Simplify The Holidays – The Best ‘No Toy’ Gift Ideas
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There are few things I love more than a good gift. I love giving and getting them, I love a Christmas tree that’s about to explode with them, and most of all, I love the look on our son’s face when he’s opening them. There is a physical joy felt in all aspects of gifting. However, like most parents, I also love seeing my floors and walking through my home without swearing at toys. It seems like every year, a small mountain of them appears in our house, gets played with for a few weeks, and inevitably joins the even larger pile that, “I’m going to organize tomorrow.”
This year, I’m trying to change that. My plan isn’t to throw away my son’s toys or to ditch giving them altogether (I’m not a monster), but I am going to work on varying the variety of what he’s receiving because the holidays don’t have to be an excuse for more THINGS. When I think about what truly brings our son joy, it’s never been about a new toy, but instead, about the time we spend learning alongside him, experiencing the world through his eyes, and creating memories together as a family.
Whether your goal is to simplify the holidays or just see your floors again, read on to see Working Momkind’s list of “The Best ‘No Toy’ Gift Ideas” this season!
Subscription Boxes
You really can’t go wrong with a subscription box for kids. The sheer variety of what’s available for different ages, interests, and budgets is pretty astounding! And it’s no secret that kids (much like adults) look forward to getting something in the mail, making subscription boxes an excellent way to extend the excitement of your gift beyond the holiday. Whether you have an avid reader, a mini chef, or an explorer-in-training, there’s going to be a box for you! Here are some of our favorites:
KiwiCo Crates (12 & under - Educational and creative science and art projects, STEAM)
Little Passports (3-12 years - Cultural and global education for little explorers)
Green Kids Crafts (2-10+ years - Eco-friendly discovery and creativity, STEAM)
Kid Box (Infant-16 years - Stylish kid’s clothing, with a social mission)
Baketivity (4-10 years - Develops curiosity and learning with delicious treats)
Raddish Kids (3-12 years - Edible fun that nurtures confidence and cultural curiosity)
Little Bookish Wardrobe (3-7 years – Imaginative books with coordinating costumes and accessories)
Momo’s Book Club (3-8 years - Carefully curated books, teaching kids about diversity )
Owl Crate/Owl Crate Jr. (14+ and 8-12 years - Creatively themed books and goodies)
Events, Experiences, and Activities
2020 has us all feeling differently about social situations, but there are still many options to explore here! Camps and classes like baseball, music, space, dance, swimming, and soccer are all a thoughtful gift that nurtures your child’s learning and development as they grow. These activities also double as a fun way for extended family to be involved. If you’re looking for something a little less social, we also love Outschool’s online classes for kids. With a library of over 100,000 core class subjects and interest-based topics, Outschool provides safe and social experiences for varying ages to enjoy. Lastly, never forget that there’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple – sometimes, the promise of a special dinner or a movie night with you is all your kid needs.
Memberships
Our family has received an annual museum membership on more than one occasion, and we loved it! For what it costs to go to the zoo, an amusement park, or an aquarium, a family membership is worth its weight in gold – and some of them are even reciprocal! It’s the gift that keeps on giving, but there are a lot of options, so check out these tips for choosing the best membership for your family.
Create Something
Paint a picture, write a silly letter or poem, design a photo album (maybe digital is your thing), or make-up a special song to sing about the day. These are all gifts you can create as a family, but work incredibly well as a surprise from far-away relatives too. Reminding our littles of memories from the year or a special occasion strengthens their love and connection to us, whether near or far.
Clothes and Accessories
I know, it sounds boring, but clothes and accessories are something my son is always going to need. And to be honest, he’s kind of into them right now! Whether smuggling snacks into his dinosaur backpack, asking for his sunglasses, or stomping in a puddle with his matching umbrella and rain boots, he and I both love these thoughtful gifts.
Travel
Skip all the gifts and just plan a trip. It doesn’t have to be expensive or far, and I can guarantee that parts of it will likely be stressful (I mean...kids, right?) But you should go for it anyway. After moving from Illinois to the East Coast last winter, our son is still talking about the time he spent with both sets of his grandparents this summer. If there’s one thing I can guarantee, it’s that your kids aren’t going to remember the toys you bought them, but they will recall making memories with their family. If you need some help with planning, first check out these five vacationing tips for traveling with extended family. After that, the Family Vacation Critic can be a useful resource for more ideas on where to go and what to bring.
Monetary Gifts
Monetary gifts can be tricky. For many people, the joy in gifting is choosing something that they know the recipient will love. Although practical for a child’s future, a monetary gift will likely not bring the same level of excitement to the giver that a more traditional gift would have. The good news is, despite what can seem like an awkward conversation, contributions from relatives to 529 plans have been growing in popularity, especially as the astronomical costs of education continues to soar. It’s also becoming easier than ever to give! While a check or cash is still an option, many 529 plans now offer online tools for eGifting, and resources like the Gift Of College Gift Card allow anyone to contribute toward college savings or student loans. If you still want to include a physical gift, consider giving a purse, wallet, or piggy bank with a little note inside!
Donate or Volunteer
There is no shortage of ways to give back locally or globally. Adopt a highway, donate to a shelter, pick up litter at the beach, or pack lunches for kids in need. Pick a few things that matter to your family, talk about the options, and then let your kids decide on the cause. Teaching them empathy, compassion, and kindness towards others will be the best gift you can give them as they go out into the world. Make a trip out of going to see what you’re supporting and how you’re helping others. We love; Together Rising, Blue Ring, Unicef, Lunchbreak, Room to Read, and Still Kickin’.
Make an Amazon Wish List
A Wish List allows you to include many of the items we’ve mentioned here while also throwing in a few toys along the way. If they ask, you can even tell your family that your child picked everything out on their own. It’s a win-win for everyone.
If all else fails, and people still want to buy your child a bunch of toys, accept them graciously, and remember, any kind of gifting takes generosity, thoughtfulness, and love.
