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@creativemomma15: I think I would try to come up with some sort of gift they can open that relates to the experience gift. A stuffed zebra for a zoo membership, new leotard for gymnastics lessons, character beach towel for a pool membership...

Maybe also print out some relevant pictures, or gift a related book? Like "oh my gosh, look at these pics of all the zoo animals! It will be so fun when we get to see them too!"

I struggle with this too and for now (she just turned 2) we don't even address it, we simply use the holiday budget for that item and she opens other stuff that is way smaller in scale than it might otherwise be. As she gets older though I will try to get something that goes well with it (the leotard for gymnastics example) or gather up things that correspond- like we're taking her to the Pittsburgh children's museum to see the Daniel Tiger exhibit so a DT book, some stickers, a brochure and photos printed from the internet might be a fun gift to open and pool through.

I think it depends on the age. For my niece's 5th birthday our main gift to her was a special weekend at our house and a trip to a kids spa with me. She was SO excited once it was explained to her, but didn't get it at first. I did also get her a small physical gift as well so she would have something from us to play with that day.

@creativemomma15: We have done experience gifts and I think they are GREAT!

Last year on top of other gifts, we got our whole family tickets to go see Wild Kratts Live, because at the time my kids were obsessed. They were SO SO excited. We also got a zoo membership from my Grandma. The kids didn't really understand that until it was summer and we were going to the zoo, but nevertheless, I love having it.

This year, they each had a big thing on their wishlist that they have been talking about for months, so we opted to get them each the toy on their wishlist instead. I feel like it ebbs and flows and every year is different!

With three kids there is never a lack of "things" around the house and I've learned that our family just really enjoys shopping for them so I just embrace it and do a purge after the new year!

As an aunt I've preferred to gift experiences when I could, but I'm not sure they've been appreciated. Lol! I do like the idea of adding a related physical gift to go along with it.