Family focused, eco friendly , ideas to celebrate Christmas

Okay last time I threw out ideas for activities to do as a family. This time I am going to focus on more eco friendly gifts that don't require a lot of wrapping paper, and will not take up a lot of space. Gift that keep giving .... and giving : memberships and subscriptions.

Christmas gifts Part 2:

-membership to AAA. Roadside assistance, plus discounts on hotels, airfare, rental cars etc. This is great for the single lady, a military wife, maybe an older couple , or anyone who likes to travel a lot.

-membership to an Association of Science and Technology museum. A yearlong family membership to our local museum is only $75. Galleries and planetarium shows are free with membership. IMAX movies are only $2. per person. Plus there is a great little thing called reciprocity. It means that my family can also go to any other AS&T museum for FREE!. There are hundreds of these in the US and some in other countries as well. So rainy day for vacation go the museum, family tags along for dad's business trip; go to the museum during the day. Family fun and its educational.

-membership to the zoo Pretty much the same thing as above. Most of these have reciprocity with at least some zoos though you might not get in for free. There are also special deals for members. We had a membership to the Columbus Zoo for one year and went up for their members' only opening night of the Christmas season displays. Model railroads, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, lights display, life size cartoon character, and feeding reindeer. It was a great family trip.

-For a couple who likes culture try season tickets to the symphony or ballet. If there is a family friend theater production buy one time tickets for the whole family. If the kids are smaller though, you might just want to offer babysitting services. Perhaps even go with another family and they can offer babysitting and you could buy the tickets.

-If the family or couple is more into sports try season tickets for a local sports team.

-For the family who likes to read, try magazine subscriptions. There are usually grade school kids selling them in Sept or Oct for a reduced rate as part of a fundraiser. These are great because they receive a gift at least 6 times over the next year. If you order several different magazines they can then take turns reading each others for an added benefit. My kids love it when they have magazine subscriptions. They literally knocked the postman over one day when he was delivering their National Geographic. Even my 9 yr old who is not a big reader loves the magazines because it interests him, and its an easy read. He also loves gifts, and mail. I love to see him excited about reading.

-fruit of the month club, yes I know it was an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond which was based on a true story. Personally though fruit is healthy and my whole family loves it. Maybe not an ideal gift for everyone but for those who are into health food or just really love fruit it might not be a bad idea.

next Part 3 homemade gifts
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, Family focused eco friendly, fun ways to celebrate Christmas

Halloween is over so it is officially Christmas season right? So in a small effort to thwart the mass buying of trinkets, gifts, and other items which will probably be laid on a shelf (or closet) and forgotten; I have developed a list of ways to celebrate the season without taking out a small loan or stressing yourself trying to find that elusive " perfect" gift.

Part 1

- Have a bunch of kids on your list? Take them ( and older siblings , and parents) to Chuck E. Cheese. Use online coupons and it can cost you less than $10 per person.

- Have a basement or family room in your house? Invite all your friends for a party. Have Merry Christmas Charlie Brown showing in the family room, while the adults can watch an adult Christmas movie in the living room. Have simple crafts for the kids, lots of yummy Christmas goodies, play Christmas charades, sing carols. The idea is to make memories, spend quality time with people, give the gift of yourself. Of course it is vital to take LOTS of pictures. If you are really into this, create a small collage or photo album for each family that attended. I promise they will treasure that night for a long time.

-If you are really adventurous invite your nieces/ nephews/ grand kids, etc for an all night sleepover. ( This would also double as a present for their parents!) If you have a fireplace let them roast marshmallows. Make some Rice Krispie Treats , or brownies together. Buy some sugar cookie dough and let the kids go to town decorating with sprinkles. icing, cookie cutters etc. Have a pillow fight in the bedroom. ( Suggestion- move all breakable items to another room first). Take turns reading Christmas stories aloud. About an hour before you are ready to crash, stick an old black and white Christmas movie. They should fall asleep in short order.

-Take your immediate family to a homeless shelter that includes kids and throw a Christmas party for them. Find simple ideas for Christmas crafts and help them make them. Teach the kids a few Christmas carols. Play some fun Christmas games and talk about the meaning behind a lot of Christmas symbols and traditions. ( Check out The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel for some great ideas). Bring some homemade popcorn balls or chocolate covered pretzels to give out to the kids.

- Practice some old fashioned Christmas carols and go caroling through your neighborhood. Don't like being outside? Try caroling at a nursing home instead.


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