Clutter Free Gifts for School Age Children
Clutter free gift ideas for School-Aged Children
** this was taken from Flylady's website YEARS ago-- (about 5 years ago)
"When my daughter turned 5 this year, I just dreaded the thought of getting even more toys and presents that she didn't need or wouldn't use. I suggested to everyone that we give her a "Gift certificate" party. It was great. She didn't mind opening envelopes instead of packages. Thanks to all the thoughful people at her party we have been able to spend many evening at the movie theatre, she got a hair cut, ate out at her favorite restaurant, got free passes for the swimming pool, got to take an art class and a swimming class. She has enjoyed at these things so much more than she would have a bunch of toys that she really didn't need. I will definately suggest gift certificates for my other daughter's birthday and Christmas gifts." - a FlyBaby
Last Christmas we received a terrific clutter-free gift that has kept on giving. It was a year's family membership to our local science center. It has given us many hours of fun, educational time together. We even had my ds's birthday there!
My favorite gift to give school age kids .... or for my kids to recieve from friends....has become art / craft and bath supplies! Journals and unique pens, colored pencils and oil pastels w/ sketch pads, sewing/ building kits that actually make a usable item like a storage box, scarf, hat, gloves, purse, birdhouse / feeder,
In the bath section things like fancy shampoos / conditioners, soaps / gels, lotions, perfumes / cologne, bath fizzies and tints
All this stuff encourages my child to slow down and relax, or slow down and think and create....and when they are through....there's little or no clutter to store!
Flying with 4 under 10 thus numorous little friend gift lists
This would probably work for older children too. Last year for Christmas, instead of getting our 8 year-old triplet nephews toys they would only play with for a little while anyway or clothes that they wouldn't appreciate, dh (the perfect uncle!) gave each boy a "ticket" to a Pacers game with their uncle. They each got to pick which home game they wanted to go to and they also each had to pick a different game so that it would be individual time with uncle, too. He made the "tickets" on the computer and I wrapped each one separately, then we had the boys open them all at the same time. They were so excited, and I know they got more enjoyment out of their date with uncle than they would have gotten from any toy or game.
A gift I would appreciate for my school age son, and I am sure he would love it, is a pass to the zoo, or some other local attraction. Zoo passes cost less than amusement parks, are usually good for the entire year and can often be used at zoos across the country. It would even make a good family gift. Our yearly zoo membership is about $50 for a family of four.
Having 2 school age kids myself (8 & 9), I know how the Holidays can take over a house. It takes weeks to find a place for all the new toys the good hearted relatives give the kids. A few years ago, I started asking family members to give my boys "activity gifts" for the Holidays. When someone would ask what they wanted for Christmas, I suggested a movie gift certificate, a gift card for an upcoming sports event or concert, or even money for a "special event" (which wasn't already planned) during an upcoming family vacation.
For school age kids--I say "Get out of the house and DO something with them!" Buy gifts that promote FAMILY ACTIVITY. But remember that you will have to get gear for yourself too so you can take the kids and enjoy being together! This can be as inexpensive or as expensive as you want depending on the sport you choose. How about hiking? Get Jimmy new hiking shoes and some trail maps--then head out with him. Santa should leave trail mix in the stockings. How about swimming? Get new suits and goggles and a YMCA pass. Surfing, raquetball, kite flying, longboarding, snowshoeing, etc. The options are endless.
Think: What sport or activity will MY family enjoy doing together? Then get the stuff that you need and wrap it up and then GO DO IT! You may want to consider renting or borrowing expensive equipment before you purchase it so you can see if the sport or activity works for your family before you lay out the money. After all, it is junk if it sits around and you don't USE it!
Our family enjoys skiing. This year for Christmas our children will each get a new snowboard or a pair of skiis and our family will get a Season Pass to a local resort. I'm hoping that although Santa will fill the stockings (with useful non-junk items like lip balm, sunscreen and favorite candy) that this will be IT for the shopping. And instead of opening junk presents on Christmas day--we will be packing up the car to go skiing. With the Season Pass gift, we can use the lift to ski, hike or mountain bike all year.
I have seven children. Last year I gave them all a new comforter and threw the old ones away. This year they are each getting two fluffy pillows and we will fling the old ones. I am also planning on stuffing their sock with fruit and a little candy. I used to stuff them with toys from the dollar store, only to have to fling them later.
Last year I asked their grandmother to give them each two packages of socks. I then flung ALL of their old ones. She is planning on doing this every year from now on. I am asking their other grandmother for a one year family pass to the zoo and science museum.
Instead of giving them "stuff" how about signing them up for a class or activity they've been interested in ie gymnastics or horse back riding...something that will bless their heart along with their intellect and won't collect dust. - from MI
Magazine Subscription. My son received a sub. to "Ranger Rick". Instead of having a moment of excitement opening it, he gets the thrill of looking for it in the mail each month. He loves it! The trick - purge the magazines after he has gotten them "all read up" and bless someone else with them!
So many people don't realize that just after the New Year, the second term of school begins for kids. A great clutter free gift is school supplies! They are consumable and by halfway through the year, most kids need more. What I am doing for my cousins (age 10 & 6) is to go to the Dollar Store and buy packs of pencils, erasers, folders, notebook paper, etc as well as a few tiny holiday themed items and put them in a stocking. This means that there is no wrapping paper to buy and for $20 per child (my personal spending limit) they can have a TON of stuff. Most kids get new clothes and supplies in September but school supplies are something that are used all year round.
