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20 November 2011

The Gift of Experience

Is your mailbox bursting at the seams with catalogs? Are sale circulars flooding out of your Sunday paper? Is your inbox inundated with limited-time offers? 'Tis the season for gift buying. 


Part of the fun of the holidays is watching that look of delight on the face of your little one when they rip off that shiny paper. But...have your ever noticed that sometimes the most delightful part for your child is just ripping off the paper or climbing in the box? Or sometimes they unwrap the first gift and just want to play with it-- ignoring the pile of unopened presents.

Over my 6 years of parenting, I have done well and sometimes not-so-well at reigning in the holiday hoopla. When there are grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends all eager and excited to bestow bounty on your children it can easily get out of control. How can I respect my family's wishes to give gifts without turning my family room into the Temple of Large Colorful Plastic? One way is to encourage gifts of time and experience that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Grandma still wants something to wrap? Pair an "experience" gift with a small related toy. Some ideas...

1. Did you know that Pied Piper Studios offers Kindermusik gifts certificates? Just email us or check with your educator to purchase one. Pair a Kindermusik gift certificate with a scarf or Doodle Drum for a magical, musical gift!

2. A wild idea-- a membership to Blank Park Zoo tucked in with a stuffed version of your child's favorite zoo creature. (In fact, purchase a membership before Dec. 15th and use the promo code GIRAFFE to get a free stuffed giraffe!) A zoo membership can also be paired with memberships to the Science Center and/or Living History Farms. Does your family travel? Your Zoo and Science Center memberships get you free or discounted admission at many other zoos and museums around the country.

3. For children old enough to enjoy theater experiences, consider tickets to a performance paired with the storybook the show is based on or a cd:
  • Preschool children and their caregivers can attend Friday Funday at the Des Moines Playhouse. Once a month, the Playhouse puts on these 45-minute interactive performances where children can enjoy live theater without the strict sit-down-and-be-silent expectations.
  • Children age 5 and up are invited to the Kate Goldman Children's Theatre at the Des Moines Playhouse. Stuart Little and The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley are playing this spring.
  • The Civic Center offers a 4-show season ticket package for their Family Series. Shows include Clifford the Big Red Dog and Music, Noise & Silence with the Des Moines Symphony. According to the website, shows are "enjoyed most by ages 4-10".
  • Willing to travel? The Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis is one of the most-respected professional children's theaters in the country. Spring productions include Harold and the Purple Crayon and Pippi Longstocking
4. Enjoy a mini family vacation with an overnight stay at a hotel. Travel to the Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Harbor Resort, or Honey Creek Resort. Or stay close to home with an overnight at the Ramada Tropics on Merle Hey Road-- stay on a weeknight and take advantage of cheaper rates! Give a pair of goggles, a beach towel, or arm floaties with a gift certificate for your overnight.

5. Break up the winter monotony by cheering on a local sports team. My children love nothing better than munching on popcorn while watching  Des Moines Buccaneers hockey or Iowa Energy basketball. A foam indoor sports set can compliment tickets to any sporting event.

-Posted by Molly Hagkull (a.k.a. Miss Molly)
 

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