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I know it's too early to be thinking about Christmas, but…
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My husband and I were wanting to do some things differently this year. Aside from a desire to escape all of the commercialism of the season, we are really tired of giving the kids gifts that we “know they will love” and it gets played with or used for 5 minutes…and at the thrift store 5 months later after we get irritated that it is just taking up space. My kids just don’t play with “things” aside from blocks and a few dolls with my youngest (and we have plenty of those). They play with each other, they play outside, exploring, climbing… We were thinking of having more of an “experience” this year, like maybe taking a trip which we don’t often take…but what to do for a winter trip?…something educational…something fun…something not too expensive…does anyone have any ideas? We are in Georgia, my kids willbe 5, 7 and 9 around Christmas time.
Thanks for helping me think ahead!
Here are a couple of suggestions;
Are there any indoor water parks in your area? What about historical places? A trip to a planetarium is something I want to do with my kids.
Just a few ideas…
Williamsburg, VA
Charleston, SC
West Virginia for skiing
Somewhere in Florida (besides Disney World)
New England
I used some of children’s birthday money from a family member to buy annual memberships to the zoo and the local botannical garden….both have recipricol memberships to other zoos or gardens in our region so when we go on vacation we can go to most of the local zoos or gardens for free…..to me that’s a gift that keeps on giving. And since my dc are only 5&3, I remind them when we go which family member gave us money that was used for the membership so hopefully they learn to see each fun visit as a gift from that person. I too HATE that I am giving away or consigning most of their toys just such a short time after they were given to us……..but our other family, while very loving, likes to spend lots of money buying “new” clothes and toys……I am thankful for their love and heart for the gifts, but would rather our dc have a few lasting quality toys or classic videos and the money be saved for another pupose.
I love the idea of an annual membership to a zoo, planetarium, etc. We did that one year when the cost of admitting our whole family to Science World was more than a year membership. Great idea and you can go again and again..
We’re doing the waterpark idea for Christmas this year. We’ve been putting money back in a jar all year for a one or two night stay, depending on how much is actually in the jar. I’m with you. No toys to lay around this year. Family memories to cherish.
I second Williamsburg! If you are going in December, its lovely there that time of year. There is so much history and beautiful country all around that area.
Melissa
A couple of years ago we wanted to do the same thing and planned a trip to Florida with my parents. Just an old fashioned Christmas, no frills. They rented the house for a month and went down early and just about 3 days before we were due to leave they informed us that the weather was terrible and they were coming home. So no gifts purchased, no tree, no decorations…what to do? We went out as a family and got a real tree decorated it Charlie Brown style with the ornaments where the kids wanted them not neatly arranged like a Martha Stewart magazine. We gave the kids $50 a piece (4 of them from 3 to 14) and drew names. It was so much fun to let them decide what to get each other and for us to just get out of the way. The other benefit was that everyone thought we were out of town so we had no obligations and we truly did have a memorable Christmas with our children.
I like the Williamsburg idea but I have a five and nine year old as well and not sure they would appreciate it yet. I have to say they love the Great Wolf Lodge.
It is not to early. I have been thinking about this the past 2 weeks. We won’t be doing a trip since hubby will probably be gone, but I always want them to love what we buy and not just give it up a few days later.
I just moved to Georgia, so aside from visiting Savannah about 9 years ago, Atlanta 10 or so years ago and Orlando 11 years ago I don’t know a lot about the area.
I do know there is a “shark tooth” beach in Florida that you can apparently walk and find them easily. We have been wanting to visit there for about 3 years!
This is not educational, but we like to visit Stone Mtn. at Christmas! They have a Christmas train w/ singing, lights everywhere, hot chocolate, an outside fire to warm up, shows, and a parade. Last yr it wasn’t all that crowded. Best of all they tell the Christmas story, The Gift, when the train stops in a fake town called Sleepy Hollow. So much fun!So far we have been 2 times for Christmas..and my plans are to do it again this yr!
Also, renting a cabin in N. Ga is always nice! Again, not educational..unless you do some nature study in the winter! 🙂
I know you mentioned NOT expensive…understand that..but we did go to Disney one yr for an early Christmas. The first wk in Dec…when it is not crowded. It is a very very magical experience. And you can usually get an owner to make a good deal for you from vrbo.com. I found a 5 BR house w/ game room and pool for less than a hotel room! Just pick out your fav houses and email each one asking if they can make a deal for you! Some are very willing due to one the economy, and two so many places availabe in Orlando they are happy to have someone rent their place! If you don’t want to do Disney, you could do Sea World. Then again, we are talking some $$! Last yr, Sea World offered buy 1 Adult get 1 Child’s ticket for $5! We didn’t go..but wanted to!
HTH! What fun to plan a get away!!
Thanks for all of these wonderful ideas! I think we’ve finally settled on Gulf Shores, AL. There is an alligator rescue farm, plenty of shells to collect and we’ll even be able to take a ferry to Dauphin Island where they have a marine biology center and the kids can take a tour and see some “Swimming Creatures” up close since that’s what we’re doing for Apologia this year. Anyone out there familiar with Gulf Shores? What else am I missing?
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