Comments on: 10 Gifts for Kids That Don’t Involve “Stuff” http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/ Simplify your home. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:23:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: J http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-31727 J Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:27:05 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-31727 This isn't for kids but what grown kids can give for parents or between each other. ALl of us (siblings) donate to a scholarship fund that was set up in the name of our grandfather. Even if you don't have a family member scholarship fund, you can get together and donate money in the names of your parents/siblings to whatever cause they like. We've found the smaller and more local the cause, the better appreciated. This isn’t for kids but what grown kids can give for parents or between each other. ALl of us (siblings) donate to a scholarship fund that was set up in the name of our grandfather. Even if you don’t have a family member scholarship fund, you can get together and donate money in the names of your parents/siblings to whatever cause they like. We’ve found the smaller and more local the cause, the better appreciated.

]]> By: Beth http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-30845 Beth Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:51:10 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-30845 My mom, as great grandma, is giving my kids and their kids a book called "Beatrice's Goat" (1 copy for each family) that explains how goats help people in 3rd world countries, particularly a girl named Beatrice in the story. Mom is then donating $80 in honor of all of my kids and grandkids which will buy a goat, a pen and goat vaccines for a family in Africa. I can't wait to read the book to the kids and explain Great Grandma's gift. Look up the Heifer Project if you want to do the same. My mom, as great grandma, is giving my kids and their kids a book called “Beatrice’s Goat” (1 copy for each family) that explains how goats help people in 3rd world countries, particularly a girl named Beatrice in the story. Mom is then donating $80 in honor of all of my kids and grandkids which will buy a goat, a pen and goat vaccines for a family in Africa. I can’t wait to read the book to the kids and explain Great Grandma’s gift. Look up the Heifer Project if you want to do the same.

]]> By: Lisa http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-29528 Lisa Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:08:28 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-29528 One of the best parties, my son attended, called for each guest to bring a gift-wrapped book. One highlight of the party was the ensuing gift exchange, allowing each child to leave with a new book. One of the best parties, my son attended, called for each guest to bring a gift-wrapped book. One highlight of the party was the ensuing gift exchange, allowing each child to leave with a new book.

]]> By: Margo http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-29400 Margo Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:28:12 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-29400 this post is great - I'm bookmarking it. We're entering birthday party season and I don't want to give junk. this post is great – I’m bookmarking it. We’re entering birthday party season and I don’t want to give junk.
Margo´s last post ..Best Salad for Potlucks

]]> By: rebecca http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-27755 rebecca Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:41:14 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-27755 I was actually discussing Christmas with my husband last week. I was noticing that the kids don't play with any of their toys (I have to totes under my bed of toys & they don't play with the one's that are out). He said our money would be better spent buying them a toy at the thrift store & putting the rest in a saving account for them. I am going to make a commitment to do this for my kids for birthdays & Christmas. I was actually discussing Christmas with my husband last week. I was noticing that the kids don’t play with any of their toys (I have to totes under my bed of toys & they don’t play with the one’s that are out). He said our money would be better spent buying them a toy at the thrift store & putting the rest in a saving account for them. I am going to make a commitment to do this for my kids for birthdays & Christmas.

]]> By: Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-27722 Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:38:25 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-27722 Great idea! Teaching kids to be givers instead of expecting to receive all the time, especially when many of our kids have so much already, is a great lesson. Great idea! Teaching kids to be givers instead of expecting to receive all the time, especially when many of our kids have so much already, is a great lesson.

]]> By: Lindy http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-24080 Lindy Fri, 25 Mar 2011 04:40:24 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-24080 We have been doing this "experiences not stuff" for several years. All our family lives nearby and wants to gift our kids with stuff at each birthday and Christmas. We started it with my youngest's 6th birthday. He was the 2nd boy and didn't need much in the way of clothes or toys with everything available. He's also our sensitive kid and the 3rd child so special time with his friends and family (without sibling competition) means so much to him. For each birthday we remind everyone that our kids don't need more stuff. They love their family and just having them come and celebrate their special day is a gift. If they want to give a gift, please consider an experience with the child or a gift card for an experience. Not everyone obliges but we have received some of the coolest experiences. For Christmas a family gift to the Science Center that we remember the giver, every time we go throughout the year. A special lunch date for the birthday child and his friend. When we first started it we had just moved into a big home and we felt like people were trying to fill it up "because we had room" (I think we used the "we don't have room" excuse for several years before that). We had to start telling people that just because we have a big house doesn't mean we need to fill it up! But after hosting an "experiences" birthday party, we thought about every single gift we gave. My kids have all given sleepover/movie nights to their friends (with birthday cake). Groupon like sites are good too. My daughter and her friend have birthdays a week apart and I purchased 2 X$20 credit to a paint your own pottery for them as a gift for their birthdays and it only cost $20 for both girls, then they picked out a dessert at a candy store. I think our experiences over gifts has rippled out in our circles as well as more friends are moving in that direction as well. We have been doing this “experiences not stuff” for several years. All our family lives nearby and wants to gift our kids with stuff at each birthday and Christmas. We started it with my youngest’s 6th birthday. He was the 2nd boy and didn’t need much in the way of clothes or toys with everything available. He’s also our sensitive kid and the 3rd child so special time with his friends and family (without sibling competition) means so much to him. For each birthday we remind everyone that our kids don’t need more stuff. They love their family and just having them come and celebrate their special day is a gift. If they want to give a gift, please consider an experience with the child or a gift card for an experience. Not everyone obliges but we have received some of the coolest experiences. For Christmas a family gift to the Science Center that we remember the giver, every time we go throughout the year. A special lunch date for the birthday child and his friend. When we first started it we had just moved into a big home and we felt like people were trying to fill it up “because we had room” (I think we used the “we don’t have room” excuse for several years before that). We had to start telling people that just because we have a big house doesn’t mean we need to fill it up! But after hosting an “experiences” birthday party, we thought about every single gift we gave. My kids have all given sleepover/movie nights to their friends (with birthday cake). Groupon like sites are good too. My daughter and her friend have birthdays a week apart and I purchased 2 X$20 credit to a paint your own pottery for them as a gift for their birthdays and it only cost $20 for both girls, then they picked out a dessert at a candy store. I think our experiences over gifts has rippled out in our circles as well as more friends are moving in that direction as well.

