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3 Reasons Why People Don't Like Gifting Experineces

As we pass the halfway mark of 2024, families are settling into a groove, and with spring just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next family adventure. Australia’s capital cities are buzzing with exciting new attractions that promise unforgettable experiences for all ages.
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Queensland Queensland
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3 Reasons Why People Don't Like Gifting Experiences
In recent years, the trend of gifting experiences rather than tangible items has gained significant popularity. Parents, families, and friends are increasingly opting for experience-based gifts to create lasting memories, share unique moments, and embrace the experience economy.

Despite the many benefits, some people remain hesitant to gift experiences for children. Here, we explore three reasons why some might shy away from this trend, while also highlighting the transformative potential of experience gifts.

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October 21 2023
Melissa Soutar
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CONTENTS
| Tangible Gratification
Uncertainty
Perceived Value
Gifting
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3 min read
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1. Tangible Gratification

Where's the toy?

Many people prefer to give gifts that children can see, touch, and play with immediately. Toys and gadgets offer instant gratification—and nostalgia for the giver.

👉 SPARK POP tip: Physical toys may bring quick joy, but an experience gift becomes a memory kids cherish for years. And when it’s something that taps into a child’s interests, it’s just as thoughtful (if not more!).


 

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 2. Uncertainty or Lack of Control
Will they actually use it?

Organising and redeeming experience gifts can seem more complicated compared to simply purchasing a toy. Coordinating schedules, booking tickets, and arranging transportation can be daunting for busy parents and guardians. There might also be concerns about safety and the suitability of the experience for the child's age and interests.

However, many experience gifts offer flexibility in scheduling, allowing recipients to choose a time that works best for them. Additionally, consider providing options for the child and their family to select from, giving them control over their experience. Address concerns about unexpected obstacles by offering backup plans or alternatives, demonstrating foresight and consideration for potential challenges.

Experiences
3. Perceived Value
But is it worth it?

Some parents and caregivers might feel that physical gifts have a more apparent value compared to experiential gifts. Tangible items often come with a visible price tag, making it easier to gauge their worth.

However, it’s important to highlight the value of experiences, stressing the importance of creating memories and fostering personal growth. Experiences offer opportunities for learning, exploration, and bonding that can be just as valuable, if not more so, than material possessions. Is it the price tag or physical presence of a gift that matters most? Or the thought and intention behind it? At the core it comes down to meaningful gifts that align with the child's interests and values, demonstrating that quality often trumps quantity.

Gift Cards
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Our Personal Journey with SPARK POP
Why We Created a Better Way to Gift Experiences

Before starting SPARK POP, we faced the same challenges many parents encounter when trying to gift experiences for kids. Some retailers offered digital gift cards, while others required in-person pickup, complicating the process. Additionally, choosing a specific experience that the child would enjoy was often a gamble. We found ourselves longing for a solution akin to Red Balloon, but specifically tailored for kids.

In Facebook groups for mums, we noticed a growing demand for a 'Red Balloon for kids.' Many mums were even working with their children to create gift wishlists to include with birthday invitations, ensuring the gifts they received were meaningful and not wasteful. This collective frustration and need for a more convenient, thoughtful way to gift experiences inspired us to create SPARK POP. Our platform aims to offer everyday fun activities that are accessible, engaging, and tailored to children’s interests.

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The Future of Gifting: More Meaning, Less Waste

Experience gifts are more than a trend. They’re an answer to a more connected, mindful kind of childhood—one that values joy, growth, and stories to tell.

So next time you’re wondering what to get a child for their birthday, think beyond the wrapping paper.

Think: What will they remember?

Worried it’s Too Hard? Not with SPARK POP”

  • 🎟️ Instant digital delivery, no postage stress

  • 🎉 Hundreds of curated experiences for ages 0–15

  • 📅 Choose now or let them pick later

  • 💸 Gifting as a group? Easy with our gift card top-up option

 

Gift Memories

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Queensland

Here in Queensland this year will continue to be about captivating lands and worlds exciting and captivating children, parents and grandparents alike! These are those experiences that will create everlasting memories.

Experience the magic of the
Wizard of Oz at Movie World

Gold Coast
| December 2024

It’s been 85 years since the musical fairytale movie The Wizard of Oz made its mark on the silver screens and has never looked back!  Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the new Wizard of Oz precinct.

This spectacular new addition to Warner Bros. Movie World will hit those flashback buttons for parents and make little eyes light up! With 96cm and 4-year-old requirements, this one is perfect for our pre-primary and primary-aged kids who often miss out. The world-first Wizard of Oz precinct features two family-friendly coasters: The Flight of the Wicked Witch, a thrilling suspended family coaster with a 454-meter-long track and speeds up to 67 km/h, and Kansas Twister, a family boomerang racer with dual racing tracks and speeds up to 58 km/h.

Guests will get to immerse yourself in the magic of The Wizard of Oz with projection mapping, stunning sculptures, and facades as you follow The Yellow Brick Road to the Land of Oz. Designed with low height and age restrictions, these high-capacity attractions are set to provide a magical experience for all ages.

BOOK NOW
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The Wizard of Oz – Movie World on the Gold Coast
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The Wizard of Oz at Movie World

Great for Ages 6-13.
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Gold Coast

The Wizard of Oz at Movie World

Great for Ages 6-13.
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From
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Gold Coast

The Wizard of Oz at Movie World

Great for Ages 6-13.
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From
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Sydney

Here in Sydney this year will continue to be about captivating lands and worlds exciting and captivating children, parents and grandparents alike! These are those experiences that will create everlasting memories.

It’s Playtime at Immersive
Gamebox

Sydney
| Open Now

With 29 locations worldwide and over 1 million players, this new dimension of fun is taking off! Recently opened in Darling Harbour, Sydney, you’ll be among the first in Australia to experience the future of immersive social gaming. Ready for good times? Immersive Gamebox is the place for you.

In this unique social gaming experience, your body is the controller. With motion tracking, projection mapping, touch screens, and surround sound, each Gamebox is an interactive smart room designed to offer immersive experiences from popular games, such as Squid Games, Black Mirror Careers, Tetris 1991, Angry Birds, Paw Patrol, Ghostbusters and more.

Suitable for all ages and experience levels, this attraction is perfect for families looking to bond over innovative games and challenges.

BOOK NOW
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Immersive Gamebox – Darling Harbour, Sydney

Which of these new attractions are you most excited to visit with your family? Let us know in the comments!

These epic new attractions across Australia are perfect for families seeking fun and memorable experiences. From the immersive world of Bluey to the adventurous rides of Wizard of Oz, there’s something for everyone.

Ready to make memories?
Book your family’s adventure now with SPARK POP!

GET 10% OFF YOUR
FIRST BOOKING