Countdown to Christmas: A Last-Minute Gift Guide 2023

Brain games are a great way to sharpen skills and maintain them! There are numerous different ways to practice this, ranging from Sudoku, Crossword, and logic puzzles to memory, word, and number exercises. No matter your age, it is healthy and important to exercise not only your body, but your mind too!

Coming home to cook dinner can be daunting after a long exhausting day at work. With a meal subscription, this can make cooking enjoyable and a lot less stressful! All of the recipes and ingredients are sent to your doorstep. What a perfect gift to bless someone with this Christmas!

Maybe you’re looking for a gift that isn’t necessarily tangible on Christmas morning. There are so many experiences in the area that you can do with your family! Ice skating is a fun winter activity to do together, whether you’re practicing your skills or learning for the first time. There could still be fun to be had on Christmas, ripping open the wrapping paper to find season passes or memberships to your local zoo or museum!

Have you ever tried the zoo in the winter? It’s a totally different experience, but can be just as fun! Here are a few to check out in West Michigan: John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, the Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in Alto, and Deer Tracks Junction in Cedar Springs. However, there are also many places to enjoy while snowflakes are in the air and the weather is still a bit chilly. The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, located in Kalamazoo, is a great match for those who love airplanes and want to experience a full-motion flight simulator. They even provide camps and classes for children interested in science. In addition, the surrounding area has established various museums to explore, such as the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Grab the fam or a friend and check out one of these spots this season!

If you know of someone having trouble sleeping at night or just in need of another blanket to add to the collection, a weighted blanket is the ideal present to unwrap on Christmas! Weighted blankets create a sense of calmness that is convenient to use right in the comfort of your own home! No matter what age you may be, who wouldn’t mind relaxing with a weighted blanket?

Stimulating a child’s five senses, sensory toys are a valuable and useful gift! Sensory toys can help with regulation, strengthening executive functioning skills, or giving the body healthy input to stay focused and in-control. Whether used at home, at school, in the car, or while traveling, sensory toys and fidgets serve as fun and helpful tools (that make great stocking stuffers too)!

Many people describe the holidays as the most stressful time of the year – but it doesn’t have to be! Allow someone to be blessed this Christmas season with the gift of relaxation. Whether you purchase a gift certificate to a salon or plan a day to go with friends, a massage is a wonderful and practical way to gift someone relaxation! Maybe you know of someone in need of a chiropractic adjustment and would like to pay for a session or two. If you’re looking for something other than gift certificates to unwrap on Christmas, consider gifting a massage gun, which can be used anywhere and anytime!

For those affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and seeking simulated sunlight, a UV light is a fantastic gift. Whether you’re an adult sitting at your desk working, a child playing at home, or a teen studying and doing homework, this is a great time to turn on the UV light! If you can’t swing the price of a plane ticket to somewhere sunny and warm this winter season, a UV light can be the next best thing 😉

Books are the perfect gift for all ages! No matter how young or old you may be, there is a book out there for you to read! Whether you’re looking into gifting books to adults or children, we’ve got you covered. Look into getting your child a library card for Christmas or maybe this is an excuse to purchase that Kindle or iPad they have been eyeing! A subscription to Audible would also be the gift that keeps on giving! You could even gift a subscription to the Amazon Book Box program, sending books to your child periodically. Maybe you know of someone that would like to pick out their own books with a Barnes and Noble gift card. Take a look at this list for some book ideas: The Whole Brain Child by Dr. Siegel, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Riley the Brave by Jess Sinarski, and The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld.