Finding a meaningful gift can be a challenge. Society bombards us with the message that our children need... everything, toys, gadgets, electronics… and they need it now!

Unfortunately, many of these expensive indulgences are stifling creativity and promoting self-centeredness and non-relational living.

Here are some ideas to promote togetherness. Homemade gift baskets will be louder, messier, and more work, but lots more fun!

Art Box
Fill a carrying case with scotch tape, crayons, magic markers, glue, a stapler, hole punch, fuzzy pompoms, Bingo markers, popsicle sticks, paints, felts, construction paper, those “movey” eyes, colored pencils…

Costume Trunk
Scour thrift stores for an old trunk, or box, (we use a leather suit case,) fill it with dress up clothes. Cowboy hats, leather vests, sequin dance outfits, bridesmaid dresses, beads, bags, high heeled shoes, scarves, felt hats, army jackets, coonskin caps, doctor coat & stethoscope, pirate clothes… Dad get something fun for mom…

Readers Corner
Get a good kid sized chair. Include an afghan and stack of books tied with a big red ribbon. Include classics like: The Cat In the Hat, Go Dog Go, The Carrot Seed, Where the Wild Things Are, The Snowy Day, Harold and the Purple Crayon... Or opt for a small bookcase or basket full of books.

Carpenters Box
Fill a box with an assortment of different sized wood pieces, ends, and metal trinkets. Include a hammer and nails and for a treat... some paint.

Instant Tea Party
Fill a basket with garage sale teapot , cup and saucers, teaspoons, cloth napkins, a fancy hat and pair of gloves. Include a box of cookies, lemonade mix or tea bags, and most importantly a box of sugar cubes.

Play Dough
An assortment of cans of play dough, a bunch of cookie cutters, a rolling pin, a garlic press and egg slicer will be a big hit.

Bakers Bowl
In a mixing bowl package, an apron, wooden spoon, measuring cups & spoons, cake or brownie mix, cookie recipe, can of frosting, food coloring, cookies cutters, candles, and lots of decorative sprinkles.

For the Birds
A cedar birdhouse, bag of birdseed, mesh onion bag and suet, a big sunflower head, and an inexpensive bird book will acquaint you with a wide variety of new friends. Keep feeders full as birds become dependant on them for survival in the colder climates.

Play Store
Assemble a small grocery cart with toy fruits, and foods, some empty household tins and boxes, a play cash register filled with toy money.

Dollhouse
Create a heirloom. Purchase a dollhouse kit. Assemble it as a family. Your daughter will learn how to decorate, arrange furniture, and shop on a budget, preparing her for the real thing. Our kids love playing with my old dollhouse.

Flowers In the Winter?
In a terra cotta pot separately bag: pea sized gravel, flower bulbs such as, narcissus, hyacinths, or daffodils and instructions for forcing.

Instructions: Fill pot with gravel. Set bulbs root end down. Fill gravel with water and put in a dark, cool place. Keep water to gravel line. Watch for growth. After a few weeks bring the plant bud to a sunny window and enjoy.