It’s both a cliche and a scientific fact that experiences bring greater happiness than material possessions. But new research adds weight to this idea as it applies to gift-giving: According to one study, receiving an experience really is more meaningful.

While material things might provide a boost of pleasure in the moment, they’re unlikely to do much for your happiness or well-being over time. So instead of buying sweaters and iPads for everyone on your list this year, consider giving something less tangible but potentially more impactful. 

In a study published this month in the journal Emotion, psychologists found that experiential consumption fosters gratitude and giving, and that thinking about experiences promotes more altruistic behavior than thinking about possessions. 

“We have found that people tend to be happier when they invest in experiences, because experiential purchases connect people to one another, enhance their sense of self, and, relative to material consumption, tend to be appreciated for their intrinsic value rather than how they compare to what others have,” study authors Amit Kumar, Jesse Walker and Thomas Gilovich wrote in Scientific American. 

Material gifts might physically last longer, but experiential gifts leave a more lasting mark psychologically, the researchers found. People tend to feel stronger and more lasting gratitude for the experiences they’ve had than the things they’ve acquired. 

“Feelings of gratitude are sparked more by trips people have taken, events they’ve attended, and meals they’ve eaten than by the ‘stuff’ they’ve bought,” the researchers added. “In other words, people are often more grateful for what they’ve done than for what they have.”

Feeling inspired? Try applying this to your holiday shopping and see how the people in your life respond. You might even find that you feel extra warm and fuzzy after giving the gift of a meaningful or fun experience. Here are a few experiential gift ideas to get you started. 

1. Tickets for a concert or play 

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