Ski WishGift: 4 year old gift-idea

  While at a child's birthday party, how often have you watched the birthday boy or girl, often unenthusiastically, open a slew of gifts only to see that the very item you purchased has just been unwrapped?  How often have you heard parents say that his/her child has "so many toys" while questioning where to put the new birthday loot?  Have you ever thought that the money spent on the wrapped gifts your child received could have been put towards something amazing?

  I have been group-gifting for four years now and our latest WishGift has been a complete success.  I began group-gifting in 2008 after guests at my daughter's birthday offered to contribute towards a swing set we had purchased in lieu of a traditional wrapped gift.  The result culminated with my guests expressing how much easier they found it to contribute towards a big item while I was left feeling shocked at the beautiful swing set that stood in our backyard (Click here to read about it). 

  Since I have been registering group-gifts as a gift option for a several years now, many of my guests expect me to register something on WishGift.ca for my kids' birthdays.  They find that an online group-gift contribution makes their lives easier since they no longer have to think about what to get, shop for the gift and then worry that we already have the item.  They simply contribute to a gift or activity with no worries.   My guests also know that there is no expectation and that we are very appreciative for whatever gift-method they choose (we even condone "no-gifts' but that never works).  For us, having a group-gift means giving our kids an opportunity (or item) that we would have not been able to afford on our own (am I the only parent who finds most activities or sports for kids super pricey?!?). 

  For our daughter's 6th birthday, we registered equestrian lessons at our local Pony-Club.  The experience that Aliah had during her 10 week session was so incredible and lifelong, we chose to stick with an activity WishGift for our son's 4th birthday. 

  Choosing an activity for Scott was quite easy.  My son has always been agile, active and fearless.  It took 1 Warren Miller video to see his eyes light up as he watched people plow, twist, jump and turn down a mountain.   For his WishGift reveal on the day of his birthday, we bought him a helmet that he unwrapped in front of everyone (we always have the gift or part of the gift ready to be unwrapped) and shared with our guests that he was registered for a 10 week session of ski lessons.

  Check out the smile on his face when he told him he would be learning ski.  I doubt another Superhero toy would have elicited such joy.

  Fast-Forward 3 months and we are now 1 week away from his first lesson.  Yesterday, he went to the hill to take his ski school picture and then to the ski store to rent his equipment (many ski stores now rent new equipment for the season).  He was professionally fitted for his boots and got to choose his skis.  When he came home he proudly showed off his new gear and giggled as he waddled around the house with his new ski boots and skis.  I have no doubt that this $500 WishGift was a great choice that he will remember for years to come.  Can't wait to share all the pics I'll be taking with my family and friends that made this WishGift possible.

Trying out his new gear

 January 6th 2015

Scott had his first lesson and absolutely LOVES it!  The only problem we have is that he has NO fear and thus no desire to stop.

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate his 4th birthday and for making 

this WishGift happen.  There is no shortage of smiles when he is on the 

slopes!

Like the idea of giving-together?  Follow my blog or join me on my social networking sites to share gift ideas and inspire. 

Holiday WishGift

 

I don't have decades of parenting experience but I've been a mom long enough to know what happens at holiday time (or birthdays).  My children get showered with toys or books from family members and close friends!   One year it was Mega Blocks (or cars) for my son and Barbies (or princesses) for my daughter.  Although all given with the best intention, the toy and book collection is out of control.  I'm lucky enough that my relatives and close friends understand that WishGift was founded to make things easier for all involved in the gifting process. For them, it eliminates knowing, searching and buying a gift. For us, it eliminates toy overload and wasted money from kids losing interest and never picking up the gift.  

This year, I decided to make holiday shopping simple and WishGift'ed a LeapPad 2 for my daughter and son.  I initially hadn't planned on registering a gift for the holidays since we've been WishGift'ing for their past birthdays.  The plan was to let the gift-giving run wild!

But when my mom let me know that she purchased a Barbie for my daughter, I thought "uh-oh"!  It's not that my daughter and I dislike Barbie, it's that she has 15 dolls and I'm already cycling them to keep the excitement going of playing with a "new" doll.  

Then came the gift idea questions from my relatives and I really didn't know what to answer.  Since I'm extremely sensitive to family and friends spending money and my children NOT playing with the item,  registering the LeapPad2 really helps solve my problem.  For my relatives, they don't have to decide and shop for a gift and I feel great knowing that they're putting money towards something the kids won't get enough of!

Can't wait for this gift under the tree to be unwrapped!

** Shipped to my house, wrapped and ready thanks to www.mastermindtoys.com (obviously quicker than I am given my bare tree)!  Can't wait for them to explore the LeapPad 2 :)

What's the best gift your kids ever received?

  

Like the idea of giving-together towards a group-gift?  Follow my blog or join me on my Social Networking sites to share gifts ideas and inspire. 

Ways to save for the Holidays

Who doesn't need to save during the holidays?  6 years back, my close friends and I decided it would be fun to buy gifts for our kids.  Although it seemed like a good idea, fast-forward time and add a few siblings, and our gift-exchange among 4 is now among 10 children!  We like to keep the tradition of big smiles and a fun get-together, but have agreed to keep our spending at a minimum.  Although great for the bank, it's a challenge finding a great gift in the $10 range.

Seems like Toys R Us has made spending a little easier this year!  They've launched a FAB $10 for $20 Groupon  BUT only in the STATES on location (great for those cross-border shoppers).

So how can Canadians still spend on a budget yet buy and get great holiday gifts for the kids this year?  My solution was to create a WishGift.  I'm always asked by family and friends what they can get my children for the holidays.  Creating a WishGift allows them to contribute the same amount they would spend on one gift in a store, but allows everyone to come together to get an amazing gift.

This year I'm considering a LeapPad 2 or breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table for an upcoming Disney trip.  Both gifts are around $120 and having a WishGift makes it easy for those looking to buy my children gifts and allows my children to get something they'll play with and remember for a long time!  Both gifts are so great but I can't decide...

 

OR

 

Like the idea of giving-together towards a group-gift?  Follow my blog and join me on my Social Networking sites to share gifts ideas and inspire.