I absolutely love living in the south, but it may come as a surprise that one of the reasons why I love living in the south is the snow. True, we don’t get much snow here in Greenville, SC, but I think that the snow we do get is absolutely perfect. Here are my reasons why I love southern snow:
In Greenville, as long as there is at least a little bit of a dusting on the road and a little bit of ice somewhere (it doesn’t actually have to be a road anyone uses) the entire city practically shuts down. Don’t get me wrong, the grocery store will still be open but the types of things that you would rather get out of such as work and school are almost always canceled for the day.
Well, actually, you might still be “required” to go to work. But, it’s typically okay to pull out the “my kids are out of school”, “I can’t get out of my driveway”, or “there is ice on my road” excuses if you would rather stay home and warm.
2. Everyone plays.
When it snows down south, the entire neighborhood (adults included) bundles up for play outside. You will always find everyone on the nearest hill. Our neighborhoods are typically dotted by small snowmen that last after the rest of the snow is melted.
3. No one expects you to shovel.
We don’t spend money on expensive snow plows and many people don’t own snow shovels. Since everything is closed, you aren’t expected to spend time shoveling your driveway or sidewalks unless they pose an immediate hazard.
4. The snow never stays long enough to get old.
Our snowfalls typically leave only an 1-3 inches of coverage on the ground, and usually our snow melts almost entirely within 24 hours. While we all wish the snow would stay longer, I suspect we only wish that because the snow doesn’t stay longer.
5. Southerners celebrate snow.
Southerners truly celebrate snow. At the first mention of a snow forecast, we drive to the store to pick up sleds and stock our pantries with food (just in case). If the flurries actually start (usually they don’t), we start posting on social media and calling each other. Our families gather by the windows and run outside to experience every flake.
And, then we write about it like right now, when we are nice and warm inside having had our fill of fun (and cold).
What are your favorite things to do in the snow? We saw this one on social media and think we need to give it a try this year!
Are you looking for things to do this winter with your kids in Greenville? You can find all the information that you need and more here on Kidding Around Greenville. We have free things to do from hikes to museums, winter markets, places to hit the slopes, things to do indoors and so much more!
We love free things to do in Greenville and we know our readers do, too! Here’s a list of things to do in Greenville that won’t cost a dime. And, we’ve included a section of some low-cost things to do. These are things that will cost a family of 4 $20 or less to do.
Downtown Greenville’s outdoor ice skating rink, Ice on Main is open through January 15th, 2024. Rent some skates and enjoy this time-honored winter activity in beautiful Downtown Greenville, SC.
Winter is a great time to go for a hike near Greenville! Avoid the unpleasant heat and humidity of a summer hike, and discover the views hiding behind the leaves on the trees now that they’ve fallen to the ground.
Ever wonder what it is like to ice skate on the same rink as professional hockey players? This is your chance! On select dates throughout December, you can lace up your ice skate and skate on the rink at Bon Secour Wellness Arena! They also have Skate Roll and Stroll ADA sessions available twice in December.
While there might not be snow on the ground here in Greenville, nearby there are several places where you can enjoy winter on the snowy slopes for tubing and skiing.
Hunt out some frozen waterfalls in nearby Western North Carolina. Make a day of it with this Waterfall Driving Tour of WNC. See all these waterfalls without any hiking. This tour is a Kidding Around staff and reader favorite day trip adventure.
Visit a Park with a Sunny Playground
Sunny parks are ideal for winter fun and helping burn off energy. Here’s a list of Greenville’s Sunny Parks. They’re bright and sunny, so they’re great when the weather is a little cool.
It may be winter, but there are still lots of fresh veggies, meat, dairy products, and more available in the update. Visit the Toast Farmer and indoor farmer’s market for your winter supply of local foods straight from the farmer.
Wintertime consignment sales are your chance to prep your child’s closet for warmer weather. Here’s a list of Greenville area consignment sales to put on your calendar.
Book one of these cozy mountain vacation rentals. Bring some hot cocoa, and a good book, and maybe you’ll even get some snow. With all the amenities at these rentals, like fireplaces, pool tables, and hot tubs, we don’t think you’ll mind getting snowed in!