This year we plan to give a "family gift" to some extended family members. We usually buy a combined gift for the parents and a gift for each of the two children. We don't see these people very often and really don't know what they have or don't have (but haven't had the courage to say let's stop exchanging). So, this year we are giving a clutter free family gift of a family pass to their local zoo. It will cost less than we probably would have spent individually and will at least not accumulate clutter if they don't use it. Flying in Arkansas
As the only grandchild on both sides, my soon-to-turn-12-year old son has more stuff than he knows what to do with. We're working on it at my house (his dad and I share custody) so I hate to give him another birthday gift that he doesn't need or even really want and that'll clutter up his room. So this year, for his birthday, I'm taking him on a special "mom and son" trip. Since I've newly remarried and he's had to adjust to having not only a stepfather but two stepbrothers I thought the gift of my time and an adventure just for us would be the very best gift of all. We live about 5 hours from Chicago, so we've gotten cheap plane fare and we're splurging on a nice hotel complete with a pool.
We have 3 ds's. We give the gift of a date. One on one time alone with one of our 3 ds's. My husband will take one of the boys golfing or to do some other guy stuff that I have no clue what it's all about. I'll take them shopping for clothes or whatever they need. ALONE just the two of us. We have lunch and talk. We focus on their needs for the day. (No mom looking at girl stuff!) Give the gift of a date with your child. BTW-I always find it's a gift for me too :-)
I have a neice who has EVERYTHING>>>REALLY...so it's no fun to shop for her, cause you're just adding to the collection...So last year, my mother & I joined forces and treated her to a trip to the beauty salon...she had her nails, toes, and hair done...she's quite the girly girl and loves to be "made-up"... SHE LOVED IT! And with this gift, you're giving the gift of time (because you should be the one take the recipient to the salon...so you're not giving mom one more thing to do) AND telling her it's ok to love herself. flingin' the love and keepin' some for myself...Nashville
A disposable camera & a gift card in the amount to get it developed-it's inexpensive and kids love to take pictures.
Hi, This Christmas, we are painting my 13 year old DD's bedroom as her present. The rest of her presents are the accessories that go with the new paint job such as a bulletin board for her wall, a pretty mirror abover her dresser, a new valance for her window that matches her bedspread, etc. She gets to pick out the colors and designs for everything. Even though she will know what she's going to get, she's very excited. I'm excited about the lack of additional clutter this present provides. She'll get 1-2 more presents that will be a surprise, but they won't add to the clutter which we will remove from her room when it's painted. Also, when we put her things back into her room, the clutter will not return.
Like many others, money is a little tight so we don't get to go out very often. It costs more each time it seems because the girls are growing. My girls LOVE to get "gift certificates" for things like an ice cream cone, icee, hamburger, etc. I am so glad that they still appreciate little things. - in CO
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ast Christmas I gave my 3 young nephews(ages 4, 5, 6) a certificate saying that they were invited to a Safari overnight party at my house in January. I had explained to the parents beforehand that I was trying to give non-material gifts this year. The boys weren't overly excited upon opening the gift but they sure enjoyed the overnight party! We ate camping food (hotdogs, etc.) and each one got a flashlight to go on our after-dark neighbourhood walk, looking for wild animals. They just happened to each find a small toy animal (I had previously hidden) while we were on our safari. We had bedtime stories around my living fireplace (our campfire) and they all slept in sleeping bags on the carpet.
My mother came up with a way to bless a 5 year old little girl who is very dear to our family. She found out that this little girl worries about all of the children in the world who don't have enough to eat and so came up with the idea to sponser a child in need in the little girls name instead of adding to the clutter this coming Christmas! Flying in Canada
Check out your local YMCA or community center and see what classes they offer for children--art, basketball, volleyball, drama, swimming,etc. This year, instead of giving our daughter "stuff" for her fourth birthday, we gave gave her swimming lessons instead. I have never seen my daughter happier than when she was at her lessons. Swim passes to the local pool also make great clutter-free gifts that keep on giving and encourages fun physical activity--something lacking in a lot of our kids' lifestyles today.
My ideas have always been met with the approval of my niece and nephews - if I don't have time or resources to actually fully make a gift, which I often do whenever I can, I will think up how to combine a "gift certificate" with a corresponding small gift - for example, for my nephew one year, I gave him some tools for his tool box and invited him and his siblings to my house to build something like a shelf or toy. But often, the gift certificate is the only gift. For example, one year for my niece who loves horses, I gave her and her brothers a certificate to the local riding stable and ice cream afterward. But I do often fully make a gift, like one year I made them each a sleeping roll from my old flannel blankets, and another year I made them a wooden, stand-up puppet theatre so they could re-use a lot of their own stuff making puppets, etc. I guess one key part is that the gift certificates are "consumables" since they usually don't mean a lot of items being added to the toy cupboard or whatever. I don't even buy the certificates ... I make them myself and then just take the kids on the day and pay for it then and there. And as often as I can when I am making a gift, I re-use something I have around the house. - Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Framing a child's artwork makes them feel so proud. I have used small photo frames and cropped artwork and also large frames for the wall. It is not only clutter free, but also free because we all usually have a frame or two that we are not using!
