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The ABCs of a Non-Toy Christmas

OK, who am I kidding? I could never in a million bazillion years intentionally go through a Christmas morning with my kiddos receiving zero toys. I mean, there is certainly something to be said for a Batmobile or Barbie doll that makes them squeal with excitement in a way that parents dream of all year long. In a way that makes every spent penny worth the effort of saving. In a way that sticks with you for the rest of your life because the magic of the season is about – not toys – but memories. And what a memory that bellowing shout of excitement makes!

That leads me to my ABC list idea I’m excited to share with you all, since memories are ever-so-important. Maybe this year, consider replacing some of the classic “toy” gifts with some “experience” gifts, creating memories that last longer than that 15 second shout on Christmas morning. Since there is SO much to do in this lovely city in which we live, here are some ideas to consider if you’re feeling a bit “toyed out” this season:

A-gift

American Girl Doll Adventure  |  Visit website
Do you have a child who drank the American Girl Doll water? A fun gift for such a kid would be a day spent at the Mall of America store, where your child and his/her doll can shop for matching outfits, get their doll a new ‘do in the American Girl salon, and enjoy a meal together (where, yes, their doll has her own chair) in the bistro. Or select one of their many special in-store events to attend.

B-gift

Bake it Up at a Kids Cooking Class  |  Visit website
What better way to get your kids to help with dinner than to teach your little chef to become a culinary expert? For as cheap as $20, you can pick up a class at Way-Cool Cooking School in Eden Prairie for your child (ages 7-14) or a parent/child combo (ages 3+). From baking challenges to cupcake wars, these classes are sure to entertain and teach the wannabe chef in your family.

C-gift

Children’s Museum Memberships  |  Visit website
Do you have a mover who goes stir-crazy during the cold winter months? Maybe consider an investment in membership at the Children’s Museum. For as low as $99, you receive unlimited admission for 12 months for two adults and all children under 18 residing in a single household. Not a bad deal to release all that pent-up crazy! Buy your membership now.

D-gift

Design an Outfit on The Patchery  |  Visit website
Don’t flinch at the price until you experience the product. You guys, the clothes at The Patchery are undeniably the best and comfiest children’s clothes I’ve ever purchased. What makes this website fun is that your child (with or without the help of mom and dad) gets to be the designer! They select from a variety of themed patterns and build their own outfit, which then arrives in the mail a few weeks later.

E-gift

Execute Greatness at Conquer Ninja Warrior  |  Visit website
Do you have a kid who likes to aim for the fences? Push their limits? Try, try again? Gift them with a couple open gym sessions from Conquer Ninja Warrior in Eden Prairie. For ages 6+ and $16, this gym is no walk in the park. Be sure to pick up a couple ninja bandanas at the dollar store to reward yourselves with after you’ve trained at the gym. A special memory you won’t soon forget!

F-gift

Find Your Inner Writer   |  Visit website
If The Loft were around when I was a kid, I would’ve spent every weekend there spitting out stories. The Loft is a literary center located in downtown Minneapolis that offers classes, programs, speakers and much more. And, yes, they have classes that cater to kids ages 6 to 17. While they’re a little pricey, they will make your young author smile ear-to-ear after they learn the tricks of the writing trade from experienced professionals.

G-gift

Get a (Hotel) Room  |  Visit website
As a kid, was there anything better than staying in a hotel? Jumping on the beds, swimming in the pool, waking up early for continental breakfast? This is one of my favorite gifts to give my children. Snag a local hotel for one night, pack a movie and the swimsuits and live it up like you’re on vacation!

H-gift

Harlem Globetrotters Game  |  Visit website
As a tomboy growing up, I absolutely loved when my parents would take us to see the Globetrotters play. If you have a basketball fan who enjoys some humor in their sport, this is a great experience that I think all children should have at least once in their life. Oh, adults too. It’s funny stuff by some talented players.

I-gift

Ice and Disney? Yes please. |  Visit website
There is almost always a Disney on Ice show happening at the Xcel or Target Center. While you’ll cringe at the prices of the food and merchandise (seriously, $12 for cotton candy), the tickets aren’t half bad. And, just like visiting actual Disney World, the magic that happens winds up being worth every dime. Why, Disney? Why must you make us all mushy-gushy-teary-eyed!? How do you make our children love your characters so hard? Whatever the magic, these shows are well done and fantastic for their demographic: Kids.