If you’re looking for something to do indoors in Greenville, you’ve just hit the jackpot. Here’s our giant list of things to do indoors in Greenville. No matter the weather, these are great options.
There are a lot of things to do indoors, but sometimes when you have a little one in tow, choosing an appropriate activity can be a little challenging. Here’s a list of things to do indoors in Greenville for families with preschool-aged kids.
Looking for special times at your favorite venues just for little ones to roam? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a round-up of local tot time programs including local gyms, trampoline parks, art studios, and more!
One place to hide away from the rain or cold is a great gym. The gyms in this list are reader-recommended for being family friendly with features like child care, parent and child classes, pools, parent’s night out, and more.
What is your favorite thing to do during the winter in Greenville?
Need ideas for things to do this winter break? Greenville and Upstate students are out of school for the next couple of weeks, so we’ve put together a huge list of over 50 things in the Upstate that you can do with your kids during the winter break. You’ll find fun activities, day trip ideas, and ways to have a great time while keeping your kids busy while school is out.
If you have any more suggestions for any activities for kids that will keep them busy while school is out let us know in the comments! This list contains affiliate links and may include non-paid mentions of KAG sponsors.
Be mesmerized by the Biltmore Estate during the winter season.
This indoor play place is three stories tall and is perfect for a winter day.
Check out our Indoor Guide for ideas of indoor play and fun!
Load the kids in the car, queue up your favorite holiday music playlist, and take a driving tour of local light displays before they are all taken down.
Looking for some holiday family fun? The holiday laser shows at Roper Mountain Science Center take place in their planetarium. These shows are full of festive music, holiday graphics, lights and holiday cheer. We sent a local mom to check out the show and asked her a few questions about her experience and what her family thought of the show. Here’s a local mom review of RMSC’s Holiday Laser Show.
Thanks to the Roper Mountain Science Center for providing tickets to make this review possible!
Looking for more holiday things to do in Greenville? Don’t miss our Holiday Guide to Greenville. It’s loaded with events, things to do, Santa sightings, holiday lights, shopping and more!
About the Holiday Laser Shows at Roper Mountain Science Center
We sent local mom and KAG graphic designer, Darah, to check out a holiday laser show at Roper Mountain Science Center. After her visit we asked her questions about her experience. Here’s what she said:
KAG: What is a laser show? Darah: A laser projection show that is choreographed to music.
KAG: What show did you go to? Darah: The Holiday Wonderland showing
KAG: Did you bring your kids? What ages are they? Darah: Yes, the kids I brought were 6, 8, and 12
KAG: What kind of music was played? Darah: Holiday classics such as Rudolph, Frosty, Jingle Bells, Blue Christmas, Little St. Nick, Carol of the Bells
KAG: Lasers are super cool but could be scary to kids sometimes. How did your kids react? Did you notice the reactions of other kids attending? Darah: They were in awe. They are super bright and very fast. KAG Addition: The light show is recommended for children 5 and older. Children with sensory sensitivities may be overwhelmed by the lights and sound of this show. Parents should consider this before attending.
KAG: Pretend to be Goldilocks – was the music too loud, too soft, or just right? Darah: Just right
KAG: Had you ever been to the planetarium before? Was the show what you expected? Why or why not? Darah: I have not been. The energy and variety of the songs they illustrated was great. My favorite was the Snow Miser with dancing penguins. I wish there were a little less of the cartoon-y graphics and more of the rotating and spinning graphics. The graphics were geared more towards kids.
KAG: RMSC cautions that children under 5 probably won’t be comfortable or enjoy the show. Is it geared more towards older kids and adults? Darah: I think the graphics are better for kids. I do think kids under five would be overwhelmed and have a hard time sitting through it.
KAG: How long are the laser shows? Darah: about 40 minutes
KAG: Are there cartoons or graphics in the show or is it all lasers flashing around? Darah: There are all kinds of cartoon graphics and moving characters.