Last year for Christmas I gave my 2 dd's (9 & 12) a "Spa Day with Mom" - we got our hair trimmed, had a "girly" lunch, then had our nails done (the salon gave me a discount when I explained what I was doing). Both girls enjoyed it so much they have asked for the same thing this year! For my ds (6) we had a "Movie Day with Mom" - he got to pick the movie and where we had lunch. Long after their other gifts were forgotten, they were still talking about their day with me. - West, Texas (yes - the town name is West)
Our granddaughter is part of an after school program where she stays until her Mom can pick her up at 5:30. One of the things this program offers is cheerleading lessons and karate lessons during the after school time, once a week. We are giving our granddaughter cheerleading lessons for a month and karate lessons for a month instead of more dolls, books, stuffed animals and "stuff" to clutter up her little life and little room with. Flygranny in GA
For Christmas this year one of the gifts my children wil receive will be smell good stuff --- bath soap, shampoo, purfumes, lip gloss, powder, etc. I have to buy these items anyway, but I don't always splurge on the more expensive brands or the cute character bottles, so it will be a treat to get special things for bath and grooming. It may be a few extra bottles in the bath cabinet, but it will be fun to shop for the extra special stuff that isn't our everyday items. And I think they'll like the pampering , too. I'm even doing the same for my neighbor's little girl for her birthday --- I'm not adding more clutter to her room.
One of the most successful gifts we have given to my children's elementary school aged friends is the one my daughter received from a friend of hers: A book light and gift card to a local book store to pick out a new book. The kids love shopping for themselves, and books are a wonderful gift, plus the booklight has been used many times, especially for long car rides which strech into the evening. Flybaby in Massachusetts
My almost 11 year old daughter LOVES to be taken on a "date" for her Birthday! Out for a movie, dinner, shopping for a new book (that can later be donated to her school Library!) and one of those special "Mall" cookies/pretzels and a hot chocolate!!
Recently my daughter's best friend had a birthday. We were delighted at what we found for her. At the local "mart" store we found a box like thing that is a clipboard. We filled it with paper, colored pencils, crayons and water colors. She was THRILLED! My daughter asked if I'd pick her up the same thing (don't tell her, it's wrapped and in my closet for Christmas!) Kids love to do art projects- having it in it's own spot that the child can carry to the TV or in the car keeps messes to a minimum!
One of the best presents I ever made for a family of small boys was a gingerbread castle. Their eyes were so huge when I gave it to them, like they couldn't believe their luck! Their parents were thrilled, because they knew how much time had gone into it. And it was all completely gone within a matter of days. - a flybaby form Sydney Australia
Dear FlyCrew, This idea would work for almost any age, really. We did this last Christmas for my DD, who was then 11 and wanted (and needed) some improvements made to her bedroom. After taking the initiative to declutter her space, and keeping it that way, it was time to make it a beautiful place for her to be and dream, but we really couldn't afford to do it all at once. So, for Christmas, we made up a coupon book on the computer that divided up the redecorating into babysteps! For instance, the first one said, "This coupon good for new bedding worth up to $50. Expires when you find just what you like!" The next one said, "This coupon good for new paint in the color of your choice." The next coupons were for curtains, pillows, accent rug, pictures to hang on the walls, and even a new door. We stipulated that only one coupon could be used in a month, and that they had to be used pretty much in order. Not only was this easy on our budget, but it was a great relationship-builder as we spent time together with our DD planning, shopping, painting, and enjoying the results! Now as the holidays approach again, she has a beautiful purple room (always been her favorite color) that is truly a place of peace and dreaming that all started with babysteps. This year, we're going to give our house the same gift, and bless each decluttered room with a fresh look a bit at a time. Thanks so much for all you do to help us learn to help ourselves! Flying day by day in CA
I live in Ontario, Canada, we have an indoor/outdoor open all year round kids play place called the Wild Zone. They have rides, lazer tag, bowling, go karts, putt putt golf, huge soft play area (these all take tickets from a book), and a huge arcade area that uses tokens (1 token=1 quarter). Last christmas I gas each kid (including the teens) a ticket book and $20 worth of tokens. NO CLUTTER in my house and they LOVED it. We were able to go serveral times as a family and they had fun. They asked if I would do that again this year! Definately will be a repeat! - flying in Canada
Give students the gift of tickets to local theatre or musical performances. Our city has an arts council that provides quality stage performances for our kids. A season ticket for one child is $30, so for those of us with three, exposing kids to "culture" becomes an expensive endeavor. Thanks for this ideas forum! Mississippi flybaby
We have two children and a tiny home. I have been very specific with my family and friends this year (in a polite way, of course) about the kinds of gifts to give my kids for Christmas and birthdays (my DD's b-day is the end of October). My mother has decided to adopt animals from our local zoo for their Christmas gifts this year. Each child chose their favorite animal and they get updates and pictures and I promised to take them to see their new adoptees, particularly if we get the zoo membership I also requested. Other great gift ideas are memberships to museums and the like, gift cards to movies and restaurants, savings bonds and contributions to college funds (check with your state about this.) I never would have thought to do this were it not for finding Flylady. Thank you so much ladies, for the fab ideas and inspiration. Unfurling my wings in Chicago
My DS 7 got a gift card to the local bowling alley as a birthday present. He loved being able to take a few friends out for a fun activity. I liked the fact that the gift was consumable, nothing to dust or find a place for and most of all, it was FUN! flybaby in UT
This isn't 100% clutter-free, but gifts like working models, robot kits, working car kits, &, etc., can do triple duty, if your children like to make things. They spend time making the toy, and playing with it, and, my kids are always so proud of toys that they build themselves, they take special care of them.
