This year, my children had very minimal Easter baskets. They received a chocolate bunny, some jelly beans, a few stickers, and participated in an egg hunt in our front yard. It might seem a bit austere to some, especially after seeing elaborate displays on social media featuring soccer balls, entire candy factories, video games, and multiple stuffed animals. Perhaps the only thing missing was a pair of Hamilton tickets.
Yet, my kids were content—even if one of them did inquire about the Lego sets. They’ve outgrown the idea of the Easter Bunny, fully aware that their holiday money went toward our spring break getaway to the mountains. We’ve made a conscious decision to prioritize experiences over material possessions. Honestly, “stuff” often feels burdensome.
Our trip began the Saturday before Easter, and we spent a joyful six days at our beloved cabin in North Carolina, which can hardly be called just a cabin given its hot tub amenities—more like a luxury rustic retreat. We hiked to stunning waterfalls and discovered our favorite secret beach along the Chattooga River, where my boys caught brown trout and built sandcastles. We even climbed a mountain. Instead of purchasing trinkets from shops, we collected dazzling mica chips for display in a bowl at home. The trees were bare, yet the evergreen mountain laurel surrounded us, and my sons delighted in finding salamanders next to a roaring waterfall. When we departed, my middle child cried because he lost the biggest fish he had caught.
I will cherish these moments. The sight of my sons with their brown trout glimmering in the sunlight, the rushing rivers swollen from the rain, and their joy while soaking in the hot tub will stay with me forever. These experiences far outweigh any extravagant Easter haul.
This doesn’t mean we don’t spend money. Last year, we took advantage of discounts at the end of the season, scoring two children’s kayaks for $50 each. We shifted some funds from our Christmas budget to make this happen, and my husband, Jake, and I already owned our own kayaks and a canoe from our grad school days. It was wonderful to see our then-six-year-old learning to kayak in his own boat. He floated down Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park, navigating cypress knees and ducking under water oak branches. We spotted a brown water snake resting on a branch, and I capsized once, scrambling to get back in as thoughts of lurking fish filled my mind. Meanwhile, he and his little friend planned their wedding while we chuckled at their innocent banter. A stick bug landing in our canoe sent my four-year-old into a 15-minute scream fest.
We still invest in kayaking, prioritizing it over toys or new clothes. Our local sporting goods store is filled with gear, from tow ropes to sun-proof shirts. On Easter Saturday, we floated down the Saluda River, with my three-year-old sitting on my lap as I paddled. We saw osprey and kingfishers; while Jake didn’t catch anything, we explored a side creek and spotted muskrats. My oldest, Leo, had a blast scaring turtles off logs, and as we navigated through class 2 rapids, he turned to me and asked, “Can we do it again?”
We also venture to historical battlefields. Our interest in the American Revolution, fueled by homeschooling and the musical Hamilton, has led us to explore significant local sites. We enjoy audiobooks about famous generals as we drive, tracing the footsteps of those who fought for independence. My seven-year-old now knows what a redoubt is because he has seen one firsthand. He even pretended to storm a recreated redoubt at Camden, climbed over ships, and walked the paths of palisades. Although gas prices can be steep when traveling across the state, we adjust our budget to make these trips happen.
Locally, we encourage relatives to gift experiences instead of physical items during the holidays. Annual memberships to the zoo, state museum, and local children’s museum have become our go-to request. We visit the zoo weekly, and during summer, we frequent the botanical garden’s splash pad even more. It was there that Leo met his “girlfriend” at a homeschool event, and recently, he had his brothers dig him into the sand for a memorable photo opportunity.
We’ve made a conscious effort to reduce our accumulation of items. The burden of excess “stuff” can feel overwhelming. I often find myself wanting to declutter rather than add more to our home. Yes, I may need a new kayaking shirt from time to time or a tow rope for our youngest, Zach, who is still building his confidence on the water. But ultimately, we prefer to invest our finances in making memories and enjoying experiences. Watching my sons navigate the river and catch brown trout are moments I will carry in my heart. I’ve learned that our hearts can’t hold material things like Easter baskets.
This article was originally published on April 30, 2017.
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In summary, prioritizing experiences over material possessions has brought unparalleled joy to our family. We’ve chosen to invest in adventure, learning, and connection, creating lasting memories that far exceed the fleeting happiness of physical items.