What to get a NYC family for the holidays
Got a New York City mom, dad or family on your gift list this? First things first: Do not buy anything that takes up a lot of space. An indoor trampoline might be fun for your Scarsdale friends, but here in the city, space is at a particular premium for families (that's why so many of us subscribe to the one-in, one-out rule of toy collecting).
Below, feast your eyes on family friendly that will take up little space and, in some cases, none at all. Trust us, the moms and dads of the families you love will appreciate you for it.
Amazon Echo
Take it from this writer: Kids of all ages love talking to (and ordering around) Alexa. This Amazon "robot" ($139.99 to $179.99) shuffles through your music, can play a game of 20 questions, and more. Plus, adults in particular will appreciate how she can keep track of your calendar, and even help with a shopping list.
Museum membership
The museum membership you choose will, of course, depend both on the family’s interests and its location. But some that we like: Museum of the Moving Image in Queens ($125 a year), New York Hall of Science, also in Queens, ($250), and American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan ($150). They're tax deductible, too.
Splurge-y excursions
Lyss Stern, CEO and founder of Divalysscious Moms and divamoms.com, recommends treating families to true New York City experiences. Among her recs: Tickets to see Dear Evan Hansen (“this show is a must for all parents, teens and tweens,” she says); tickets to School of Rock (“you will leave the show singing and dancing”); a gift certificate for a holiday meal together as a family—perhaps a holiday brunch at Norma’s, or lunch at Black Tap, which just recently opened a location in midtown; or tickets to see the Radio City Spectacular (“the entire family-all ages will enjoy this magical show,” says Stern).
Photo frame
Every parent these days has hundreds of digital photos of their little ones dilling up their phone memory. Help them get those pictures off the small screen and onto a slightly larger screen with this Nix Advance Digital Frame ($79.99 to $199.99, ranging from 8- to 18-inch). And since digital picture frames replace the need for multiple picture frames cluttering things up, this gift will be particularly appreciated by apartment-dwellers.
Board games
Get the kids away from their screens for a bit and teach them the beauty of board games. We loved them as kids, and we promise even Gen Z-ers will to. Some we recommend: Headbanz ($15.19), Jenga ($8.50), Clue ($22), and Pie Face ($15, throw in a can of whipped cream so they can get started right away).
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