Every year I promise myself we'll do Christmas with less stuff. And every year, somewhere around January, I find myself standing in the playroom wondering where it all came from. This year I'm trying something different: giving the kids experiences instead of things, and the moments together that come with them.

Experiences over stuff

Children don't need much more stuff. Most of us already have toy boxes that won't close, and that one plastic thing from a party bag that somehow never gets thrown away. New toys are exciting on the day, then quietly join the pile.

What they remember, and what we remember, is the time spent together: the giggles, the made-up games, the evenings that felt a little bit special for no particular reason. That's why experience gifts for kids are having a moment, and why I think bathtime might be the most underrated experience gift of all.

You're not just giving them bath stuff

On the surface, a bathtime gift box is a few pouches of colour, fizz and foam. But when you give one to a little person, here's what you're really giving them:

  • Control over bathtime. The colour, the scent, the theme: it's their choice, and they take that job very seriously. For little ones who are told what to do most of the day, being in charge of something feels enormous.
  • New textures & scents to explore. Fizzing bath dust, foaming soak, silky bubbles, tiny teenies that pop and bloom. Every bath is a chance to touch, smell and try something new.
  • *A reason to drag you to the bath.* Our paired bathtime inspo gives them a little adventure to follow, and they'll want you there for it. "Come and see!" is a lovely thing to hear at 6pm.

And you're giving yourself a gift too

This is the bit that surprised me most. A bathtime gift isn't only for the kids. Here's what you get out of it:

  • A moment of silliness at the end of a busy day. Bubble beards, potion names and the occasional splash war. It's hard to stay stressed when someone's offering you a cup of "unicorn soup".
  • A peek into their imaginations. Watch them mix, stir and invent something brand new, then listen to them explain it. It's one of the best windows into how their little minds work.
  • Easy, clean, screen-free time. No glitter, no bits to fish out, no staining. When everyone's out of the bath, it just needs a rinse.

Why the everyday moments matter most

Christmas morning is magical, but it's one morning. Bathtime happens again and again, on ordinary Tuesdays and rainy Sundays and days when everything has felt a bit much. That's exactly why it makes such a good gift: it turns a routine you already have into something everyone looks forward to.

Because ultimately, these are the everyday moments we crave. When the world is busy and demanding, we come back to the little pockets of joy. A warm bath, a giggle, a small hand pulling yours towards the bathroom to show you what they've made.

If you're looking for ideas, our guide to kids' bath gift boxes covers Christmas presents, birthday presents and stocking fillers, or you can build your own set with their favourite colours and scents.