unique and creative Christmas gifts for kids and families

Simplify Your Christmas Gift Giving!

Do you get overwhelmed by trying to think of gifts for everyone in your family? Here are some thoughts and thematic ideas to inspire your gift giving this year!

Start With a Theme

Start with a theme! Once a theme is selected, purchase one substantial gift for the whole family and different versions of the same gift for the kids.
If you are already planning to take a trip next year, give “the trip” as a gift and let it guide your theme. Think experience versus accumulation!

Theme and Gift Ideas

The Beach

A tropical trip or a summer beach vacation
Luggage
Swimsuits, beach towels and beach chairs
Swim goggles, sunscreen and sunglasses
For younger children, a fun toy like Pottery Barn’s Boat Shaped Sand Box (Potterybarnkids.com, $249.99) or Polly Pocket’s Jumbo Jet (Amazon.com, $27.50)
For older children consider a portable DVD player or an iPod

Weekend in New York City

Luggage
Tickets to a Broadway play or the Rockettes
Reservations for lunch at the American Girl cafe and a store gift certificate
Skating accessories for skating at Rockefeller Center
A nice outfit for going out to dinner
A disposable camera for taking photos

Disney World

A trip to Disney World
Disney toys, clothing, and costumes
Disney Dollars for the gift shops
Disney DVDs, CDs or Playstation games

Arts and Crafts

A cute craft table like the adorable version by ALEX (Amazon.com, $149.99, includes 2 benches) and a built in paper roll
A gift certificate for an art class or camp
An easel (Amazon.com, $38.92, by Melissa & Doug, featuring a chalkboard, dry erase board and shelves)
Aprons or smocks
Craft supplies like paints, markers, glues, glitter, crayons and chalk
Craft kits of any kind