And forget about the fleeting hoverboard / Furby / Hatchimal that might bring a couple days of happiness and just maybe set the plane on fire. Spending on experiences is solid advice, and science supports it. Science.
I understand the draw of things. I spent a good forty years focusing on obtaining them. And here I am, drowning in so many things that I’m trying to get rid of half of them. Things I collected as a child.
Things I collected as a child. Things I held onto as a poor college student. Things I couldn’t think of parting with because I’d had them for so many years.
What do you get the person who has everything? Not a thing. Not a soap that smells like his favorite beer. He already has a case of his favorite beer, and it smells better than beer scented soap.
Welcome bonuses are great, but don’t try to meet the minimum spend on that credit card by buying us junk. Some of us are actively trying to reduce the number of things they own.
Buy experiences. If you didn’t see that coming, Tommy will come back there and hit you in the head with a tack hammer. It’s super-obvious, but super-good advice.
Food! Who doesn’t like food? Restaurant gift certificates simply do not lose, and never end up donated to the local Salvation Army, unlike every popcorn making device ever.
No red-blooded American will turn down candy, and I don’t know many that would refuse a dinner and night on the town. Your gift of a gift certificate should be reasonably generous. Once again, you’re giving someone an experience.