Gift Ideas Every Mom Will Appreciate

I have a confession to make……I’m that mom that secretly goes into my kids’ rooms and removes toys and trinkets when they are at school. Ever since we moved into this dreamy but lacking-in-extra-storage-and-living-space house, I feel like I’m on a 24/7 decluttering mission. And the tricky thing with clutter is that it doesn’t just take up space in your home, but in your mind as well and I’m already foggy.

So what can we encourage during birthdays and holidays that kids will love and moms will sign off on? Below I have compiled a list of non-toy gift ideas that will hopefully check both of those boxes!

Gift Ideas That Will Put a Smile on Everyone’s Face:

1.  Subscription Boxes:   These options are great because there are so many out there for boys and girls of all different ages and interests. From cooking to science, art, reading and outdoor adventures, you are sure to find great options for everyone on your list!
2. Camps and Classes:   Our son has a birthday in June which makes this a little more relevant. However, this could also work for Spring Break camps, sports camps over Christmas break, a special art class at a local shop, karate or gymnastics….the list goes on.
3. A Trip to the Zoo:   All within a couple hours of us, we have Omsi, the Aquarium, the Zoo and more. Make a day of it! Depending on your budget, they can take a friend or go with family, grab a bite to eat or pack their favorite snacks. These are the best because you can get creative and make it specific to them.
4. Overnight Adventures:   Our kids love camping, exploring, making s’mores and sleeping in the trailer or out under the stars. Whether you go somewhere, sleep in the backyard or plan a night with their grams and gramps, these tailored trips are sure to fill them up and make memories to last well beyond their special day.
5. Favorite Things Gift Basket:   We did this for our daughter this past Christmas and it was so much fun! She was spending a lot of time with me in the kitchen so we centered many of her gifts around this, gifting her an apron, her own baking set, sprinkles, cookbooks and even gave her a drawer in the kitchen to keep everything organized and easily accessible. This is also a great option because you can pick up items throughout the year, allowing you to shop sales and find really good deals!
6. Date Night:   Whether it’s grabbing dinner and heading to the movie theater or catching a concert, sporting event or other show, date nights (or days) are sure to be a hit! Special events like this are fun but can be hard on the budget so including it as a gift makes it more affordable!
7. Vacation Package:   This is not what it sounds like….although a vacation would make a great gift they wouldn’t forget! IF you are going on vacation soon, gift options pertaining to that trip are a great option! It allows for special activities without the added cost. It also gives them something to look forward to and most often a really cool keepsake from their trip!
8. Teaching Tools:   Ok this is one of my faves because the battle on technology is a tough one with kids so I’m all for making it work in your favor! A gift card for apps approved by you or a system like OSMO that uses your tablet as a work station are great options! Fun and beneficial for kids as well as a great way to use their tech time. Can I get a win-win??

Get Creative

Whatever your child is into, there are so many fun ways to think outside the box and do things for them that go beyond the toy aisle. Now, hear me when I say I am not against toys…….I often have just as much fun playing with them as my kids do! But I think most of you would agree when I say it’s easy to cross that line of too much stuff. If you have a great toy-free gift idea to share, please leave a comment! I’d love to hear it!!