This could apply to any age really. For those who play musical instruments how about consumables used on those instruments. For woodwind players this could be reeds ( find out make an strength used ), a more comfortable neck strap for larger instruments or a new mouthpiece for both woodwind and brass instruments ( often those supplied with instruments aren't as good as ones sold separately and can make a big difference to the tone ). For string players how about spare strings. For younger players there are music books available which come with backing cds and are great fun to play to and can provide much needed inspiration if they are flagging with their practice.
My 7 yo DD was thrilled to receive a home made gift certificate from a friend for her birthday recently. The gift was an evening out with her friend for pizza and a movie. I plan on using this idea for future birthdays and Christmas, changing the outing to suit the interests of the child. No more cheap plastic toys from us! Fluttering in Abbotsford, BC
This year Santa is bringing our family, with children ages 8, 6, and 1, a 2 day trip to a hotel a few hours away that has an indoor water park. This is a special treat that our budget would not allow, but a great thing to use our Christmas budget on. Family togetherness without adding to the toy pile!
We have 5 children ages 8 & under, and they’re the only grandchildren on both sides, so our house gets overwhelmed very easily at birthdays and Christmas. Two gift ideas we implemented in the last year were huge hits with the kids and the grownups. One grandma got my 6 & 8yr old girls tickets to the local childrens theater to watch a play. They got a “date night” with Grandma: got all dressed up, went out to eat, and to the play. They loved it! The other grandma gave them summer camp for their summer-time birthdays. She works at a camp & they thought it was neat to see Grandma in addition to having a campout experience. They want it again for their birthdays next year. Clutter free gifts, and best of all, it’s memories that both the girls & grandmas will cherish for a long time!! ---Flytoddler in Iowa
I used to make my own Advent calendar and in each box there was either a sweet, a cookie or a "gift certificate" and some of these I want to share with you:
-A 3 hour visit to the Zoo
- renting a video and making popcorn and having a movie night just with Mom in Mom's bed.
- a Sunday afternoon making gingerbread men.
-choosing which restaurant family goes out to next time. ( writing a choice of 5 is recommended)
- putting on make-up on each other for one weekend afternoon.
-making crazy hairdo#s on each other
-choice of what we will eat for breakfast or brunch. One weeks warning to parent recommended. ( she chose cookies and ice-cream)
-2 hours of painting with Mom ( we painted wrapping paper!)
-3 x 1 extra hour of television "certificates" ( I wrote an expire date of a year...she never cashed any of them in!)
-3 x 1 hour of computer game "certificates"
2 x 1 hour at the mall where she gets to decide which shops we window shop in... and i follow her.
2 x sleepover weekends ( friend can stay over Friday and Saturday night)
1 afternoon we do a craft of her choice, (where nothing new has to be bought.)
1 hour sewing on the sewing machine...without any comment from adult ( she thought this was soooo funny)
1 weekend afternoon at a museum of her choice and we follow her.
1 weekend afternoon we play board game (s) of her choice.
In the "gift certificates" I usually had some comment requiring advance notice --due to other unforeseen conflicting events-- By the time she was 10 or 11, she knew to ask to cash in the vouchers only after consulting with us. Hope these ideas will spurn other parents to do similar things. Time flies by so quickly! Oh one more thing! do remember to take fotographs when you do these events! and foremost try to ignore the sly comments you might get when they first read what they get, most kids will cash in their gift certificates even if they first say "big deal" sarcastically. - Flybaby in Austria
Hi! I just thought of a favourite gift my aunt gave my children last holiday. She made them a gift basket filled with yougurt tubes, applesauce cups, granola bars, juice boxes, cheese strings,... and then tied a fancy pencil to a new pair of snazzy socks and tucked that into the middle! They saved some of the snacks for school lunches, but were also thrilled to eat them during the holidays - they were still a treat, since the individually packaged stuff is usually for lunches only - but were a good alternative from the sugary treats everybody was bringing over!
Dear Flylady and group. I have three children who will be turning 3,4,&7 between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yes, 3 birthdays just days before Christmas, you can imagine all the toys we would be inundated with. One year, I boxed up half of thier presents and took them out in the summer when they got bored with the ones they got to keep open.
Last year, my DH and I decided we did not want to be swamped with toy clutter again. For thier birthdays we bought the kids an aquarium. We bought the tank, the heater, filter system to make it work. Then thier party guests were encouraged to help us fill the aquarium. Guests bought gravel, plants, a ship wreck, and fish. Now we have this beautiful aquarium we enjoy everyday. The kids have responsibility of feeding the fish. We are going with a theme this year again too. My oldest is now a Cub scout, so we are encouraging our friends and family to buy us camping supplies in lieu of toys. Things we can use year after year for the upcoming camping trips. No more toys that are forgotten in 2 days.
