Rather than spending money on one more toy for your child, consider giving them a gift that extends the fun of Christmas for a whole year! My favorite gifts are memberships to local attractions like museums, the zoo and even theme parks.

I know that the cost of admissions often discourages parents, and I can understand. If I had to pay for parking and admission every time, I’d hesitate before taking my son to a museum or zoo. He can enjoy an excursion for about two to three hours before it’s time to go home, and that would be an expensive two hours. So I invest in museum and zoo memberships for Christmas and birthday gifts. It’s a great way to support your local community, and your child will benefit far more from these memberships than from extra toys.