QUICK: you need to buy somebody something for Christmas. What do you get them?

Most of us would likely answer with a small gift, perhaps a gift card or a gadget. It's convenient, right? We're familiar with the process:

  • walk into a store
  • buy a thing
  • carry it out in a small bag
  • take it home
  • wrap it
  • give it

This is how many will be doing Christmas shopping, even if you're buying stuff online (some even skip the wrapping part and just ship gifts to loved ones...how lazy!) And the latest round of holiday gifts are tech-based: the new iPhone, smart watches, and PC desk accessories like this one:

Credit: lgear.com
Credit: lgear.com
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Podcasters and WFH-ers might like this one, a headphone stand and wireless charging deck. It's $79.

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Why Experiences Are Better Than Other Gifts

Sure, you could go the "tried and true" route of gift giving this year, but we're Montanans! Let's stay dedicated to our identities as outdoor-loving people by giving experiences instead of traditional gifts this year.

An experience will last much longer than the exchange of one doohickey for another under the tree.

And the Montana experience is one that comes in vacation-sized packages instead of lengthy and expensive residencies. Here are a few ideas:

Guided Fly Fishing Trips

Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images
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Mention a "day-long guided fishing trip in Montana" to a fishing nut who doesn't live here. Go ahead, see their reaction. It's like Captain America taking you out on a date, winning the lottery, or having Jesus bring you pizza.

National Park Passes

Credit: Nikki Delventhal via Youtube
Credit: Nikki Delventhal via Youtube
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The Park Service sells annual passes that will allow the bearer to enter any national park at no extra cost. There's 63 parks in the United States including two in Montana (Glacier and Yellowstone) so for the adventurer in your life, this $80 pass could be better than any eighty dollar gadget you could buy at a store.

Season Ski Passes

Credit: monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
Credit: monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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HERE is where you can go skiing and snowboarding in western Montana. These locations sell annual season passes, and for a snow lover this will not only save them money but let them enjoy their hobby to their heart's content as well as give you both an opportunity to do stuff together!

The Montana experience is a gift that will last longer than the exchange under the tree. It will last longer than the tree will. It's likely the recipient will remember it for longer than any foreign-made device will work properly. And it allows us to enjoy the time we have with each other. I can't think of a better gift than that for Christmas.

10 Things Montanans Do to Get on Santa’s Naughty List

There's 6 weeks 'til Christmas and as you can see,
People do naughty things unknowingly.
But if you do these on purpose on the naughty list you'll go,
And if you do nice things then it's gratitude I'll show.

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