Photo by Melanie Hodskins Photography
Alright parents, you know the drill. You’re knee deep in an instruction manual while your partner shuffles through the kitchen drawers looking for the most random size batteries. Your little ones are lost in a sea of new toys and disheveled wrapping paper, finding the most enjoyment playing in an oversized box. Happy Holidays!
If you got sweaty palms just reading through the first few sentences, you aren’t alone. Each year leading up to Christmas, I get an instant sense of feeling overwhelmed by the amount of “stuff” we don’t need but seem to accumulate. This year, my husband and I committed to gifting experiences in lieu of accumulating more “things” they won’t care to have a few weeks into the new year. Here are a few of our favorite ideas for anyone in the tri-state area!
Holiday World Passes
Our boys are always so excited about a trip to Holiday World! As ticket prices have gone up, it feels like a bit of an investment for our little family to make the trip. If you make 3-4 visits a year, season passes make it a total worth-while purchase. Sometimes we’ll go over early in the day, let the boys wear themselves out in the water park and head home after lunch. Gifting them as Christmas presents can be fun and exciting if paired with a Holiday World sweatshirt or item from the gift shop!
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Lessons
When the temps drop and we’re stuck inside, we’re always looking for ways to keep the boys entertained. Lessons at the Bluegrass Museum are an awesome option for Christmas gifting. If you’re feeling extra generous, an instrument would make the perfect present under the tree to pair with their lessons.
Airplane Getaway
Have a little one that’s extremely into airplanes? You’re in luck. Catching a flight to Saint Louis from the Owensboro Airport can run around $30 round trip during the week! Make a trip out of your experience and spend the day at a Cardinals game before heading home.
Mesker Park Zoo Passes
My boys could visit the zoo twice a week and honestly still get just as excited as their first trip. Their family plans come in at just $75 and would make for an awesome experience for your whole crew. Gifting tip: add in a Mesker Park hat, a set of binoculars and a few animal-themed books for your little ones so they still have something to open!
Evansville Otters Tickets
Looking for an affordable way to take your family out to the ballpark? Going to an Evansville Otters baseball game is always a hit with our crew! We prefer it to major league games with our little ones because it’s a short drive, smaller crowd and they’re over the moon excited to see “real” baseball players.
BONUS IDEA: A SENTIMENTAL GIFT
If you want to surprise someone with the gift that keeps on giving, photos are the way to go. My mom lives for family photos. Surprise them with portraits of grandbabies or pre-purchase a family session for them with your favorite photographer! I gifted myself a family session with Melanie Hodskins Photography this year and promise you, it’s worth tenfold anything my husband would have attempted to pick out on a last-minute shopping run.
I hope you’re breathing easier and feeling a little less overwhelmed heading into the holidays. As much as our children love the instant satisfaction of opening this years toy of the moment, they’ll never forget the memories you make when gifting experiences. With no batteries required, you’ll be thankful you skipped out on gifting “things” this holiday season!