Give the Gift of Time Together This Year

Share an Experience With a Spouse Instead of Buying a Gift

Dec 11, 2008

Couples looking to improve communication may want to share an experience together instead of buying each other gifts.

At a time when many couples are trying to cut back on spending for gifts, sharing an experience together may be a good option to save money and improve communication in marriage.

Share Time Together

When deciding to share an experience as a gift, consider if the couple will choose the event to attend together or if each spouse will pick an event. If each spouse is picking, consider if the event will be a surprise or not. No matter which way is selected, be open-minded about the event. The gift is the willingness to try something new and to spend time together. Give the other person the gift of understanding.

Share Each Other’s Personality

Each person in the marriage may have something he or she has wanted to see, do or try but may not have had the opportunity. Allow this experience to fulfill a desire to try something. Instead of fighting about how one spouse never wants to go to the opera, museum or truck rally, use this as an opportunity to see that side of each other’s personality. Perhaps the spouse may hate the truck rally or museum, but there is still value in spending time together and sharing in each other’s interests.

Renew Old Interests

Choosing to share an experience may be an opportunity to share old interests. Many interests that were enjoyed when dating or newlyweds can fall by wayside as responsibilities of a career and home grow. A married couple who enjoyed hiking when they were dating may want to plan a short hike together to rekindle that interest. It doesn’t have to be a major expedition to bring a couple together for time to communicate and share past memories.

Get Away From Responsibilities

Planning a trip to a museum, play or sporting event can be a great way to catch up with a busy spouse. A stay-at-home mom may feel like there is nothing beyond caring for the house and children. She may feel as though she has lost a whole side of who she was. A working husband may feel as though there is no time for recreation and that all his hard work is rewarded with more hard work. It may be hard to find the time to schedule an event together or arrange for babysitting but it is well worth it. Even if it is only for Christmas or an anniversary, a couple needs time together to have an opportunity to communicate.

Choosing an experience that renews old interests or fulfills a dream to see, do or try something new can be a great opportunity to reconnect with a spouse. It can be a great reminder of what brought the couple together and how much they enjoy time together.

The copyright of the article Give the Gift of Time Together This Year in Marital Communication is owned by Genna Cockerham. Permission to republish Give the Gift of Time Together This Year in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.