39 Merry Family Gift Ideas for Christmas Fun in 2025
As the holidays approach, it’s time to start pulling together your family gift ideas for Christmas. This is the time of year when giving gifts is as much fun as receiving them, so it’s important to select meaningful gifts for family members and things or experiences that will bring them joy. You’ll recognize their appreciation from the smiles on their faces and feel joy in your heart as they unwrap each gift. If you need an extra nudge, according to WUNC, the science is in. Giving to others can actually boost your own happiness (no wonder it feels so good).
What can I surprise my family with for Christmas? What are the 5 main gifts for Christmas that are budget-friendly, unique and appreciated? We are here to help answer these questions and get you on the right path toward deciding on some extraordinary family gift ideas for Christmas. Grab your hot cocoa or Christmas cocktails, prepare to feel inspired and let the holiday gift-giving begin!
Jump to Section
- Unique Family Gift Ideas for Christmas
- Meaningful Family Gift Ideas for Christmas
- Budget Family Gift Ideas for Christmas
- Family Gift Ideas for Christmas FAQs
Unique Family Gift Ideas for Christmas
1. Art Classes
Some of the most unique Christmas gifts for a family are experience gifts. These gifts create lasting memories and help families to bond, learn new skills and spend meaningful time together. Incredible family gift ideas for Christmas that can accomplish this are to sign the family up for art classes near you. Taught by professional instructors, these classes help your family discover pottery for beginners, painting techniques, glass blowing, sewing or other crafts that appeal to their artistic nature and help them uncover hidden talents.
2. Cooking Classes
If spending time in the kitchen is more your family’s style, consider cooking classes near you or online cooking classes for inspired and educational family gift ideas for Christmas. Professional chefs host these classes and provide your family with opportunities to refine your culinary skills, learn to cook a favorite recipe or discover a taste for international cuisine.
3. Escape Room Tickets
For family gift ideas for Christmas that will get everyone to work together, build on each other’s strengths and think strategically, book tickets at a local escape room. These rooms “lock” players in for 60 minutes, and then the team has to work together and find the clues to escape.
The adventure is fast-paced, appropriate for all skill levels and an excellent opportunity for some family bonding time. This idea for family Christmas gifts will put the whole team to the test together.
4. Amusement Park Passes
Whether you purchase passes to a local amusement park or a destination like Disney World or Universal Studios, these are fantastic thrill-seeking family gift ideas for Christmas. Incorporate gifting the passes into a family Christmas party idea by building a theme around the park using decorations and food items as clues that, when solved, reveal where the family is heading.
This family gift idea for Christmas will surprise everyone and build excitement about the upcoming park visits or trips.
5. Camping Supplies
Outdoor adventurers will love camping supplies as family gift ideas for Christmas. Surprise your loved ones with a spacious and waterproof family tent as a gift for a family of 4, or consider purchasing strong support camping mats to keep everyone sleeping comfortably at night.
The Wonderland 6 tent from REI has a divided layout that helps to keep bedtime sane. Once you've picked your gear, plan a camping adventure and take the family to have some fun! Don't forget the camping games, you'll be surprised how many memories they feature in further down the line.
6. Bowling Night Gift Cards
Applaud as the whole gang yells strike with these family gift ideas for Christmas. Purchase passes to a local bowling alley for a bit of high-energy fun. This unique Christmas gift is ideal for all experience levels and a great way to encourage teamwork and family camaraderie.
Whether you use your passes on a rainy day or for some summertime fun, a bowling night out is a gift that never goes out of style and provides fun entertainment for everyone.
7. Indoor Rock Climbing Membership
Climbing mountains requires physical skill, mental stamina and agility, and you can allow your gang to improve in all three areas with these family gift ideas for Christmas. Purchase an indoor rock climbing membership for the family at a nearby gym.
Memberships to venues such as Movement typically include rock climbing time, the necessary gear and instructions to help climbers of all skill levels. This idea for Christmas gifts for family is great because it will be enjoyed long after the holidays are over.
8. Tickets to a Game
Whether your crew loves football, basketball or baseball, tickets to a game make for fantastic and fun family gift ideas for Christmas. To make the gift extra special, wrap the tickets in a package with matching jerseys for your home team.
You’ll have everyone cheering in anticipation as they wait for the big game, and they’ll be anxious to head to the venue when the special day arrives. Bring along some classic game day snacks to complete the experience.
9. A Family Cruise
Pre-plan a family cruise for unique and extravagant family gift ideas for Christmas. This is your family’s chance to get away and visit a beautiful Caribbean location, ports in Europe or the icy shores of Alaska. You’ll enjoy fun on the seas while the ship’s crew handles every detail. Many cruises allow payment over time, so you can plan ahead and fit the trip into your budget. Royal Caribbean offers a host of family-oriented itineraries, making the logistics of your family trip a breeze.
