Some of the hardest gifts to give are “family presents”. Whether you’re trying to come up with something that would be fun for YOUR family or SOMEONE ELSE’S…it can be tricky to think outside the box (you can only give so many DVD’s and board games :))
Anyway, last year I gave you some ideas, so check it out if you need some more! Here’s the link: Christmas Gifts for the Whole Family, 2009. Here’s another: Gift Ideas for Families 2012.
And, here’s the picks for this year…
Gifts for Families:
Idea #1
I don’t know how I’ve made it 9 years as a mother in Utah without owning a sled. What the? So, 2010 is the year! I’ve been reading up on sleds and the best snow toys and here are the winners…
The Zipfy Freestyle Mini Luge Snow Sleds
was inspired by the Olympic sport of luge and coal shovel racing. Reviewers say these puppies are super fast…I can’t wait to watch my boys fly down the hills! Oh, they also come in lots of different colors…which matters, to kids.
was inspired by the Olympic sport of luge and coal shovel racing. Reviewers say these puppies are super fast…I can’t wait to watch my boys fly down the hills! Oh, they also come in lots of different colors…which matters, to kids.
Pair those sleds with the Flexible Flyer Snowball Maker
! These fellas are so fantastic for making/packing snowballs quickly. You’ve got to keep your snow fort fully stocked! Also, they’re cheap so you can get one for everybody. 🙂
! These fellas are so fantastic for making/packing snowballs quickly. You’ve got to keep your snow fort fully stocked! Also, they’re cheap so you can get one for everybody. 🙂
And to make the fort…I suggest the Flexible Flyer Snow Block Form
, also a great price and super convenient for making snow bricks.
, also a great price and super convenient for making snow bricks.
Idea #2
The Wii has lots and lots of potential for family fun AND you can really break a sweat playing lots of the games 🙂 So, here are the top picks for family games:
IF YOU CAN FIND THIS GAME…the Wii Active Life Outdoor Challenge
is the one to get this year. When I bought it on Amazon it was $48…but, I believe it is out of stock there and people are offering it for up to $200. Curse them. So, keep your eye out on ebay, Toys R Us, Target, Walmart, etc. for when it’s in stock for the retail price. With over 300 five-star reviews, you are guaranteed a fun game that will give you a major work-out.
is the one to get this year. When I bought it on Amazon it was $48…but, I believe it is out of stock there and people are offering it for up to $200. Curse them. So, keep your eye out on ebay, Toys R Us, Target, Walmart, etc. for when it’s in stock for the retail price. With over 300 five-star reviews, you are guaranteed a fun game that will give you a major work-out.
Disney’s Guilty Party
gives you more of a mental workout. You can play alone or with up to 4 people…finding clues and solving mysteries. This is my kinda game.
gives you more of a mental workout. You can play alone or with up to 4 people…finding clues and solving mysteries. This is my kinda game.
Besides chasing after kids, hauling laundry back and forth, and picking up hundreds of toys all day…my calories are shed doing Just Dance 2
. The kids and I put it on when we need a break from homeschool and we crack up trying to get the dance moves down. The lyrics are also on the screen so we love to belt out the music while we’re groovin’. Again, great exercise (and you learn some sweet moves!)
. The kids and I put it on when we need a break from homeschool and we crack up trying to get the dance moves down. The lyrics are also on the screen so we love to belt out the music while we’re groovin’. Again, great exercise (and you learn some sweet moves!)
Idea #3
Kids love candy, love family activities…that’s why you need a cotton candy maker! I haven’t used mine yet, but I’m all geared to pull it out for the next family night. The kids have been dying to try it out. It gets great reviews, is reasonably priced, and who woulda thought you could make your own?!? You can either buy the cotton candy floss or melt hard candies to make the cotton. This would also be a fun gift to give away to a family with young kids.
Idea #4
We’ve been needing a DVD Repair Machine for a long, long, long time. I can’t tell you how many times we pop a movie in only to change it 5 minutes later because its too scratched to watch. Ugh, super frustrating! If I just had a handful of scratched movies I would get this repair machine, but since we have a TON of them, I opted for the Simotech Repair Machine
. It costs more but is easily justified when I think of how many movies I won’t have to re-buy. My kids will be excited to be able to watch many of their movies again AND to play some of their scratched video games.
. It costs more but is easily justified when I think of how many movies I won’t have to re-buy. My kids will be excited to be able to watch many of their movies again AND to play some of their scratched video games.
Idea #5
Lastly, I think a hot chocolate machine makes a GREAT gift! I picked the Back to Basics Cocoa Grande
because because its bigger than the standard cocoa maker…thus, serves more people. The cocoa makers mix, heats, and froths your hot cocoa…we’re whipping ours out for our Gingerbread House Making Night and for Christmas Eve. As a gift, pair it with a large tin of Ghiradelli Hot Chocolate
.
because because its bigger than the standard cocoa maker…thus, serves more people. The cocoa makers mix, heats, and froths your hot cocoa…we’re whipping ours out for our Gingerbread House Making Night and for Christmas Eve. As a gift, pair it with a large tin of Ghiradelli Hot Chocolate.
Alright, I’ve got to go watch The Office with my lova…have a great weekend! Remember to check out last years post for more family gift ideas 🙂
For more Christmas gift ideas, traditions, and crafts, be sure to check out all of the Christmas labels on the sidebar…you’ll find tons of posts from the past! If you have a Christmas idea you want to share as a post, email it to me! I’ve been LOVING all of your fantastic ideas and traditions!
For gift ideas for everyone on your list, check out the Gift Ideas tab and be sure to pin Gift Idea Central, to keep the whole collection in one place.
Mariel
Owner & Author at Or so she says...
Mariel (mahr-eeee-elle) is a mother to seven, wife to one. Loves homeschooling, golfing, cupcakes, traveling, cuddling, non-fiction books, gardening, James Taylor, and family time. This is her blog. Enjoy!
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Mariel — a perfect list! In fact, I love our ‘Outdoor Challenge’ — it really is a TON of fun for all of us, and I totally get a great workout from it. We also have the hot chocolate machine and LOVE it. We make a bunch of different drinks in it — hot apple cider, etc, and it’s so nice because you just dump it all in and go — awesome! Thanks for a great post!
I love the cotton candy maker and DVD repair kit!! Thanks for the ideas!