Rethinking Holiday Lists with Experience Gifts
By: Sarah Farris
Each year, I write and rewrite the holiday shopping list. With gifts to buy for everyone, including teachers, friends and neighbors, family members of all ages, and our kids, I spend endless hours hunting for the latest gadget or toy knowing that it will just be squeezed into homes and playrooms already overflowing. That’s why this year, I’m rethinking the wishlists and looking for gifts that offer something else entirely: time, connection, and shared experiences.
For me, the shift comes from juggling a busy schedule and a day-to-day routine that feels more digital than ever. With the holidays arriving soon, I find myself wanting something that feels more memorable and less disposable.
That’s where experience gifts come in. Whether it’s a one-day outing, a class, a seasonal event, or a special activity planned just for someone you love, these kinds of presents offer something a physical item rarely can: a memory that becomes part of a family’s story.
As a mom, I often find that shared moments mean more than anything I could wrap in paper. The idea isn’t new to me or anyone else. In fact, I’ve noticed it gaining momentum among families I know.
Norwell resident, Megan Collins, says, “As my son gets older, I tend to focus more on experience gifts rather than things that will clutter up my house.” Collins and her husband have given their 12-year-old son tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters, the Harry Potter experience, and even Vampire Weekend in recent years.
There are also so many activities and venues to experience in our own backyard on the South Shore; you can easily match your recipient’s personality with something they’ll genuinely enjoy.
Here are a few ideas:
A day out doing something active. A pass to a Fun Park, a court rental for them and their friends for when it’s too cold to play outside, a soccer clinic, or a day or week at a recreation program on school holidays or summer vacation at a local facility can be wrapped in a card with a personal note.
A creative experience. Workshops, painting classes, cookie-decorating sessions or DIY holiday craft events let families explore something new together.
A special holiday outing. Seasonal favorites like tree lightings, Santa brunches, or themed weekend activities offer built-in excitement without requiring extra planning.
Starland Sportsplex, for example, is offering several seasonal events this fall, including their Tree Lighting on Black Friday and Brunch with Santa on Dec. 6 - both of which you can get your pictures with Santa done early! Families can easily turn any of these into a holiday gift by pairing tickets or passes with a simple handwritten card.
A shared hobby. If someone loves basketball, bowling, skating, or arcade games, consider giving an experience that aligns with that interest. It shows attention to who they are and what they enjoy.
Kick off your shopping early by giving memories, not more stuff. Starland’s Black Friday SALE makes it easy and it starts online and in-store on 11/24/25:
Snag Fun Park Cards ($25 get $10 FREE • $50 get $25 FREE • $100 get $75 FREE)
Lock in a $50 Fun Park Day Pass for 2026
Give a full week of our Recreation Program for just $300 (February, April, or summer break)
Score 50% off a week of our Summer Basketball Day Program (only $213 for a week!)
The presentation of your experience gift matters. You may want to create a small physical piece so the recipient has something to open. This can range from including a note with the details or adding a small item like a keychain, notebook, or sticker to be a symbolic “bow”. Don’t forget to set a calendar reminder, teaser photo, or countdown can make the gift feel even more special.
One parent described it as “a gift that keeps paying off,” noting that experiences often lead to follow-up conversations, photos, and shared stories long after the event takes place.
When all the wrapping paper is recycled and schedules return to normal, what sticks with families are often the moments spent together. Whether it’s a holiday brunch, an afternoon of arcade play, a day riding go-karts, or a simple hour carved out of a hectic week, experience gifts offer lasting memories.
For South Shore residents, the holiday season may be the perfect time to give something that doesn’t need batteries, instructions, or storage - just some time and connection.
About Starland Sportsplex & Fun Park:
Escape the ordinary and embark on a journey of endless thrills at Starland, your ultimate destination for fun. With outdoor & indoor adventures like mini golf, go-karts, bumper cars, laser tag, and an arcade that will make your heart race.
Home to Fuel Espresso and Bagel Co. & Rec Room - Bar & Grill. Whether it's your special day, ready to flex your sports skills, or you just wanna let loose, Starland is the spot.
Learn more about Starland Sportsplex & Fun Park here.