Non-Toy Gift Ideas

Perhaps, like many parents, you feel that your children have more than enough STUFF and you’d like to avoid adding to it all this Christmas. 

For most of us, if we’re being brutally honest with ourselves and we take a good look at our homes, our children have more than enough.   That’s even after we’ve had a toy cull and given bags and bags away to charity.

So, if you’re looking to avoid adding more STUFF to your kids' lives but still want to give them a gift, what can you do?

The 4-Gift Policy

Well, one popular idea is to follow the 4 gift policy at Christmas.  You might have heard of it before, but just in case you haven’t, here’s the basic concept:  You decide your child will receive at most 4 gifts, following these principles:

1 thing they want,

1 thing they need,

1 thing to wear, and

1 thing to read.

The key here is to discuss this policy with your children in advance of Christmas so that they understand and can buy into it.  Depending on the age of your children, they may have their own ideas of things for each category which could be helpful for you. 

Letting your extended family in on this idea also helps reduce the excess stuff - tell them each 1 of the 4 items so they that if they want to gift your child, they are doing it within the agreed policy. 

Non-Toy Gift Ideas

Whether you use the 4 Gift Policy or not, here are some other great non-toy gift ideas:

Personalised Gift Vouchers. 

These can be used for special treats or privileges by your child throughout the year.  Treat examples could include: to stay up 30 minutes later one night, to have a baking session, to have breakfast in bed, to have a candlelit dinner or to have a friend over for a sleepover. 

Download your free Christmas Gift Voucher templates below and pop them in a decorated envelope for Christmas or else let Father Christmas use them in a stocking.

Experiences. 

Tickets to an event, concert, cinema, museum, zoo, botanical gardens, planetarium, etc. Or even better, an annual membership to one of these. 

Classes. 

Either buying a one-off class or series of classes they would not usually do or to do together with the gift-giver. 

(Personal note:  This past year my daughter and I took a private pottery class together which was SO MUCH FUN.  Something neither of us had done previously - so both of us learned a lot, laughed a lot and bonded over clay.  I know it’s a day both of us will remember for a very long time.)

Magazine or Box Subscription. 

There are loads of interesting childrens/tweens/teen magazines and creative box subscriptions (focusing on science, art, etc.) and so this is both a fun and educational gift that is received throughout the year.

Personalised Calendar or Photo Book. 

Using photos of their life until now, big events from the past year or just a random smattering of extended family photos, this will be treasured by your child and is guaranteed to be enjoyed throughout the year and beyond.

Donation to Charity.

Depending on the age of your child, this can be a great way to teach giving and gratitude.  There are some great gift-charities out there which are more geared to kids gifts - e.g. adopting an animal or helping another child.  Also good are charities closer to home that your child might be able to help out at or visit during the year so that it’s not just a one-off event.

Savings Account.  

This is another useful extended family idea - contribution to your child’s savings that they can only access as an adult.  Let’s face it, life is expensive and when our children are first getting set-up as adults, they may need a bit of help.  Putting a little aside every year for them is a good way to build up that “life” fund.

Audiobooks / Books / Music. 

Enriching their minds and hearts with words, music, thoughts, and emotions.  All of these are great for either sharing with your child or letting them have some non-play alone time.

My children have received all of the above non-toy gifts in the past and have LOVED every one of them just as much, if not more, than the toys they have received. 

These are gifts that provide experiences, opportunities for learning and create treasured memories - not just for the children, but often for the gift giver and even others involved!

Don't forget to grab your FREE Christmas Gift Vouchers templates that you can customize for giving to your child - see below!