5 Christmas Gifts to Bring Your Family Together

Certainly Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us have a list of the top toys for kids, but that new Playstation 3 only isolates your child further. Here are some ways to do the opposite. Give great gifts that will bring your family closer and that will truly be appreciated.

In many families, eating out is not something done often. If you save money by peeling potatoes, then loosen up. Try giving your teen a nice dinner out. The whole family would enjoy it. This doesn't mean McDonald's gift cards either. Get a nice card from the store and write in it that you'll personally take your child out to dinner. Maybe they get to pick, or maybe you specify. Either way, you get some quality time together and long after they fly the coup, your gift of sharing time will be remembered.

Further their goals by getting gifts related to their interests. If they're playing basketball, good shoes or a new ball will go a long way toward helping them reach their dreams. Maybe they play guitar, and a box of 10 packs of new strings will make them think of you every time they break another one. If its dance she loves, a DVD teaching dance moves, instead of the latest dance movie, will help her get her groove on.

The point is really that it's not the latest hot toy that'll count the most, but that you took the time to notice what they're doing and got them something appropriate for that.

If your child is having trouble with school studies, get out your wallet and splurge on a couple months of private tutoring. Yes, I know, you may get some frowns on this initially, but in the end, if they start bringing home A's and B's instead of C's and D's, do you think they'll be happier and grateful for the gift?

Families are often too strapped to take big vacations. That certainly doesn't mean the whole family won't enjoy a night at the local hotel. Make sure they have a working, heated pool and Jacuzzi, and splurge on some late night pizza and the pay-per-view movie. What kid won't love that family present? There's also the bonus of spending time together.

One of the best things you can do for your child is to get a pet. I know there are some who can't stand the idea of pet hair and of course you'll end up feeding it, but studies have shown the beneficial effects pets have on kids are for real. It's Christmas, after all, so make your kids happy, healthier, and at the same time you could rescue some poor fellow from the pound. Talk about spreading love and joy!

Finally, don't forget to let kids help around the holidays. Trimming the tree, cooking that big dinner, wrapping presents for relatives, and whatever else needs to be done. When it has to do with the holidays, you'll be surprised at how much they are willing to help.

Parents often take on much of these tasks themselves, knowing it can be a bit frustrating in the kitchen, or wrapping those gifts, with inexperienced hands. This is the icing on the cake for children though, and taking the time to show them and let them help is just another way of giving.