My favorite non-gift gift ideas

Since becoming a mom, I have learned to really understand what my mom meant when she would answer my Christmas gift idea question with something along the lines of “Oh, I don’t need anything…I just like buying for you.” Yep. Totally get it. I could shop for my girl all the live-long-day and be completely content watching her open one million gifts! But as wonderful (and self-less?) as that may sound, it can be annoying too when people want to get you something you really want and you give them nothing. Can you relate? And then what about gifting for your kids…and when you really, really don’t want more toys in your living room? Like, you really feel your kids have enough “stuff”? Because let me tell you-with all the grandparents and baby-friends, the holidays (and birthdays) can lead to a lot of STUFF which is wonderful and super fun…but not always needed.

So, here is my list of non-gift gifts for kids and for some for you mamas. If you’re looking for other little gifts to give, be sure to check out my stocking stuffer post here for more ideas.

Most of these ideas are specific to the Piedmont Triad/surrounding areas in North Carolina. However, if you’re reading this from out of this area, don’t fret. I’m sure your area has very similar things available. I have linked the ones in my State though!

For your Littles:

My favorite thing to ask grandparents and great-grand parents for are gift certificates or money towards activities my child loves to do! Many companies offer gift links, so you can easily text the link to the giver. My family likes to print out the confirmation and wrap it up, so we still have something to open. Here are some ideas of what we have asked for (and enjoyed!!) over the last few years. I have listed a “yearly pass” to many places below, but a single-day visit is also a great way to schedule a playdate with a friend or a relative!

The Little Gym
Kindermusik music class
swim lesson contributions
Yearly membership to the Greensboro Science Center
Yearly membership to the Greensboro Children’s Museum
Yearly membership to Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum, High Point
Yearly membership to GreenHill Art Studio– the children’s open studio and story/craft time is such.a.good.gift and fun experience
Yearly membership to the North Carolina Zoo ***be sure to check the ASTC travel program as well for reciprocity options for members!

Other activities and experiences to consider are:

Tweetsie Railroad tickets
Grandfather Mountain tickets
You could easily do tokens for the Greensboro Carousel as a fun and easy gift idea or stocking stuffer!
Skiing/tubing passes
Kayaking tickets- we love Zaloo’s in West Jefferson
Virginia Creeper Trail shuttle and bike rentals- This is a fun day trip idea (we’re in central NC for reference). We like to use Sundog Outfitters in Damascus, VA to book our transportation up the mountain and for any bike rentals needed.
Magazine subscriptions: One of our favorites has been Highlights High Five (ages 2-6). This year we are asking for Ranger Rick Jr (ages 3-7). If your child is a little bit older, consider Highlights and Ranger Rick subscriptions. No matter what age you are, everyone loves receiving mail (not bill related that is)!
An Audible membership– this is good for parents AND kids. My daughter loves to listen to stories while we’re in the car, she’s coloring, or playing during her brothers’ nap time.
If you’re thinking something interactive and educational is what you’re after, our favorite digital library is with Epic! With Epic, my daughter can enjoy Audio books or she can choose the “Read to me option”, so she can read along with the narrator…she can also read books herself based on her reading level, AND there’s videos in every topic and subject imaginable! There are a few different plan options available, so you can pick what works best with your family schedule. Our plan is only good during “school hours” 7AM-3PM. You can definitely choose an all-access pass too!
A contribution to a savings account or college savings plan

OK, so for mamas when people ask what do you want: For me this question is most easily answered with “A gift card to get pictures of R printed” or “A gift card to Hobby Lobby, so I can make things with R”…or the latest “A gift card to IKEA, so I can get the boys’ room ready…” nope. nope. nope. What I have listed below are things JUST FOR YOU:

A yearly membership (or 3 month!) to Chatbooks. Chatbooks changed how I preserved my memories each month. I use to make yearly books, and it was so overwhelming after the twins came along. I get to pick 30 pictures a month printed in beautiful, hardback books that look great on display! I can also make additional books for those months that have big events and I need more than the allotted 30 picture maximum. It’s also extremely enjoyable when those beautiful monthly books arrive in the mail. This is the best thing I have spent money on this year.
A fitness membership. Yes, I said it. In years past, I would have thought a gym or fitness membership was cruel…and work and certainly NOT A GIFT. Whatever venue works for you to get yourself moving, getting a time-out from the demands in your life, and focuses on YOU, is the right one for you.
A monthly flower subscription! If you’ve followed my IG account for any amount of time or know me personally, you know I love fresh flowers. Companies like FiftyFlowers offer monthly flower subscriptions through FlowerFix. Hello, pretties on your table all year!
Membership to a Wine Club. I went to a MNO pre Covid with Scout and Cellar and learned SO. MUCH. about how wine is produced and about “clean wine”…and yes, you can taste a difference! Scout and Cellar is nationwide and has reps available for you.
Some may not like this, but a car wash monthly pass is pretty great! This is something most people (moms especially) don’t consider, and it’s super helpful even if you don’t have kids getting cheerios in the back seat! I would even gift this to a new driver…you know they would feel so proud taking their car to get washed all by themselves!
What about a gift card to BiziKids (If the parents use places like this already) or a solidified/scheduled night for babysitting? I say solidified, because very easily, people offer to babysit and then it just never comes to fruition! It’s no one’s fault; life just gets busy. It’s a simple as wrapping up a piece of paper that says “I’m babysitting January 10th from 6-9, so you go make reservations for dinner!”