Over the years—as a dermatologist, a researcher, and simply a fellow human being—I’ve learned that some of life’s most meaningful gifts don’t come wrapped in shiny paper or tied with a ribbon. They aren’t objects that sit on a shelf or end up tucked away in a drawer. They’re non-disposable, so they don’t end up in a landfill. They don’t necessarily cost money, so they won’t break anyone’s budget.

You see, the best gifts, I’ve discovered, are experiences. They weave themselves into our memories, enrich our sense of connection, and support our emotional and physical well-being in ways that “things” simply can’t.

When I look back on the moments that have shaped me, very few involve material possessions. But I vividly remember my uncle taking me for ice cream at a local Howard Johnson’s restaurant. He convinced me that I didn’t have to worry about paying because I was half-owner of the company, which was, after all, named Howard, after me. As a child growing up poor in Queens, the thought that I could be even part-owner of a company was a powerful seed he planted in me. Forty-something years later, the seed bore fruit in the company truly named after me, Murad.

Other experiences have stayed with me too: the older cousin who took me to the public pool one summer and taught me how to dive; visiting my nephew Richard’s animal sanctuary in Ojai, Rancho Grande, where he lives with literally hundreds of animals; and taking my very first painting class with my wife, when I was already a middle-aged adult. I’d always told myself I wasn’t artistic, and I definitely doubted I could paint, so no one was more amazed than I to find out that I loved it. The teacher herself even praised my work. I’ve since created more paintings than I can count.

The point is, our lives are shaped by experiences much more than possessions. Experiences enrich our lives, expand our horizons, and nurture our growth. When shared with others, they also build connection and community—two of the most important contributors to health and happiness. So a night at the theater, or the high school Christmas concert, or even a night of karaoke, can create a shared emotional journey. You laugh together, hold your breath together, and leave feeling uplifted, inspired, or thoughtfully quiet. The experience lingers. It expands you. It becomes something you carry with you.

And of course, as someone who has spent a lifetime in skincare and wellness, I’ve seen the transformative power of giving someone the gift of restoration. A facial, a massage, a soak in a mineral springs, a walk in the woods or on the beach, may seem like a luxury, but in many ways it’s a gift of connection—or reconnection—to the self. We live in a culture that celebrates productivity more than presence, so giving someone a moment dedicated entirely to their well-being is truly an act of love.

Experiences encourage connection, reflection, and renewal. They allow us to feel more human and more whole. They remind us that joy often lives in moments of shared attention, emotional closeness, and restorative care.

As we move through the seasons of life—and especially as we enter this season of gift-giving—I invite you to consider giving fewer “things” and more moments. Take a walk with someone you care about. Share a meal. Attend a play or a concert together. Give a gift card for a treatment that helps someone feel nurtured and restored.

Most of us don’t need more stuff. We need more connection, more presence, and more experiences that remind us of what really matters.

After all, the best things in life aren’t things at all—they’re the moments that help us feel alive.

That’s #ModernWellness!

Featured Insight

“Happiness does not require luxury.”

I created this Insight to remind my patients and friends that happiness is a state we can cultivate within ourselves. It grows from the ground of appreciation: of the gifts, talents, and experiences we already possess. It can also be cultivated by fostering happiness in others. And happiness makes life feel rich and beautiful even when our cupboards are sparse, or our bank balance is low. When we’re happy, we’re able to find beauty every day–and finding beauty every day nurtures our sense of happiness.