I live for the shrieking sound kid’s make when they open a gift they are SO excited about they can’t help but scream. I’m a giver so it fills my cup, but last year I’ll admit I completely over did it on gifts so by the time they got to the unveiling of the Disney Cruise they were so tired and overwhelmed they hardly reacted at all. I expected the kind of reaction you see shared on YouTube but you know what I got? Blank stares of exhaustion from waking up too early and overstimulation from all the presents already unwrapped. You know, the ones you throw in at the last minute just so they have more to open. “Just so they would have more to open.” More, more, more. It’s something I struggle with. Always wanting more, striving for more, noticing those who have more or are doing more. More, more, more.

My strategy this year is not about the number of presents or equal dollar amounts spent on both boys, because as they get older it’s harder to keep it fair. And life’s not fair so might as well teach them that now. I’m buying them each the one thing they really want and then sprinkling in a couple smaller things they asked for, and one thing that’s not on their list but you know they need or would like. That’s it.

If you’re looking for some last minute gift-giving inspiration, I thought I’d take a different approach and share a guide that is service and experience oriented.

1. A subscription to a service that will make their lives a little easier.
   1. Grocery delivery services like Shipt and Instacart
   2. Healthy Weekly Planning with My Everyday Table (Emily is my girl and I’m telling you this will cut your grocery bill and time in half!)
   3. Meal prep services like  Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, Plated
   4. Pre-pay their nanny or routine babysitter for x amount of hours
2. A subscription to something that will make their lives more enjoyable.
   1. Netflix
   2. Sirius Radio
   3. Spotify Premium
   4. Newspaper or Magazine
   5. Audible
3. A membership somewhere to benefit their mind or body
   1. Core Power Yoga, Orange Theory, Farrell’s, The Bar Method, Beach Body
   2. Golf Course or Tennis Club
   3. GC to a spa (MN peeps the Woodhouse Day Spa is a MUST!)
   4. Event fee to a mindfulness or personal growth conference or retreat
   5. TSA pre-check
   6. Delta or Marriot GC’s
   7. Microblading (@emilyapolis did my brows and I’m obsessed!)
   8. Set up a Personal Shopping Service (with me, obvi!)
   9. Wardrobe Consultation (also with me!)
4. For your #momtribe with little’s:
   1. Passes to indoor play areas (MN Peeps: Playground Plaza, Minisota Play Cafe, Stages Theatre Classes, Dance with Carter at the Millennium Dance Company, The MN Zoo, Children’s Museum, Nickelodeon Universe)
5. Something to do together:
   1. Go to a play
   2. A “choose their own adventure” coupon to plan a special one on one day
   3. Top Golf
   4. Comedy Show
   5. Concert Tickets
   6. Night at a hotel with a fun pool or an indoor water park
   7. Vacation or Weekend Getaway
6. Update their style game with style box subscriptions
   1. Box of Style
   2. Ipsy
   3. Trendsend
   4. Rent the Runway Unlimited
   5. Trunk Club

Happy Holiday’s, All!

XO,

Amy