** this was taken from Flylady's website YEARS ago-- (about 5 years ago)
"When my daughter turned 5 this year, I just dreaded the thought of getting even more toys and presents that she didn't need or wouldn't use. I suggested to everyone that we give her a "Gift certificate" party. It was great. She didn't mind opening envelopes instead of packages. Thanks to all the thoughful people at her party we have been able to spend many evening at the movie theatre, she got a hair cut, ate out at her favorite restaurant, got free passes for the swimming pool, got to take an art class and a swimming class. She has enjoyed at these things so much more than she would have a bunch of toys that she really didn't need. I will definately suggest gift certificates for my other daughter's birthday and Christmas gifts." - a FlyBaby
Last Christmas we received a terrific clutter-free gift that has kept on giving. It was a year's family membership to our local science center. It has given us many hours of fun, educational time together. We even had my ds's birthday there!
My favorite gift to give school age kids .... or for my kids to recieve from friends....has become art / craft and bath supplies! Journals and unique pens, colored pencils and oil pastels w/ sketch pads, sewing/ building kits that actually make a usable item like a storage box, scarf, hat, gloves, purse, birdhouse / feeder,
In the bath section things like fancy shampoos / conditioners, soaps / gels, lotions, perfumes / cologne, bath fizzies and tints
All this stuff encourages my child to slow down and relax, or slow down and think and create....and when they are through....there's little or no clutter to store!
Flying with 4 under 10 thus numorous little friend gift lists
This would probably work for older children too. Last year for Christmas, instead of getting our 8 year-old triplet nephews toys they would only play with for a little while anyway or clothes that they wouldn't appreciate, dh (the perfect uncle!) gave each boy a "ticket" to a Pacers game with their uncle. They each got to pick which home game they wanted to go to and they also each had to pick a different game so that it would be individual time with uncle, too. He made the "tickets" on the computer and I wrapped each one separately, then we had the boys open them all at the same time. They were so excited, and I know they got more enjoyment out of their date with uncle than they would have gotten from any toy or game.
A gift I would appreciate for my school age son, and I am sure he would love it, is a pass to the zoo, or some other local attraction. Zoo passes cost less than amusement parks, are usually good for the entire year and can often be used at zoos across the country. It would even make a good family gift. Our yearly zoo membership is about $50 for a family of four.
Having 2 school age kids myself (8 & 9), I know how the Holidays can take over a house. It takes weeks to find a place for all the new toys the good hearted relatives give the kids. A few years ago, I started asking family members to give my boys "activity gifts" for the Holidays. When someone would ask what they wanted for Christmas, I suggested a movie gift certificate, a gift card for an upcoming sports event or concert, or even money for a "special event" (which wasn't already planned) during an upcoming family vacation.
For school age kids--I say "Get out of the house and DO something with them!" Buy gifts that promote FAMILY ACTIVITY. But remember that you will have to get gear for yourself too so you can take the kids and enjoy being together! This can be as inexpensive or as expensive as you want depending on the sport you choose. How about hiking? Get Jimmy new hiking shoes and some trail maps--then head out with him. Santa should leave trail mix in the stockings. How about swimming? Get new suits and goggles and a YMCA pass. Surfing, raquetball, kite flying, longboarding, snowshoeing, etc. The options are endless.
Think: What sport or activity will MY family enjoy doing together? Then get the stuff that you need and wrap it up and then GO DO IT! You may want to consider renting or borrowing expensive equipment before you purchase it so you can see if the sport or activity works for your family before you lay out the money. After all, it is junk if it sits around and you don't USE it!
Our family enjoys skiing. This year for Christmas our children will each get a new snowboard or a pair of skiis and our family will get a Season Pass to a local resort. I'm hoping that although Santa will fill the stockings (with useful non-junk items like lip balm, sunscreen and favorite candy) that this will be IT for the shopping. And instead of opening junk presents on Christmas day--we will be packing up the car to go skiing. With the Season Pass gift, we can use the lift to ski, hike or mountain bike all year.
I have seven children. Last year I gave them all a new comforter and threw the old ones away. This year they are each getting two fluffy pillows and we will fling the old ones. I am also planning on stuffing their sock with fruit and a little candy. I used to stuff them with toys from the dollar store, only to have to fling them later.
Last year I asked their grandmother to give them each two packages of socks. I then flung ALL of their old ones. She is planning on doing this every year from now on. I am asking their other grandmother for a one year family pass to the zoo and science museum.
Instead of giving them "stuff" how about signing them up for a class or activity they've been interested in ie gymnastics or horse back riding...something that will bless their heart along with their intellect and won't collect dust. - from MI
Magazine Subscription. My son received a sub. to "Ranger Rick". Instead of having a moment of excitement opening it, he gets the thrill of looking for it in the mail each month. He loves it! The trick - purge the magazines after he has gotten them "all read up" and bless someone else with them!
So many people don't realize that just after the New Year, the second term of school begins for kids. A great clutter free gift is school supplies! They are consumable and by halfway through the year, most kids need more. What I am doing for my cousins (age 10 & 6) is to go to the Dollar Store and buy packs of pencils, erasers, folders, notebook paper, etc as well as a few tiny holiday themed items and put them in a stocking. This means that there is no wrapping paper to buy and for $20 per child (my personal spending limit) they can have a TON of stuff. Most kids get new clothes and supplies in September but school supplies are something that are used all year round.