RMSC Holiday Laser Show
Want to check out a holiday laser show? You can choose from two shows: A Trans Siberian Christmas and Holiday Wonderland. Check out the schedule below and then purchase tickets for RMSC Laser show online. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. The ticket cost is $8 per person per show. Member ticket cost is $4 per person per show.
Friday, December 13, 2024 4:30 pm: Holiday Magic 6:00 pm: Nutcracker Fantasy 7:30 pm: Trans Siberian Christmas
Saturday, December 14, 2024 4:30 pm: Nutcracker Fantasy 6:00 pm: Trans Siberian Christmas 7:30 pm: Holiday Magic
Friday, December 20, 2024 4:30 pm: Nutcracker Fantasy 6:00 pm: Holiday Magic 7:30 pm: Trans Siberian Christmas 9:00 pm: Holiday Magic
Saturday, December 21, 2024 4:30 pm: Holiday Magic 6:00 pm: Nutcracker Fantasy 7:30 pm: Holiday Magic 9:00 pm: Trans Siberian Christmas
We invite you to vote on the 2024 Best Decorated House in the Upstate! Any house included on our driving tours (including those listed outside of the tours) is eligible.
Step #1: Nomination. We require a nomination for a home to be listed on our voting ballot. All nominations must include a photo or video to be accepted on the voting ballot. Nominations must be received by December 3rd.
Step #2 Voting. The Voting Stage is from December 5-21. You may vote once per day. The top home and finalist will be chosen based on number of votes.
All nominations & votes before December 11 will be entered into a giveaway for 4 tickets to The Lost Christmas Eve with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra performed at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on December 13 at 4 pm. A winner will be chosen and notified by email. They will have 24 hours to claim their prize.
Looking for the coolest shops in Greenville, SC to buy your next gift? While the holiday season is the prime shopping season, it’s not enough just to focus on shopping locally. We love to support our local businesses all year because special occasions happen every month – birthdays, anniversaries, and other holidays.
But, how in the world do you sort through the many local businesses to find that perfect gift? We have put together for you this list of over 75 local businesses, many of them being gift shops Greenville, SC residents love. Have fun and shop locally!
Local Shops in Spartanburg, SC: Want to shop locally in Spartanburg, SC? Here’s a list of great locally-owned shops from clothing and books to plants and soaps.
Want to really shop local? Support makers, vendors, and small businesses at a holiday market, vendor fair, or shopping event. There are a lot of options almost every weekend this time of year. Visit this list of Holiday Shopping Events in Upstate, SC!
Find Unique Ideas From Local Gift Shops: Greenville, SC
Most of these businesses were suggested by readers, a couple of these are advertisers and partners, and a few were submitted for the list by the business owners. Please help us add to our list by adding your favorite place in the comments.
What Type of Gift From a Local Shop Are You Needing?
Under the Carolina Moon – Boutique specializing in Southern items and monogramming. Located at 5424 Calhoun Memorial Highway, Easley, and also has an online store.
Southern Sisters Boutique – Located in Greer, Southern Sisters specializes in women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, and gift items.
Cottage Grove Gifts – This boutique in Greenville curates a variety of gifts from home decor to kitchen items to candles to purses and everything in between.
Gifts for the HGTV Fan
TR Makers Co – This shop located at 3 S. Main Street in Travelers Rest is packed with locally made artisan products, and also offers an art bar and classes.
Urban Digs– This local boutique (215 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville) is just packed with cool home decor and art. Plus there is a play area for the kids. I know that’s a selling point for me if I have to drag my kids out shopping.
Dapper Ink – With the motto “Making the World More Beautiful,” this shop sells unique screenprints and designs.
Urban Petals – This lifestyle boutique in downtown Greer features items curated for the home, gifts, plants, and Grab-N-Go bouquets.
Shoppes on Trade – This boutique in Greer is filled with local vendors, including not just decor but also confections and other gifts. They have a ton of really cute stuff for gifting. Sign me up!
Kate Carlyle – This shop on Augusta Street sells jewelry, unique home decor, stationery, and more.
