Money is tight for many of my family members this year. So instead of giving each other gifts we don’t really need that we will then exchange for gifts we really want, my sister-in-law Jane came up with a plan.
“This year, we will give each other experiences!” she announced. She then expounded this would entail spending time doing some kind of memorable activity together.
I loved the idea. I never know what to get most members of my family and building memories seemed like a much better alternative.
Unless they are bad memories.
When Jane made her proclamation, I had visions of being treated to a night out without the children (with free babysitting included, of course). It could be a play, a movie, a fancy dinner or even a walk down by the river. We would laugh, we would bond and we would well, build memories.
But then she dropped the bomb: “Your brother Pat and I thought it would be fun for you and [my husband] Jamie to go to Ripped with us.”
I hesitated. Anything with the word “ripped” could not be good. I figured it was either a seedy hangout or a killer workout, both of which might ultimately lead me to R.I.P.
I hesitatingly followed up: “Just what exactly is Ripped?” She confirmed it was her town’s most kick-butt workout at the local gym. A workout that had her seeing stars within the first 15 minutes.
A rather appropriate symbol for this Christmas season, wouldn’t you agree?
Now, I’m not some kind of a wimp. Many of you followed my journey with Front Range Adventure Boot Camp for Women and my New Year’s resolution is to conjoin myself with that trainer’s life-changing new program at Foothills CrossFit, a fitness phenomenon that is sweeping the country.
It’s just that I’m not quite Ripped yet. And I really want to have enough energy to lift my fork from my plate to my mouth during Christmas dinner.
I have my priorities, you know.
I knew Jamie would be even less thrilled about the prospect. Our Wii Fit recently accused him of being a Couch Potato. Instead of persevering, he indifferently shrugged his shoulders and went back to his computer.
And so this holiday season, I encourage you to relish in the materialistic world. Give presents, eat food, show love. But just don’t give “experiences.”
Then again, nothing says Christmas like the gift of death.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 