Simple Holiday Gift Ideas for Families with Kids

This December, less is more when it comes to gifts. As a parent of three young children, the thought of acquiring more toys with small pieces does not delight me. Like many parents, I struggle with the clutter and chaos in our home. However, the generosity of grandparents and my own indulgent gift choices can hamper my efforts to bring order to the house. If necessary, we as parents would be wise to follow the example of a friend of mine. When grandparents load her children up with too many gifts, she promptly stows them in a closet and gives them away to others later. The urge to give gifts can be more thoughtfully directed when parents and grandparents consider the needs and wishes of the whole family.

As a parent striving to keep things simple, these are holiday gift ideas I recommend:

1. Books - Children and parents can always benefit from more time reading versus being in front of a T.V. or computer screen. Research book options online at a site like Amazon where you can read parent reviews before you buy. Poorly chosen books may eventually be sold or given away, whereas quality titles can shape minds and imaginations into the next generation. Why not gift some of the books that sparked your imagination as a child?

2. Quality DVDs- When they are allowed to watch a video, our kids benefit from DVDs that stimulate their minds. Our three children, who are 5 and under, enjoy videos from Scholastic, which are based on classic children's books. You can also browse your local public library for ideas before you buy.

3. Musical Instruments - Noisy though they may be, children of all ages enjoy making music, and it enriches their development. You can find plastic recorders at Wal-mart for less than $1 or look for sturdier instruments like drums, tambourines, and xylophones.

4. Socks - As our family has grown, so has the challenge of keeping socks paired. You might want to check to make sure this is something the family needs, but in our case the answer is almost always "yes."

5. Memberships and Subscriptions - A zoo or museum membership is a fabulous investment for children. Our three are thrilled whenever we go to our local children's museum to play together. One set of grandparents gives us subscriptions to magazines for our children. High Five by Highlights is our favorite at this stage.

6. Monogrammed Hand Towels - These are personal and can help keep kids healthy if each one has his or her own towel during cold and flu season. Certain online merchants offer monogrammed towels and linens, as do some local stores and crafters. It is also possible to cross-stitch names on certain kinds of towels.

7. Simple Craft Kits - Tread carefully here, since packaged kits can be overpriced and have many pieces. Look for age-appropriate projects with minimal pieces, or make your own by gathering supplies in Ziploc bags. To accompany the supplies, include a kids craft book, a magazine like Family Fun, or print out instructions from an online craft idea. Our kids feel like "Bob the Builder" when they get to work with wooden kits they can assemble themselves. EZ Build Projects are examples of these kinds of toy kits.

To teach kids the spirit of giving, you might take them to Lowe's (you can sign up online) or Home Depot where they have free wood crafts once or twice a month. Kids assemble a craft at the store, and then can take it home to paint and give to someone, or it could be given, with supplies, as a ready-to-paint project for a sibling or cousin.

The Most Valuable Gifts Don't Cost a Penny

The simplest and best present of all for kids is to be present with them. So instead of running myself ragged with hours of holiday shopping, I should just sit down and play with them, or help them find the pieces to the multitudes of toys they already own.

If you don't live near the child, you might try reading to them over the phone. Relatives can find out which books the child has and check them out from the library to read on the other end. Remember that time spent focusing on a child is something money can't buy.

More than anything else, the children in our lives may be aching for attention or just a chance to do their own thing at home. Make the holidays memorable by showing them that they matter more than any shopping or to-do list. Rather than fighting the holiday crowds, it is better to enjoy your kids and make the home a refreshing place to be.