This past Easter, our children barely had any treats in their baskets. Just a chocolate bunny, some jelly beans, and a few stickers, along with eggs they hunted for in the yard. It might seem a bit skimpy, especially when I saw elaborate setups on social media—soccer balls, extravagant toys, and even video games. But despite the minimal haul, my kids were content. One of them did inquire about where the Lego sets were, but they understand that the money we would have spent on toys went toward a memorable spring break trip to the mountains. We’ve made a conscious choice to prioritize experiences over material possessions.
We departed the Saturday before Easter for a blissful six days in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina, staying in our favorite cabin (which is really more of a luxury rustic resort, complete with a hot tub). We hiked to stunning waterfalls, discovered a hidden beach on the Chattooga River where the boys fished for trout and played in the sand. We even climbed a mountain! Instead of buying trinkets in town, we collected beautiful chips of mica, which now sit proudly in a bowl by our front door. Although the trees were bare, the evergreen mountain laurel surrounded us, and my sons delighted in catching salamanders next to a roaring waterfall. The only tear shed was from my middle child, who mourned the loss of the biggest trout that slipped away.
These moments are etched in my memory: the shimmering brown trout the boys caught, the rushing rivers after a heavy rain, and their joyful splashes in the hot tub. These experiences far outshine any extravagant Easter basket, and I know my boys would agree.
That’s not to say we don’t spend money; we do! At the end of last season, we snagged discounted kayaks for our kids, shifting funds from our Christmas account. My husband, Jake, and I already had our own kayaks and a canoe from our grad school days. This year, our six-year-old was able to learn to kayak in his own vessel, floating down Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park, dodging cypress knees and water oak branches. We even spotted a brown water snake along the way! He and his friend planned their future wedding while we chuckled at their innocent musings.
We continue to invest in kayaking equipment instead of toys or trendy clothes. Our local sporting goods store has everything from tow ropes to sun-proof shirts. On Easter Saturday, we paddled down the Saluda River, with my three-year-old nestled in my lap. We encountered osprey and kingfishers, and while Jake didn’t catch any fish, we explored a side creek and spotted muskrats. My oldest, Leo, found joy in startling turtles off their logs. When we hit the class 2 rapids, he turned to me and exclaimed, “Can we do it again, Mama?”
Our family also visits historical battlefields, driven by Leo’s newfound obsession with the American Revolution. We listen to audiobooks about famous generals on our drives, retracing the steps of soldiers who fought for freedom. Leo can now identify a redoubt because he has seen one up close, and he even pretended to storm a reconstructed redoubt at Camden. Though gas prices are high when we travel across the state, we manage our budget by cutting back on other expenses.
Locally, we’ve asked family members to give experiences rather than physical gifts for Christmas. Annual memberships to the zoo, state museum, and children’s museum have become our go-to requests. We frequent the zoo weekly and spend countless summer days at the botanical garden’s splash pad. In fact, Leo met his “girlfriend” there during a homeschool event! Recently, he even had his brothers bury him up to his neck in sand, resulting in some hilarious photos.
We consciously avoid accumulating more items; the weight of our current belongings often feels overwhelming. I’m always tempted to declutter rather than add to the chaos. Sure, we might occasionally need a new kayaking shirt or a tow rope for our youngest, Max, who is still mastering his kayak skills. But we’d much rather invest our resources in creating unforgettable memories. Witnessing my sons glide down the river and catch brown trout are moments I will cherish forever. I’ve learned that meaningful experiences fill the heart in a way that material goods never can.
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Summary:
This article discusses the shift from prioritizing material possessions to focusing on experiences, particularly in family life. The author shares personal anecdotes about family trips, outdoor adventures, and educational outings, emphasizing the lasting joy and memories created through experiences rather than things.