-
9 Gifts Outside the Box
If your kids' playroom is overstuffed already, you may be dreading the onslaught of toys that comes with each holiday season. Opt for something meaningful by giving them a great experience or personalized object—they'll remember these thoughtful gifts long after the season's latest toy has been forgotten. Pro tip: Pass these ideas on to grandparents, aunts and uncles as well.
-
For the Musical Marvel
If music is a mainstay in your child's life, give them a certificate for a session at Poprocks, where they can record their own lyrics or a favourite tune to a DVD they can they replay over and over. It really is a gift that keeps on giving.
-
For the Book Lover
We love giving books, but for kids who like the idea of creating their own, up the ante with a gift certificate to a comic-making class at the Annex-based Little Island Comics. Kids will come away from Megan Kearney's class understanding character design, page layout, penciling and inking and more.
-
For the Eager Reader
Snail mail still has its merits, particularly when it comes addressed to your four year old. Start them on a subscription to a kids magazine like Chirp, ChickaDEE or OWL, and they'll have the thrill of finding something in the mail each month.
-
For the Good Communicator
They may be surrounded by smart phones and keyboards but kids still delight in the written word, especially if their name is embossed at the top. Personalized stationary, as well as pencils and stamps, can put some old-school style communication back into their hands.
-
For the Budding Interior Designer
We're not promising this will inspire her to make her bed or keep her rooms neat, but a soft decorative pillow with her name on it would really be a treat.
-
For the Adventurer
Haven't hit all the local landmarks yet? If you've exhausted the Science Centre and spent enough time at Skyzone, consider gifts they will get them engrossed in an urban adventure, right in their own city. A gift certificate to Ripley's Aquarium or a Tour of the CN Tower are just two ideas that never disappoint, especially if it's their first visit—a great group gift idea for extended family, too.
-
For the Budding Philanthropist
Gifts that put the season into perspective? Perfect. Plan Canada's global-assistance program might just give your kids much-needed pause as they unwrap an unexpected present in the form of an ongoing donation in their names. These gifts provide necessities like water, food, animals (give a goat!), education or healthcare in a developing country; they can even become sponsors of a child their own age.
-
For the Drama Queens (and Kings)
For kids who have a flair for the dramatic, a pair of tickets to an upcoming production at Young People's Theatre is sure to delight both on Christmas morning and again on the day of the performance.
-
For the Memory Makers
Yes, you're getting down to the wire, but there's still time to serve up a pictorial recap of the year that was, or a special event in their lives. Go online and easily put together a small picture book they'll love to look at now and for years to come.