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# Friday Notes #41 — Gifting Experiences
- URL: https://numericcitizen.me/friday-notes-41/
- Published: 2021-09-17T10:53:05.000Z
- Updated: 2021-11-15T00:52:22.000Z
- Description: Lasting souvenirs come from experience, rarely from physical gifts.
- Author: JF Martin
- Tags: Friday Notes Series

Last Saturday was my son’s 18th birthday. Just like for his older brother a few years ago, we went to a chic restaurant in downtown Montreal. His girlfriend came along too. Right at the beginning, I told them that they could have anything they wanted without restriction. I knew they had a reasonable degree of self restrain. Yet, I had the feeling they would allow themselves many treats.

We had a wonderful dinner on all counts. That was my gift for his birthday—nothing else. Over the years, as a parent, I learned that experiences are better remembered than physical gifts. I think. My sons’ feedbacks seem to confirm this. It’s something that comes over time as they get older, they better understand the motivation behind all this. Yet, it doesn’t prevent me from feeling a bit guilty in the previous days leading to the dinner, though. But, that’s my perception, not theirs. It’s a family thing, a cultural habit.

That night, I think we created great memories for all of us that night. It’s priceless and should last for quite some time.