Christmas is our favourite time of the year. It may be due to a number of factors: We were born three days before Christmas, the atmosphere at this time of the year is just brilliant, but most of all, we love just being cozy and comfy at home. In fact, once school is out, we don’t go outdoors unless we have to.
We would like to suggest some really fantastic gift ideas for family members this year, particularly if you are at home together. Some of these are our own family favourites because they allow for individual time but also for when we want to be together.
Some of these items we already own as a family and some we have chosen to give our friends as gifts so that they can share with their family too. We would highly recommend them for hours of family fun that will soon become part of your family’s Christmas traditions.
Uno
I like the fact that this card game is so simple and cheap, but offers hours of fun. It is suitable for 2 to 8 players. I recently took it to a meetup I was having with some of my girlfriends and they were seeing it for the first time! Uno is played by following the colour and/or instructions on the cards and hoping to be the first one to say UNO when you only have one card left.
The fun begins though, when you do have only one and forgot to say it! If you are caught out, you have to pick up another card. Don’t let the other players see your cards as they can play against you!
Discovery Light Globe
We are not good at Geography at all but we do have one clever girl who is! This globe doubles up as a night lamp but also as a fun learning resource. If you want to appease a family member who is into maps, traveling or Geography, this would be a perfect idea.
Here’s what the globe looks like in the dark (Click to read the full review)
Iqualtech Bluetooth speakers
If you have teenagers or even preteens, they will love to blast their music and block other sounds out with these really powerful pill shaped speakers. Or as a family, put your jolly Christmas music on while you all share the chores in a merry way. They even come with hands-free mic capability.
They are quite similar to another branded speaker but only cost a fraction of the full price.
VR real feel Alien Blaster
Both males and females will love the look and feel of this toy which comes with a free app download from the app store and Google Play. The 3D high definition graphics on the VR real feel Alien Blaster is something to experience to get a feel for it. Would you dare to try it?
A pocket microscope
Have you got a little one who thinks he/she is an explorer? Give them the Discovery pocket microscope. Handy to use in the home or when you go on walks or trips. Your little explorer will be happy with the 20 – 40 times magnification this offers. I am also happy to report that this useful present will cost you less than £10.
Fabric Paint Sticks
We always find days where we need to be together and do some sort of craft, or card making, or sewing or cooking. This past half term we got these fabric paint sticks which we planned to use for some sort of craft project but unfortunately, the time slipped away from us and we have had to rearrange for Christmas time.
iKnow Family
I love this game so much! It’s the game that you can win by knowing what others know! Everyone has an equal chance of winning but you do have to play tactically. The iKnow Family game is a trivia game with a difference. You have to try it to see. Suitable for all family members. Play iKnow Family and be sure to have some good laughs and lots of fun together.
Triceraptors Dig and Discover
This triceraptor dig and discover kit will keep a little one occupied for up to several hours of engaging fun. What will they emerge with when they try to build a 3D skeleton? It’s anyone’s guess.
Mischief money-saving box
We always give the little ones some money at Christmas, depending on the age of course. With the mischief money saving box, you are teaching them to be smart with their money. There is some fun to be had at the same time as they giggle a lot when the cheeky panda (or another animal) pops up to snatch the money and keep it for safe keeping.
Scrawl
Don’t laugh. This one is serious. Serious fun, that is. Well, let me say up front that the game Scrawl is for adults only. A few of us met and played this recently and it caused so much rib-tickling fun and laughter. I am not good at drawing at all, so imagine the loud cheers and laughter when everyone tries to guess what it was that I was trying to draw! And even if you think you are great at drawing, your masterpiece might not be so obvious to others. To cut a long story short, everyone will be laughing violently and everyone else’s drawings. It comes with enough for about 6 players.
Catch the Chameleon
I must say that although we do have this game, we haven’t tried it out yet but we are definitely looking forward to trying it out. Here are some of the facts I found out about it.
- Everyone knows the secret word, except for the chameleon
- Use social deduction, bluffing and secret codes to expose the guilty player
- The ultimate Christmas party game
- Winner of UKGE best party game of 2017 and dice tower seal of excellence
- Age 14+, 3-8 players
Grabolo
I swear when we play this, the young ones always win, and I feel like I am stupid. Mind you, it is a whole lot of fun, and slightly, ever so slightly, violent! Yes, you heard right. So the aim of the game is to be the first one to grab the right coloured object when the dice is thrown. OMG! I can only grab the right colour, but never the right object! Sorry, I can only concentrate on one thing at a time in the Grabolo game. The kids have got the knack though. And they can spot both the right color and object and the same time. Don’t let them win you!
Simbrix cute kit
Well, if you want a quiet, relaxing activity to do either on your own or with others, choose Simbrix. It’s a kit with tiny coloured pieces that connect to each other to create any shapes your heart desires. There are also suggestions in the pack with pictures to show what other ideas you could create.
One of the fun things we will do this year as a family is to do some dress up sessions with photo shoots! The clothes we will use include clothing gifts we have bought each other, and also our matching pyjamas! Stay tuned and we will add some photos of the day for you here. We will have a good laugh and have memories that we can look at for many years to come.
What did you think of my list then? Is there anything you think I am missing? Let us know in the comments below. In any case, do enjoy the season and all the very best for the New Year!
Very nice list. Thank you for your research and compiling it.