Give the gift of family history for Christmas

A very inexpensive idea for teens and adults in your family: Search out the family tree and make a lovely print out of their pedigree going back five generations. You can laminate or frame it. It makes a thoughtful gift and helps pass on a sense of belonging. It's super great if you have photos for some or all of those on the family tree, but it's not necessary.

Book/toy combos for gifts

Toy/book combos as gift ideas: Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks, with a plastic Indian, The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop with the klutz castle building cards which comes with a tiny knight, Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder with a rag doll, The Littlest Matryoshka by Corinne Demas Bliss with a set of matryoshka dolls, Butterflies for Kiri by Cathryne Falwell with a package of origami paper, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig with a red marble, Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming with some real tulip bulbs, Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett with a set of mixing bowls and a wooden spoon or apron and potholders and a gingerbread man cookie cutter, Stranger in the Woods by Carl Sams and Jean Stoick with snowman accoutrements, Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor with dress up clothes, Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh with primary color finger paints.