What are some good alternative gifts for kids?

Question

My nieces and nephews get so much STUFF it is insane! They just rip the paper off and move on to the next item, with no recognition of the actual present. I find it hard to watch and really don't want to contribute to the madness.

I am knitting all of them hats, which I do every year but I'd like to come up with some "alternative" gifts I could give them, things that have more meaning than the latest Bratz doll.
Any ideas?
I have nieces that are 10, 4 and 2 years old and a 9yo nephew.
Thanks!

Answer 1

I would buy them each a book that meant something to you when you were that age, and write an inscription inside. For the younger ones, a copy of a poetry book such as Where the Sidewalk ends might be good. For the older children, the new Guinness Book of World Records or the World Almanac for kids could be fun. (The book is a LOT more fun than it sounds--it's filled with fun facts, games, etc.)

Check out the gifts at sites like uncommon goods. . . their stuff is off the beaten path
http://www.uncommongoods.com/gift/finder.jsp?recipient=80&occasion=0&category=0&price=1&psycho=0&sort=sales&view=all
http://www.uncommongoods.com/gift/finder.jsp?recipient=79&occasion=0&category=0&price=1&psycho=0&sort=sales&view=all

Museum shops have wonderful "alternative" gifts for children. Here are some great finds at the Museum of Modern Art online shop:
http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/CategoryDisplay_10451_10001_11480_11480_-1_shop_6H101

I also love socks from http://www.littlemissmatched.com . They're so different--socks, stockings, pajamas, etc. that go together well, but don't actually match. They make them for boys, but I think the girls especially would get a kick out of it.



I totally understand where you're coming from. I watched as my niece tore open present after present at her birthday last year, and I thought, "Is she ever gonna play with this stuff?" (And she isn't. A lot of it is on its way to a charity toy drive.)

Answer 2

Hi prncsh,

1. 10 yr., 9 yr. olds, 4yr. & possibly the 2yr. how about taking them to the movies (at the theather), rent a movie together that way you could spend some time with them & also give the parents a break, (everything from cartoons-a Disney movie),
2.depending where you live Children's Museum, Zoo, Children's theater, library,
3. open gym at the community center,
4. shopping with each for a special gift something they pick out but not to expensive, ( or that the parents help decide what is apporiate),
5. roller skating, ice skating, bowling,
6.go to lunch with kids separately or have them over & you make lunch together,
7.make pinata's, crafts to make dough bread, goo(messy but always fun), make your own play-doh-research at library, on the internet,
this is what I did with each of my grandkids,
8. books-especially suited for each age group, journal maybe for 10 yr.old, Good Night Moon(if read enough this is one book children can & will read back to you), Harry Potter, books of interests they may have,
9. a savings bond in their name,
10. subscription to Children's Magazine.
There's alot of things you can do with your neices & nephews.
Have a good day. :0)
Additional Details:Have them spend the night, read, play or just have fun doing whatever together.

Answer 3

Check out the "Back to Basics" toy catalog. Not sure if they have a website, but they have all of the classic toys from the 30's on up, things you can't buy in stores any longer.

Science kits are good too, it will teach them something while they're having fun. Our 11 year old nephew got a gel Ant farm we paid $12 for from us last year and it was his favorite gift. Think of something to get their creativity going.

Answer 4

For the 10 year old, you could make a donation in her name since she is probably old enough to understand and appreciate what that means. To the Humane Society or PETA if she is an animal lover.

For the younger children, you can get books for them whose proceeds go to different causes.

Or a small baggy filled with little knick knacks and a letter explaining the significance of each item. For example:
*Crayons-- You bring color to my otherwise bland world. You are bright and cheerful and I can't help but feel happy when you are around!
*Hershey Hugs and Kisses-- The hugs and kisses you give to me make me feel great! You are sweeter than chocolate!
*CD's-- Your laughs and giggles are music to my ears!

Have fun with it! Merry Christmas!

Answer 5

Well you don't have much time but a scrapbook would be really nice because it is something they can enjoy forever, they might not appreciate now but they will one day. I LOVE my scrapbook. the little girl I babysit is 2 and she loves to look at her family's photo albums so maybe they would like it. Maybe you could get supplies for them and then help them make one? Or you could buy small albums and make them. Or even get big albums and make them a few pages each and add each year for Christmas and birthdays.

You also could take them to do some volunteer work so they see how lucky they are to get the gifts they get. This would be good for the older two.

Answer 6

For the 9 & 10 yr olds, how about a subscription to National Geographic Kids or Disney Adventures magazines? There are also nice magazines for the younger ones, perhaps check out amazon.com for ideas. Something fun but educational too!

Answer 7

An 'oxfam' send a cow or books to school kids type pressie for a fiver to at least bring home a different message for Xmas.

you can get things like a butterfly dome, it's about £15 fro Toyz r us, good for younger kids to share. They send off (around spring) for the caterpillar I think, have to feed it and watch it turn to a cocoon and then a butterfly. I think these kind of gifts really get kids thinking and appreciating things which aren't plastic or gimmicky.

Answer 8

k it is hard to answer this question because of course i don't know these kids but i find it best when people ask me what i want for christmas. it's a lot better than getting some stupid gift that you would never use.

you could get them clothes or jewelry but ask them what KINDS of clothes they wear (skating,sports,etc.) DONT EVER GUESS ON WHAT YOU THINK THEY'D WEAR! because 9 times out of 10 they wouldn't like it. Getting them one really nice hoody ot shirt is better than getting them a whole lot of stuff. trust me...

Answer 9

You can get the controllers and computer game. I just saw a commercial for it, but can't remember the name. It is a remote just like a Wii, but it is like 25$ for one and the game!

Answer 10

I suggest www.hearthsong.com it's a magazine that has more old fashioned toys(no electronics!) for kid's of all ages for inside and outside.

Answer 11

Books (all kids should read and/or be read to)

Art Supplies (makes them get creative!) Go to Michaels and just buy them scrapbooks and supplies and little knicknacks and they can do their own scrapbooks!

live in snow? get them cool sleds and things for making snow bricks! (get them outdoors!)

stationary with designs that meet their interests and cool pens- this will encourage them to write thank you notes to people!