Stop the Stuff: A Mini Guide for Giving Gift Experiences in Omaha

 

The number one response I heard when gathering information for this post was “We keep asking family and friends to gift experiences, but they still send stuff anyways.” For the love of all things holiday, give the gift of family memories by gifting experiencesnot more things to clutter the house!

As a mama with multiple boys, a husband who is in the Air Force (this requires us to move every few years), I fully resonate with the idea that the gift of giving experiences, memberships, and activities so we can create memories together.

Need help thinking of ideas?
Here are some local to Omaha suggestions!

Cooking Classes

Culinary Kidz: They offer cooking classes for adults and children, birthday parties, and have a walk-in Snack Spot where you can make and bake or decorate an item on the spot. 

HyVee: They offer multiple courses during the month. You can find a course listing on their website. The Simple Fix Freezer Meal Workshop is a make-and-take event where you end up with several meals for the month. 

Ax Throwing

Flying Timber Ax Throwing: Axe throwing is an up-and-coming trend. They offer gift certificates, a trained professional to teach you how to throw. Come for an hour or two or join a league. 

Ax Games: Gift vouchers are found on their website! Throwers can be ages ten and up. This is fun for a date night or family outing with your older kids. 

Comedy Shows

The Backline: The Backline offers a variety of shows each week from improve to stand-up comedy. If you’re looking to become a comedian, they offer classes as well.

The Funny Bone: This is another comedy club with a variety of events each month. Book events or go see a show of your choice.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: This is popular with almost everyone in Omaha. Membership makes it totally worth it! Gift a membership, the Wildlife Safari Park add-on, or Zoo Camp. 


Fontenelle Forest: This is a popular spot to spend your Omaha days. Gift a membership or tickets to the new Adventure Park.  

Omaha Children’s Museum: This is a fun spot where you’re sure to see families with little ones hanging out, especially in the winter months. 

State Park Pass: Nebraska is a beautiful state, especially in the Omaha area. We are lucky to have access to many state parks. Some of our favorites are Mahoney, Schramm, and Platte River. Gift a state park pass so your family members can hike, sled, and swim year-round. 

Occasionally, it can be challenging to find one gift that works well for the entire family, especially if you span a wide age range. Consider doing a fun gift basket with a few items. 

Wine and Dine: Give a basket of favorite drinks and restaurant gift cards to local favorites. 

A Night at the Movies: The Alamo Drafthouse and Marcus Twin Creek Cinemas offer great movie viewing options. Gift cards are available on their websites. 

Get Creative: Several places in town offer the artistic and creative sides to shine through.  The Makery offers open craft times, classes, and party times. Create DIY Craft Studios offers projects for youth and adults with different themes. It’s Yours Pottery offers paint-your-own- pottery, glass fusion, candlemaking, and more. 

Sporting Event Tickets: Omaha has many different sporting venues, so a basket with snacks and tickets would be perfect!  The options are endless—basketball, football, hockey, etc…

Le-Go: Treat your family to a trip to Kansas City.  Provide tickets for Legoland, a hotel, and a nearby restaurant. 

Families are often involved in many activities or are limited in activities that they can do because of cost restrictions. Consider purchasing a session of classes for one of your family members. 
-Swimming lessons
-Gymnastics
-Karate
-Any sports/equipment
-Cub Scout dues
-Golf Lessons: The First Tee is an organization with the mission to introduce the game of golf to young people. There are many different programs offered through their website. 
-Tutoring or Standardized Prep Courses

Finally, here are a few more ideas that any family would really enjoy! 

-Membership to a local gym

-Summer Pool Pass

-Volunteer to Babysit

-Come for a visit

-Chores coupon book (children to parents)

-Gift box subscriptions

-Magazine subscriptions

-A gift card to local special interest stores (the Bookworm, Bricks & Minifigs, etc…)

Take a hint from the people you love and hear what they are asking for this holiday season. Give the gift of experiences and memories for the whole family to enjoy. 

 
ellenkehs
Ellen Kehs was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Mason. Together they’ve traveled the world, most recently touching down in Omaha in June 2019. She’s a mom to three little boys, Theodore (nine), Woodrow (seven), and Maximus (four). Life is never boring with her boys! Ellen loves being a military spouse and she embodies the “bloom where you are planted” mentality. In addition to soaking up whatever current city she’s living in, she is passionate about reading and getting books in the hands of children, as well as helping other mamas connect with each other. She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education, a master’s degree in adolescent literacy and technology, and she teaches 6th-12th grade English online full-time, but is primarily a stay-at-home mom. Her hobbies include, exploring, reading, swimming, napping, snapping pictures, playing games, baking, and loving on the little men in her life.

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