Presents that aren't stuff!

[Flowersonthewall]

So we need to reduce the amount of plastic tat and try to reduce our impact on the planet. What ideas do people have for presents that aren't 'stuff' but can still give the kids a sense of bulging stocking on Christmas morning! Oh and reasonably priced too! Great idea is gift days but not when a day at the zoo costs £80 

This is exactly what I'm after too op! I just face the thought of more tat being brought into house. I was thinking of cinema vouchers but putting into a movie hamper. Also maybe a show at local theatre? The experience days look good, but there are none near us so would be even more £££ to travel.

Do you have a rough budget in mind?

In our stockings Father Christmas always leaves a cinema voucher, popcorn and sweets for a festive day out. Plus socks, pants, treat from lush (shampoo bars are ace)... etc

Well it kind of depends what you mean by "stuff" tbh, I mean stuff can describe anything. If you mean no toys for example then I think that's a struggle if you have young dc.

I would say avoid cheaply made toys that will end up in landfill within weeks because they've broken and go for items that give good play value, can be added to over the years to keep them relevant and when outgrown are still suitable to be passed on to other children. Things like duplo/lego/happyland/dolls houses/play kitchens etc for young dc. Yes they may be made from plastic but that doesn't mean they have to end up in landfill.

Days out or tickets to a show are great of course but as you say they can be expensive and are after all a single use gift.

I'm assuming you have smaller children?
When dd was younger and at the growing-out-of-things stage she always got a new dressing gown for Christmas. Obviously something we would have bought her anyway, but you can get lovely wintery ones and it's a nice thing to un-wrap on Christmas morning.

Books are always good - for little ones I'd consider good quality second hand from ebay / abebooks (less impact + many more books for your ££s).
Playmobil & lego again can be bought in perfect condition second hand if you wish and in any event will go on to another child when yours has outgrown it (or wait for grandchildren!)

Actually I think the hardest stage is tweens/young teens. Children at the toy stage are pretty easy as above. Older teenagers (I've got a 16 y/o) don't want plastic tat even if they can be hard to buy for.

It's that intermediate 10-14 kind of age I found harder. We got dd bits of furniture a couple of times (gamer beanbag chair for example - still in daily use), and nicer clothes than she could have afforded or we would have bought as day-to-day purchases.

Vouchers for soft play, cinema, zoo?

NT or EH .membership if you live close to attractions.

how old are your children? have you looked in the website babipur ? it's all ethical mostly wooden toys all really open ended and can be used for lots of things. They also have a Facebook group and they resell second hand on there. Lush bath bombs always go down well. As well as craft things , could you get tickets to a show or a yearly pass for a attraction they live but to be honest with young children I think you need to get some actual presents even if you do it second hand

I’m doing movie hampers (not for my own dc, as they don’t watch films). I will be gifting more consumable items, the dc are getting posh marshmallows and some Japanese sweets in their stocking along with the usual fluffy socks, lip balm and stationary which they use for school.

The only plastic toys will be Lego as it’s indestructable and can be handed down. I refuse to buy ant plastic tat play sets this year (shopkins, hot wheels, etc..) as it usually ends up broken and then in landfill.

Lidl and Aldi have lots of wooden toys at the moment. Unsure how old your dc are, sadly mine are too old for the wooden toys but they look amazing.

Also trying to reduce and be more ecologically responsible.

In stockings I give

edibles (sweets I wouldn’t normally buy, chocolate coins, an orange, maybe a chocolate Santa)

Clothing - funky socks, t-shirt, hat, scarf, gloves.

Bath products - bath bomb, funky soap, bubble bath

Stationery- whatever they are running low on for school.

In terms of toys I compromise on stuff like lego and collectibles that have good second hand value, as they will eventually be reused. And if I can get it second hand then all the better.

I use comics, colouring books etc to bulk out the stocking.

Thank you! Some great ideas here my dc are 2, 6 and 8 so a range of ages! Will have a look into all the suggestions. I'm trying to buy a lot second hand mainly because I can't afford to buy lots of stuff new but also as there is a lot out there in great condition!

Stockings in our house tend to be consumables or nicer/fun versions of things they would need anyway. DS is only 4 so things like a character toothbrush, character bubble bath, character cutlery etc (I am mean and hate character things so he knows it must be Santa). DSS is 18 and gets posh stationery supplies for his uni course, nice shower gel and skin care products, extra long lightning cables etc.

I'd also add Sylvanian families to the lego/playmobil suggestions as being nice enough to hold onto for the next generation.

Keep an eye out on groupon and similar websites. I’ve just brought massively discounted tickets to my local trampoline park - they’re valid for 4 months so will be a great treat in the New Year.
What about putting together a cooking kit or gardening kit?

I'm aiming to fill our stockings entirely from charity shops. I started looking last week and have found some great things already. I don't mind buying plastic tat that is already in existence, it's buying brand new I don't like.

I usually give my kids a special day out with mum/ dad... That way it's not too expensive if it is an attraction & and the kids love to have one parent all to themselves!
Things we have done are mud walking (with 3 year old DS) Viking Day at local castle, art gallery, botanical gardens, ... always finishing off with a visit to a burger joint!

We used to give the younger dc a magazine that we would not normally buy, like Beano for example. From about 7 we gave them a subscription to a 'better class' of magazine (). Like First News, Geographic Kids, How It Works, etc. One of ours is keen on nature and ecology, so gets an RSPB subscription, which comes with a regular magazine.

Always nice things to eat in the stocking - doesn't have to be just sweets. When I hear the delighted squeak, I know dd has reached the packet of Japanese rice crackers!

In my ds stocking I normally put in some christmassy bath things, bath bomb, puff etc. I put in Christmas themed chocolates, Stationary. I've got a mini globe puzzle that can be used as a Christmas decoration. Personalised Christmas decorations that can be used every year. Bubbles. Mini books. I'm definitely going to put in a cinema voucher this year as I always take ds so I know he will love that.