Why My Kids are Getting Zero Presents This Christmas (Includes 30 Unforgettable Local Experiences)

This year, there will be nothing under my Christmas tree. No gadgets, no updated devices, no video games, no toys. And I say that with purpose, not neglect. Because what my children truly need, what they have always needed, isn’t another object. It’s our time, our presence, and our attention.

As parents, it’s easy to think that giving “stuff” equals giving joy. But in reality, the greatest gift we can offer our children is the gift of shared experiences, of moments spent together that become memories they’ll carry forever. When we prioritize time over things, we teach them something invaluable: that they are seen, heard, and loved not for what they own, but for who they are.

I won’t sugarcoat it: there will be resistance. Teens especially may push back, roll their eyes, or act indifferent. That resistance is often anxiousness manifesting as defiance. But as parents, it’s our responsibility to gently encourage participation, to guide them into the experience. I can almost guarantee that once you get your child out into the element of the experience, whether it’s painting pottery, skating, exploring a museum, or hiking in the Metroparks, they will let down their guard. They will begin to share, to laugh, to reveal small pieces of themselves that only appear when they feel safe and engaged.

And here’s the most important part: listen. Listen. Listen. Ask them, with genuine curiosity, whether they want to share something, seek advice, or simply vent. Not every moment requires a solution or a lecture. By asking, we teach them the art of communication: that listening is just as important as speaking, and that unsolicited advice isn’t always welcomed. They learn to express their needs clearly, to seek guidance when needed, and to trust that we will be there to support them.

This is the real magic of experiences. They are not just fun, they are teaching moments, opportunities to strengthen our relationship, model healthy communication, and show our children that they matter. By prioritizing experiences, we create space for connection, for understanding, and for joy that lasts far longer than any material gift ever could.

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So this year, my stockings are filled not with objects, but with promises of time together: adventures, trips, classes, games, meals, and creative moments. Minimalism isn’t about deprivation, it’s about making room for what truly matters. Less clutter, less stress, less distraction, more presence, more conversation, more memories.

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Here’s a curated list of experiences I’m gifting this year in Toledo and NW Ohio, moments that will allow us to laugh, explore, create, and grow together:

🎁 30 Experience-Based Gifts in Toledo

1. Spin & Splat — creative painting and pottery (spinandsplat.com)
   
2. Toledo Zoo & Aquarium membership (toledozoo.org)
   
3. Imagination Station membership (imaginationstationtoledo.org)
   
4. Foodology — cooking, baking, and culinary experiences (foodologytoledo.com)
   
5. The Ribbon at Glass City Metropark — ice-skating, roller-skating, and riverfront fun (metroparkstoledo.com)
   
6. Peace Love & Pottery Studio — paint pottery classes (peaceloveandpotterystudio.com)
   
7. Escape rooms — Trapped Toledo or Escape Game Experience (trappedtoledo.com)
   
8. Stranahan Theater — Broadway in Toledo shows (stranahantheaterohio.com)
   
9. Bowlero Toledo — bowling night (bowlero.com)
   
10. Buff City Soap DIY kits (buffcitysoap.com)
    
11. Copper Moon Studio — pottery or glass art (coppermoonstudio.com)
    
12. Dave & Buster’s — arcade games and food (daveandbusters.com)
    
13. Funigans — arcade and entertainment (funigans.com)
    
14. Axe 419 — axe throwing experience (axe419.com)
    
15. Boba/bubble tea gift cards — treat your teen to a fun local boba shop (R & B Bubble Tea )
    
16. Toledo Museum of Art — exhibits, glass-blowing workshop (toledomuseum.org)
    
17. Cedar Point — amusement park thrills and waterpark fun (cedarpoint.com)
    
18. Cleveland weekend getaway — museums, parks, dining, and city adventures
    
19. Chicago weekend getaway — architecture, culture, food, and city fun
    
20. Local Adventure — ski, sled, walk, swim, a weekend at Maumee Bay State Park
    
21. Spring break trip hint: Hocking Hills, OH — promise of a future outdoor adventure
    
22. Movie Night — heated, reclining seats, endless popcorn, self-serve butter…gift cards to PhoenixTheatre
23. Music Lessons- Continued music lessons at Forte Music School
    
24. Plates and Pictures — A unique three-course dining experience paired with a cinematic classic. Taste, sip, and immerse yourself in a night where food meets film,  Plates & Pictures at Summit Toledo curated by By KB Events. https://www.platesandpictures.com/
    
25. Family volunteer day — Let’s Build Beds, giving back as a bonding experience, https://letsbuild.org/
    
26. Summer Camping adventure — hiking, kayaking, biking, picnics on https://kelleysisland.com/
    
27. Cruise down the Maumee River — family cruise on the Sandpiper https://www.jmcruiselines.com/the-sandpiper
    
28. Local history/museum day — Ohio History Connection membership
    
29. Food + culture experiences —Top Pot Hot Pot K BBQ https://toppotbbq.com/
    
30. Animal Encounter— Indian Creek Zoo Encounter Experience https://indiancreekzoo.com/encounters/
    
31. Seasonal sporting events — Hockey, Toledo Walleye, (https://www.toledowalleye.com/ ) and Baseball, Toledo Mud Hens, https://hensvilletoledo.com/fifth-third-field
32. Indoor fun – Inflatables, Playground, Glow golf and more at Sylvania Playland
    

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This year, the greatest gift I can give my children isn’t wrapped in paper or tied with a bow. It’s my presence, my attention, and my time. It’s the laughter, the conversation, the quiet moments, the shared adventures, and the lessons we learn together along the way.

Because in the end, experiences don’t just make memories, they teach, connect, and nurture the skills and bonds that last a lifetime.