This year we plan to give a "family gift" to some extended family members. We usually buy a combined gift for the parents and a gift for each of the two children. We don't see these people very often and really don't know what they have or don't have (but haven't had the courage to say let's stop exchanging). So, this year we are giving a clutter free family gift of a family pass to their local zoo. It will cost less than we probably would have spent individually and will at least not accumulate clutter if they don't use it. Flying in Arkansas
As the only grandchild on both sides, my soon-to-turn-12-year old son has more stuff than he knows what to do with. We're working on it at my house (his dad and I share custody) so I hate to give him another birthday gift that he doesn't need or even really want and that'll clutter up his room. So this year, for his birthday, I'm taking him on a special "mom and son" trip. Since I've newly remarried and he's had to adjust to having not only a stepfather but two stepbrothers I thought the gift of my time and an adventure just for us would be the very best gift of all. We live about 5 hours from Chicago, so we've gotten cheap plane fare and we're splurging on a nice hotel complete with a pool.
We have 3 ds's. We give the gift of a date. One on one time alone with one of our 3 ds's. My husband will take one of the boys golfing or to do some other guy stuff that I have no clue what it's all about. I'll take them shopping for clothes or whatever they need. ALONE just the two of us. We have lunch and talk. We focus on their needs for the day. (No mom looking at girl stuff!) Give the gift of a date with your child. BTW-I always find it's a gift for me too :-)
I have a neice who has EVERYTHING>>>REALLY...so it's no fun to shop for her, cause you're just adding to the collection...So last year, my mother & I joined forces and treated her to a trip to the beauty salon...she had her nails, toes, and hair done...she's quite the girly girl and loves to be "made-up"... SHE LOVED IT! And with this gift, you're giving the gift of time (because you should be the one take the recipient to the salon...so you're not giving mom one more thing to do) AND telling her it's ok to love herself. flingin' the love and keepin' some for myself...Nashville
A disposable camera & a gift card in the amount to get it developed-it's inexpensive and kids love to take pictures.
Hi, This Christmas, we are painting my 13 year old DD's bedroom as her present. The rest of her presents are the accessories that go with the new paint job such as a bulletin board for her wall, a pretty mirror abover her dresser, a new valance for her window that matches her bedspread, etc. She gets to pick out the colors and designs for everything. Even though she will know what she's going to get, she's very excited. I'm excited about the lack of additional clutter this present provides. She'll get 1-2 more presents that will be a surprise, but they won't add to the clutter which we will remove from her room when it's painted. Also, when we put her things back into her room, the clutter will not return.
Like many others, money is a little tight so we don't get to go out very often. It costs more each time it seems because the girls are growing. My girls LOVE to get "gift certificates" for things like an ice cream cone, icee, hamburger, etc. I am so glad that they still appreciate little things. - in CO
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ast Christmas I gave my 3 young nephews(ages 4, 5, 6) a certificate saying that they were invited to a Safari overnight party at my house in January. I had explained to the parents beforehand that I was trying to give non-material gifts this year. The boys weren't overly excited upon opening the gift but they sure enjoyed the overnight party! We ate camping food (hotdogs, etc.) and each one got a flashlight to go on our after-dark neighbourhood walk, looking for wild animals. They just happened to each find a small toy animal (I had previously hidden) while we were on our safari. We had bedtime stories around my living fireplace (our campfire) and they all slept in sleeping bags on the carpet.
My mother came up with a way to bless a 5 year old little girl who is very dear to our family. She found out that this little girl worries about all of the children in the world who don't have enough to eat and so came up with the idea to sponser a child in need in the little girls name instead of adding to the clutter this coming Christmas! Flying in Canada
Check out your local YMCA or community center and see what classes they offer for children--art, basketball, volleyball, drama, swimming,etc. This year, instead of giving our daughter "stuff" for her fourth birthday, we gave gave her swimming lessons instead. I have never seen my daughter happier than when she was at her lessons. Swim passes to the local pool also make great clutter-free gifts that keep on giving and encourages fun physical activity--something lacking in a lot of our kids' lifestyles today.
My ideas have always been met with the approval of my niece and nephews - if I don't have time or resources to actually fully make a gift, which I often do whenever I can, I will think up how to combine a "gift certificate" with a corresponding small gift - for example, for my nephew one year, I gave him some tools for his tool box and invited him and his siblings to my house to build something like a shelf or toy. But often, the gift certificate is the only gift. For example, one year for my niece who loves horses, I gave her and her brothers a certificate to the local riding stable and ice cream afterward. But I do often fully make a gift, like one year I made them each a sleeping roll from my old flannel blankets, and another year I made them a wooden, stand-up puppet theatre so they could re-use a lot of their own stuff making puppets, etc. I guess one key part is that the gift certificates are "consumables" since they usually don't mean a lot of items being added to the toy cupboard or whatever. I don't even buy the certificates ... I make them myself and then just take the kids on the day and pay for it then and there. And as often as I can when I am making a gift, I re-use something I have around the house. - Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Framing a child's artwork makes them feel so proud. I have used small photo frames and cropped artwork and also large frames for the wall. It is not only clutter free, but also free because we all usually have a frame or two that we are not using!
