From Plastic to Playful Moments: Why More Aussie Families Are Choosing Experiences Over Toys

• Australians still spend heavily on gifting: almost $20 billion annually with cash and gift cards increasingly preferred over physical items. 85% of Aussies say giving gifts makes them happier than receiving them.
• A 2023 Inside Retail and Gift Flick survey revealed cost-of-living pressures are pushing Australians to seek more value and emotional connection with their gifts, with personalisation gaining traction as top priority. 
• The Australian Institute found that 30% of Australians expect to receive Christmas gifts they'll never use - worth roughly AUD 980 million total, and 45% of gift-givers would prefer not to receive unwanted items. 
• Meanwhile Toy Libraries are accelerating with Toy Libraries Australia reporting over 130,000 families participating in shared toy libraries, reducing waste and increasing toy use across the country. 

✅ Less waste: Experiences don't end up in cupboards gathering dust or in landfills.

✅ More lasting impact: Skills, memories, emotions: they stick long after a toy's novelty fades. 

✅ Closer connections: Time spent together, learning, exploring, playing, that is the real gift. 

✅ Value-conscious choices: Especially in tough economic times, families choose gifts that reflect their values and budgets. In the words of Dr Belinda Barton "Spending money on experiences rather than material goods can significantly boost happiness. Experiences contribute to our identity and are less likely to cause social comparison"

SPARK POP was founded in 2022 by Sunshine Coast mum Melissa, who was finding her own home and others overwhelmed by unused toys and searching for sustainable alternatives.  She created Australia's first marketplace dedicated to curated experiences for kids and families, initially launching in South East Queensland and expanding along the East Coast and then across the country to Perth. 

Their mission? To reduce clutter, support local play and learning providers, and funnel profits back into community initiatives that support our children. SPARK POP is all about creating memories, all while creating less waste. They're not just selling experiences, they're championing a different way to celebrate childhood.