She Strengthens

Rethinking Holiday Gift-Giving: Couples Share Their Alternative Traditions

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are faced with the daunting task of finding the perfect gift for our significant others. But what if you could break free from the pressure of buying expensive presents and focus on creating meaningful experiences instead?

I recently proposed the idea of skipping holiday gifts to my boyfriend, but he was hesitant to give up the tradition. We compromised on getting each other small, practical gifts, but the conversation got me thinking – what do other couples do instead of exchanging gifts?

Experiences Over Material Possessions

Jackie, 26, and her partner decided to pool their money for a staycation in New York, complete with a hotel room and dinner at a restaurant they’ve always wanted to try. “We don’t get to spend as much time together as we’d like, so it’s nice to treat ourselves to a fun getaway,” she says.

Personalized Touches for the Home

Matt, 29, and his partner are contributing a piece of artwork to their new shared space instead of getting each other presents. “We each get to pick something we like for the apartment and share it with the other person,” he explains.

Celebrating Together, Simply

Jesse, 25, and his partner are keeping things simple by cooking a special dinner together on Christmas Eve. “We never get to spend the holidays together, so this year we decided to do something special before we each went our separate ways,” he says.

Opting Out of Gift-Giving Altogether

Bill, 52, and his partner have decided to forego presents altogether. “Neither of us wanted to spend money, and only one of us celebrates Christmas. We spend the day cooking and calling family members instead,” he says.

Creating Lasting Memories

Jennifer, 32, and her husband prefer to create memories over exchanging gifts. “Before we were married, we went to Disneyland Paris on Christmas Day instead of exchanging gifts. I’d rather have a memory of the day than exchange gifts that won’t have a lot of lasting value,” she says.

Small, Thoughtful Gestures

Ana, 25, and her boyfriend celebrate Hanukkah with small, homemade gifts each night of the holiday. “Instead of getting each other a fancy present, we just do small, thoughtful gifts,” she explains.

Saving Up for a Dream Trip

Julia, 27, and her partner are saving up for their first trip together instead of buying each other gifts. “We both said, ‘uhhh.. nothing’ when asked what we needed, and that’s when we knew that buying each other gifts we wouldn’t use was kind of a waste,” she says.

These couples are proof that there’s more to the holiday season than just gift-giving. By focusing on experiences, personal touches, and meaningful traditions, you can create a more memorable and enjoyable holiday season with your significant other.