]]> By: Christine http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-23444 Christine Sun, 06 Mar 2011 23:27:51 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-23444 For my kids' birthday parties, I put at the end of the invite that the guests should make the birthday boy/girl a homemade card or small gift, or even no gifts at all. I explain to my kids that they'll be getting presents from relatives and parties aren't about the presents but about the fun you'll have with your friends. My kids do not mind (they have enough stuff already). You don't know how many moms thank me afterwards for not having to shell out $10 for a piece of plastic my kids will only appreciate for a week!! For my kids’ birthday parties, I put at the end of the invite that the guests should make the birthday boy/girl a homemade card or small gift, or even no gifts at all. I explain to my kids that they’ll be getting presents from relatives and parties aren’t about the presents but about the fun you’ll have with your friends. My kids do not mind (they have enough stuff already). You don’t know how many moms thank me afterwards for not having to shell out $10 for a piece of plastic my kids will only appreciate for a week!!

]]> By: Gail http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-22952 Gail Thu, 24 Feb 2011 23:11:20 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-22952 Great ideas here. But can I add a further suggestion - don't forget to consider the gift recipient's Love Language. With your own children you can learn their love language and tailor gifts around that. It is harder with friends. If you give tickets to a "Quality Time" person, that will mean so much more to them than stuff. However, if you give tickets to a "Gifts" person, it will mean less to them than a physical gift (stuff). I endeavour to find out the love languages of my friends and family so I give them gifts that make them feel loved, not just ones that make me feel good. Here's some other outside the box suggestions: * a subscription to a magazine they are interested in (particularly if the child likes science, gardening or animals) * clothes - children grow so quickly and clothes are always appreciated. I call the mum and ask about what the child needs, size and favourite colour etc * something for their pet * i-tunes gift card or phone credit * an excursion where they can catch a bus, train, ferry or plane (if this is something they don't normally do) as the method of tranport * if the child has a dream job maybe you can arrange them to visit a fire station, meet a vet etc * For all the "Words of Affirmation" kids out there can I please highly recommend that you give them a card with some very encouraging words in it. They will treasure this for a long time. Great ideas here. But can I add a further suggestion – don’t forget to consider the gift recipient’s Love Language. With your own children you can learn their love language and tailor gifts around that. It is harder with friends. If you give tickets to a “Quality Time” person, that will mean so much more to them than stuff. However, if you give tickets to a “Gifts” person, it will mean less to them than a physical gift (stuff). I endeavour to find out the love languages of my friends and family so I give them gifts that make them feel loved, not just ones that make me feel good. Here’s some other outside the box suggestions:

* a subscription to a magazine they are interested in (particularly if the child likes science, gardening or animals)
* clothes – children grow so quickly and clothes are always appreciated. I call the mum and ask about what the child needs, size and favourite colour etc
* something for their pet
* i-tunes gift card or phone credit
* an excursion where they can catch a bus, train, ferry or plane (if this is something they don’t normally do) as the method of tranport
* if the child has a dream job maybe you can arrange them to visit a fire station, meet a vet etc
* For all the “Words of Affirmation” kids out there can I please highly recommend that you give them a card with some very encouraging words in it. They will treasure this for a long time.

]]> By: Perfect-Helen http://smallnotebook.org/2009/04/20/great-gifts-for-kids-that-don%e2%80%99t-involve-%e2%80%9cstuff%e2%80%9d/#comment-19164 Perfect-Helen Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:28:24 +0000 http://smallnotebook.org/?p=1155#comment-19164 I am invited to the birthday of my friend's kid, so I am currently looking for good gift ideas. I just would like to ask opinions of experienced parents what they think about such educational iPhone game as Kinder Hangman – http://sharkfuel.com/kinderhangman.html Is this game really so helpful for developing a vocabulary of kids? I am a mother myself, so just would like to know if this game can help me repare kids for school? Any ideas? Your opinion is highly appreciated. Thanks. I am invited to the birthday of my friend’s kid, so I am currently looking for good gift ideas. I just would like to ask opinions of experienced parents what they think about such educational iPhone game as Kinder Hangman – http://sharkfuel.com/kinderhangman.html Is this game really so helpful for developing a vocabulary of kids? I am a mother myself, so just would like to know if this game can help me repare kids for school? Any ideas? Your opinion is highly appreciated. Thanks.

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