Ah, the holidays—that most magical time of the year during which everything feels extra-hard and no one is particularly happy despite the assurances of so many films. This is also the most wasteful time of the year thanks to eons of marketing that dictates our friends and family will only be happy with material gains, tech, fast fashion sweaters and the like. We submit in 2025, however, that it’s time to think of gift-giving as a more active affair than whatever iPhone is newest. We’re talking experiences, dear readers—memories waiting to be made; museum memberships, painting classes, guitar lessons…tattoos, even. OK, and we threw biscochitos in there. There’s always going to be some new tablet dropping with incrementally better features, and only a madman buys a car with one of those huge ribbons that we keep seeing in commercials. Instead, make a commitment to do something with someone, or gift them a lesson in something or even just think about broadening those horizons. Have fun with the people you love, because you’re sure as hell going to remember that better than the time you gifted some cheap-o digital frame for someone to stick in a corner and forget forever.
A Museum for the Kiddos
If you’re looking to get the family (especially kids) off their devices and out of the house, this one is for you. The Santa Fe Children’s Museum (1050 Old Pecos Trail, (505) 989-8359) has weekly education focused events that explore nature, science and more, all of which are included with admission. Year-long memberships run $130-$185. (CE)