10. Hiking Equipment
Trekking poles and other hiking gear are functional family gift ideas for Christmas if your group enjoys spending time outdoors. Hiking gear is a functional and thoughtful gift idea for family at Christmas, regardless of whether they enjoy hiking trails in your neighbourhood or are planning an adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which CNN states is one of the most frequently visited National parks.
This is a gift that you’ll find a lot of use for, and it can help to keep your family hiking safely and seeing more of what the mountains, valleys or hiking trails offer.
11. Skiing Gear
If snowy landscapes are more your crew’s style, consider skiing gear as a family gift idea for Christmas. Ski goggles, skiing jackets and winter gloves help to keep everyone outfitted and warm, or purchase high-quality skis so your gang has more fun on the slopes. For the ultimate family gift ideas for Christmas, pair your gear with a trip to Aspen or Red Mountain.
12. Local Museum Membership
Purchase a yearlong family gift idea for Christmas that imparts knowledge, culture or an appreciation for the arts. A membership to a local history, science or art museum allows your family to visit the museum throughout the year. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to have fun and learn about the world.
This gift is excellent for all ages and accessible for family members with mobility limitations or disabilities. If you're located nearby and visit regularly, major institutions like the American Museum of Natural History offer memberships that include tickets for the whole family.
13. Go Camping Indoors
Plan indoor camping nights for family gift ideas for Christmas that don’t cost much and provide plenty of opportunities for fun and time together. Set up your tent and sleeping bags in the living room. Cook hot dogs over an open fire on the grill.
Purchase a tabletop s'mores-making kit and smores supplies for a tasty treat. The evening will provide lots of laughs and fun for all ages, making it a creative gift even on a tight budget. This will also come in handy when you're looking for kids' birthday party ideas next year.
14. Ice Cream Social Night
An ice cream social night makes tasty family gift ideas for Christmas that encourage creativity. You’ll need to purchase a couple of gallons of ice cream, waffle cones and toppings like hot fudge, whipped cream, sprinkles and nuts.
Get creative with the toppings by including things like caramel, strawberry sauce, coconut shavings or gummy bears. Everyone will have a blast making their ice cream creations and spending time together while enjoying each spoonful of delicious flavor. For an extra artisanal twist, invest in a dependable Cuisinart ice cream maker and take control of the flavor options.
15. Train Ride Together
Plenty of cities offer train rides to the North Pole during the holidays. This is an excellent way to excite your wide-eyed little ones and get everyone to believe in the magic of Christmas. Santa and his reindeer might even make an appearance!
Book these family gift ideas for Christmas well in advance for the best seats. For the real deal, book a double-decker night train ride from Helsinki to Santa Claus Village in the Lapland of Finland.
Meaningful Family Gift Ideas for Christmas
16. Christmas Ornaments for the Family
Christmas ornaments are cherished keepsake family gift ideas for Christmas. You can purchase a personalized family ornament or DIY individual ornaments for each member of your family that borrow influence from their personalities, interests, hobbies or physical features. Metal or wood bases hold up better than glass when kids help decorate these Christmas gift ideas for family. Personalize a photo ornament at Shutterfly and add the year on the back so you remember when that grin was missing two front teeth.
17. Matching Pajamas
Dressing everyone in matching pajamas is a special way to celebrate Christmas Eve. These family gift ideas for Christmas are great to unwrap and open before bed the night before Christmas. Size consistency spanning baby-to-adult matters here; that’s where Hanna Andersson shines with the same fabric and prints in every size.
Pair the pajamas with some Christmas drinks like hot cocoa and a shared family holiday storybook to create a magical, cozy evening of reading together, bonding time and nostalgia that will have everyone anxious for Santa to arrive.
18. Family Journal
Collect your family’s favorite quotes and a lifetime of memories in a family journal that you all participate in putting together. These family gift ideas for Christmas are fantastic for bonding, encouraging even your little ones to think about what matters to them and write it down and getting everyone involved in writing down your family’s story. Reading the journal later will bring back precious memories for everyone and encourage conversation for future generations.
19. Family Portrait Session
If your family doesn’t get together for family pictures often enough, gift them with a photo session as a special family gift idea for Christmas. This Christmas gift for families idea is a lovely way to capture moments in time, bring the entire family together and create precious artwork for the walls of your home. Book a package through JCPenney Portraits and schedule it for when everyone’s Christmas spirit is at its peak.
20. Monogrammed Stockings
Purchase monogrammed stockings for a lovely personalized gift your family will use year after year. They make delightful family gift ideas for Christmas that combine practicality with a personal touch. Adorned with each family member's initials or name, they bring a sense of individuality and charm to holiday decor. Perfect for hanging by the fireplace or on a stocking hanger, they add warmth and tradition to the season. Everyone will have fun filling them with surprises to be revealed on Christmas Day.
21. Family Tree Print
Celebrate the unique connections between generations of your family with a family tree print. This family gift idea for Christmas makes elegant decorative items in your home, and it will spark conversation as you learn about your roots, ask questions and explore your heritage.
