Experience gifts > wrapping gifts

RetailMeNot showed that parents plan to spend $330 on Christmas gifts for their kids this year. That’s a lot of money just for things that kids outgrow or parents don’t really need. What do parents ever need anyway? They’re so hard to buy for.

Here are some ways you can make memories instead of buying gifts (or do both, big spender):

Trustus Theater plays | 520 Lady St. | prices vary | Purchase tickets online or via the box office: 803-254-9732 Ext. 1

Mad Platter art workshops | 3101 Millwood Ave. | Ceramics $3-85 | Glass Fusing $12+ | Sun. 1-6 p.m., Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Columbia City Ballet shows like A Midsummer Night's Dream and Cleopatra| 1545 Main St. | prices vary | Purchase tickets online or at the Koger Center

Palmetto Outdoors tubing + kayaking trips | 131 Alexander Rd. | $50+ | Book online

St. Pat’s in Five Points VIP experience ft. live music, food + drinks | March 17 | $95 | Buy tickets here

Columbia Museum of Art exhibit tickets | 1515 Main St. | $6 for adults

Spa day from Body Sugaring and Wellness Spa | 1623 Pickens St. | Sugaring hair removal, skin + body care | Serenity Package (2 hrs) $155 + Escape Package (3 hrs) $180

Airline tickets to a long weekend in NYC | nonstop, round-trip flight from CAE -> LGA in January ~$200 | Book on Kayak

U.S. National Whitewater Center passes | 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte | rafting, biking, zip lines, live music, craft beer + more | Season pass$169-199; day pass $49-59

Carowinds passes | 300 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte | Season passes $102 + general admission $39.99 | Buy tickets here

Carolina Country Music Festival tickets ft. Toby Keith, Luke Bryan + Zac Brown Band | Myrtle Beach | June 7-10 | General admission 3-day pass $179 | Buy tickets here

Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival tickets ft. Arcade Fire, Bassnectar, Halsey, Travis Scott + more | Okeechobee, Fla. | March 1-4 | General admission 4-day pass $269 | Buy tickets here

Tis’ the season for giving, but giving time well spent to loved ones can be the best gift of all.

Whether you’re laughing at the theatre, relaxing at the spa or rocking out at a music festival, let’s all try to put down the phones and make memories with one another instead.

–Megan

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