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I love shopping and wrapping gifts for my kids, and each year, I go to great lengths to ensure their Christmas is personal, unique, and special. This includes, but is not limited to the toys they have on their wish list, special crafting time, new and traditional recipes, and most importantly, experiences. As part of their Christmas each year, we take a special trip. This year, we checked off The Polar Express in Williams, Arizona, and the memories we have from that trip will endure long after my son outgrows his Star Wars toys or my daughter replaces her Barbie dolls with clothes and shoes.
If you’re looking to give your child something more than the latest toy or gadget, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite gifts with lasting value.
1. Museum Memberships: I’ve spent countless hours inside museums all over the world and love getting lost in the likes of the Louvre or the Getty. Museum memberships are often very affordable and can provide your child with an entire year of experiences, particularly if your local museum offers seasonal or rotational exhibits.
2. Music, Art or Science Classes: My son is an avid LEGO fan, and in the Spring, he’ll start Bricks 4 Kidz which incorporates LEGO bricks into a fun, educational experience. The key to choosing a class is to identify something your child is passionate about so that the experience is enjoyable and doesn’t feel like “school.”
3. Season Passes to Local Amusement Parks: The very best “gift” I purchased for my kids from the time they were young was a Disneyland pass. We love the freedom to visit the parks at leisure, and very often I’ll surprise them with a mid-week, after-school visit when their homework is completed.
4. Magazine, Book, or Box Subscriptions: I personally find subscriptions to be ideal since this is the gift that gives year-round. My favorite subscriptions include Kiwi Crate (arts and crafts), Little Passports (for aspiring travelers), GiftLit (for the avid reader), and the LEGO Club Magazine (free!).
5. A College Savings Plan: The day I told my son that I opened up a college savings plan for him, he asked me if he could put all of the money he received for his birthday into that account. I love that my son already knows he is going to college and that he recognizes the value in saving and planning for college now. Both of my kids have ScholarShare accounts, and when friends and family ask what they can give them for birthdays and holidays, I always suggest contributing to their education.
This holiday season, ScholarShare wants to double the joy and inspire families to begin saving for college now. Families who open a new ScholarShare 529 college savings account with $50 will receive a matching initial deposit of $50 from ScholarShare. Here is how you can take part in this special holiday promotion:
- Open a new ScholarShare College Savings Plan and deposit at least $50 into the account.
- Enroll in the automatic contribution.
The deadline to open an account and receive the additional $50 match is Friday, December 11th, 2015 at 11:59 pm PST. It should be noted that there is a limit of one matching deposit per new ScholarShare account opened for a new beneficiary. For additional information or questions about ScholarShare’s Holiday Match promotion, visit ScholarShare.com/HolidayMatch.
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I love gifts that last all throughout the year, not just for a few days. It’s like giving a daily smile from afar.