Well friends, we’ve almost reached the end of the Christmas season!
For some of you, that feels like a welcome relief.
For others, I just instigated a moment of sheer panic.
While we know that the Christmas season is about so much more than gifts, and that Jesus is the main reason that we celebrate this holiday season, we also know that there is such blessing in being able to give gifts to others! But sometimes, if you’re like me, this whole season just flies by and you reach the week prior to Christmas and, all of a sudden, you’re in panic mode. You have no idea what to get your kiddos, and you know how crazy the stores will be, and it’s too late to order online. So what do you do?
You read this blog!
Kidding, sort of. I’m definitely here to help, though.
I’ve compiled a list of five last minute gift ideas for the kiddos in your life. What’s nice about these is that they are extremely customizable and there are many options for each one. As well, many of them are good gifts to give as a group gift to all of your kids. How’s that for resourceful?
So without further ado…
Five Last-Minute Gift Ideas:
1) Magazine Subscription
This one is so customizable, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving! There are endless options out there in this category, and it’s easy to do. I’ve browsed some options depending on age group:
–Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr Magazine (Ages 3-7)
–National Geographic Kids Magazine (Ages 6 and up)
–ASK: Arts and Sciences for Kids (Ages 6-9)
–Ladybug (Ages 3-6)
–Chirp (Ages 3-6)/Chickadee (Ages 6-9)
2) Children’s Museum Family Pass
In anticipation of the rainy days to come, why not pick out something that your whole family will love and enjoy? Wouldn’t it be nice to know you always had a backup option for a day when the weather wouldn’t allow for outside play or your kids just needed something to do? Children’s museums are the best for days like that! Plus, if you already go a lot, a family pass is often worth the investment!
Here’s links to a few in Western Washington:
–Seattle Children’s Museum (Seattle, WA)
–KidsQuest Children’s Museum (Bellevue, WA)
–Imagine Children’s Museum (Everett, WA)
–Children’s Museum of Skagit County (Burlington, WA)
3) Subscription Boxes
Looking for another gift that keeps on giving? Subscription boxes are awesome and like magazines, there are so many different options out there for whatever your kiddos are interested in!
Kids in general: Kiwi Crate (Ages 0-16, different boxes for different ages)
Kids interested in cooking: KidStir (Ages 4 and up)
Kids interested in science: Groovy Lab in a Box (Ages 9-16)
Kids interested in history: History Unboxed (Ages 5-15)
Here’s another collected list with even more to choose from:
https://imaginationsoup.net/2015/12/08/monthly-subscription-boxes-kids/
Sharing Gift Card:
This was one that I started to think about when my grandmother gifted my son a gift card for his birthday. She made a big deal about giving him a gift card to our favorite frozen yogurt place and that it was his special “credit card” to take his family out for dessert! You can word it however you like, but finding a gift card that your kiddo would love and giving them the responsibility of using it to share with their family or friends is a great way to remind them about thinking of others. You could do things like ice cream shops, restaurants, movie theaters, or anything else that you think your kiddos might love to do!
Mom and Me/Dad and Me Date Coupons:
Why not turn the tables on a gift that we often receive from our kids? Honestly, most of the time our kids are just desperate for some time with us! Put together a few dates that you could do one-on-one with one of your children (or add in a couple where the whole family is involved) and write them out. For example: “Good for one movie date with Mom! Includes popcorn and one candy!” This gives intentionality to your gift, and opens the door to spending more time with each of your children!
For more ideas, check out: http://lets-explore.net/blog/2011/12/a-year-of-dates/
There you have it! What are your favorite last-minute gifts? Let us know!
