The parents who canceled Christmas

By Katia Hetter, CNN

Updated 2323 GMT (0723 HKT) December 4, 2014

Looking for ways to make the holiday more meaningful than a toy or stuffed animal? Read on for unique gift-giving suggestions from parents around the country.<br /><br />Amanda Rodriguez's 5-year-old son spent time at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington earlier this year. To thank the hospital, the <a href="http://dudemom.com/" target="_blank">Dude Mom blogger</a> had him select gifts to help fill its toy closet for children who won't be home for the holidays.
Photos: Photos: Gifts with meaning for kids
Gifts with meaning for kids – Looking for ways to make the holiday more meaningful than a toy or stuffed animal? Read on for unique gift-giving suggestions from parents around the country.

Amanda Rodriguez's 5-year-old son spent time at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington earlier this year. To thank the hospital, the Dude Mom blogger had him select gifts to help fill its toy closet for children who won't be home for the holidays.
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Jen Bosse, a mom of two, says more parents are "gifting experiences" rather than<strong> </strong>giving material goods. Whether it's a museum visit or a family trip, there are many such activities that are "often much more valuable in the long run than a new set of Legos or a Barbie Dream House," said Bosse, who blogs at <a href="http://www.defining-my-happy.com/" target="_blank">Defining My Happy.</a>
Photos: Photos: Gifts with meaning for kids
Gifts with meaning for kids – Jen Bosse, a mom of two, says more parents are "gifting experiences" rather than giving material goods. Whether it's a museum visit or a family trip, there are many such activities that are "often much more valuable in the long run than a new set of Legos or a Barbie Dream House," said Bosse, who blogs at Defining My Happy.
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Lori Garcia, founder of the site <a href="http://mommyfriend.com/" target="_blank">Mommyfriend,</a> says one of the greatest gifts she's given her sons, ages 6 and 11, are lessons at their community's parks and recreation department in Southern California. Here, the boys learn how to bowl. It's a "great way to not only educate and inspire them but provide them with new experiences that last much longer than the short-lived joy of a new toy," Garcia said.
Photos: Photos: Gifts with meaning for kids
Gifts with meaning for kids – Lori Garcia, founder of the site Mommyfriend, says one of the greatest gifts she's given her sons, ages 6 and 11, are lessons at their community's parks and recreation department in Southern California. Here, the boys learn how to bowl. It's a "great way to not only educate and inspire them but provide them with new experiences that last much longer than the short-lived joy of a new toy," Garcia said.
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Since Rhona Maulano's son was 5, she's been giving him a book each Christmas, Hanukkah and birthday. She writes a note about its message inside the book's cover and why it matters. The tradition continues to this day between Maulano and her son, now 25. "It's so easy to get caught up in the materialism, but you need to make a special point of what holidays are really about," said Maulano of Plantation, Florida.
Photos: Photos: Gifts with meaning for kids
Gifts with meaning for kids – Since Rhona Maulano's son was 5, she's been giving him a book each Christmas, Hanukkah and birthday. She writes a note about its message inside the book's cover and why it matters. The tradition continues to this day between Maulano and her son, now 25. "It's so easy to get caught up in the materialism, but you need to make a special point of what holidays are really about," said Maulano of Plantation, Florida.
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