Less Stuff, More Heart: 5 Gifts On a New Dad's Christmas List

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Yes! Magazine Essay
As my 30th birthday draws nearer, I am confused as to what kind of gift I would want for myself and my family this year. Even though I love giving and receiving presents to and from friends and family members, I feel like I need a different approach this year. Various research studies have proven that material possessions do not always lead to happiness. This fact has got me thinking about what to do differently, and I have settled for an experience gift. I have realized that an experience gift is much more fulfilling, intrinsically compared to material things. Furthermore, deviating from the custom where I expect my friends and family members to give me gifts, I have decided to be the one to provide them with something as a form of appreciation for their love and support throughout the years. Since it is better to give than to receive and I am sure I will derive much more joy from seeing their happy faces compared to me receiving gifts. I have realized that with material things, we tend to adapt and with time, they become commonplace whereas experiences and memories become fonder with time. Having shared experiences with my family and friends is directly linked to numerous benefits such as a reduction in behavioral problems in children, creating a sense of belonging, identity and security, increased rates of success regarding academics, reduced rates of violence and enabling bonding within the family setting.
When I was younger, I remember that even the anticipation that leads up to an event, an experience or a trip can provide happiness by itself, and...