Stop Asking for Gifts!

What? Don't ask for gifts? Tiffani, you're crazy. Y'all, I'm really not. I want you to stop asking for material gifts. I'm the first one to admit, I love receiving a nice new handbag for my birthday, or a gift card to Starbucks, but there are FAR better things to ask for. I love adventure, and doing things. Over the last few years, I've realized that gifts aren't really all that. Now, by gifts, I mean stuff. Stuff is what isn't all that great. Stuff accumulates at the top of your closet and in the bins under your bed. Stuff is really just stuff.

I'm no longer asking for stuff, I'm asking for experiences. Now, I don't mean I want my friends and family to gift me a trip to Turks & Caicos, but I totally wouldn't be against that. I mean, instead of a gift, lets go for a hike, lets take a day trip to somewhere we've never been, or spend the afternoon at a distillery or brewery. Those are the things I will remember. Those are the things I want you to remember. Gifts are great, I don't want anyone to think you should not enjoy gifts, but really y'all, when is the last time you looked back on a gift and felt elated with joy because of all of the fabulous memories you made with that gift? Here are a few reasons WHY you should STOP asking for gifts.

1. It's not possible for everyone to buy you a gift, and if they are, theres a good chance one friend/family member is going to feel bad if they get you a gift that is far below what another person gets you. I know I've felt this way before. It's a crummy feeling. If you make it known that you don't want gifts, but experiences, friends have more of an opportunity to get creative. I'm almost certain a nature hike and a picnic could be pulled off for under $15, and would be much more memorable than a Starbucks gift card.

2. Stuff accumulates in your closet. Experiences accumulate in your heart. I have tons of bags, I always asked for a new handbag for holidays. Now? I have a closet full of bags, and I regularly use maybe three of them each year, but the memories I have made take up absolutely no space in my home, other than in the picture frames on my walls, and in the memories I cherish.

3. Do you really need whatever it is you're asking for? Needing a new car or computer is one thing, but needing a new pair of $400 heels? Yeah, I don't think so. Needs are a total different category. I think it's totally acceptable to ask for something you need, especially if you can't afford it yourself.

4. You are way more likely to find a new passion doing something as opposed to getting something. Groupon is a great way for people to gift experiences at a low cost. Wether it be a massage or a two hour flying trapeze class, go out on a limb and go for whatever it is.

5. In 15 years, the stuff you asked for is going to be worn down and old. You're going to continue to want new stuff when your old stuff becomes weathered. Why not just skip the stuff? 

Wether you're gifting a friend a short day trip to the next city over, or gifting your girlfriend a ticket to a blogger conference (thanks T!), they are going to remember that experience for far longer than the bundle of stuff you picked up from TJ Maxx for them!

 Stuff lasts a few years, memories last a lifetime.

This post was totally inspired by Thomas gifting me with my Ticket to Thrive Blog Conference, which just so happens to be THIS WEEKEND! I am so excited to be heading down to Houston tomorrow, and to see what Thrive is all about!