J-gift

Journey North to a Cabin  |  Visit website
While some kids don’t appreciate unplugging from their life for even a second, the thought of giving a getaway gift to a secluded winter cabin is definitely intriguing to many Minnesotan children. Sit around a fireplace, bring coloring books and puzzles and games and snacks and just catch up on life through the wonderful gift of…talking to one another! I’ve found that VRBO.com or HomeAway.com are great places to start the search for a reasonably-priced cabin getaway.

K-gift

Kilns and Creativity at Paint Your Plate  |  Visit website
With St. Paul and Edina locations, Paint Your Plate is a great gift idea for the pee-wee Picasso in your life. Bring your budding artist out to the studio and splurge on a mug, plate and bowl set so he/she can design an entire dining set using their own creativity and imagination. It often takes one week for the studio to complete the firing of your ceramic piece, so include a follow-up gift day where you enjoy ice cream together out of your new dishes.

L-gift

Load Up at the Library  |  Visit website
So many libraries. So little time. Promise your bookworm a trip to a library, bring a $20 bill and tell them they can fill an entire bag with (used) books that they can keep! If you get to the sale on day one, your kids will easily find a bag full of books that peak their interest and you’ll get out the door spending less than you would on two Dr. Seuss books at Target.

M-gift

Membership to the Minnesota Zoo  |  Visit website
For as low as $130, your entire family can access the MN Zoo all year long, and man, what a gift! So much of our zoo is indoors that this membership can even pass the time in the frigid months. If you’re close enough to Apple Valley to make it worth it, do it. Your kids will find plenty to do on each visit – seeing shows, watching feedings, taking classes…Oh, and it includes free parking too. As the monkeys would say, “Eeeee! Eeeeee! Eeeee!”

N-gift

Nickelodeon Universe Passes or Membership  |  Visit website
Whenever I ask my kids what they want to do on an empty Saturday in the wintertime, their answers are either go sledding or head to Nick Universe indoor amusement park at the Mall of America. With tons of rides for all ages and a daily or wristband or membership option for admission, you can pick your price and spend an entire day whooping it up on the Nickelodeon-themed rides and stores. A few wristbands for your kid to hand out to a couple friends would make for one awesome gift if you have an adventurous rider on your hands!

O-gift

Open Their Minds at The Works Museum  |  Visit website
Science. Engineering. Technology. Any of these subjects scream your kid? If so, a great gift would be a membership pass to The Works Museum in Bloomington (because it’s only $75!!). Their hours are relatively short during the school year, but the activities are unique, educational and fun!

P-gift

Put a Personalized Spin on It  |  Visit website
Not sure about you, but I’m kind of a sucker for personalized gifts. I have blankets and pillows and albums and picture frames and jewelry and, heck, even a lasagna pan that came personalized just for me. Photos of my kids, my monogram, favorite quotes or song lyrics I love…personalizing gifts can make them feel all the more special!

Quick Photo Gifts from Shutterfly  |  Visit website
My entire life is recorded on the Shutterfly server and some of my greatest investments have been made by them. As have some of my greatest gifts. The personalized pillow I got my mother-in-law, the fleece blanket adorned with all 13 great grandchildren I got my grandma, the immeasurable number of photo books I’ve published to save me the time and trouble from actually scrapbooking…all so treasured. And EASY! Make a memory for your child that will last forever by printing off a short photo book of pics from your latest vacation or customize them a blanket, a puzzle, a deck of cards or a notebook. Kids love to see their face and the faces they love so this is a fun and beautiful way to do just that.

R-gift

Ride the Rails of the North Shore Scenic Railroad  |  Visit website
A jaunt on the North Shore Scenic Railroad would make a choo-riffic gift for the train-lover in your life! The train, which travels from Duluth to Two Harbors, offers tons of special events for kiddos such as Princess Tea Time, Pumpkin Train, Christmas Express, and a Day out with Thomas the Train (awesome!) as well as un-themed daily excursions. Consider making a weekend of it because the north shore is truly one of the most beautiful places in the entire midwest and there is no shortage of what to do. Bump up the kid-friendly fun by staying at Duluth’s Edgewater Hotel (waterpark included!).

