Ten Exceptional Alternative Gifts for Tots to Teens

Alternative holiday gift giving is on the rise after the realization that many children receive too many holiday presents each year. Sadly, many of these items are discarded or ignored long before Valentines' day, a horrible waste of money and absolutely the wrong message to be presenting our children. It has become ritual in many homes, as children and adults insist on and expect multiple gifts to clog the area beneath the tree and spill out into the family room, that many kids suffer "present overload," with holiday celebrations at home, grandparents' homes, their parents' workplaces, and school. Children of divorced or separated parents or in step family situations have extra celebrations to attend, which can result in an earnest misunderstanding after all of the commercialism and boredom the holidays can bring. All parents should consider an alternative holiday gift.

Alternative gifts offer children a lasting item that is not going to be abandoned after a month. They are also seldom a waste of money, because most alternative gifts provide opportunities over the period of a year, or a one-time memory that will last a lifetime. Alternative gifts can open up the opportunity for traditions to grow: traditions your child can look forward to.

1. Savings Bonds or Stocks - The Savings Bond or Stock alternative gift is a great opportunity to teach your child about investing. Though a four year old won't understand the slips of paper presented yearly, the teenager will appreciate the investment in their future. If you want to explain stocks on a level a child would understand, buy a share of a company along with a gift from that particular stock. For example, a plush Mickey Mouse to go along with a share of Disney.

2. A Zoo Pass - There are zoos everywhere, and most of them offer yearly passes at a discounted amount, typically called a membership. Often benefits for owning a zoo pass include free admission days, special event invitations, and discounts on other services like stroller rentals and the gift shop.

3. Magazine Subscription - A year's worth of your child's favorite magazine or an educational publication like Ranger Rick or Highlights for Children are great options for an annual gift that will continue to entertain your child. Kids love to get their own mail, and having their own magazine on its way is something your child can look forward to.

4. Online Subscription - Websites like Disney for Kids and online games like Asheron's call and Everquest allow virtual adventures. Many like Lord of the Rings offer test accounts for folks to try out prior to purchase. It is recommended that such accounts are reserved for older children who understand cyber safety, as the games are multiplayer peer to peer.

5. Play, ballet, or Concert Tickets - Take your child to see the Nutcracker on stage, hear their favorite artist sing in concert, or experience the magic of seeing the Phantom of the Opera live. These are amazing gifts that could be presented with a single ornament signifying the gift that the bauble represents. It is a sad thing that very few adults have ever seen a musical performed live or seen a ballet. The magic of such a moment lasts a lifetime.

6. Season Tickets - Tickets to see a baseball game for an entire year or watch an entire year's worth of exciting football are gifts that aren't considered often enough. When you take your child to see sports performed, you are encouraging dreams and immersing them in the excitement of the event. In addition, you are cementing one-on-one time with your child.

7. Holiday Memories - Consider taking your child on a sleigh or carriage ride, a lighting ceremony, or a high school holiday concert, followed by an evening looking at holiday lights. Afterward, consider relaxing with a cup of cocoa and listening to Christmas music. As the evening winds down, present your little one with an ornament or snow globe so that they can remember the events of the day.

8. Kid Coupons - Give your child a booklet of coupons for privileges or special treatment. Some examples include "Story Time Coupon - this coupon entitles the bearer to having three of their favorite stories read to them at any time in the day," and "Extra Hour of Television Coupon - This coupon entitles its bearer to one extra hour of television."

9. Makeover - This gift is great for girls. It involves taking them for a new hairstyle, a manicure and pedicure, and a new outfit. Though the gift seems a little odd to some, the memory of being pampered will stick with your child as she gets older. Boys might enjoy a haircut and a new jacket along with sharing a sundae with Dad.

10. New Room - With the popularity of home and room makeover television shows, this is a great opportunity for your child to give you some input on how they'd like their space organized. A total redo with brand new sheets is a great gift when packaged with a journal for "room decorating ideas."

With alternative gifts, you assure a longer-lasting purchase, but please never buy a pet for a Christmas gift. Though pets last longer than a month or two, purchasing a pet requires contemplation and a lot of dedication. Pets should never be holiday gifts. The holiday season need not mean purchasing so many toys your child's toychest bulges at the joints. It can be an opportunity for you to show your child there is more to holidays than a bunch of junk under the tree. After all, it's silly to buy something your child will no longer want before the next holiday.