Having a tricky time figuring out what to buy that one friend or family member for Christmas? Well let science and The Locked Room come to your rescue this holiday season!
STUFF vs. EXPERIENCES = HAPPINESS
Think of a gift you received this past year. How happy do you feel thinking about it right now? Now think of an event or vacation you took this past year? How happy do you feel thinking about it right now?
I remember my trip back home where I played board games and went on hikes with friends and family much more immediately and fondly than the perfume I got for my birthday this year. Don’t get me wrong – I use the perfume often and love it, but I associate my happiness and a sense of connection with my trip and time spent with the people I love.
Which of these 2 examples would you like more of? The stuff or the experiences?
BUT DOESN’T STUFF LASTING LONGER MAKE IT A BETTER INVESTMENT?
There is a common assumption that because a physical object (stuff) will last longer, it will make us happier for longer than a one-time event or trip (experience). According to research: that assumption is completely bogus! Stuff does physically stick around for longer than experiences do, but the happiness attached to your new smart phone or designer clothes diminishes over time. Whereas the memories and effects of your last staff party, you remember the one right? To this day, it’s a hilarious memory of fun and bonding time!
THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF AN EXPERIENCE GIFT
Material gifts like perfume, socks, books, etc. are more likely to be enjoyed on their own, where as experience gifts like tickets to a show, restaurant gift cards, attraction passes, or an escape room (see what I did there?), etc. tend to be lived out in pairs or groups (shared with other people). So it’s easy to see how experience gifts contribute quite a bit more to our satisfaction with them as they also offer the added value of a social connection with others.
SCIENCE AND THE LOCKED ROOM KNOW BEST
“Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods. You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.” ~ Dr. Thomas Gilovich
Psychological studies and research prove time and again that experiences bring people more happiness than possessions do. So on that note, the bunch of us at The Locked Room invite you to give experiential gifts rather than material ones for the people in your life this holiday season. An hour spent escaping one of our themed adventure rooms is guaranteed to add more fun and happiness to the lives of you and yours. Our gift cards also make for great donation presents for local organizations like Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Calgary and Kids Up Front.
