Christmas Presents – Experiences vs. Tangible Gifts

With the holidays right around the corner, people are scrambling to find gifts for their families, friends, and loved ones. Finding the perfect gift can be incredibly expensive, costing up to hundreds of dollars. In 2023 alone, holiday retail sales are expected to total nearly one trillion dollars. 

But sometimes the amount of money you spend on a gift doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the most impactful on the recipient. In fact, research indicates that experiences can actually make better gifts than physical items. But if you still want something physical to put under the tree this year, there are plenty of ways to think outside the box and give them something they’ll treasure for years. 

At Casey State Bank, we understand the importance of gifts with value beyond their price tag. With that in mind, here are some meaningful gift ideas to consider this season—both experiential and tangible. 

Experiential Gift Ideas 

There are many ways you can give the gift of quality time to your loved ones. Not only are these gifts impactful, but they’re also low-stress to prepare. No gift-wrapping or last-minute shopping needed! 

Acts of Service 

People always appreciate having time-consuming or labor intensive tasks taken off their hands. If you want to volunteer your own time, hand out a voucher or surprise your gift recipient with freshly mowed grass, a home-cooked meal, or a perfectly cleaned house. Alternatively, you could hire a professional to do whatever task they need done. 

Tickets to an Event 

Surprise your loved one with tickets to something they’ll never forget. Event tickets make excellent gifts because they can be customized to fit the interests of the recipient, whether they love music, sports, or dance. Keep in mind that these types of gifts can be pricier, but if you have the budget, event tickets are unforgettable gifts.

Quality Time 

Sometimes the best gift you can give to someone is just spending time with them. Pick a day for you both to spend doing something they enjoy, whether it’s a fun activity or eating out at their favorite restaurant. Let your gift recipient dictate how the day will go, within budget and reason, of course. This type of gift giving can be as quiet or as extravagant as you need it to be. 

Tangible Gift Ideas 

For something more thoughtful and personalized, consider hand-making or customizing gifts this Christmas. Here are some of our best physical gift ideas: 

Personalized Photo Album

One of the best kinds of gifts are ones that aren’t just thoughtful, but also serve as special keepsakes. A photo album is the type of Christmas present that will be kept and treasured for years to come. Compile snapshots of shared memories, accompanied by heartfelt notes or captions.  If you enjoy scrap-booking, you can add to the album with ephemera, stamps, and cardstock. 

Handmade Items 

If you already enjoy art as a hobby, share your talent by gifting someone a piece of hand-made art. Whether you’re passionate about sewing, crocheting, drawing, or woodworking, giving someone a gift you made yourself is invaluable. Even if you aren’t a seasoned crafter, there’s no shortage of easy DIY gift ideas. Try your hand at making a drink koozie, decorating a canvas bag with stencils, or even a handwritten letter or poem. 

Collectable Coins 

Instead of a standard toy, consider giving the children in your life a gift with more responsibility. Silver dollars make great gifts for children because they present an important learning opportunity. These collectable coins increase in value over the years—so while they may not be worth much now, a silver dollar gifted every Christmas for many years could someday be worth a lot of money. Giving a child a silver dollar and encouraging them to save it someplace safe, helps them learn the beginnings of financial literacy. 

Casey State Bank 

Planning financially for the holidays can be tough—that’s why we have tools such as our Christmas Club account to help you save for Christmas expenses early. Contact Casey State Bank today to learn more about how you can secure your finances this holiday season.