Single in Silicon Valley: The Gift of 'Experience'

It has started: holiday cards are arriving via snail mail, Evites and Facebook invites for holiday parties are filling your inbox, you’re being inundated with special shopping offers to buy gifts for yourself and others.

Now I’m starting to fret just a bit about what types of gifts I should give, who should actually get one in the first place, and how to I try to make said gifts fun/interesting/unique.

I was an early adopter of giving gift cards when they first came out, and I loved receiving them.  I figured it would guarantee we’d get something we actually wanted at the end of the day.  I haven’t abandoned this logic, but since it’s so commonplace to give these cards now, they get lost in the shuffle and end up residing at the bottom of a purse, backpack or desk drawer.

Then I had an idea!

I admit that I am someone who runs around a lot, and will allow myself to get so busy that I’m not spending time with my friends like I want to. I also know that I can be a bit particular when it comes to hanging out activities. I do like trying new things, but don’t jump at the chance like I used to. So, I’ve decided to give the gift of "experiences" this year.

These experiences will be varied, but will fall into one of two categories. 

Category 1: Gift some friends with an activity. For a couple of my friends who are Food Network junkies, I’m buying them a cooking class experience at or Williams Sonoma.  It’ll be something we can do together, and I can treat them to something they haven’t done but would like to.

Category 2: Gift some friends with time: Some friends have asked me participate in an activity with them, but I end up shamelessly weaseling out. I admit my guilt in this. So, to those I’ve mercilessly done this to, they will be gifted with an hour (or two) of doing an activity of their choice. The real gift in this is that I can’t whine, complain, make excuses not to go, etc. Trust me, to those who have dealt with me in this regard, they will see it as a present in itself!

There it is, my gift giving list this year. I like to think it’s fun and creative, and can work with various budgets.  Feel free to borrow my ideas if you’d like. Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section.

Happy Holidays!