The Nested Fig – This “one-of-a-kind” home decor store offers everything you need to put the finishing touches on that room.
Inside Out – Find everything you need for decorating, hostessing, and more (2131 Woodruff Rd, # 2200).
The Butter Bath – I was lucky enough to meet the founder of The Butter Bath Company, and after learning the story behind these natural body and skincare items I’m planning on trying them myself to ward off dry skin this winter. My Pick:The Butter-Up Body Butter.
The soy candles from Greenville Soy Candle Company in downtown Greenville are divine, with scents like Vanilla Lavender and Caribbean Teakwood.
If you have a vegan in your life (or just someone who wants more natural options) then lipglosses byTT Flair Lip Gloss would make an excellent gift. Plus, you’re supporting local and a young entrepreneur!
Gifts For the Foodie
Cannizzaro Famiglia – Locally-made Italian sauces made with locally sourced fresh vegetables, herbs, and no sugar added. The 3-pack is a perfect hostess gift. Find them at www.cannizzarofamiglia.com.
Reader Carlin says, “Jars of sauce from Cannizzaro sauces would be great hostess gifts and gifts for neighbors! It is made in Charlotte by some awesome people, but you can buy it locally in Greenville at Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery and in Spartanburg at Bellews Market. All three flavors (Marinara, Mushroom Marinara, and Arrabiatta) are amazing!!”
Gourmet Pecan Man – Oh my! I had one of his White Chocolate Caramel Pecan Pies the other day. It was so good that I had to sneak into the kitchen for just a little bit more.
The Ice Man Dips– My husband was in heaven trying out these dips at the Greer Arts & Eats festival, so we bought several as gifts! They offer spice blends to make outstanding dips for parties or marinades.
Split Creek Farm – Once you try Split Creek goat cheese, which has beat out cheeses from France and Italy in international competitions, and their fudge, there’s no going back. They have gift baskets you can order or pick up at the farm in Anderson.
Split Creek Farm gift basket
Due South Coffee – And for the coffee-lover, Due South Coffee has amazing options. Located at Hampton Station in Greenville.
Tandem – Every type of crepe that you can imagine from sweet to savory is made at this Travelers Rest restaurant.
Cosmic Rabbits– provides a wide tea selection (131 E McBee Avenue).
LaRue Fine Chocolate– Give the gift of delicious, handmade chocolate from this local shop in West Greenville.
Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn– Popcorn is a holiday tradition in my family, and receiving a big bucket of delicious popcorn covered in caramel will make someone love you forever!
Kate Furman Jewelry – Kate Furman’s jewelry collections are works of art, designed through the inspiration of Earth and rivers, and formed as a delicate homage to natural beauty. Find her online or at her studio downtown.
Urban Digs – @AnnesmithSC on Instagram says, “@urbandigs on Wade Hampton near Stone is a favorite of ours!“
Indigo Roots Textiles – We’ve featured this handmade clothing before. She makes all sorts of unique and cool clothing and accessories for babies and children.
Traveling Chic Boutique sells clothing, vintage cowboy boots, jewelry, and more with a selection that’s almost entirely under $100 (122 Main Street, Greenville).
If you know a highly fashionable mom, then they definitely need a gorgeous ring sling from LoveHeld to carry around their baby!
The oldest retail shop in downtown Greenville, Ayers Leather Shop has fashionista written all over it with their premium leather goods.
A Polished Man is a wonderful place to find something snazzy for the dads in your life.
Find Unique Gifts for Those Hard to Buy For
Pencil Portraits by Ashley – Ashley Brickner owns Open Art Studios downtown and is an artist herself – a talented one at that, whose exceptional skill lies in pencil portraits. Her most popular ones are those of pets!
Pencil Portraits by Ashley. Photo courtesy of Ashley Brickner.
Alberta Pottery – Having exhibited pieces from their collections at several Artisphere, the Alberta Pottery team of Jason and Erin Hall are pros are creating beautiful and unique pottery that doubles as art. Their bowls, mugs, plates, and vases are unique and captivating, each one its own creation.