Last year for Christmas I gave my 2 dd's (9 & 12) a "Spa Day with Mom" - we got our hair trimmed, had a "girly" lunch, then had our nails done (the salon gave me a discount when I explained what I was doing). Both girls enjoyed it so much they have asked for the same thing this year! For my ds (6) we had a "Movie Day with Mom" - he got to pick the movie and where we had lunch. Long after their other gifts were forgotten, they were still talking about their day with me. - West, Texas (yes - the town name is West)
Our granddaughter is part of an after school program where she stays until her Mom can pick her up at 5:30. One of the things this program offers is cheerleading lessons and karate lessons during the after school time, once a week. We are giving our granddaughter cheerleading lessons for a month and karate lessons for a month instead of more dolls, books, stuffed animals and "stuff" to clutter up her little life and little room with. Flygranny in GA
For Christmas this year one of the gifts my children wil receive will be smell good stuff --- bath soap, shampoo, purfumes, lip gloss, powder, etc. I have to buy these items anyway, but I don't always splurge on the more expensive brands or the cute character bottles, so it will be a treat to get special things for bath and grooming. It may be a few extra bottles in the bath cabinet, but it will be fun to shop for the extra special stuff that isn't our everyday items. And I think they'll like the pampering , too. I'm even doing the same for my neighbor's little girl for her birthday --- I'm not adding more clutter to her room.
One of the most successful gifts we have given to my children's elementary school aged friends is the one my daughter received from a friend of hers: A book light and gift card to a local book store to pick out a new book. The kids love shopping for themselves, and books are a wonderful gift, plus the booklight has been used many times, especially for long car rides which strech into the evening. Flybaby in Massachusetts
My almost 11 year old daughter LOVES to be taken on a "date" for her Birthday! Out for a movie, dinner, shopping for a new book (that can later be donated to her school Library!) and one of those special "Mall" cookies/pretzels and a hot chocolate!!
Recently my daughter's best friend had a birthday. We were delighted at what we found for her. At the local "mart" store we found a box like thing that is a clipboard. We filled it with paper, colored pencils, crayons and water colors. She was THRILLED! My daughter asked if I'd pick her up the same thing (don't tell her, it's wrapped and in my closet for Christmas!) Kids love to do art projects- having it in it's own spot that the child can carry to the TV or in the car keeps messes to a minimum!
One of the best presents I ever made for a family of small boys was a gingerbread castle. Their eyes were so huge when I gave it to them, like they couldn't believe their luck! Their parents were thrilled, because they knew how much time had gone into it. And it was all completely gone within a matter of days. - a flybaby form Sydney Australia
Dear FlyCrew, This idea would work for almost any age, really. We did this last Christmas for my DD, who was then 11 and wanted (and needed) some improvements made to her bedroom. After taking the initiative to declutter her space, and keeping it that way, it was time to make it a beautiful place for her to be and dream, but we really couldn't afford to do it all at once. So, for Christmas, we made up a coupon book on the computer that divided up the redecorating into babysteps! For instance, the first one said, "This coupon good for new bedding worth up to $50. Expires when you find just what you like!" The next one said, "This coupon good for new paint in the color of your choice." The next coupons were for curtains, pillows, accent rug, pictures to hang on the walls, and even a new door. We stipulated that only one coupon could be used in a month, and that they had to be used pretty much in order. Not only was this easy on our budget, but it was a great relationship-builder as we spent time together with our DD planning, shopping, painting, and enjoying the results! Now as the holidays approach again, she has a beautiful purple room (always been her favorite color) that is truly a place of peace and dreaming that all started with babysteps. This year, we're going to give our house the same gift, and bless each decluttered room with a fresh look a bit at a time. Thanks so much for all you do to help us learn to help ourselves! Flying day by day in CA
I live in Ontario, Canada, we have an indoor/outdoor open all year round kids play place called the Wild Zone. They have rides, lazer tag, bowling, go karts, putt putt golf, huge soft play area (these all take tickets from a book), and a huge arcade area that uses tokens (1 token=1 quarter). Last christmas I gas each kid (including the teens) a ticket book and $20 worth of tokens. NO CLUTTER in my house and they LOVED it. We were able to go serveral times as a family and they had fun. They asked if I would do that again this year! Definately will be a repeat! - flying in Canada
Give students the gift of tickets to local theatre or musical performances. Our city has an arts council that provides quality stage performances for our kids. A season ticket for one child is $30, so for those of us with three, exposing kids to "culture" becomes an expensive endeavor. Thanks for this ideas forum! Mississippi flybaby
We have two children and a tiny home. I have been very specific with my family and friends this year (in a polite way, of course) about the kinds of gifts to give my kids for Christmas and birthdays (my DD's b-day is the end of October). My mother has decided to adopt animals from our local zoo for their Christmas gifts this year. Each child chose their favorite animal and they get updates and pictures and I promised to take them to see their new adoptees, particularly if we get the zoo membership I also requested. Other great gift ideas are memberships to museums and the like, gift cards to movies and restaurants, savings bonds and contributions to college funds (check with your state about this.) I never would have thought to do this were it not for finding Flylady. Thank you so much ladies, for the fab ideas and inspiration. Unfurling my wings in Chicago
My DS 7 got a gift card to the local bowling alley as a birthday present. He loved being able to take a few friends out for a fun activity. I liked the fact that the gift was consumable, nothing to dust or find a place for and most of all, it was FUN! flybaby in UT
This isn't 100% clutter-free, but gifts like working models, robot kits, working car kits, &, etc., can do triple duty, if your children like to make things. They spend time making the toy, and playing with it, and, my kids are always so proud of toys that they build themselves, they take special care of them.
