Christmas is just over one month away and I haven’t bought a single gift yet. I know many of you are far more organized than me and have already started shopping. Some of you are way, way more organized than me and have probably finished your shopping. But this year, I am determined to do things a little differently.

Every year I say we are going to cut down on gifts, and every year by the time grandparents, aunts, uncles, and of course Santa are finished gift giving…there are a ton of toys under the tree. Frankly, it’s too much and more often than not, it’s too much PLASTIC. This year I am going to try very hard to cut down on the number of THINGS the kids receive, and instead make it more about EXPERIENCES. Don’t get me wrong, my kids will still receive a toy or two or maybe a book from Santa off their Christmas list, but when it comes to presents from the family I’m going to try and stay away from plastic as much as possible.

So, I have put some thought into some of the great Ottawa “experiences” you could gift your child (or give as an idea for a relative to gift), and a few wonderful local businesses worth supporting when you go to buy items for your kids.

Museum Memberships

We have so many amazing museums in Ottawa and a membership to any one of them makes for a wonderful gift that keeps on giving all year long!

• Museum of History – this membership also gets you into the Children’s Museum and War Museum.
• Ingenium Membership – this membership gets you into the Museum of Agriculture (experimental farm), the Science and Technology Museum and the Aviation and Space Museum…plus it gives you access into hundreds of other museums and science centres across North America!
• Museum of Nature – this museum is another great one for kids of all ages, and the membership always gets you into the special exhibits with no charge (such as the awesome Butterflies in Flight exhibit).
• National Gallery of Canada – this museum membership could be wonderful for a budding artist in the family. Plus they run some awesome weekend craft and special activities for children aged 12 and under.

Places the Kids Can Burn Energy

It is wonderful to have a membership or a gift certificate to some of the play places, gyms and physical activities in the Ottawa area where your kids can go and burn off energy – particularly in the cold winter months.

• Play Centres – Cosmic Adventures, Bubblesea Adventures, Kids Kingdom, FunHaven, Gym Tale, My Gym, Monkey Around and Wild Child Coffee Project (where you can get an awesome coffee while your young child plays) are some examples of the great play areas and gyms where you can purchase a membership or gift certificate to give as a present (hot tip: when I last checked there was a group on for Fun Haven dollars and half price membership at Monkey Around..worth checking if it’s still there!)
• Trampoline Parks – a lot of fun for kids from toddler to teens, this is another one worth looking for on Groupon, as I’ve often seen deals at XTreme Trampoline Park or Flying Squirrel.
• Climbing Gyms – do you have a monkey who likes to climb? Kids of all ages can find something to do at Altitude Gym , but it’s probably best if you child is age 5 and over. There are locations in Kanata and Gatineau.
• City of Ottawa Programs and Drop Ins – The City of Ottawa offers gift certificates that can be used towards dance classes, sports, public skates and swims. A great idea for guaranteeing family time together.

Magazine Subscriptions

A few Christmases ago my sister in law (who lives across the country) started gifting my two oldest kids a magazine subscription. Now, every Christmas she renews it. My kids LOVE getting their magazines in the mail every month and there are some really, really great ones out there (and super inexpensive too).

• Chirp/Chickadee/Owl Magazine – you probably remember these from your youth..well they still make them and they are awesome! My 4 year old daughter Rowan receives Chirp, while my 6 year old Lucas son receives Chickadee and when he outgrows that he can get Owl. There are jokes, trivia, short stories, crafts and more in every edition.
• National Geographic Kids – my son Lucas also has a subscription to this magazine (a gift from his grandpa), and he LOVES it. They are so interesting and informative. I recommend for kids aged 5-12 especially.

Other Great Ideas (if I do say so myself)

• Tickets to a play/concert – Ottawa has some great programming at our local theatres, concert halls. It is worth checking what is coming up at venues such as the Meridian Theatre at Centrepointe (which has shows like Llama Llama live, and Anne of Green Gables the Ballet coming up…you can also buy a theatre membership) or the Shenkman Arts Centre. You could also look into tickets to Disney on Ice which is coming to Ottawa in March.
• Tickets to a sports event – a lot of kids would LOVE to receive tickets to an Ottawa Senators, Ottawa 67s or Ottawa Redblacks game. There are a lot of affordable seat deals on, and you can make it an outing your kid will be talking about for a long time.
• Movie Passes – this is a great gift and idea for a stocking stuffer. What kid doesn’t love hitting up the cinema? Costco sells gift certificates to Cineplex that include a popcorn, drink and candy for a child/adult for an awesome low price. This is an easy one to give or receive.
• Park Omega Passes – Park Omega in Montebello, Quebec is a one hour drive away and so, so, worth it. It is SO much fun for the whole family and worth visiting this Canadian animal safari at any time of the year.
• 123 Petit Pas Gift Card – local mama Amy is the creator and teacher of this awesome French program 123 Petit Pas for babies/children and their parents. I have had the joy of attending a class. Programs are offered all over the city.
• The Gift of Child Proofing – maybe you have a new baby and the relatives want to get them something for Christmas. Maybe suggest something practical and potentially life saving, like the gift of child proofing your home! Local company Gate Maven will come and do a free consult of how to make your house baby safe, and then install whatever you need. I had them come and check through my house, and highly recommend!

The Gift of Time

Ultimately, the best gift for your kids is getting to spend time with you or the extended family and friends they love. For my kids last birthday, my sister treated them to a “day of fun”. They got to go with their Auntie and do mini golf, go carts, video games and get McDonalds Happy Meals. For them, it was the best day ever. Almost one year later and they will still talk about it. So, rather than buying your kids something, perhaps encourage family to plan a day, or afternoon or evening to spend with your child doing something that will make a memory together.

And if you are looking to buy other items for your kids, perhaps check out the many amazing local makers we have in and around Ottawa first. I recommend checking out some of the upcoming holiday craft fairs, particularly the Baby Mama Hustle Market which is coming up on November 24 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne. I shopped at the last Baby Mama Hustle Market back in the summer and I was SUPER impressed by the quality of the products provided by dozens of local makers (the most adorable baby and toddler clothes and accessories especially…such great stocking stuffer ideas).

Hopefully I have helped give you a few ideas…good luck shopping and most importantly, MERRY CHRISTMAS!