Experience Over Gifts: Helping Children Thrive With Less Stuff and More Meaning
This post is part of a two-part series on gift-giving, clutter, and choosing experiences over excess for families.
Experience Over Gifts: Helping Children Thrive With Less Stuff and More Meaning
When a mom calls me to help declutter her playroom, kids’ rooms, or closets, the conversation almost always starts the same way:
“We are overwhelmed. We’re drowning in toys. The grandparents, family, and friends give them so much. It’s just too much. Help.”
10-4, mama. Decluttering and simplifying is on the way.
But here’s the truth I see every single time:
It’s not just the moms who are overwhelmed. The kids are too.
They’re surrounded by too many choices. Too much stuff. Too much stimulation. And instead of playing, they shut down. I see it over and over again. Kids become bored not because they don’t have enough, but because they have too much.
And it’s not just anecdotal. Child development research consistently shows that fewer toys lead to deeper focus, more creativity, and calmer children. If you’ve ever Googled “Is it better for children to have more or fewer toys?” you’ll quickly see the evidence. Less really is more.
A Simple Lesson From the Past
I was reminded of this recently while watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie. For Christmas, Mary and Laura each received a tin cup and a single piece of peppermint.
Their faces lit up.
They cherished that simple gift. Why? Not because of its size or cost, but because of the love and meaning behind it. That moment was such a powerful reminder of how much perspective has shifted over the years.
Talk about perspective.
So how do we change the trajectory today? How do parents and grandparents lovingly say no to excess and yes to what truly matters?
How Do We Shift From Too Many Gifts to Meaningful Memories?
This is the moment when I sit knee to knee with overwhelmed parents and offer what I call a little golden nugget of wisdom:
Ask for experiences instead of gifts.
I know this works because I see the other end of life’s journey, too.
I work closely with seniors who are downsizing after living in their homes for decades. When they’re choosing what to keep, they don’t talk about things. They talk about memories.
One sweet gentleman once told me,
“None of these things bring my wife back. But the experiences we shared stay right here in my heart.”
That truth applies just as much to childhood.
Practical Ways to Reduce Toy Clutter (Without Guilt)
1. Get aligned as parents.
Decide together that less is more for your children.
2. Set clear and loving gift boundaries.
Three gifts for Christmas. One gift and one experience for birthdays.
3. Use the one-in, one-out rule.
For every new toy that comes in, one goes out through donation.
4. Invite grandparents into the vision.
Let them know their time and experiences matter more than another toy.
Spending a day with your grandchildren exploring nature!
Experience Ideas Kids Will Remember Forever
Breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert dates
Zoo, aquarium, science, art or children’s museums
Mini golf, bowling, arcades, trampoline parks
Sporting events
Manicures, pedicures, mini-facials
Baking or cooking together
Art projects, games, or puzzles
Outdoor time: playgrounds, picnics, bike rides, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, kites
Travel, camping, RV trip, fishing, hiking
Volunteering together and serving others
Getting involved in their clubs, sports, activities
Experiences build bonds. Stuff does not. Children don’t need much. They just want you.
What Happens When We Let Go of the Excess: A Beautiful Outcome
After decluttering one family’s playroom, their kids ran back inside and started playing again. Toys that had been buried and forgotten suddenly felt new. Creativity returned. Joy returned.
They weren’t bored.
They were overwhelmed.
And their mom’s intuition was spot on.
Less was more.
A Gentle Clover Note
If your home feels heavy with too much stuff or too many gifts, you are not alone. Exhale deeply. Clover is here to help guide your family toward calmer spaces, meaningful memories, and homes that truly support the life you want to live.
If you’re a grandparent reading this, or a parent hoping to lovingly share this perspective, I’ve written a companion note just for grandparents. Honoring the heart behind the giving and offering a new way to create lasting memories.
👉 Link: “Dear Grandparents: Why Your Time Matters More Than Another Toy”