Experience gifts, such as traveling somewhere or enjoying a special activity or experience, are not only age-appropriate but also incredibly meaningful for young children.

While toys can certainly bring joy, young children don't need an abundance of them to feel excitement or satisfaction. In fact, too many toys can sometimes overwhelm a child, leading to overstimulation and detracting from the deeper, imaginative play that fewer, well-chosen toys can foster.

Experience gifts offer unique opportunities for engagement, discovery, and connection that toys often can't match. Especially during the hustle of holiday to-do’s, it’s typical that children feel the adults in their lives grow hurried and busy. Experience gifts help you remember to slow down and partake in the joys and traditions of family time, which can be emotionally grounding for children. When all is said and done, they will remember more how they felt during any given holiday more than what they received.

It's true that a baby or toddler might not retain specific memories of an experience as they grow older, but that doesn't mean the experience doesn't matter. Early childhood is a critical period of self-formation, where the brain is rapidly developing, and every new experience contributes to shaping a child's personality, preferences, and emotional well-being. The feelings of joy, curiosity, and comfort that come from a shared experience with loved ones become embedded in the child's emotional framework, influencing how they view the world and themselves.

In short, don’t second guess the value of an experience gift for your child! It is never too early to prioritize quality time over consumerism; in fact, early childhood is a critical window to prioritize these values from the get-go.