Luke has been blessed with more toys than we could ever ask for and we are grateful. But as I was cleaning out our closets, I realized that we actually had a lot of unopened boxes of toys (and they just keep piling up year after year!) Having a few wonderful toys are essential but there really is such a thing as having TOO MUCH toys. And I know I’m not alone in this!
So this year, I’m going to try something different. I’m taking on the challenge to prepare non-toy gifts for the kids on our own gift list and we’re sharing with you guys a non-toy gift guide for parents who wish to do the same!
Here are our top suggestions! Happy shopping and may the gifts you give this Christmas bring laughter and smiles to the kids you are giving them to.
1. Books
Considering I’ve already curated our books at home, we still have a LOT. And truth be told, I like it that way! I think many of you moms can relate because when I did the survey for this article, the #1 answer for your preferred non-toy gift was books!
And why not? Books can bring kids to places they’ve never been and gives them the opportunity to live the lives they dream of living. Not to mention the many memories that reading aloud with their parents can bring. Giving books is like giving them an adventure and possibly, special moments they will treasure for a lifetime!
Book suggestions to get you started. Click the links for the book list:
- For ages 0-3: Board books
- For ages 3-6: Beautifully designed, Gospel-centered books
- For ages 3-6: Must-have read aloud books
Wanna know what’s on our personal wishlist ? Here are the titles I’m hoping to get for my boys soon! Share with us yours if you have one!
2. Attraction Tickets
Truth be told, TIME is still the best gift you can give kids. Right? So why don’t you take that special little kid out for a day? Spend time together and you’ll be surprised at how memorable the experience will be for them. If for one reason or another you can’t join them, get them entrance tickets to these attractions so they can go with their family!
Suggestions for Attractions:
- Museums: Mind Museum, The Dessert Museum
- Zoos and Aquariums: Manila Zoo, Manila Ocean Park, Zoobic Safari
- Indoor Play Areas: Kidzoona, Kidzania, Dreamplay
- Amusement Parks: Enchanted Kingdom, Star City
- Farms: Hotel Kimberly’s Mini Farm, Greens & Patches at Nuvali
3. Arts & Crafts Materials
Are we the only ones always running out of art supplies? Kids are instinctively creative so why not encourage them to keep at it?
Suggestions:
- Washable Art Materials: Washable paint, markers, stampers and crayons. Best for younger kids.
- Paint Brushes: Sponge brushes or roller stamps (We get ours from Ma’am and Mom’s)
- Painting Accessories: Easel, canvas, artist’s apron
- Ready-to-Make Art Sets: For crafts like pottery, bead making, etc. (You can surprisingly find these at toy stores too)
4. Science and Lab Kit Activity Sets
I recently got Luke a kiddie microscope and we love it. I’m excited to use it more as we homeschool! Luke also recently picked out a human anatomy model (Yes, he picked it out on his own, go figure haha) Now I’m on the look-out for chemistry sets. I’m thinking of just buying beakers and test tubes individually but also open to buying a whole set already, if I can find one!
The opportunities to learn and explore using these instruments are endless.
Suggestions:
- Lab Equipment: Chemistry sets, a microscope, telescopes. Throw in protective goggles and a little lab coat too!
- Experiment Kits: I’ve seen a lot of great ones like crystal growing and slime making ones (Can also surprisingly be found in toy stores)
- Robot Making Kits: For older kids interested to develop their engineering and creative building skills
5. Classes or Workshops
Does the special little boy or girl in your life have special interests? Maybe a sport or a new hobby like cooking, painting or even calligraphy (for older ones, at least!) Try enrolling them in a class or a one-time workshop.
If you’re out in the know, maybe you can even find them special Christmas-themed classes this season, like gingerbread house decorating. That will definitely be a unique experience they’ll enjoy!
6. Subscription Boxes
How about giving something that will surprise, engage and be educational for the kids? Subscribe them to a subscription box of your choice!
If you’ve seen my Instagram, you’ll know that our favorite subscription box, Oli’s Boxship, has been a staple in our family for more than a year now (He even had them at his birthday party last year when he celebrated with kids at an orphanage!)
Oli’s Boxship is a book-based creative play subscription box based in the Philippines. The box always contains at least 2 craft activities and a book. Luke looks forward to his boxship’s arrival every month and insists on working on the activities together immediately!
You can order a box to give during Christmas but why not order a monthly subscription of 3, 6 or even 12 months for them to enjoy? The excitement of seeing the boxes arrive at your doorstep is part of its thrill! And besides, think about it. This way, you’ll always be in their mind months after Christmas is over too!
Use my code “SheenaLovesOli” to get 10% off when you order!
7. Show Tickets
If you were to gift my son Disney on Ice tickets, he will love you forever and never forget you! Haha. We surprised him with Disney on Ice tickets last year and he almost cried with joy when he looked outside the car and saw the signage. One year after, he’s still talking about that experience. Now that’s value for money for sure. Haha. 😉
For the kids in your life, why not gift them tickets to kid-friendly performances, plays or concerts? Give them an afternoon (or night) they’ll remember! There are usually a lot of shows going on during this season so you shouldn’t have a hard time choosing. Regularly check ticket sites online such as TicketWorld or TicketNet to see what they have available.
TIP: Don’t forget to consult with the parents for scheduling (and ask to make sure they haven’t purchased their own tickets yet!)
8. Plants
I recently shared about building our own mini vegetable garden at home and it was all thanks to Luke’s grandma who gifted us with everything we needed, such as the seeds and plants to start with! Giving kids plants will not only be a fun experience for them but will also teach them valuable life skills such as patience, responsibility and hard work.
Suggestions:
- Gardening Tool Set: Watering can, shovel, gloves
- Set of Easy-to-Grow Seeds/Plants: Monggo, Tomato, Kalamansi, Okra, Basil and other herbs
- Easy-to-Grow Kits: They come complete with the seeds, pot and fertilizer/potting mix. (Saw some available at local groceries)
9. Staycations
Everybody loves staycations! Giving those special kids an easy vacation option will not only make them happy, but also their well-deserving parents! This is perfect for busy families because by nature, staycations are short and easily accessible. Not a lot of planning (or packing) required!
Some of our favorites:
- Wonderful Weekends at Makati Shangri-La
- Shangri-La at the Fort
- Outside Manila: Seda Nuvali and Escala Tagaytay
Check out our own reviews about the different hotels we’ve had the privilege of having staycations in and see if you’d like to try any of them!
10. Trips
If you’re ready to spoil some kids, go all out and book them a trip! Whether it’s a daytrip to a nearby town or a 3-day stay at a beach resort, these kids will surely come home with lots of fun stories and precious memories to boot. And that’s something no kind of toy can replace!
Need some ideas? If you live near Manila like us, here are some suggestions for trips you can book them on that’s just a few hours drive away!