As parents, we love to see our kids’ joy and excitement when they open a gift on Christmas morning, but we don’t always love the packaging mess and little pieces of sets that accumulate. Plus, do most of us need more stuff? And what about tweens and teens as they start to outgrow toys?
How do we, as parents, give that magical feeling of Christmas without purchasing more things to clean around and organize?
Hopefully, these gift ideas will inspire you to bring the season’s magic without the mess!
Movie Theater Tickets Help Spread Holiday Cheer
Treating your child to a movie with a friend or two is a great gift for older kids and teens. Purchase a gift card to your theater and let them choose the movie and friend to bring. Don’t forget to include the popcorn and candy!
You can purchase gift cards directly from theaters, but you can also pick up cards from the bigger chains like AMC, Regal Entertainment, and Marcus Theaters directly on Amazon, at your local Kroger, and through various other retailers.
Buy A Pass To Local Attractions For A Holiday Present
When the temperature drops, getting your kids outside in the grey, wet weather can be a challenge. A pass to a local attraction such as an indoor trampoline park, indoor action park, or indoor playground helps kids get energy out during the cold winter months. Consider adding a guest pass so kids can take turns bringing a friend.
Whether you visit a national chain such as Urban Air or a local mom-and-pop owned attraction, this is a great way to keep your kids, especially older children, engaged with fun and often healthy activities.
Zoo Memberships Make For A Great Christmas Present
If your kids are animal lovers – treat them to a pass at your local zoo. If you live within a day’s drive of a larger, more well-known zoo, consider getting a membership there and making a day trip during school breaks. Many zoos now offer special days and activities for Halloween and Christmas, so your membership isn’t just for fair weather days.
As a bonus, many zoos and other attractions participate in programs such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which provide steep discounts and sometimes even free admission to other attractions from partner locations.
A Day With Mom Or Dad Can Become A Cherish Christmas Present
Give your kids the gift of quality, individual time this holiday. Create a custom coupon book that kids can redeem for special one-on-one time with each parent. Let the child choose the activities they want to do with that parent on their special day.
Studies have even shown that the more time kids get to spend with their parents, the better their well-being will typically be well into adulthood!
A Weekend Away Can Help Your Kids Experience Something New For The Holiday
If you have multiple kids or need an excuse for a small winter getaway, consider giving your children a long weekend away at an indoor waterpark. The cost is higher upfront, but the memories and family time are priceless.
If you have a more outdoorsy family, consider driving a little further than usual and camping somewhere new. The Dyrt has an excellent campsite finder that can help with your search and provide valuable research before you decide on a location!
Concert Tickets Are A Fun And Interactive Christmas Present
Another great gift idea for the older child or teen is concert tickets. Browse online retailers to see if any of their favorite artists are coming to a nearby city in the upcoming year. This can also be a great opportunity for you to spend some individual time with your child.
Just keep in mind that popular shows can often sell out in minutes, and secondary ticket market sellers tend to add astronomical costs to the price of a ticket. We recommend shopping early in case you miss out on one artist and need to move on to another option.
Specialty Classes Can Inspire Your Kids During The Holidays
Give the gift of the arts! Do some research online for creative experiences in your area. Local painting, pottery, and creative workshops are available throughout the year and for different ages.
The Art Studio NY reminds us that art programs have been shown to help children overall academically, so it’s a win-win!
Sports Tickets Are A Perfect Gift For Your Die-Hard Fan
Got a sports enthusiast? Look into getting tickets to one of their favorite teams. Often, you can join fan clubs and receive emailed notifications of price drops or discounts on team tickets.
If you’re struggling to find the best price on tickets for a sporting event, some platforms guarantee the best pricing, such as TickPick, which will pay you back 110% of the cost if you find a cheaper seat from another merchant after buying your ticket.
Space Camp Can Inspire Your Children This Holiday Season
If you have a kid obsessed with outer space, a trip to Space Camp is the ultimate experience. There are individual and family packages available. As a bonus, it’s educational and overnight, giving mom and dad a break.
If you want to go all-in and have the means, your kids can spend time in a real NASA Space Camp.
Contributing To A Secondary Education Savings Is Great For Stressed Out Teens Heading Off To College
Invest in your child’s future this Christmas by contributing to their secondary education. Many states have college or vocational investment plans that also give a tax credit to the contributor. Just make sure to do your research beforehand and pick a program that best suits each child and their personal goals.
There are various types of education savings to choose from, for example, 17 states offer an Education Savings Account.
Gift Cards Can Open Up A World Of Possibilities During The Holidays
Yes, certain gift cards can become material items. But instead of giving a generic or chain store gift card, consider purchasing one for your child’s favorite restaurant or local retailer. If you have a teen who is driving, consider car washes or car detailing places.
Just make sure that any gift cards are purchased directly from a store or through a trusted reseller, as there are many gift card scams on the internet.