This could apply to any age really. For those who play musical instruments how about consumables used on those instruments. For woodwind players this could be reeds ( find out make an strength used ), a more comfortable neck strap for larger instruments or a new mouthpiece for both woodwind and brass instruments ( often those supplied with instruments aren't as good as ones sold separately and can make a big difference to the tone ). For string players how about spare strings. For younger players there are music books available which come with backing cds and are great fun to play to and can provide much needed inspiration if they are flagging with their practice.
My 7 yo DD was thrilled to receive a home made gift certificate from a friend for her birthday recently. The gift was an evening out with her friend for pizza and a movie. I plan on using this idea for future birthdays and Christmas, changing the outing to suit the interests of the child. No more cheap plastic toys from us! Fluttering in Abbotsford, BC
This year Santa is bringing our family, with children ages 8, 6, and 1, a 2 day trip to a hotel a few hours away that has an indoor water park. This is a special treat that our budget would not allow, but a great thing to use our Christmas budget on. Family togetherness without adding to the toy pile!
We have 5 children ages 8 & under, and they’re the only grandchildren on both sides, so our house gets overwhelmed very easily at birthdays and Christmas. Two gift ideas we implemented in the last year were huge hits with the kids and the grownups. One grandma got my 6 & 8yr old girls tickets to the local childrens theater to watch a play. They got a “date night” with Grandma: got all dressed up, went out to eat, and to the play. They loved it! The other grandma gave them summer camp for their summer-time birthdays. She works at a camp & they thought it was neat to see Grandma in addition to having a campout experience. They want it again for their birthdays next year. Clutter free gifts, and best of all, it’s memories that both the girls & grandmas will cherish for a long time!! ---Flytoddler in Iowa
I used to make my own Advent calendar and in each box there was either a sweet, a cookie or a "gift certificate" and some of these I want to share with you:
-A 3 hour visit to the Zoo
- renting a video and making popcorn and having a movie night just with Mom in Mom's bed.
- a Sunday afternoon making gingerbread men.
-choosing which restaurant family goes out to next time. ( writing a choice of 5 is recommended)
- putting on make-up on each other for one weekend afternoon.
-making crazy hairdo#s on each other
-choice of what we will eat for breakfast or brunch. One weeks warning to parent recommended. ( she chose cookies and ice-cream)
-2 hours of painting with Mom ( we painted wrapping paper!)
-3 x 1 extra hour of television "certificates" ( I wrote an expire date of a year...she never cashed any of them in!)
-3 x 1 hour of computer game "certificates"
2 x 1 hour at the mall where she gets to decide which shops we window shop in... and i follow her.
2 x sleepover weekends ( friend can stay over Friday and Saturday night)
1 afternoon we do a craft of her choice, (where nothing new has to be bought.)
1 hour sewing on the sewing machine...without any comment from adult ( she thought this was soooo funny)
1 weekend afternoon at a museum of her choice and we follow her.
1 weekend afternoon we play board game (s) of her choice.
In the "gift certificates" I usually had some comment requiring advance notice --due to other unforeseen conflicting events-- By the time she was 10 or 11, she knew to ask to cash in the vouchers only after consulting with us. Hope these ideas will spurn other parents to do similar things. Time flies by so quickly! Oh one more thing! do remember to take fotographs when you do these events! and foremost try to ignore the sly comments you might get when they first read what they get, most kids will cash in their gift certificates even if they first say "big deal" sarcastically. - Flybaby in Austria
Hi! I just thought of a favourite gift my aunt gave my children last holiday. She made them a gift basket filled with yougurt tubes, applesauce cups, granola bars, juice boxes, cheese strings,... and then tied a fancy pencil to a new pair of snazzy socks and tucked that into the middle! They saved some of the snacks for school lunches, but were also thrilled to eat them during the holidays - they were still a treat, since the individually packaged stuff is usually for lunches only - but were a good alternative from the sugary treats everybody was bringing over!
Dear Flylady and group. I have three children who will be turning 3,4,&7 between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yes, 3 birthdays just days before Christmas, you can imagine all the toys we would be inundated with. One year, I boxed up half of thier presents and took them out in the summer when they got bored with the ones they got to keep open.
Last year, my DH and I decided we did not want to be swamped with toy clutter again. For thier birthdays we bought the kids an aquarium. We bought the tank, the heater, filter system to make it work. Then thier party guests were encouraged to help us fill the aquarium. Guests bought gravel, plants, a ship wreck, and fish. Now we have this beautiful aquarium we enjoy everyday. The kids have responsibility of feeding the fish. We are going with a theme this year again too. My oldest is now a Cub scout, so we are encouraging our friends and family to buy us camping supplies in lieu of toys. Things we can use year after year for the upcoming camping trips. No more toys that are forgotten in 2 days.
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