10 Unique Gifts for the Graduate: Ditch Material Gifts to Improve Your Healthspan
While an engraved gold pen, a sterling picture frame, or a dress watch may be typical gifts for a graduate, if you want to strengthen your relationship and increase your longevity, consider gifting an experience instead.
… giving your graduate an experience to celebrate their achievements might just be the way to go.
Current research pitted physical gifts against experiential ones. Turns out, if you want to not only improve your relationship with the recipient, but also boost your own healthspan by ramping up the strength of your social connections, giving your graduate an experience to celebrate their achievements might just be the way to go.
While boosting your brain health, fueling your body with proper nutrition, optimizing internal physiological systems, and staying active all play vital roles in increasing your healthspan, equally important is the quality of your relationships. Here at The Pounce Pot, you’ll find resources to help you strengthen your relationships under the Connect & Thrive section of The Pounce Pot Post.
Whether your relationships are with family, friends, or community groups, the research from Professor Cindy Chan of University of Toronto Scarborough and Professor Cassie Mogilner of University of California Los Angeles is clear that “social support is one of the main mechanisms that protect us against the harmful health impacts of stress.”
Dr. Thomas Gilovich, psychology professor at Cornell University who’s been studying money and happiness for over 20 years agrees. Unlike physical gifts, he says, “[W]e consume experiences directly with other people.” After the activity is over, his research highlights, “they’re part of the stories that we tell to one another.”
Certainly, material gifts can also be meaningful and lead to shared stories; however, they can also be a burden on the recipient. Let’s face it: this group of graduates is much less interested in acquiring “stuff” than we were.
So considering ditching the Pandora charm bracelet for a shared activity that your favorite student will surely appreciate and you will benefit from.
Here are 10 ideas for experience gifts to get you started:
Local Workshops: Sign up for a local workshop together in photography, creative writing, or flower-arranging. Try Eventbrite for local opportunities. They’re usually quite inexpensive and often support small, local businesses.
Local City Pass: If your grad is staying in or moving to a new city, a city pass can grant access to museums, attractions, and tours at a discounted rate. Be sure to get your own pass and join them!
Hiking or Biking Excursion: Plan a day trip to a scenic area for hiking or biking. Pack a picnic and enjoy the outdoors together. It’s an adventure your grad will never forget.
National Park Pass: If your grad loves the outdoors, an annual pass to national or state parks provides access to stunning landscapes and unforgettable adventures. Check in with the parks closest to you, and enjoy the time together out exploring.
Yoga or Meditation Classes: Gift a package of classes at a local studio. Even better, go to the classes together. If your grad is already a member, check in with their studio; they can often set it up so you can pay for their next membership dues as a gift. If you need a mat, this is my favorite one.
Cooking Class: Even in small towns, cooking classes are usually available. Or instead of signing up for classes, perhaps you can be the head chef and instructor. What are some family recipes that your grad should know by now?
Family Recipe Book Project: Take your cooking class a step further and gather those family recipes to create a personalized cookbook together.
Spa Day at Home: Create a "spa day" experience at home with inexpensive face masks, relaxing music, and aromatherapy candles. Paint your toenails team colors!
"Adulting" Skills Workshop: If your grad is moving out on their own, create a fun workshop focused on essential life skills like basic car maintenance, budgeting and finance, or simple home repairs. Very few schools teach these life skills, so you can bet your grad would truly appreciate these lessons--and the time spent with you.
Concert Tickets: While some concerts can cost as much as your monthly rent, small venues can be quite reasonable and just as fabulous. Get the tickets and plan a night out together to catch to a rising star or a favorite 80s throwback.
Let me know what creative experiences you dream up. Your brain and your grad will thank you!
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