Paw Paw USA– If you have a dog lover, then gift them something for their dog, they will love it!
Skyland Farms– Give the gift of grass-fed, pasture-raised local meats this season! Skyland Farms (Greer, SC) also has a store that sells other local goods.
Nyla Beans– You will find some pretty groovy and unique gifts at Nyla Beans off Pleasantburg Drive in Greenville. Most of their merchandise is hippy and free-spirited, so you can find that unique friend something to help them shine.
Shop for Gifts for the Office
Farquhar & Sons Woodshop– This shop makes beautiful wooden cutting boards and other wood products.
Swamp Rabbit Cafe – Everything is delicious from the Swamp Rabbit Cafe. They also have a great selection of handmade soaps, tea towels, pottery, and other great gift ideas.
Carolina Olive Oil carries gourmet food options which of course includes olive oil. Reader Elizabeth says, “Fabulous Gift Baskets, I’m on my second.”
Find Gifts for the Outdoor Enthusiast
Sunrift Adventures-This store in Travelers Rest calls itself “the unique outdoor shop.” You’ll find all kinds of things for the outdoor adventurer on your list.
Appalachian Outfitters– You can shop online or at their storefront off Halton Road for lots of outdoor equipment.
Calyx Outdoor Sports– Located in Piedmont, this shop has everything you need for the outdoorsy lover, for fishing, hunting, and more!
Shops With Gifts For the Bookworm
There’s pretty much nothing as cozy as a local bookstore. A gift certificate to one would provide more than just a new book but also give that bookworm an excuse to tuck themselves away in the stacks to browse.
M. Judson Books – This bookstore (130 Main Street, Greenville) specializes in literature and is located in the South.
Mr. K’s Used Books– With over 10,000 square feet of inventory, Mr. K’s has a used or new book for everyone on your list.
Books Featuring Greenville, SC
My kids always get a real kick out of reading a book that features Greenville. Here’s a couple of our favorite local books.
Hey Blue!andOh, Beautiful!are two books written by local author and illustrator Stephanie Morgan. They tell the stories of a rabbit named Blue and his adventures on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. I have read these books and they are excellent choices for your library.
Mice on Main is a classic for our area and you could include a bonus “voucher” for your kids promising to take them downtown to look for the mice.
Goodnight Greenville!follows the familiar pattern of the classic Goodnight Moon but with images and a story that takes place in Greenville. As a bonus, this book’s proceeds go straight into local charity.
Experience Gift Ideas
Forget the packages and buy a gift that doesn’t take up space or need batteries! The following recommendations came from both our readers and our staff!
The More to Explore Store at The Children’s Museum Upstate – Find apparel, educational toys, books, logo gear and much more for all ages at this local museum shop. No admission is required.
The Grey Goose – This local children’s store (17 Conestee Avenue) has been around for 28 years!
Vann and Liv – This Greenville boutique on Augusta Street sells children’s clothes at their store and online. You should check out their new holiday collections. They would make the perfect outfits for photos with Santa.
Boardwalk – Games are really for more than just kids. My husband and I count on this local store (1175 Woods Crossing Road) to help us find new and fun strategy games.
Elephant’s Trunk – A toy store on Augusta that specializes in educational toys (2222 Augusta Street #8).
OP Taylors – And, of course, we really couldn’t write this list without mentioning OP Taylors on Main Street in Greenville. I know that my kids always beg to go in there when we walk by.
Gifts for the Crafter
ReCraft Greenville– Located on Laurens Road, you can buy so many repurposed and recycled crafting supplies to build a wonderful gift for the crafter in your life!
Services as a Gift
Sometimes a person you love really just needs a break. Purchasing a service to free up their time is the perfect way to do that.
Cuddly-Critters – This locally based pet-sitting service would make the perfect spot to get a gift card to for a local pet owner.
McClain Landscaping was recommended by our readers as a great yard-service company.
Surprise a teen who wants to get that license with a set of lessons from Auto Safe Driving School.
