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I'm struggling to come up with ideas for holiday alternatives to toys and such for gifts. We have plans for some "things" but I am more looking for unconventional ideas. When we all (or at least me) reminisce about our childhoods we usually have more fond memories of our experiences, not our things.
Maybe I'm looking for holiday traditions? Something we can do not just something we can have.
I've been looking at craft ideas and science projects but what else can you think of?
Keep in mind my children are only two and four.
Maybe some trips? Either overnight or even an afternoon. I think we're going to visit Leavenworth, WA for their Lighting event at some point next month.
We always enjoyed (as did the kids..very much) ice skating. We're lucky as there's always a frozen pond around we could use...any where you can go tobogganing?..
When my daughter was 4, I gave her an apron for her birthday. She was now officially old enough to help me bake. Even now, 4 years later, as soon as I get out the flour she has her apron on and is ready to help (and the two smaller kids are right behind her).
I LOVED baking cookies with my mom when I was a kid, and now I've passed those same memories on to my kids Plus we get cookies or cake or pie
How about
simple homemade gifts for the grandparents.
Adopt a child/mitten tree, etc...in other words, have them shop for and wrap 'gifts' to give the less fortunate.
Make home made 'ornament' bird feeders to put outside for the animals
Try Family Fun magazine (print or website) for lots of ideas for activities.
There is a craft store in my area where kids can make their own tree ornaments. I figure if we go each year and make a few, then my kids will have a decent stash of ornaments when they grow up and are out on their own.
I'm struggling to come up with ideas for holiday alternatives to toys and such for gifts. We have plans for some "things" but I am more looking for unconventional ideas. When we all (or at least me) reminisce about our childhoods we usually have more fond memories of our experiences, not our things.
Maybe I'm looking for holiday traditions? Something we can do not just something we can have.
I've been looking at craft ideas and science projects but what else can you think of?
Keep in mind my children are only two and four.
Maybe some trips? Either overnight or even an afternoon. I think we're going to visit Leavenworth, WA for their Lighting event at some point next month.
I think the days leading up to christmas are the best. We go to everything local that is christmasy, from tiny tots concerts to tree lightings, and some of our local parks have amazing christmas displays that cover acres, and are accompanied by campfires and other fun things. We also do cookie-decorating, gingerbread houses, and similar. Then there are the classic movies, from Dr. Seuss to Peanuts. My son also loves decorating the house, yard and tree. On Christmas day, aside from presents, there is a big breakfast followed by going out to visit relatives. When I was a kid, my favorite part of Christmas was just having my grandparents around all day, and snacking on this and that. Very food-oriented, I guess.
Christmas movie/popcorn on Christmas Eve... now that my kids are older, they debate on the most outlandish movie choices... my only requirement is it has to have Christmas in it.... last year it was gremlins... sigh, I miss the days of the Grinch.
Making gifts.... cookies in a jar, tie it blankets, handprint garden stones
A special ornament for each child that directly relates to something they did/accomplished that year
Show/Concert - Trans siberian orchestra - nutcracker - etc
breakfast Christmas morning
decorating the tree together
baking (special time with the girl... the boys only care to lick the beaters)
we try to do at least one charitable act as well... Angel Tree, mystery santa for disadvantaged family, etc
We try to go to some sort of live Christmas performance, e.g "A Christmas Carol" (our youngest was five when we first took them to that), The Nutcracker, Christmas concerts, etc.
I'm struggling to come up with ideas for holiday alternatives to toys and such for gifts. We have plans for some "things" but I am more looking for unconventional ideas. When we all (or at least me) reminisce about our childhoods we usually have more fond memories of our experiences, not our things.
Maybe I'm looking for holiday traditions? Something we can do not just something we can have.
I've been looking at craft ideas and science projects but what else can you think of?
Keep in mind my children are only two and four.
Maybe some trips? Either overnight or even an afternoon. I think we're going to visit Leavenworth, WA for their Lighting event at some point next month.
How about one very nice gift instead of several gifts they'll play with for five minutes and have lots of pieces which you'll have to clean up all the time?
Another one, perhaps when they're older is give them each $25 and take them to a thrift store - let them buy whatever they want. A kid could buy tons of stuff for $25.
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Plus we get cookies or cake or pie 
