Out of the (toy) box gift ideas

[TooFarTampa]

Well, I'm online shopping tonight trying to get some Christmas stuff done early. I'm just stumped on what to give these kids of mine who have so much.

The 7 year old wants a Lego Castle set and he will get it. I have picked up a few assorted Power Rangers and Hot Wheels items for the 4-year-old. He does not really understand the idea of a "Christmas list" and that is fine with me. The baby is getting a mini slide, which she NEEDS because she is 13 months old and is not walking yet but is trying to climb everything. The slide will serve as distraction and entertainment.

Otherwise, I am completely uninspired. We are relatively good gift givers but mostly do it out of obligation -- neither of us really ever wants anything. But I know a lot of people really get into the gift exchange thing, so we try to keep up.

In our own family though we really have not done the "big gift," we don't make a big deal out of Santa and don't do a lot of present buildup. What we do enjoy is making cookies for our neighbors, doing the various pageants at church and school, going to parties, decorating the tree and house, getting and sending cards, spending the week after Christmas at the beach with our family.

But we are aware the "big gift" is very much in vogue. Should we do one? What should it be?

-- We do not need another game system.

-- I love pets, but the thought of another one is actually punishment for me at this point.

-- They have all the outdoor toys they can use.

-- I can't stomach the idea of Disney passes (the baby is too young!) but Busch Gardens, maybe ...?

There are lots of experienced parents here. What have you done on the holidays? Do you have a set number of presents per kid? I don't know what is normal, because my mother would literally get us each 20 presents a year, and I actually found it annoying. What I wanted most is family time, and I'm trying to do that now for my kids, but I don't want to be Scroogy with the gifts either. Thoughts anyone? Anyone have some great traditions they want to share?

 

[Mango]

TFT, do you have something like this closeby? The Rocking Horse Ranch
I've taken one of my local nephews here several times. He still talks about it. We've stayed overnight, went line dancing at night, he sang karaoke, rode a horse, we toasted marshmallows around a camp fire, hay rides, fished, you name it, they have it. It's a very different experience.
They also had a camp so the adults could leave the children for a couple fo hours and we went horseback riding ourselves. (he was too young for the trail riding, but got to ride a retired horse in a pen)

 

[TooFarTampa]

TFT, do you have something like this closeby? The Rocking Horse Ranch
I've taken one of my local nephews here several times. He still talks about it. We've stayed overnight, went line dancing at night, he sang karaoke, rode a horse, we toasted marshmallows around a camp fire, hay rides, fished, you name it, they have it. It's a very different experience.
They also had a camp so the adults could leave the children for a couple fo hours and we went horseback riding ourselves. (he was too young for the trail riding, but got to ride a retired horse in a pen)

What a great auntie you are. I don't know that we have anything like this. With Disney, Sea World, Busch Gardens, etc, a lower-key venue like that may not have much of a chance. Looks like funn though. I like the evening child care option too

 

[Ocean Lover]

I don't think you necessarily need a "big gift" yet. Your kids are still young. When they get a little older they'll start asking for the bigger gifts and then you can decide on what to do. I mentioned this in another thread recently but I would have my kids give me 3 ideas of what they wanted. (Jesus got 3 gifts) I would always find those things and then add a few more to it. Things maybe I wanted them to have.;-) And they always have the same number of packages. Mine aren't normally the type of kids that would even notice but I do it anyway. I also try to spend the same amount on each. Now that they're older and know who Santa really is...they haven't asked for much.
TfT, sounds like you're doing all the right things, enjoying the season and spending time with family, that's what it's all about.

 

[SHELLY]

http://www.minyanville.com/articles/index/a/14887


.

 

[Mango]

Thanks TFT. I try. I suggested the idea of a dude ranch small resort type place because I think they are more intimate family settings vs. the big theme park, and you were looking for a family activity/tradition.
Sounds like you are doing the right thing though as far as the Holidays are concerned like OL stated.

 

[TooFarTampa]

I I mentioned this in another thread recently but I would have my kids give me 3 ideas of what they wanted. (Jesus got 3 gifts) I would always find those things and then add a few more to it. Things maybe I wanted them to have.;-)

This is great. I might have to adopt this rule. It is reasonable and reinforces the message of the season. I am all about that.

http://www.minyanville.com/articles/index/a/14887.

Love it SHEL. You are so hardcore old school and it is awesome. Though did you notice the ad for game systems that popped up on that page? :roll:

I suggested the idea of a dude ranch small resort type place because I think they are more intimate family settings vs. the big theme park, and you were looking for a family activity/tradition.

It is a great idea. A holiday trip to Disney just wouldn't even compare.

 

[SHELLY]

Love it SHEL. You are so hardcore old school and it is awesome. Though did you notice the ad for game systems that popped up on that page? :roll:

They probably use "targeted" advertising....the ads that pop up on my screen are about mutual funds, stock brokers, snacks and such.


.

 

[Rudyjohn]

While reading Shel's article it reminded me of the blocks that my son had. The kind that are made from sturdy cardboard, waxed coating, different colors, various sizes. We bought several sets of them and those things are STILL around - stacked up in his bedroom (he's 17 now). But he played with those and all the neighbor kids always loved them. Even up until they were in middle school! It seemed to inspire such imagination from designing & building forts to highways and racetracks. We bought some from Toys R Us but most came from the educational stores. They are basically indestructible.

The only problem was getting him to stack them up each night or stowed away in huge laundry bags.

 

[scooterbug44]

We always had the most fun w/ toys that let us be creative. Wood blocks, Legos (we never actually built what was on the box, just used the new stuff as parts in ever larger and more elaborate designs), Lincoln logs, modeling clay, erector sets, drawing paper & paint, various build your own "blank" kits etc.

I'm sure most of our favorite toys are now illegal as I remember one electrical educational toy that had to be grounded to the bathroom faucet and a motorized robotic thing that had strong enough gears that we used it to resurface the gourds mom was trying to dry out for the holiday centerpiece.

We didn't do "big" gifts for the kids, though one year we got a family computer for xmas. As long as we had a couple "Fun" things that we got to play with immediately (and that distracted us from the gifts of clothing) we were happy.

Don't jump on the bandwagon and buy a bunch of "stuff" as it makes gift giving, wrapping, etc. a chore instead of a fun thing.