The Garage Authority – Surprise your spouse with a transformed garage or basement space for Christmas! Enjoy a coated floor and get your cars inside for the cold winter!
Where is your favorite place to shop locally? Let us know in the comments!
Are you looking for the best Christmas towns in the South to visit over the holidays? Southern states are loaded with festive celebrations and unique holiday traditions from the mountains and foothills to coastal beach town celebrations. We gathered an awesome list of over 20 festive Christmas towns in South Carolina. But, we didn’t stop there!
North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee also have some amazing towns for Christmas celebrations. Many include everything from horse carriage rides and traditional downtowns to historic Christmas home tours.
Celebrate the holiday season at any of these southern Christmas towns. While you’ll rarely find a white Christmas here in the South, that doesn’t mean you can’t strap on those ice skates and head into a Southern winter wonderland.
Fill up on holiday spirit with light displays, Christmas carols, and a tree lighting ceremony. Now is the perfect time of year for a small-town Christmas or a giant city celebration with twinkling lights. Get that Christmas spirit bubbling at one of these southern Christmas towns.
Looking for a short trip?
Make the season even more memorable with a holiday day trip to one of these towns!
Searching for “Christmas day trips near me”? Or maybe you’re interested in taking a trip out of Greenville to enjoy the holiday spirit? There are a bunch of places you can head for the weekend or just the day to enjoy some holiday fun away from the Upstate.
Check out our list of popular destinations for day trips during the holiday season. From train rides to giant light displays and towns all decked out for Christmas, there are some fantastic ideas on this list!
If you’re looking for a longer holiday trip, check out our list of Holiday Getawaysperfect for a festive family weekend or vacation.
Want to know what’s going on in Greenville over Christmas? Just check our List of Greenville Holiday Events and Things to Do, where you can find over 75+ Holiday Events in addition to links to all of our holiday content!
Still, looking for Christmas Things to Do? Gifts to give? Ways to give back? You can find all our best Christmas content in our Holiday Guide to Greenville
Holiday Day Trips Near Upstate, SC
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC
(November 22nd, 2024 – January 5th, 2025) More than 3,000,000 lights displayed on the infield of Charlotte Speedway. Every Thursday-Sunday a Christmas Village with fire pits for roasting s’mores, a new illuminated walking trail, and Santa will be available in addition to an outdoor movie showing. Tickets are $35 (Mon-Wed) and $45 (Thurs-Sun) for a family car.
(November 27th, 2024 to December 31st, 2024) Over a million lights on the 2-mile loop of the park. Includes a laser light show, hayrides, zip-line, Santa, and even a Winter Wonder Ride. The cost varies from $25-35 depending on the date. Additional fees apply for activities.
An open-air decked-out trolley in Asheville that rides a historic railroad line. Meet Santa and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies afterward. Please note that the trolley may be not be running in 2024 due to Hurricane Helene.
(November 7, 2024 – December 31, 2024) A 1 1/4 hour train ride to the North Pole. Santa himself will board the train and present the kids with a silver bell.
(2024 dates: November 29 and 30, December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30) Enjoy a magical mountain train ride through lights and a winter wonderland. Tickets are $60/adults, $40/ages 3-12, free/kids under 2. Santa will be there and guests can ride some of the attractions at the park.
NOTE: Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, the National Gingerbread Competition at the Grove Park Inn has been canceled for 2024. View the gingerbread houses at The Grove Park Inn.
Santa on the Chimney in Chimney Rock, NC (Park closed due to Hurricane Helene damage) Watch Santa Claus climb Chimney Rock. Santa will also be available after each climb to greet guests and take photos. This event has placed as one of the top Santa sightings in the USA.
Holiday Haven in Dunwoody, Georgia Dunwoody’s destination partners also offer various events ranging from virtual activities that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your hotel room – to safe, in-person events honoring time-tested holiday traditions.
