The Gift that Lasts a Lifetime

This week I got up close and personal to some very big cats. Last year was a milestone birthday, and my wonderful son bought me a VIP tiger feeding experience at Longleat as a present. It was an amazing 30 minutes. Four of us were taken into the enclosure by safari jeep and we were able to see these beautiful creatures at close quarters. The keeper was telling us all sorts of interesting facts, but I admit I wasn’t really listening. All my attention was on the big cats in front of me.

There were other VIP’s that morning. I met several who were feeding the giraffes – apparently there is a long waiting list for that one. One lady fed the lions, and she was the only one on the tour so had a one-to-one with the keeper. Later, I also met a young girl who fed the koalas. Apparently, this was the second year in a row she had done it. She asked for it as a Christmas present instead of toys or clothes. All of them effused about it afterwards, most had photos to remember the day.

It got me thinking about where we place our emphasis when we give gifts.

I love Christmas. My childhood memories are replete with wonderful feelings associated with that particular holiday. We got to eat apples for breakfast. My dad opened the biggest tin of Quality Street I had ever seen. I finally got that book or album I had been waiting for all year. We sat in front of the TV in the afternoon to watch the big Christmas film, followed by the Christmas special with Morecambe and Wise. Family, warmth, laughter and treasured moments. A time of light in my otherwise gloomy life.

As a result, I go all-out at Christmas time, hoping to replicate those feelings in my own family, but somehow, my son and husband never seem to feel the same way I did. I tried to inject fun by giving them silly presents. They remained unused. I bought sweets and snacks for them to pick at whenever they fancied. We were still eating them in February. (Can you believe it; I birthed a son who isn’t bothered about chocolate!!!) The TV guide, which used to be covered in red pen indicating programmes to watch is blank these days. With streaming services and DVD’s, we have already seen all the films on offer. As far as gifts go, I am getting to the stage where I have everything I need – apart from books and stationery, of course – you can’t have too much of those.

This is why experiences are such a good idea for presents. Firstly, there is the anticipation of the trip, which in my case lasted for seven months. Then there is the wonderful memory which lasts a lifetime, something you can pull out and sink into years after the event. Holding a tawny owl on my arm and flying it to the keeper. Watching a play at the Mayflower Theatre. Mixing cocktails at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery. Eating a cream tea in Stratford upon Avon. Walking alpacas by a riverbank. Learning photography in the New Forest.

It's even better when you get to share it with someone else, either the person who gifted it to you, or your significant other.

Now, some of these can be very expensive, I know. But you can get creative. You don’t have to go all the way to Stratford to have a cream tea. Set a table up in the back garden and buy the scones from a bakery. Maybe have a night out at the cinema watching a film of their choice. Spend the day at the beach, making sure to include ice-cream, candy floss, a visit to the penny arcade and a paddle in the sea. Grab some funky lights, and go to a cemetery, or forest when it gets dark to take ghostly photos with a long exposure. Have a pamper party for a special lady in your life. Do a history walk. (SEE Southampton and Bevois Mount History group do some brilliant ones for a very low cost, or a donation.)

Instead of accumulating things, lets start collecting memories.

Let me know if you have enjoyed something similar, especially if it was on a budget!