We’re gearing up for the most wonderful time of the year! The entire holiday season is so magical and special especially with children in the home. The past few years, we vowed to keep Christmas about the experiences, the festivities and our family. We didn’t want to overwhelm our children with gifts so we’re very intentional with our gift-giving and we’ve recommended non-toy gifts and/or experience gifts for the kids to our family members, too! I’ll admit, as they grow older and have more opinions/likes this can be hard to do! I fully plan on doing a Gift Guide: Toy edition post but for now — let’s talk about why we try to curb the toy-craze.

Three reasons for this:

1. With the new baby coming, I would love to have “things” for Javi and Lola to do to keep them occupied and happy. I also think these types of experiences will allow for some quality one-on-one time with one of us. Or it’ll be a nice experience gift for the whole family to enjoy.
2. I’m pretty particular with the types of toys I like the kids to have. I don’t like loud, plastic, flashy toys and prefer wood and open-ended materials whenever possible. This is probably the hardest thing to control especially since Javi now has opinions and interests that don’t always follow MY preferences. 🙂
3. We’re constantly purging and organizing our house. I’d prefer to keep new “stuff” out and I still have lots of unopened and hand me down toys that the kids haven’t used yet. Plus, Javi’s birthday was two months ago and Lola’s birthday is two days after Christmas! We are not lacking in the toy department.

So what will we suggest when family members ask about their wishlists?!

Non-toy gift ideas:

Outings:

We love having family days but they’re pricey! Imagine receiving tickets for each person in the family to go somewhere like the zoo, children’s museum or aquarium? We have discovery museums, an Ecotarium and the science museum all within 40 minutes of our house. I also think seeing a show like Disney on Ice or a trip to our local Polar Express would be adorable!

Super local locations:

It would be wonderful to receive a seasonal pass to our local splash pad (for next season), a gift card for a day at the local trampoline park (they offer a toddler jump on Sunday mornings) or money for/gift cards to their favorite pizza or ice cream place! Who wouldn’t love that?! Another idea is gifting each of the kids their own library card!

Activities & Classes:

Maintaining extracurricular activities can be tricky! Money towards, or gift cards to, activities like gymnastics, swimming, art or music classes would not only give them something to do each week but it’s something one of us (Sean or myself) could take either to and have a bit of one-on-one time during the time away from home. Javi’s very interested in basketball and Lola is beginning ballet (I KNOW!) shortly after her birthday.

Subscriptions:

What kid (even adult!) doesn’t love true mail? (I’m not talking about bills here). I’ve been scoping out some kid subscription boxes and I’ve made a list of my favorites:

1. Lillypost – children’s books delivered monthly
2. Little Passports – explore a new world theme each month
3. We Craft Box – crafting without prepwork
4. Green Kid Crafts – science and art kits
5. Slumberkins – promotes early emotional learning

Replacements:

I’m a fan of receiving gifts of items I was planning on replacing soon anyway. I would appreciate this for Javi and Lola, as well. Items like new winter gear, clothing or shoes in the next size up, new toothbrushes, or a towel set would all be wonderful. Further practical, yet fun, items that would be welcomed are new bedding, or a new thermos for school! Also great: items that support any extracurricular activities the kids do (dance clothes, for example).

Wrapped gifts:

Finally, I know plenty of people who like the idea of a non-toy gift BUT they REALLY want to wrap up something for under the Christmas tree. I love these ideas: Headphones, Muddy Buddy Overalls, or a Moonjar Money Box! Larger ideas are a Growth Chart or Bean Bag Chair!

So, there you have it! Ideas for gifts that aren’t toys! Of course, we model appreciation and gratefulness for any item given and hope the kids learn and express these behaviors, too. But people do ask what they want, and it’s never a bad idea to have a few ideas up our sleeves. 🙂

What’s on your child’s wishlist?