HOLIDAY MEMORIES...SO LONG TOYS! WELL...KINDA.

So I am a big believer in making memories. My favorite part of Christmas was always Christmas Eve. To this day, unless it was recorded and played back for me, I cannot remember a single gift growing up (except for my troll slippers which I'm POSITIVE actually came from Santa himself). The only thing that is crystal clear to me when I think back on traditions and memories is Christmas Eve. For as long as I can remember, I was always super excited to spend time with my cousins and my mom's half of the family, which is small and we barely got to see them growing up. I remember the Italian food we would have and the antipasta and the Italian bread! Oh the Italian bread! And I specifically remember playing games and watching TV and just the feeling of warmth and family. As the times change and our lives develop, our traditions have changed unfortunately as we all strive to make memories and new traditions with our own children and families.

I did find an article today that lists some Christmas gift ideas in the way of making memories rather than just handing out toys. Now, I don't agree with not giving any toys to children on the holidays, I do like the concept that maybe one of these gifts to my child could be actually going somewhere and doing something he can remember and cherish that way. Toys come and go. They gets played with and get thrown out. But these memories will last his lifetime if done right.

I plan on doing this when he gets a little older and can hold a memory and experience whichever we decide to do. But until then, for those who do have older children and are looking to start weening away the idea that Christmas and birthdays are just about getting toys, this is a really great list of ideas!


Check out the link for the blog and the full list:
RAISING MEMORIES





This morning I'll be interviewed on several radio shows across Canada about the idea of a Toyless Christmas, so I thought I would share a list on the blog of Non-Toy Gift Ideas that can serve as a reference for birthdays and Christmas when you're feeling overwhelmed with toys!

100 SPECIFIC NON-TOY GIFT IDEAS:

Season Passes

- Zoo
- Museum
- Butterfly Conservatory
- Aviary
- Aquarium
- Amusement Park

One-Time Passes

- Movies
- Bowling
- Swimming
- Theatre Performance
- Go see a sporting event
- Disney On Ice
- Circus
- Ice Skating
- Roller Skating
- Mini Golf
- Concert

Experiences for Kids

- Horse & Buggy Ride
- Train Ride
- Ice Cream Vouchers
- Special dinner out
- A Trip to the Fire Station
- A Trip to Chuckie Cheese (buy the tokens ahead of time so you have something to wrap!)
- Coupon book with "time" gifts (ie. an afternoon making cookies with mom)

Older Kids or Grown-Ups 

- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Wine Tasting
- Zip Lining
- Helicopter Ride
- Trip to the Spa (Mani/Pedi, Massage, Facial, etc.)
- Rock Climbing
- Trip to Arcade

A Class or Season of Lessons

- Swimming
- Sports
- Gymnastics
- Dance
- Karate
- Musical Instrument
- Pottery Class- or paint your own pottery
- Art Class
- Craft class (ie. knitting)
- Horseback riding lessons

Family Experiences

- A night(s) away at a local hotel (with a pool)
- A hotel with an indoor waterpark
- Camping (depends where you live & how much you love Winter camping ;)
- Road trip
- Give them travel/camping gear needed for the experience you'll be gifting so that they have a physical item to unwrap

Physical Gifts that aren't Toys

- Books
- Games
- DVD
- CDs of fun kids music
- Craft kits
- Science kit
- New art supplies
- Magazine Subscription
- Monthly Craft Kit Subscription
- Fun Bath Supplies (colour-changing water, crayons that write on walls, foamy soap, etc.)
- A wagon to pull kids in when you go on walks
- Stationary
- Special Christmas Tree Ornament
- Wrist watch
- Piggy bank
- Memory/Photo Book
- Journal

Fun "Needs"

- Kid furniture
- New bedding that they really like
- Bedroom décor/Promise of a total room makeover
- New hat, mitts, etc.
- Bike
- Scooter
- Roller skates/blades
- Basketball hoop
- Trampoline
- Swing set (for big ticket items like this, grandparents can pitch in)
- An item they need, but they wanted a more expensive version than you would normally buy (ie. boots/clothes)
- Colourful band aids
- Sled/toboggan/other winter outdoor things
- Sleeping bag
- Flashlight
- Toy box
- Personal set of scriptures
- Jewelry box


Learning Tools

- Telescope
- Magnifying glass
- Strong Magnet
- Science Kit
- Magic Kit
- Cookbook & Apron/Chef Hat
- Easel
- Chalkboard
- Gardening tools
- Bug-catching tools (better if you don't live somewhere that's snowy ;)
- Binoculars
- Globe

Others

- Educational App they can play on your phone/ipod/tablet or Computer Game
- Items they need for lessons (costume/instrument/etc.)
- A new game for a game console
- A refill for an easy bake oven or other toy requiring refills
- A pet! (perhaps a "certificate" saying that you will go and pick one out together)
- Pet Accessories/supplies
- iTunes gift card