Experience gifts: giving time, not things
Many families feel they have enough things. Toys pile up, cupboards are full, and flats in Brussels, Antwerp or Amsterdam are rarely large. An experience gift gives something to look forward to, without needing a shelf.
Experiences are also a good fit for expat life. They help children and adults discover the country they now live in. And for relatives abroad, booking or funding a day out can be much easier than sending a parcel.
The key is to make the experience real. A vague promise is easily forgotten. A card with a date, a plan or a ticket makes it something to look forward to.
Ideas by type
Price guide: € = up to about 20 euros · €€ = about 20 to 60 euros · €€€ = more than 60 euros. Prices vary by shop and change over time.
Days out
Belgium and the Netherlands are small and well connected, so a day out is easy to organise by train or car.
- Tickets for a zoo or animal park€€–€€€Check opening times in winter, as some parks close early or for a season.
- Museum day with children’s activities€–€€Many museums have family trails or workshops; check what suits the age.
- Day at the coast€–€€Even in winter, a walk on the beach and a hot chocolate is a treat.
- Theme park tickets€€€Better for older children; agree on a date with the parents first.
Lessons and workshops
A new skill can last a lifetime. Short courses or a single workshop are a good way to try something new.
- Cooking or baking workshop€€Fun to do with a parent or grandparent.
- Swimming, climbing or riding lessons€€–€€€Ask parents first, as children may already be in a club.
- Music or art lessons€€–€€€A short series of lessons is a low-risk way to test an interest.
- Language lessons€€–€€€Useful for adults and older children settling into Dutch or French.
Shows and culture
A night out, or an afternoon at a children’s show, is an event to remember.
- Children’s theatre or puppet show€–€€Many shows are in Dutch or French; some are wordless and suit any language.
- Concert tickets€€–€€€Check the age policy and whether the venue is suitable for children.
- Cinema voucher with snacks€–€€Some cinemas show films in the original version with subtitles.
- Circus or dance show€€Visual shows are a good choice when not everyone speaks the local language.
Promises of time
Some of the best experiences cost little or nothing. What matters is the time and attention.
- A day with a grandparent, aunt or godparent€Write the plan on a card: what you will do and when.
- Babysitting voucher for the parents€A much-loved gift for parents without family nearby.
- A bike ride and picnic€Perfect for spring, with a simple route along a canal or through a park.
- Help with a project€Building a treehouse, painting a room or planting a garden together.
Discovering a new home
For expat families, experiences can turn a new country into home. Explore it together.
- Guided city walk for families€€A local guide brings history to life, and some offer tours in English.
- Weekend away in another region€€€Ardennes, the coast or the Dutch islands: easy escapes from the city.
- Train tickets for a day trip€€Children love trains, and the journey is part of the adventure.
- Visit to a farm or a working mill€–€€A good way to see the countryside beyond the city.
🚫 What to avoid
- Vague promises without a date: they are often forgotten, however good the intention.
- Vouchers with a short validity: check how long the voucher can be used.
- Experiences that clash with clubs, school or family plans: ask the parents first.
- Activities that are too old or too young for the child, such as long concerts for toddlers.
- Experiences that only one person can enjoy, when the family would love to go together.
How to give an experience
An experience is harder to wrap than a toy. A handmade card, a printed ticket in an envelope or a small object that hints at the day out helps children understand that something is coming. For younger children, a countdown on the calendar makes the wait part of the fun.
Afterwards, a photo or a short message to the giver closes the circle. Grandparents and friends abroad especially enjoy seeing the day they made possible, even if they could not be there themselves.
💡 How to avoid duplicate gifts
- Put experiences on the wish list too, not just things, so relatives know they are welcome.
- On a shared list on Huglist, several people can contribute to a bigger experience, such as a weekend away.
- Agree who books what, so the family doesn’t end up with two zoo days and no swimming lessons.
- If a relative abroad wants to give an experience, they can fund it, and you book it locally.
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