Holiday Gift Guide
I absolutely LOVE the holidays and gift giving! But as a professional organizer, I see daily how all the “stuff” that is bought or given with such great intentions, can really weigh down your home.
So…this year, I invite you to consider giving gifts that focus on building memories and spending time together! Enter my 2022 holiday gift guide created just for you.
If you live in the Kansas City area, here are 50 gift ideas that won’t add clutter to your home. When possible I link directly to save you time!
In some cases, I do receive a small commission if you purchase through my link. Thank you for supporting my small business in this way so I can continue to offer free content like this!
POGO Pass: If you purchase through my link you get 50% off the yearly pass ($39.99/person). My family has gotten this multiple times and it pays for itself after practically 1 trip to the zoo! You can also give as a gift – awesome for grandkids (and their parents).
Kids Cooking Subscription Box: I first heard about this from the Everyday Reading blog.
Concert Tickets: Check the upcoming concert list for T-Mobile Center (formerly Sprint Center) or your fav venue. If tickets aren’t on sale yet, you can make your own to give as a gift for now.
Sporting Event Tickets: Big XII tourney in March, Chiefs game, Royals opening day tix, Sporting KC or KC Current – think ahead, TONS of great sports options in KC.
Bedroom Update: We’ve done this with our kids…redecorating their bedroom as their gift – it can include new decor, new furniture, or even just new bedding and towel colors to make it feel fresh.
Staycation or Vacation: So many options within an easy road trip. It doesn’t have to be fancy! With just a hotel stay + 1 cool activity and our kids are always thrilled!
A Year of Pre-Planned Dates With Your Child: We’ve done this several years and it is SO special! Check out where I found it on the I Can Teach My Child blog here.
Fancy Meal Out: A friend of mine takes each of her sons out for a special “fancy” steak dinner just the two of them – how cute is that!?
Skiing at Snow Creek: We took our kids to Snow Creek last year and it is a great place to learn to ski as a family. My kids had been once in Colorado the year before, but they offered super affordable lessons. And it’s so small it’s easy to stay together and get comfortable skiing.
Tubing at Snow Creek: We’ve never done tubing at Snow Creek but it’s on our list this year!
Mani or Pedi: My daughter asks for this regularly!
Urban Air or Sky Zone: Give the gift of bouncing…both Urban Air and Sky Zone offer online gift card purchasing so it’s easy peasy.
Memberships: When my kids were young, this was one of my very FAVORITE gifts to get: Union Station | Deanna Rose | Arboretum | KC Zoo | Museum at PrairieFire
Cooking Classes: I did an adult class with girl friends at Taste Bud’s Kitchen and it was a blast! I hear from friends the kids classes are also amazing – and you can buy GCs online here.
Music Lessons: It’s fun for both kids AND adults to learn a new instrument – find a local music shop and setup monthly lessons. If you live near Western Shawnee like us, Blues to Bach is our fav.
Art Classes: Amazing art classes all over the city, but my 11-year-old’s current favorite that she’s been doing with her grandma is First Art Studio of Olathe and they offer online GCs for all of their different classes.
Horseback Riding Lessons or Camp: Our personal favorite is in Bonner Springs – Freedom Farm. My daughter has done lessons and their summer camp and loved both!
Ya Ya’s Alpaca Farm: Our kids went to Ya Ya’s Alpaca Farm with their grandparents and even the adults loved it! Only 45 minutes outside of KC, it’s an easy day trip. And you can click on “Store” for online gift cards.
“Yes” Day: Have you seen the Jennifer Garner movie? Basically, a “yes” day is where the kids call the shots all day and your answer is always “yes” (within reason!)
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun: Season passes or even GCs here are exciting at my house.
Great Wolf Lodge: One of my kids’ very favorite places to go locally…whether staying overnight or doing day passes, this one will be a hit. You can even buy Great Wolf Lodge GCs online.
Ice Skating: Skating passes and skating lessons available – when I was a kid we went yearly to Crown Center Ice Terrace. But with our kids we do the Park Place Ice Rink most often.
Theatre/Broadway Tickets: Starlight Theater, the Folly, the Music Hall – always something fun to go see live.
Kauffman Center: Our personal favorite is the ballet every year, but there are so many great events throughout the year at the Kauffman Center.
Escape Room: They are all over the city – we really like these: Union Station | Breakout KC
Main Event: My son’s favorite place on Earth is Main Event!
RoKC Climbing Gym: RoKC is a great way to get out that energy during Winter Break!
Monster Jam: My husband takes our son to Monster Jam almost every year! Just don’t forget to bring ear covers!
App Purchase: If your kids are constantly asking for iPad apps that cost money, that would be a great gift option, especially if you have travels coming up.
Streaming Service Subscription: I think this is a great grandchildren gift…if they don’t have these apps already, gift them a year’s membership! Disney | Netflix | Amazon Prime
Video Game Credits or GCs: For your gamers – Play Station | XBox | Nintendo Switch | Roblox
Movies: Get GCs to AMC | Cinemark | B&B | Or make a cute movie night basket w/ digital download card, popcorn, and candy.
Bowling: Find the local bowling alley by you and get a gift card to make it a family night. Some even offer glow-in-the-dark bowling.
Pinball Arcade: A friend told me recently that her family goes to Solid State Pinball Supply in Downtown KC on the weekends and play pinball as a family. How fun is that?!
Limo to See Holiday Lights: We did this as adults one year and it was SO fun!! But I know lots of people do it with their kids and friends. Book soon and I bet you could get a date before Plaza lights come down in January.
Pickleball + Ice Cream: Work it off as a family with a GC to Chicken n Pickle, then grab Andy’s ice cream next door.
Ballroom Dancing Lessons: My in-laws did this for years and had a blast!
Massage or Couples Massage: You gotta check out my absolute favorite, Mary Beth, owner of Lifestyle Massage + Bodywork. I ask for a gift card from there basically every holiday!
Starbucks: Always a hit when you give a Starbucks GC. I’ve been told it’s a teacher fav also!
Online Photo Transfer: Help that family member with all of the printed photos to get their items backed up digitally…and clear the clutter! Costco has an affordable photo transfer service, or check out Forever for a backed up online digital home for photos.
Wine: I don’t know about you, but I’m ALWAYS happy to get a nice bottle of wine for a gift! Last year my parents even got us a wine shipment of 12 bottles and that was fun.
House Cleaning: This might be the #1 thing friends of mine say is a life saver for them. One year, a friend of mine was gifted a year of house cleaning from her husband…I mean WOWZA.
Spa Treatment: So many great spots in KC…I have one I’m getting ready to use at Sunlighten Day Spa.
Photo Shoot: Team up with your siblings to get professional photos taken, then frame a group photo as part of the gift.
Functional Organizing Gifts: But ONLY if there’s a plan in place already so you don’t add clutter – my favs this year include this acrylic wall calendar, charging station, jewelry and toiletry organizer.
Airbnb Experiences: Gift an Airbnb adventure, wherever you want to visit!
Hot Air Balloon Ride: I’ve heard great things about Old World Balloonery.
Golf or Tennis Lessons: I love gifts that couples or families can do together.
Couples Night Out: Book a night at a cute boutique hotel + dinner reservations.
Looking for other organizing ideas?
Check out my shop page or online gallery for more ideas.
Wishing you and yours the very best holiday!
Lauren