Athens, GA Winter Wonderlights (Select dates from November 25th, 2024 – January 5th, 2025) at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The half-mile fully accessible trail weaves through Candy Cane Lane, through a tunnel of lights and in between tree forest ultimately ending at the holiday market. Visitors can purchase hot coffee, cocoa and even marshmallows for roasting at specific locations along the trail. The cost is $15/person and free for kids under 3. Also, you can go Ice Skating at Akins Ford Arena .
State Botanical Garden, Courtesy of Visit Athens
Stone Mountain Christmas in Atlanta Area of Georgia (select dates November 9, 2024 – January 5, 2025) Enjoy a scenic train ride, Christmas parade, shows, Christmas lights, and lots more.
Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden (November 16, 2024 – January 12, 2025) This massive light display includes colored orbs, model trains, and a glittery rainforest.
Plan a Holiday Day Trip to Pigeon Forge, TN
Winterfest in Pigeon Forge, TN (November 7, 2024 – February 16, 2025) This could be a great weekend trip or a really long day trip out to Pigeon Forge, TN. There are lots of Christmas lights and shows plus Dollywood is decked out in gorgeous lights for the season.
Trying to find some practical gifts for kids this Christmas season? If your kids are like my kids, they not only already have plenty of toys, stuffed animals, and gadgets but they also have a whole family of grandparents, aunts, and uncles who eagerly shower them with cool gifts during the holiday season. In fact, usually the gifts from relatives way outshine the gifts that my husband and I buy for the kids ourselves. And, that’s fine.
So, what are some gifts for kids that aren’t toys?
Trying to figure out what to buy though that’s awesome but yet not just adding to the pile is a bit tricky, so I’ve come up with this list of ideas that I plan to use to ensure that my kids’ gifts are packed with essential and practical items without my kids even knowing it.
This post contains affiliate links including Amazon affiliate links.
Towels that Double As Costumes
Did you know that hooded towels are sold for “big kids”? And, they come in every type of character that you could imagine. I’m definitely stocking up on a new towel for both of my kids this Christmas. We already have this adorable rainbow unicorn towel as well as a superhero towel that I purchased from Kohl’s.
This Christmas I’m eyeing this Minion towel and this Elsa towel to round out our collection. Though I might just get this Yoda towel instead because it’s so cute.
And Pajamas that Double As Costumes
My little girl wears her Elsa nightgown that I purchased last year for her all the time, and I like that it’s sturdy enough to handle washing and wear-and-tear unlike most dress-up clothes. It’s also softer. This year’s version is a little different than the one I purchased and it’s even cuter!
I’m sure that it won’t ever be as popular as Elsa but I think I might get my kid this Anna nightgown this year to go with her Elsa one! Or I might just get her a long sleeve version of Elsa’s dress.
Books that Your Kids Won’t Put Down
We received two Activity Books (The Big Pink Activity Book & The Big Blue Activity Book) for review purposes earlier this year, and I can’t say enough good things about them. They literally entertained my kids for months, no small feat. The only change I would make is I would cut out the sticker pages in the back if I were to buy the books over to make accessing the stickers easier.
If your kid is an early reader, be sure to sneak some Elephant & Piggie Books into the mix. These books are so much fun that even reluctant readers enjoy giving them a try.
I also picked up The Book With No Pictures last year for Christmas and it’s still requested even now.
The Coolest Toothbrush on the Market
I received this Darth Vadar Firefly toothbrush that looks like a lightsaber at a recent blogging conference. I love that it has a timer (my kids really need that) and my kids love brushing their teeth with it. It’s not nearly as cool as the Darth Vadar toothbrush but there’s also a Hello Kitty toothbrush that I was given for my little girl. I have a feeling though that there are many little girls who would totally bypass the Hello Kitty to have a lightsaber toothbrush.
Experience Gifts
I absolutely love experience gift ideas. Not only does the gift not take up space (or collect dust) but also you can purchase an experience that encourages family time together. Some of my favorite choices for children are local memberships to museums, zoos, or science centers.
Another idea is purchasing tickets to a local event or sport. If you are on a tight budget this Christmas, don’t underestimate either the value of just promising to take your kids on an inexpensive adventure locally whether it’s park hopping on a Saturday or a low-budget outing like an ice-cream date.
