Alternative Holiday Gifts Can Give Kids More of What Matters This Holiday Season

National Children’s Art Expert Offers Suggestions for Homemade Gifts and Activities That Kids Can Give and Receive

(December 12, 2007, New Braunfels, TX)– Many people, especially parents of young children, are trying to find less commercial alternatives for gifts for the holidays.   Trying to recapture the spirit of the holidays by giving meaningful presents instead of the latest advertised gadget, video game or doll can be challenging.   

“By simplifying the holidays with homemade gifts and memorable experiences of time together, parents can send a strong message to their kids,” says national children’s art expert, Shell Herman.  “Alternative gifts can give your family a little more of what matters,” says Herman, CEO of KidzArt, a children’s art enrichment franchise organization with locations throughout the U.S.

Homemade gifts or gifts of special experiences can depict the true meaning of the holidays.  Herman offers some suggestions:

Homemade presents such as tie-dyed shirts, jingle bell bracelets, a painting or a calendar filled with family photos will be a big hit with the kids whether they make or receive them.  “Encourage your children to write and illustrate their own story that they can give as presents to family members such as grandparents,” says Herman. 

Give a family gift such as a giant jigsaw puzzle that everyone can work on together.  A ticket to a local sporting or cultural event for each member of the family is a fun way to spend quality time with each other and it makes a great gift.  “Try giving each child a different board or card game and set up a special night once a week for family entertainment,” says Herman.

Special activities can serve as great gifts.  For the hard-to-buy-for teen or tween who has a creative flair, purchase a gift certificate for art lessons.  Take younger children to an art class or workshop where they can spend part of the day lost in their creativity.  According to Herman, “The gift of art can provide kids of all ages with a fun oppportunity that can bring them great benefits, such as improved confidence and academics, in the long run.”

KidzArt develops creative thinkers by offering a structured curriculum combined with fun exercises and lots of personal encouragement.  KidzArt offers drawing based classes, workshops, camps and birthday parties that introduce children to the world of contemporary and fine art using multi-cultural, multi-media, 2 and 3D lessons.  For more information on KidzArt gift-making workshops or art classes in your area, call (800) 379-8302 or visit www.kidzart.com/locations.

About KidzArt

Founded in 1998, KidzArt is designed to let kids and seniors of all ages explore their inner artistic potential in a safe, structured, non-competitive environment.  KidzArt recently ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s Top New 50 Franchises for 2007 and was ranked the Top Children’s Art Franchise for 2006.  In addition, KidzArt was named a “World-Class Franchise” by the Franchise Research Institute for 2006 and 2007.  Franchising since July 2002, KidzArt has franchised units nationwide and growing.  To find out more about KidzArt visit www.kidzart.com.