afternoon off for whatever. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive to be memorable. We’ve done many as a couple and as a family, and I’m excited to continue this tradition with our boys as well!

The gift of memories: The application

I absolutely recognize that gifting a trip, international or otherwise, takes a lot. It’s expensive; it requires planning and time away. It’s often much easier to order from Amazon, give cash, or gift some other tangible thing. That is true, and giving the gift of memories is not always doable or appropriate. But many times it is, and memories trump things, almost every time. And memories can be made anywhere; it doesn’t have to be a twelve day excursion across an ocean. All it takes is you to make the memories. And of course, whomever you wish to be included in the memories.

If it seems hard to swing for one event, consider combining gift giving opportunities for that year – maybe birthday and Christmas together to take your sweetheart away for the weekend, or all your children’s birthdays that year for a trip to the lake together.

I’m pretty certain that the gift of memories will last a lifetime, while I bet you can’t even remember what “thing” you got for your birthday three years ago.

Give the gift of memories. You won’t regret it.