While I’m definitely serious about limiting screen time, I do like having a couple of quality online programs that the kids can play on those crazy days and during school vacations. Two of my personal favorites are:
Starfall(perfect for preschoolers) – You can play the base level of Starfall for free, but the premium version is not very expensive and includes quite a bit more content.
Reading Eggs – This program is more expensive but it’s packed with developmentally appropriate lessons in both reading and math that are combined with incentives. My kids beg to play it!
Board Games
Board games are awesome and kids love them. I’ve purchased educational games for my kids to help them with specific skills but really almost every game has a component that will help your child educationally whether it’s logic, numbers, or language.
Richard Scarry’s Busy Town – This game is good for kids who like looking and searching for objects and don’t mind a slower pace. One great feature is that it’s a cooperative game that takes out the competitive edge for kids too small to understand winning and losing.
The Game of Life– A classic board game your kids will love! This game is best suited for older kids.
Crocodile Dentist-Your kids will love playing this game! This game involves pressing on each tooth until someone hits the crocodile’s sore tooth and is surprised by its mouth shutting quickly! This is a game for all ages.
The Floor Is Lava– This best-selling game involves turning your living room floor into a lava pit where you can only step on the colorful squares. This is a fun game for all ages!
Don’t Break The Ice– A fun game for preschoolers where they tap on the ice to make the penguin a new igloo home.
Cool Umbrellas
My kids both have cool umbrellas that we found at the Mast General Store. I found some similar items on Amazon:Shark Umbrella,
I think that rain boots are one of the most practical yet fun gifts that you can give your kids. My kids wear their rain boots for pretend play, snow days, to puddle stomp, and just for fun. We always get compliments on the fun designs.
Piggy bank: Teach them to save with a cute piggy bank. My son received a cute monkey bank when he was very young and it has remained a favorite (and useful) treasure.
Digital camera: If your kids don’t carry a cell phone in their pocket (and mine don’t either!) they might enjoy their own camera for documenting all their adventures.
Musical instruments: Learn a new skill! This can be as simple as a recorder and a book or as complicated as a trumpet and a promise of lessons in the new year.
Practical Stocking Stuffers: These are big in my house. We do fun socks, new hair ties, a hair brush, sometimes favorite snacks, chapstick, or even character-branded teas or mugs. Like these Star Wars cups from The Republic of Tea.
I would love to hear your suggestions for practical gifts this Christmas! Let me know in the comments.
The Mauldin Fire Department has a new but very cute education assistant, Ember! Ember isn’t just any fire dog, she is specially trained as both a therapy dog and as a pro on fire safety.
Ember knows how to demonstrate stop, drop, and roll as well as some other basic fire safety prevention actions. She also loves kids and firefighters!
Fire Marshall John Centrone rescued Ember, a German Shepherd mix, as a pet for his children. When he took her to puppy class though she was so smart that she had to be promoted to a harder class. Soon, he realized that he had a very special dog that could help the fire station update their fire education program.
Mauldin now has the only animal-assisted fire prevention program near our area. Children’s attention span is typically just 10-12 minutes but an animal can double that attention span. Fire Marshall John Centrone had noticed that while the kids enjoyed the puppet program, their attention would start to wane during the important talk afterwards. Now with Ember, he can keep the kids attention as he teaches fire prevention and reward the kids with meeting Ember after the presentation is over.
Meet Ember at Our Event
We met Ember and quickly realized that our community would love to meet her too. As a result, we have organized a special free Kidding Around® event on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 10-12.
This program will include:
Puppet Show
Ember Demonstrations & Fire Safety Prevention Tips
Tour of the Mauldin Fire Station HQ including seeing the Fire Trucks
This program is appropriate for preschoolers and homeschoolers. Please R.S.V.P. as there are limited spots. We have also asked for you to select tickets based on the ages of your children so that we can plan appropriately.
Mauldin Fire Station Head Quarters 955 West Butler Road, Greenville November 15, 2024, 10-12 FREE RSVP Required
This Christmas I’m eyeing this 