S-gift

Snow Tubing and Hot Cocoa  |  Visit website
If your kids aren’t in love with skiing or hockey (I know, I know…you can gasp now), give the gift of a day of snow tubing. Hit up one of the many local slopes, grab your tube and the conveyor belt and spend a couple hours together laughing and flying down hills at rapid-fire speed. Then be sure to end your day with hot cocoa and pie at a nearby diner. A memorable day kids will not soon forget.

T-gift

Treat ’em to Whatever Trips Their Triggers
Sometimes when I just have no opinion whatsoever (rare!), I give my kids a “Your Choice” day. It’s probably their favorite kind of day because it often ends in something germy and expensive, but man do they love having the say! What better gift to give than a day where they choose the agenda. If they pick an indoor park that serves pizza that tastes like cardboard, your gift is to throw your hands up and say “OK!” If they want to spend three hours roaming the dinosaur exhibit at the Science Museum, you pace alongside with a smile on your face. If they want to start the day with donuts at 6am, you must nod and smile. All of this is within budget and REASON, but overall, they call the shots. It’s more fun than you’d think and your kids will remember it.

U-gift

Under Water Exploring at Sea Life  |  Visit website
It’s not cheap to go to this aquarium, but it’s a gold mine in the cold winter months. Built into the lower level of the Mall of America, you can easily make this a full day of fun by including rides at Nickelodeon Universe, a toy at the Lego or Disney store, lunch at Rainforest Cafe, or a couple hours in the new pop-up Children’s Museum. Sea Life has some awesome exhibits, including a shark tunnel, black-lit sea horses, and sting rays…you can touch! Want to be the best gift giver ever? Upgrade your one-day admission to a full annual membership for (actually) not that much more money. Check out rates here.

V-gift

Volunteer at Second Harvest Heartland |  Visit website
If you have a child who would rather give than receive, give the gift of volunteering together. Second Harvest Heartland is an organization that depends on volunteers to help pack food for food shelters to help the half million people who depend on those shelters to feed their families. Spend a couple hours volunteering together, and make it even more fun by letting your child invite some of his/her friends to help out as well.

W-gift

Watch a Wild Game  |  Visit website
Hockey lovers unite! Minnesota Wild games are super kid-friendly and filled with action. If you have a little one (or a big one) interested in the sport that defines our state, maybe pick up a couple tickets to a home game and watch their eyes glaze over with excitement. Oh, and splurge on a hot dog or nachos, will ya? Not a hockey fan? Check out a Timberwolves, Vikings, Lynx or Saints game instead.

X-gift

Xplore Your Inner Artist  |  Visit website
Give the gift of a day celebrating the arts in quaint downtown Hopkins. Have you been to kiddywampus art studio and toy store yet? For $8, you get access to their art studio for one hour and it is simply perfect for ages 1-5. Then after you paint and sculpt and create, head to either the Hopkins Cinema or Stages Theatre. The cinema shows $2 movies all day every day, and the theatre company is hosts some of the best childrens’ productions I’ve ever seen. Be sure to grab some Cold Stone ice cream on Main Street to end your day!

Y-gift

Yoga for Youngsters  |  Visit website
Ever wish there was a way to get your kids involved in your exercise regimen? Yoga is the perfect place to start and, hey, it’s good for your mental health as well as your physical (which any parent desperately needs). The Twin Cities offers tons of kid+parent yoga classes so if you have a fitness buff on your hands, this could make for a fun little outing. Namaste.

Z-gift

Zipline at Kerfoot Canopy Tours  |  Visit website
Feeling uber-adventurous? Pick up passes for you and your kiddo to soar through the trees at Kerfoot Canopy Tours in Henderson, MN. Kids must be 10 years or older or 70+ pounds to go on this 2.5 hour, one-mile zipline tour. One session starts at $89/person and zipping is available all year long (yup, even winter!). Want something closer to home? Check out these other ziplining options in Minnesota.

I would love to hear your experience gift ideas. What have you given that has provided some great memories? Merry shopping to you, friends.

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  • Tricia
    11/30/2015 at 9:38 pm

    I love this list! So many great ideas for non toy gifts and I love the idea of making more memories instead of just more stuff.