Happy Holiday Season! Today I’m sharing 10 of my favorite gifts centered around family experiences and travel, story-telling and change-making. I like the idea of gifting experiences over things – or at least making sure those “things” can be used to create experiences, memories or recall them in some way.

Everything on this list, I’ve either used or I have gifted to someone. (Some of these links contain affiliates or referrals which do not affect your purchase in any way).

1. StoryWorth

Last year, I purchased a subscription to StoryWorth for my mom’s birthday and my whole family has LOVED reading her weekly stories. With a subscription, the recipient gets a weekly emailed story prompt – questions you’ve never thought to ask – that they respond to and at the end of the year, the stories are bound in a beautiful hardcover book. You can also submit original questions or choose from a library of questions, include photos in the responses and have the responses emailed to your chosen list of family and friends . My mom has shared with me – numerous times – that it is one of the best gift she has ever received. I have laughed, cried and everything in-between while reading her weekly stories too. In fact, I love it so much, we got a subscription for my mother-in-law and now I want to give one to everyone I know. It is such a beautiful way to share stories and experiences for generations.

You can receive $10 off of your StoryWorth subscription by using my referral link (and if there is a better deal running – the link will include that too).

 

2. Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal

I gifted Q&A A Day: 5-year Journal to my brother for his 40^th birthday and he and his wife answer the questions together. It is a small, hardback book that poses a new daily question and space to answer it four more times as the years go on. It is great for couples or teenagers, college students or even kids. Also, once completed, I think it would be great gift to share with a parent, child or grandchild.

 

3. Faber-Castell Paint-by-Number Museum Series

 

I love teaching my girls about artists and works of art and the Faber-Castell Paint-by-number museum kits allow them to create some famous masterpieces themselves. The kits are easy and fun for kids and each one teaches a bit about the artist and method. Plus, they are great to display around the house! Also, they are good to use before visiting an art museum with kids to talk about artists and mediums. (p.s. Check out other my other ideas for visiting art museums with kids).

 

4. FORAI Jewelry

FORAI (Friends Of Refugees And Immigrants) is based in St. Louis and is a non-profit that supports refugee and immigrant women as they begin home-based businesses with the production of amazing jewelry and accessories. I purchased a necklace from FORAI earlier this year with the name of the maker on the tag. I love any and all products and businesses that do good and FORAI most certainly fits that criteria with beautiful things.

 

5. Me: A Compendium: Journal for Kids

I bought Me: A Compendium for my middle daughter last year and it is a favorite, for sure. Me: A Compendium is a fill-in-the-blank journal that is creative, thoughtful and beautifully designed. My daughter loves working in hers and I love reading it when she shares it with me. It’s a perfect book to take along on a trip too.

 

6. Local Memberships, Passes or Tickets

I like to discover local art museums, botanical gardens, zoos or theaters and give passes or memberships to family or friends in that area. Here in Nashville, my favorite family-friendly memberships are Cheekwood, The Frist Center, Nashville Children’s Theatre & The Nashville Zoo.

 

7. World Travelers Cork Globe

We have a beloved push pin map where the rule is “You can only pin when all 5 have been” meaning our whole family has to have visited the spot. My girls love adding pins after family trips. Similarly, this cork globe is unique and encourages wanderlust and family adventure in a tangible way.

 

8. Little Voices are Loud Changemaker Box

Little Voices are Loud Changemaker Boxes are amazing tools to guide your kids on tough topics and engage them to use their voices to create good and become changemakers for life. Each box comes fully equipped with all the materials to connect your child with one of their Impact Partners. A local friend referred this company to me and as a mom who strives to teach and model changemaking for my kids, I think this company is incredible.

 

9. TABLETOPICS

We were gifted a set of Family Dinner Games when the girls were toddlers and they still pull them out regularly. I love how they encourage discussion and laughter around the dinner table. Last year I discovered TABLETOPICS and I frequently gift them to friends and family to encourage lively family dinner conversations. I often package them with fun candles or napkins to provide all they need for fun-filled family dinners but the TABLETOPICS cards would be fun to take on family road trips too!

10. Bravery Magazine Subscription

Started by two moms, Bravery Magazine is a quarterly print publication for girls and boys that features strong female role models. I supported the Bravery Magazine Kickstarter campaign earlier this year and received the inaugural issue & my whole crew adores it. It is beautiful, educational and great quality. I also love their mission “that empowering children through stories of other brave women will help them become their own kind of brave.” (p.s. we are so excited about the next issue which will be focused on astronaut, Mae Jemison)

 

What are some of your favorite gifts this holiday season? Are you traveling with kids? If so, be sure to check out my list of great travel activities for kids too.