Think Outside the Toy Box this Holiday Season

With the holidays quickly approaching, I took this weekend to “make room” for the upcoming onslaught of toys that will be arriving on Santa’s sleigh, the UPS truck, and from the mailman. The fact that we have to make room is disturbing, right? Well, as I was dragging the trash bags to my trunk to take for donation, I began to think how I might do it differently this year. When buying gifts for other children and when people ask what my kids wish for, this year I am going to think outside the toy box!

Tickets or Annual Passes

Movie tickets are always a big hit! Pack them up in a popcorn bucket and the kids will be thrilled. An annual pass to the Jacksonville Zoo, local museums like MOSH, Cummer, and MOCA, and the new Discovery House and Adventure Landing are all great places that offer year-round activities for the kids. With school out for winter break, these day trips can be a fun outing to share with family or maybe a special one-on-one trip with a parent.

Books

I love books and I love when my kids are reading even more! The New York Times Sunday edition has a book list to assist in finding new, hot selections. Consider giving a set to older children like the popular Magic Tree House, Junie B. Jones or Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Scholastic book orders are an inexpensive option and also give back to your child’s classroom.

Last year my sister, who lives out of town, created a book club for my kids. She gave them a certificate letting them know they would be getting a book each month in the mail. She would read the book before sending it and then call so they could talk about the book. Very cool gift and a great relationship builder for relatives out of town.

With any book that you give as a gift, always take time to personalize the inside cover with a note, date and your name. My kids enjoy reading that first and remembering where the book came from. You might consider including a personalized stamp with “this book belongs to and the childs name.” You can order really cool personalized stamps on Etsy.

Enrichment Programs

Many schools offer after school enrichment programs. These ideas are excellent ways to feed creativity while building skills. Here is a list of some creative, non-toy gifts for kids:

• Young Rembrandts is a drawing program (K-5) teaching children basic drawing techniques while instilling “the power, passion and significance of art.”
• Brix 4 Kids (grades K-5)  lets the kids build with Legos while learning engineering and fine motor skills.
• Drama Kids (grades 1-5) is designed to build self confidence, strong speaking and acting skills through the fun and creativity of drama. Atlantic Beach Theatre also holds children’s improve workshops.
• Kids Dance Trance is a fun and energetic dance fitness class that will teach your child choreography and confidence.
• Kids Yoga at Bella Vida Yoga.
• Sports Clinics (Tommy Hulihan Basketball or Coastal Kicks are some to consider )
• Cooking, pottery, dance, guitar or other instruments and karate are available through Duval Community Education Program and offered at elementary schools.

Gym Pass

A certificate to Pump It Up, Rebounderz, TNT Gymnastics or My Gym is a good opportunity to encourage a child’s love of exercise, while having fun and meeting new friends. These gyms have drop in play times as well as weekly classes. As a bonus, some offer Parents Night Out (a little something for Mom and Dad’s wish list too!).

Magazine Subscription

Highlights, Hi-five, American Girl, Ranger Rick, Boys Life, Sports Illustrated for kids, National Geographic for kids are just a few of the amazing children’s magazines available. The library has a nice selection to get an idea of what might be a good fit. My kids love going to the mailbox every month and having a magazine with their name on it! It is definitely a gift that keeps giving. Another favorite that we received last year was the World Wildlife Fund- Adopt an Animal. The child receives a picture of their wild animal, a stuffed animal and a certificate where they can name their new “pet.”

Concerts, Theatre Shows and Sporting Events

Make it an experience! Prepare by listening to the soundtrack, reading the book or watching a preview, get all dressed up, have a nice dinner out and then afterward, share thoughts about the show. It is memories that will last and a love for the arts that will blossom. We have many venues with children’s shows to consider, here are a few upcoming shows to check out:

• Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus at The Veterans Memorial Arena January 16,  – January 19, 2014
• Disney Jr. Live at Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts March 08, 2014
• The Artist Series of Jacksonville will be showing Sleeping Beauty Ballet, A Christmas Carol and Blue Man Group
• Theatreworks, Inc.  has many children’s shows to choose from, i.e. Charlotte’s Web, Henry and Mudge and more
• Alhambra Theatre is known for adult shows, but they do have some children’s selections and special viewings as well
• Harlem Globetrotters will be at Veterans Memorial Arena February 28, 2014
• Monster Truck Jam at EverBank Field February 22, 2014
• Sports fans would love tickets to the Jaguars, Sharks, Giants or Suns games

There are many ways that you can make the gift exciting for the child to open, even though it might be tickets or gift certificate. When creating the package, think about accessories that will compliment your gift and personalize it. Some examples would be a pencil box with the child’s name on it and some art supplies to accompany that art class certificate, a sports jersey of the team with the tickets or a CD/DVD to create excitement for a concert or show.

Don’t get me wrong, my kids will still get toys for sure. But, as I haul off yet another bag of broken plastic and missing pieces, I am excited about these gift ideas that feed creativity, make memories and encourage us to spend time together.

What ideas do you have that will help you think outside the toy box this year?