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I love this time of year. How many times have you heard me say this over the past couple months? Maybe 10 times? I lost count! I just feel so at peace during this season. I get excited for just about everything these days. From the focus on love and friendship, comfort foods and gift giving… what isn’t there to love? I’m continuing my tradition of giving really meaningful gifts this year, including five gifts that give kids a better future. Thanks to our friends at ScholarShare for sponsoring this post as part of my Ambassadorship for 2015.
Finding the perfect gift is one of the best things. When you see it and you know the recipient is going to love it… well it just doesn’t get any better. When I am planning my gift purchases, I start by writing a list of what I think they will like and then I add a twist to it. I make sure that it will help them in the future.
Here are my top five gifts that give kids a better future.
1. Books. I love to give books. Books can take the reader far away, or help then enjoy where they are right now more. A basket of well picked books is one of the best gifts out there. Look for books that already interest the reader and some that stretch them beyond what they already love.
2. Experiences. I think like should be full of adventures and experiences… so why not gift one? National Park tickets, a high tea, whale watching, or a food tour in a nearby city all make awesome gifts. Kids will remember this gift and it will inspire them to be their best now, and in the future.
3. Travel. Give a child a travel adventure. Show them another part of the world that they haven’t seen… or even a trip just down the road for some cultural insight different than their own. Exploring a new place is fun and can spurs a lifelong journey of discovery.
4. Lessons. Gift a child a cooking class, a dance lesson, or some music instructions. The possibilities are endless. Summer camp at your local zoo for the animal lover or a robotics camp for the child that loves to put things together can be the turning point for the next computer master mind!
5. Money for their college savings. Give them the gift of an advanced education. A gift of money into their ScholarShare account this holiday season can make a huge impact on their future. It all adds up and if you deposit money into their ScholarShare accounts regularly, you can make a big jump in their saving for college and and future income earning for many years to come. We have learned a lot about ScholarShare accounts and feel they make a great partner in savings for college.
you can never go wrong with giving a book to a kid – all the adventures that kid could have
I would love this time of year better if I lived in a warmer climate. Today isn’t too bad though for the end of November.
I try so hard to give my kids as many experiences as possible. I think it is so important for them 🙂
I started shopping on Black Friday. I buy every kid on my Christmas list a book or two every year
What some great ideas, I used to love getting books for Christmas. x
You have a great list here! My daughter loves reading 😀
We are in the process of getting an education fund going for our son. We not only have college, but the high school I want him to go to will be expensive too. I love that you expose your kids to a lot, it will make them more well rounded.
These are all really great ideas. I like to give my son books as gifts and he is always happy to get them. Now if I could just get him to travel more.
We haven’t started shopping yet, but this year the kids were limited to 4 presents – something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. It really made them think about what was going to go on their lists – and what they really, really want to have.
I did a lot of my shopping today. I’ve become more of a Cyber Monday kind of girl than a Black Friday gladiator.
These are some great ideas. College savings are so important! I think unique travel experiences are invaluable too.
I totally agree! I’ve always given books in addition to other gifts and as the kids got older we’d take Christmas trips. We still sit around and talk about all the experiences and trips we’ve enjoyed together.
We have given all of those to our children! Books, travel and experiences are so important as they are growing up.
I love your idea, books are most important and traveling a lot of experienced too.
I couldn’t agree more with your list of gifts that give kids a better future! I have started shopping and some of those gifts do include books, money for savings, and experiences that we can do together as a family.
I love giving books and I REALLY love giving experiences! Such great ideas. So much better than things that get lost, broken or make the kids bored oh so quickly!
I prefer to give (and receive) experience. We don’t really need stuff.
We’ve been trying to focus more on experiences for birthdays (not for Christmas … yet), and it’s turning out quite well! The enjoyment lasts much longer than most of the toys on their wish list will, and we’ve made some wonderful memories in the process.
Yes to experiences! so important – and of course books. Wonderful list!
what a great list!! We don’t travel much as a family. I wish we could because I see the value in it so much.
We’re focusing on experiences this year. I feel like we have too much “stuff” and I didn’t want to add any more. It’s a great list. Christmas doesn’t have to just be tons of toys!
We always try to gift our son experiences and not only material things. We want him to develop appreciation for the things that surround him! so I love your points a lot!
I totally agree with the travel and books. We will always drop money on books, no question. One reason we moved was so my daughter could experience a different place. We try and do a trip every year so she can experience as much as possible.
We’ve been straying from gifts and really focusing on travel and experiences with our kids instead. I definitely want to give them amazing memories
I completely agree with this list. I would have had books as my number one. I love giving my daughters books for the holidays. They love to look through them and read or have me read to them.
Books and experiences are my two favorites. If you can’t have an experience, then read a book!
I totally agree with these! We’ve actually started doing more activities that are experiences and places. So important!
Yes! These are so great. I love giving books and knowledge inspiring gifts. That’s wonderful.
My kids love to read. We always have fun going to the bool store to pick out a new book. These are great gift ideas for kids. Travel is such a great way for kids to have real life lessons.
I love to give books for gifts. It is so important for kids to develop a love for reading.
These are awesome gift ideas! I always try to give my kids books for gifts, and I will take them to different places and let them experience different things when they are older.
Memories are everything! This is such a great list idea. We are going to grab a few!
These are all great ideas. I am a sucker for books and get them for my kids all the time. We try to do experience gifts as much as possible, we don’t need more stuff!
What a great list. The kids will learn so much from these gifts.
Books and life experiences add immeasurably to a child’s life! It’s our duty to give it to them!
I got my kids books again this year. It’s one of their favorite gifts!
Books are great to give as presents. I travel many places with my kids and wouldn’t change a thing!
We have books covered for certain! I would love to spend more time sharing unique experiences with them – those really are so important.
You have a great list and today I did lot of shopping!!!
I agree with all of these. My kids love to read and love their books. And I would love to travel for the holidays.
I love to give books as gifts! I love to read and hope that when I have kids one day they will love to read too!!1
What great ideas about gifts for a better future for your kids! Our family has been traveling since our 4 kids were babies and they’re in college now and I have to agree that’s one of the best gifts of all because it bonds the family and creates memories that money can’t buy.
I would love to buy plane tickets as family Christmas presents and skip all the toys they don’t need. It’s not going to happen this year, unfortunately. But I’m feeling optimistic for 2016!
Yup, I just started my gift shopping today, but totally not done yet. Good thing Cyber Monday was extended in my fave stores. 🙂
I love yourlist of gift ideas and I love that you travel so much. I wish we had travelled more as a family instead of getting one toy after another at Christmas. To me, traveling is a lot more fun and memorable too.
These are great ideas and gifts that keep on giving. This is really cool and the experience idea has inspired me to come up with something a little more this year!
Those are great ideas. Many of us already have so much “stuff”. I like this!
This is such a fantastic post! These are my five top things to give my grandsons. I usually get them one little toy and the rest of their budget goes to things on your list. (They’re not old enough for lessons of any type yet, but it won’t be long.)
I love all of these gift ideas! I always enjoy giving books because I love to read but experiences and traveling are great memories too.
Giving gifts that impact the future is a great idea. I love the one for college money.