With Christmas right around the corner, it’s fun to make wish lists of all kinds. For me, this helps prioritize spending and decide between wants and needs. I enlist the kids’ help for a few of the items on our Homeschoolers Christmas Wish List, then I do the rest on me own. Creating wish lists are helpful for relatives, especially distant relatives that want to give desired and useful gifts this time of year. Here are my go-to wish list items this year.
- If my homeschool classroom/cabinet was my child, he or she would have a stocking list the rest of my kids and I would always fill it with new markers, colored pencils, good quality pencils, fun stickers and other little things that are considered back-to-school supplies. We all need a little re-“stocking.” (pun intended)
- A museum pass for the whole family. Nothing beats a bad weather day in the winter like hanging out in a beautiful and fun museum. Research which museum offers the most interesting collections for your kids, and perhaps which museum passes are honored at more than one museum.
- An electronic microscope that plugs into a laptop. Look for the durable, kid-proof kind that will withstand being lugged around the backyard or even on hiking trails.
- If you use a rewards system or homeschool store type incentives, restock your supply of little goodies, coupons for fun things or other sticker-type treats.
- Globe or Map. Replace the outdated (or never owned) world map or globe for your learners.
- Board games. Pick one or two board games that secretly offer practice on particular skills your children are learning in school. Wrap them up, stash them under the tree, and just maybe your kids will never know they are learning.
- Subscription kit. Have you seen those extremely fun subscriptions online? The ones that send a clue to help you solve the mystery, send you a little suitcase full of cultural artifacts from a particular nation or state, or the little STEM kids? They look so fun, but they are rather pricey. Consider getting a family subscription to one.
- Bean bags, cuddly pillows, or other soft things to create a cozy reading nook.
- Tablet. Other than for entertainment value, tablets are very useful in my home and I know handfuls of other homeschoolers that absolutely love having their textbooks, silent reading books and other documents in e-book format. Consider whether something like this would be helpful in your home after the novelty wears off, then research which one suits your family the best.
- Last but not least…what is a special treat for the teacher? A new pair of posh slippers, a great mug with a spill-proof lid, a relaxing scented candle, or some other nice thing that will make your school days more enjoyable for you.
For some families, Christmas is a synonym for tight budgets and our homeschools often feel the crunch as well. When relatives ask for Christmas wish lists, consider sharing some of these ideas – or your own – with them. Perhaps your new year will be a little more fun and exciting with some of these great ideas!
Lindsay Banton is a caffeinated mother to three great kids. She never expected to homeschool, but has found that it is a wonderful addition to their lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world. In addition to homeschooling, Lindsay works alongside her husband in campus ministry at a large university in Connecticut. She grew up in Virginia but has settled into life in New England, learning to love the long winters, cool springs, green summers and gorgeous autumns- and has built a boot collection to meet all the demands. She is currently blogging at www.oaksreplanted.blogspot.com.