After telling your family that you don’t want anyone to buy your kid’s gifts anymore they will probably go on to ask what alternatives they are allowed to get.
Gift-giving can be fun and it’s a way that many people show love, so taking that away from them would be hard. Giving them alternatives lets them still show love in their own way and also gets you out of having to deal with the overwhelm and clutter that comes out of getting too many gifts.
Experience Gifts
Experience gifts can be anything! They can be classes, events, shows, or activities.
- Painting Class
- Pottery Class
- Horseback Riding
- Musicals
- Play
- A Movie Date
- Trampoline Park
- Amusement Park
- Swimming Lessons
- Dance or Gymnastic Lessons
- Karate
- Sporting Events Tickets
- Ice Skating
- Zip lining
Memberships
Membership gifts are an awesome alternative to physical gifts because they are a gift that keeps on giving all year long.
- Zoo
- Aquarium
- Children’s Museum
- Theme Park
- Trampoline Park
- Local Attractions
- Botanical Gardens
- Science Museums
Consumables and Personal Care
These are things that you kids are going to use anyways.
- Hair Care
- Bathing Items
- Bath Bombs
- Bath Crayons
- Nail Polish
- Foods
Creative Gifts
Technically these would be physical items but I think they are okay since they are hands-on, creative kinds of gifts. These would be things like art sets, or something that your child can create with.
We Craft Box
We Craft Box delivers a stress-free creative experience to your family’s doorstep every month! With 2-3 prepared crafts, unique theme and story, easy-to-follow photo directions and all the materials needed that can be shared between 2 children we are empowering busy families to easily unplug from the screen and connect through creativity! Give the gift of creativity – after all, with we craft box, it’s the gift that helps families craft connect, and created together.
Orange Art Box
Orange Art Box is a fun Art Subscription Box for Kids. Our boxes are packed with art supplies, project ideas, and tons of inspiration. We recommend for ages 5-10 and have many families that share a box.
Subscription boxes
I'm a sucker for subscription boxes. I really just love getting surprises in the mail.
Baketivity Subscription Box
Baketivity is a baking subscription box for kids, it includes all pre-measured ingredients, clear step by step illustrated instructions, and various educational lessons.
In today's days with technology increasing and kids are becoming more and more addicted to their phones, video games, and television while spending less and less time interacting and enjoying quality family time. The goal behind Baketivity is to give parents a way to connect and spend more time interacting with their kids.
Owl Post Books
Owl Post Books is a fun and interactive monthly book subscription for children! They have Imagination Boxes and Book of the Month Subscriptions for ages 0-3, 4-7, 8-11, and YA. They also provide YA Artist and Writer subscriptions for teenagers.
Bookaroo Box
Bookroo's mission is to enable and empower parents to build their children's book collections in an affordable and exciting way through curated monthly book deliveries. They believe in the power and impact of the written word in the life of a child, and believe it’s never too early to start reading to children! Book boxes are geared for ages 0-10.
Magazine Subscriptions
I don’t really see many people requesting magazine subscriptions anymore but I loved these as a kid! Printed media is much better for children to consume then digital media so a magazine subscription might be perfect for kids who are old enough to read. Plus kids magazines are so inexpensive!
Want Even More Alternative Gift Ideas?
- Non-Toy Gifts – The Christmas Edition for Kids 12 and under
- Christmas Gifts from the Heart
- The Best Gifts for A New Breastfeeding Mom
- 101 Non-Toy Stocking Stuffers for Kids
- Reindeer in Here an Elf on the Shelf Alternative
- The Best Pregnancy Subscription Box – A Mama Bird Box Review
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These are such good ideas!! Thanks for sharing!!
I love experience gifts. My parents got my husband and I a 2 night getaway as a gift one year. It meant so much to us! If I had kids I would love the arts & crafts boxes.
I love this list. Since becoming a step-parent I have enjoyed giving my step-daughter experiences rather than toys or things she will grow out of quickly. I think it’s because my mom only gave me toys growing up and we rarely went and did something as a family. I would rather my step-daughter have stories to tell her friends about places we have been, fun family trips that toys just can’t compare to.
I feel the same! We travel A LOT with our kids and we def. view experiences as a priority over things
really love the gift ideas shared here, learnt that classes (perhaps virtual classes) could be a good gift now. thanks for this. cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Love all of these gift alternatives for kids! In particular, I love all the different classes and experiences you recommend! What better gift than to give your kid an experience that they will remember for the rest of their life!
Great ideas that we don’t need fancy and complicated gifts to celebrate the holidays, I think self-made and simple gifts are just as personal and warm for kids and family. – knycx Journeying
I love there ideas, so creative and they are mostly centered around experience instead of physical and tangible items
Oh yeah!!! Love all these creative gifts for yourself or for others!!!
These are such unique and great gift ideas for any occasion. Subscription boxes and pottery classes looks like a great option to present this season.
Wow really loved this ideas.we craft box and orange craft box looks interesting.Thanks for sharing.
Wow really loved this ideas.we craft box and orange craft box looks interesting.Also never heard about Baketivity subscription box.I am sure I am gonaa try few of this ideas ..Thanks for sharing
I just love subscription boxes because they are a gift that keeps on giving month after month
I love the idea of the Baketivity subscription and membership gifts! I think more than just the material/gift you’re giving, it’s also the memories you could create with them, not just on Christmas but everyday.
Exactly! And if 2020 has taught me anything, it’s that making memories is the most important thing we can do with our kids
Really great ideas & I think memberships are the best of all as it lasts so long.
Very practical ideas. it resembles my way of thinking.
These are such practical, simple yet great ideas for gifting during the festive season.