• Put your craft or sewing skills to use by making homemade ornaments or other seasonal trinkets. Or, knit scarves and slippers to provide a little winter warmth to those around you.
Lisa Pawlak
• Package themed baskets of emergency items, cold and flu prevention supplies, or college student survival kits. Recipients will appreciate these items for months (if not, years) to come.
Gift Experiences • Host a no-pressure holiday event. Organize a cookie exchange, screen a movie marathon, or coordinate a gift swap of items people already have. Provide hot chocolate and eggnog.
Recapture the
Magic
• If your child is interested in playing a musical instrument, consider renting or purchasing one and/or signing up for private lessons.
of Gift Giving Ah, December. That magical time
of year when we log on to Amazon, explore those ever-growing wish lists, and max out our credit cards while ordering the latest L.O.L. Surprise! dolls, PlayStation games, Avengers action figures, and Barbie paraphernalia. If you’re feeling a bit dazed by the upcoming overabundance of material goods and longing for the true spirit of the season, you’re not alone. Many families who’ve made the transition from “Dear Santa” letters to online wish lists are discovering that what started out as a practical communication tool has taken the fun out of gift-giving. Why not restore the joy of giving by embracing generosity, thoughtfulness, and good cheer while selecting presents this year? Encourage the whole family to explore the following list of alternative gift ideas and experience the most magical holiday season ever!
Gifts of Memories • Who doesn’t love to be reminded of good times? Create a year-end video of family highlights. Set it to the intended recipient’s favorite music.
24 • SanDiegofamily.com • December 2019
• Order tickets to an event such as a sports game, concert, the circus, or a musical production. • Put together a scrapbook that details your family’s summer vacation. Include photography, postcards, brochures, mementos and journaling. • Capture the year’s most meaningful memories in a photo collage. Photos can be professionally matted and framed, or pasted together onto a poster board with embellishments. • Share a piece of your heart by reflecting upon individuals who are important to you. Write them letters to let them know why. • Collect everyday and holiday recipes to make a commemorative family cookbook.
Gifts of Your Hands • Nothing says holidays like homemade baked goods. From yule logs and fruitcakes to gingerbread cookies and peppermint fudge, friends and family will delight in eating your sweet treats. • Prefer to keep things healthy? Deliver a delectable dinner to a neighbor or friend. Casseroles, soups, baked pastas, and crockpot dishes are delicious and easy to prepare in bulk.
• Skip the gift exchange entirely in lieu of a family staycation. From the ocean to the mountains, San Diego has no shortage of fantastic places to stay that the whole family will love. Get road trip and staycation ideas in the Family Travel section of our website: www.sandiegofamily.com/things-todo/travel.
Gift Subscriptions • Nothing beats a gift that keeps on giving. Consider season passes to the theater, an amusement park, or to cheer on a favorite sports team. • There is a variety of monthly delivery services that make great gifts — from dinner kits and wine clubs, to online clothing and personal items. • Kids (and adults) love magazines. Remember the days of Highlights, Cricket and Ranger Rick? Well, they’re still available and will have your child running to collect the mail.
Gifts of Time • Even the youngest family member can make homemade coupon books for helpful tasks. Some ideas: car washes,