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Devin is a recent graduate starting work in public accounting this July. He enjoys burritos, skiing, talking in the third person, and long walks on the beach. Visit Devin's personal website at 
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New here? Employee Evolution is a blog written by Ryan Healy. Ryan is a Co-Founder of Brazen Careerist, the webs #1 social network for young professionals. Ryan speaks with organizations on best practices for recruiting and retaining Generation Y and how to effectively use social media to reach your target market. To contact Ryan, please visit our contact page.
‘Tis the season where family and friends start asking the dreaded question: what do you want for Christmas? I was actually talking to my girlfriend about this and she made a very excellent point:
At this stage in my life I don’t need more “things.” I’m at a point where I value experiences over things.
Brilliant. As a student of the uber-successful Tim Ferriss I agree entirely that I’d much rather a few bucks towards a ski-trip in Canada over a few bucks towards a new suit. Sure, it’s not as fun for parents but its more meaningful to me.
The way I see it, in twenty years I’m not going to think about how nice that jacket looked. Instead, I’ll stop and remember the great time I had.
Besides, we have too much stuff anyway. This year I’m going to ask someone to donate to a cause in my name or sponsor my upcoming adventure. That sounds like a pretty good wishlist to me.
What’s on yours?
Leave your thoughts here. (15 responses)
- 1 Pingback on Nov 28th, 2007 at 10:51 am
- 2 Pingback on Nov 29th, 2007 at 10:03 am
I ask them to help pay for my upcoming wedding. not many have taken me up on it yet. guess they don’t think I am serious!
One of the best “experience” gifts I ever got was a flying lesson from my cousin after I graduated college. I’ve been putting it off forever, but I’m finally using the lesson this December. Can’t wait.
This Christmas I would like some money so I can continue to experience eating food and living in a warm house.
I’ve asked for rain barrels and Home Depot gift cards, but I agree on the experience gifts.
My mom gave my husband and I a fully paid Bahamian cruise once and we’ll never forget it!
One of the fastest growing segments of the gift industry is the “experience gift” industry. There are many companies starting up offering alternative gifts such as flying lessons, massages, cooking lessons, or skydiving trips. My company - www.incredibledays.com - offers some of these experiences in the Boston and NYC areas.
It’s funny to read this because my sis and I were talking about this very thing over Thanksgiving, trying to decide on an experience to give to our parents this year. We’re still working on it
I just accepted a new job which will require an hour commute each way. Instead of buying a car, I’m going to take the lightrail 60 min each way to work. I’m asking for a Burberry raincoat for Christmas. I know it’s technically a thing, but it will make my daily experience more fun (and dry
brandonA: Maybe because they figure paying for a wedding plus a wedding gift would mean double jeopardy?
Ryan: What a cool idea, I know a guy who’s a pilot–he could easily offer to take people on private flights.
Meka: Excellent! Could you let my mom know what a great idea that is?
David: That’s a very smart idea! In a state like Colorado I could have no problem doing this (ski, hike, bike, raft, hot-air balloon, sky-dive, etc.). Do you find a lot of people buying the certificates for others? That’s definitely something I’d ask for.
Jessica: Experience-enhancing-accessories are definitely allowed. I’m sorry for your commute, I’m moving this Saturday because I was faced with the same dillema (but no light rail for me, unfortunately).
Great post Devin! Short but very sweet.
I was so inspired, I wrote a column piece for the newspaper I write for, following more or less the same theme. ^_^ thanks very much for inspiring me!
Hey everyone, I just heard on the radio this morning a great idea that lends to this, AAA gift certificates. This way if you ask everyone for these certificates you can add them all up and get any trip or two out of them and builf your own trip. Sounds pretty sweet especially since then you have money designated towards a trip and you don’t go spending it on something worthless instead..good post
Yeah that’s a good idea too. Just like any other prepaid Visa or card but that one has a little more intention. Thanks, Chris.
I am the same way. I would much rather share experiences with people rather than them spend $25 or $50 on a gift that I’ll appreciate, but probably won’t use much. Some of my best friends and I have started a tradition to plan a trip later in the year as a Xmas present to each other.
My holiday wish list actually consists of presents for other people. I love shopping for gifts and seeing the delight on the faces of the recipients. So I’ve never really thought of the Christmas and birthday (I was born 5 days before Christmas) gifts I’d want to have this year. While a ski-trip or a trip anywhere would be impossible with how busy everyone is at the moment, I’m just hoping to end this year with smiles and for next year to be a great year. Hmm. How’s that for a wish?
what are the tax laws that are beneficial for doing this?
The quality of the info is what keeps me on this site, thanks!