Every year, the conversation I have with my husband regarding gifts for the girls and Christmas goes something like this:
Me: I don't know what to get the girls for Christmas.
Him: They don't need anything.
Me: Exactly. They don't need anything. So what do I get them?
Him: I think you're missing the point. They don't need anything... So don't get them anything?
Me: Then what am I going to give them for Christmas?
Him: Um...
Me: Yeah.
And so it goes, this and every Christmas. I don't know about your kids, but my kids don't play with toys anymore. Don't get me wrong, they did play with toys. Once upon a time we owned every single Paw Patrol toy Target stocked, and I used to trip on Magic Clip princess toys like it was nobody's business. But, as my kids have gotten older, they have played with fewer and fewer toys. Sure, if I offer to play a game of Life or Sorry, they will happily retrieve the box from upstairs and play with me. But, left to their own devices, my kids would prefer to bounce on our trampoline, chat with their friends on Kids Messenger or simply watch TV. My closet full of games and miscellany has been largely untouched for the past few years.
This year, we are doing experience gifts. Or, gifts that maybe won't be *as* exciting to unwrap but that will be much more fun to enjoy together as a family all year.
So, if you, like me, aren't interested in adding any more toys to the pile cluttering the toy room, here are some amazing experience gifts that will keep the magic going all year. And, bonus, I've included an item you can wrap and place under the tree so your kids have something to unwrap come Christmas morning.
10 experiences to gift your kids for the holidays 2021
1.
A membership to a zoo or aquarium. We have to many to choose from in Dallas-Fort Worth! Buy your kids a membership to the
Dallas or
Fort Worth Zoos, or to one of the aquariums in the area, such as
SeaLife or
SeaQuest. With a membership you can go throughout the year, and most places offer some pretty awesome perks with your membership.
Put this under the tree: a t-shirt or brochure from the place you bought a membership
2. A movie-a-month pass. Okay, so this isn't actually a thing that you buy, but you can design a fun graphic on Canva and then detail what your movie-a-month program looks like! Mine goes something like this: Each month, my girls will get to pick a movie we go see in the theater. At the movie, each girl gets her own bag of popcorn, drink and candy. I've committed to a fun afternoon with my kids that doesn't clutter up my playroom. Score!
Put this under the tree: an empty popcorn tub from a local movie theater with your graphic inside it
3.
A family staycation. Do your kids have vacation on their minds? I mean, I do! Basically all the time. If getting away right now isn't feasible, no worries. Why not book a weekend away close to home? A weekend at the
Gaylord or
Great Wolf Lodge will give you a chance to spend time together as a family without have to leave the Metroplex. Or check out the
Hilton Anatole in Dallas. There are so many options for great local hotels that offer kids activities on-site.
Put this under the tree: a new pair of pajamas to wear on your staycation
4. A spa day. My girls love nothing more than getting mani/pedis at the nail salon. And, as fun as those are, they add up when you have three girls! But they love feeling pampered and blissed out just as much as I do. And, boy moms, don't shy away! My husband enjoys a good pedicure, too, he just skips the polish! Treat them to a mani/pedi and an ice cream- what could be better? Bonus points if you take them for a facial or massage, if they are old enough. Or take them to Sweet 'N Sassy in Southlake and let the awesome stylists there pamper your kiddo. Put this under the tree: a new nail polish or other beauty accessory
5.
A wet and wild day! Okay, not actually at the old Wet 'N Wild (I will always call it Hurricane Harbor; my husband refuses to call it that!), unless your kids can wait until summer. Plan a day over break where your kids can get wet and wild at
Epic Waters or
The Cove at the Lakefront or
Great Wolf Lodge. Forget the sunscreen but pack all the pool toys and get ready for fun!
Put this under the tree: a new bathing suit or flip flops
Put this under the tree: a souvenir from the spot where you are buying the membership
7. Start saving for an experience with Kidsperience. If your child has a truly large-dollar gift in mind, such as a trip to Disney World or a week-long summer camp, you can plant a seed now to make this happen! Download the new Kidsperience app for free and set a goal. Maybe it's for a summer camp that costs $500, or a trip to Florida for $1500. Or something smaller, such as karate lessons or a trampoline for the backyard. You tell the app what your child wants and how much it costs and then you send it out to friends and family. They can download the app and contribute to the gift! No more mountains of meaningless gifts- your friends and family can help you save for something your child really wants. You can start saving now, and then ask people again at Valentine's Day, birthdays, etc. Anytime when a loved one might give your child a present, ask for a contribution instead. You'll get your child's dream gift off the ground in no time. Put this under the tree: a t-shirt from the spot (or activity) you are saving for.
8. A Pogo Pass. If you don't want to commit to one membership because you like to vary your outings, don't fret! Purchase a Pogo Pass that will let you do multiple activities with one membership. Your can purchase a Pogo Pass for your child for $39.98 with code Everything (please note: I am an affiliate and will get a kickback if you purchase) and you can do a number of awesome activities! Go to the Fort Worth Zoo, visit Hawaiian Falls in the summer, visit KidMania, venture to SeaQuest and more! Find out more information at www.pogopass.com. Put this under the tree: a print out of the pass along with a memento from one of the locations
9. Give to charity in your child's name. Give your child a gift card to TisBest, a charity website that enables your child to go through the list of charities on the site and select the one they want to give their money to. Your child can decide if they want the money they are donating to benefit animals, veterans, the homeless and so on. Teach them about how good it feels to help others. Put this under the tree: a certificate for ice cream to celebrate their selfless giving
10. A unique instructional class, with or without a grown up. Does your kid want to learn to sew? Or paint? Or cook? Cool! Why not give them a certificate for a class that will help them explore the hobby they want to pursue. Places such as JoAnn Fabrics offer classes that help kids learn to sew, and there are several kids cooking classes in the Fort Worth area. Sign them up for a one-time class or for a series of classes. Not only will they learn a new skill, they might make new friends at class, too! Put this under the tree: something to go along with the class, such as fabric or a spatula
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| Spending time with my kids is my present this year! |
