Idea 1: Games
– Jenga
– Tenzi
– Bop It (Bonus Idea ?)
Idea 2: Books
– Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett (comes with tickle monster gloves!)
– The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell
– Unplugged by Steven Antony
– Strong is the New Pretty by Kate T. Parker
– Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg
– I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
– Belinda, the Ballerina by Amy Young
– The Smallest Girl in The Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts
– I Can Do Hard Things by Gabi Garcia
– The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
– Runaway Tomato by Kim Cooley Reeder
– The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman
– I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët
– The Energy Bus for Kids by Jon Gordon
– Mr. Peabody’s Apples by Madonna
– The Water Princess by Susan Verde
– The First Forest by John Gile
– Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy
Idea 3: Conversation Cards
– Question Jar (Mason jars work well!)
– Free Conversation Cards on Pinterest
o Can look up by age (Preschoolers, Elementary, Tween or Teen)
Idea 4: Stinky Socks & Underwear
– Jane.com offers all types of personalization
o Tumblers, bags, t-shirts, etc.
– Papa since “2017” T-Shirt (You fill in the year!)
– Shirt for dad, with a car track on it!
– Zazzle.com allows you to upload a design
Idea 5: Busy Bags
– Prepare a bag for each child and keep in the car (and can take into restaurants)
o Allow them to fill with items that they like and will keep them busy
Ideas:
o small games (I spy, Bingo, puzzles boxes)
o notepads and writing utensils
o books (see idea list #2 for ideas!)
o stickers (in case you need 2400 stickers…)
– You can research “Busy Bags” on Pinterest and get together with friends to create what you need and prep multiple bags as gifts, all FREE. Just takes some time, but when spent with friends, it is time well spent ?
Idea 6: Gifts Centered Around Photos
o Can also make fun puzzles with your photos on Shutterfly
o Can make a card set, little notebooks, etc.
o Pulls from your Instagram account
o Also pull from your Instagram account and create little books
– Snapfish
Idea 7: Journals
– Mama & Me cover on a Dollar store journal
o You and your child take turns writing notes and letters back and forth, then leave it on each other’s nightstands. Very cute!
o Can do this every night around the dinner table
– The Five-Minute Journal for kids
Idea 8: Made With Love
– Check out local craft stores for holiday ideas (like Michael’s)
– Reindeer made with beer cap and old puzzle pieces
– Old CD’s painted and made into ornaments
– Embroidered Family cross stitch kit
Idea 9 & 10: Appliances & Experiences
– Whirley-Pop (popcorn maker)
Experiences
– Zoo membership
– Tickets to children’s plays
– Airplane tickets
– Museum passes
Don’t forget to download your free download-RAKS for the Entire Family. It’s the season of giving, let’s stay calm, enjoy all the holidays have to offer and model generosity to our children.