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Why I decided to skip the toys this year, and instead, gift memories.

December 11, 2019

I’m Deema
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On Fridays 
Every year I spend countless hours shopping for and wrapping my kid’s gifts for the holidays. Christmas morning comes, they open said gifts, and all we’re left with is a heaping pile of garbage.  Literally, garbage.  I can tell you my kids don’t remember that dollhouse or that race-car they got, but what they do remember is that trip to the movies in our X-mas pajamas.  They remember decorating cookies at the holiday festival, and they remember story time with the Grinch at the local book store.  And before you lose your breath, I’m not suggesting you get your kids nothing–although I do believe the holidays are about much more, and that’s for another blog post on another day. This year, I’ve decided I’m done with the crap, and I’ll be gifting my kids nothing but memories.  Memories that will last much longer than any Elsa doll.  And if you’re excited about this idea, and want to try it out, I’ve got you covered.  Let’s do this. You can probably take all these individual “memory makers” and wrap them individually under the tree, however, I decided to create a coupon book.  There are several online with more pages, but I chose to buy this from Amazon for both my kids.  I’ll leave the delivery and wrapping part up to you. Now let’s talk ideas.  And let’s be real, memories can cost just as much as toys, and often times more.  So I’ve created a list of both free (or very cheap) ideas, and some that will cost you some money. Free (or almost free) fun:
  1. Hiking, or a nature walk
  2. Trip to the park
  3. Picnic at your favorite outdoor place
  4. Community events (there are always a ton, check online)
  5. Trip to the library (especially fun during story time)
  6. Trip to the beach (if you live near one)
  7. Trip to a museum
  8. Game night at home
  9. Volunteer work (trust me on this one)
  10. Camp out in your backyard
  11. Camping trip
  12. Date with mom
  13. Date with dad
  14. Date with  ________
  15. Community concert
  16. Visit the animal shelter, or local Humane Society
  17. Stay up a half hour or hour later past bedtime (for little kids)
  18. Trip to the pool (for the summer months)
  19. Favorite meal coupon
  20. “boss for the day”–a pass to be the boss and call the shots for the day
Fun with a price tag:
  1. Tickets to the movies
  2. Tickets to an amusement park
  3. Tickets to the zoo
  4. Tickets to go on a vacation
  5. Trips to indoor playgrounds like Chuck E Cheese, My gym, or lazer tag
  6. Tickets to the aquarium
  7. Tickets to a broadway show
  8. Tickets to a concert
  9. Tickets to a local fair or festival
  10. Spa Day
  11. Miniature golf
  12. Bowling
  13. Boat ride, whale watching, or all things water related if you live near a coast
  14. Classes or lessons–Like cooking class, art class, dance classes, piano classes, sports clubs, science camp…etc
  15. Tickets to a sports games
  16. Trip to favorite restaurant
  17. Go out for ice cream or their favorite dessert
  18. Waterpark passes
  19. Annual passes to their favorite places
  20. Roller skating or ice skating
Look, you get the point.  These is just a list to get your juices flowing, and the internet is filled with ideas and fun local spots, events, and free things happening in your community every week.  Are you as excited about this as I am? Screw that Elsa doll, who’s with me?  I’d love to hear what YOUR ideas are, and I’d love to know if you plan to do this.  Visit me on Instagram, share your thoughts.  And please, sign up for my email updates below.  I promise I won’t spam you.  We can be best buds. Love, Deema Feedback? Comment below, or email me: (Deema Tabbara Lopez) at prettyonfridays@gmail.com Follow me on Instagram Sign up for Newsletter updates Follow me on Pinterest
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  1. Marysol says:

    Love all these ideas! I will definitely be doing this for Christmas. Thank you for sharing and here’s to making more memories and leaving Elsa on the shelf! 😝

  2. Kristin Turner says:

    Oh I’m in!! This is such a great idea for any family member! I’m going to do this for my niece and nephew.

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