Whether displayed as artwork in a living space or cherished as a keepsake, a family tree print inspires pride and a sense of belonging. Thoughtful and timeless, it’s a gift that brings your family closer by honoring your roots.
22. House Sign
Custom-designed with your family’s name, a meaningful quote or a unique design, a personalized house sign adds charm and character to any entryway. Both functional and decorative, this display piece creates a warm welcome for guests and showcases the family’s identity. Durable and timeless, it’s a family gift idea for Christmas that celebrates togetherness and serves as a special reminder of the home’s comforting spirit.
23. Welcome Mat for the Home
Personalize a doormat for your home as a decorative touch for your entryway and a lovely way to tell guests a little about your family before they enter the front door. These family gift ideas for Christmas can be designed with the family name, an image that says something about your family or a cute or silly saying. Whichever design you choose, it’s sure to be a practical gift your family appreciates.
24. Photo Calendar for the Coming Year
Gather together all your family vacation photos, silly pictures and precious memories and create a personalized calendar that’s all about the people you love most. Photo calendars for the coming year make lovely and appreciated family gift ideas for Christmas.
Your loved ones will enjoy looking at it all year and fondly remember the magical moments you have enjoyed together. This idea for Christmas gifts for family is fun to put together and easy to duplicate for distant relatives, grandparents and special friends.
25. Custom Cookie Jar
Personalize a cookie jar with two lines of text to create a sweet decorative item for the kitchen. Or, add silly sayings to give your child a giggle every time they try to sneak their hand into the cookie jar.
If someone in your family has recently purchased their first home, they will love this as a housewarming gift. Made of high-quality stoneware, this idea for a family Christmas gift will be passed down through generations as a family heirloom.
26. Engraved Cutting Board
Families who enjoy spending time cooking will love an engraved cutting board for the holidays. Personalized with a favorite recipe, your family’s crest or a fun saying, the cutting board makes unique family gift ideas for Christmas that are practical too. This high-quality wood cutting board will become a family heirloom when engraved with one of your family’s favorite, time-honored recipes. Pull one from grandma’s recipe book to make it extra special!
27. Painted Family Portrait
Support a local artist by commissioning a painted family portrait or two as family gift ideas for Christmas. This timeless and heartfelt Christmas painting idea will capture a cherished moment in time for your family and make a beautiful decorative piece in your home.
Whether displayed in the living room or a special family space, it is a daily reminder of togetherness and love. Commission a piece through Paint Your Life and provide a few candid reference photos so the artist can get a sense of your family dynamic. Make the portrait extra special by including your family’s pet!
Budget Family Gift Ideas for Christmas
28. Popcorn Maker
If your gang loves movie nights, a nostalgic popcorn maker is a fun family gift idea for Christmas. Everyone will love the taste and smell of fresh popcorn in the movie room, and the beautiful design makes this item serve a dual purpose as a decorative accent piece in your home. Experiment with different seasonings to create sweet or savory treats for the family. If you are hosting Christmas, this is a gift you can unwrap and incorporate into the festivities. Plus, when summer rolls around, you'll be ready for the outdoor movie nights.
29. Family Board Games
Encourage everyone to spend time together and enjoy friendly competition by considering board games as interactive family gift ideas for Christmas. Popular options like Monopoly or Catan Jr. are great for getting everyone around the table and fostering skill-building and strategizing. Your loved ones can enjoy the games repeatedly and they’ll appreciate this Christmas gift idea for the family the more they play.
30. Puzzles
Bring everyone together around the table to piece together a family puzzle. These family gift ideas for Christmas are budget-friendly and something every family member can participate in. Puzzles with more pieces have a way of slowing the day down and making the fun last for longer, so consider a gift like this 9000-piece puzzle with a fun Disney theme for plenty of hours of family fun.
31. Hot Chocolate Kit
A warm cup of hot cocoa is good for the belly and the soul. For a creative way to give your family the experience of enjoying a cup, consider a hot chocolate kit as a family gift idea for Christmas. With unique flavors like Rocky Road, salted caramel, gingerbread and pumpkin pie, there’s something in this kit to please everyone. Simply add water, stir and enjoy!
32. Family Baking Kit
A baking kit is a fun and interactive family gift idea for Christmas that brings everyone together in the kitchen. Packed with ingredients, tools and recipe cards, the box encourages kids to taste new flavors and work as a team. Kids and adults alike can enjoy mixing, decorating and tasting their creations, whether that means Christmas cookie ideas or tarts and pastries. It’s not just about the tempting results — it’s about sharing laughs, learning culinary skills and creating warm holiday memories with people you love.
33. Gardening Supplies
Heavy-duty gardening tools encourage your gang to take care of the outdoor spaces at your home, grow a garden and spend time in the fresh air. These family gift ideas for Christmas are functional and will encourage spending time together while tackling outdoor chores. Encouraging children to care for even the most basic of herb garden ideas is a Christmas gift for family idea that will promote autonomy and a love for healthy food.
34. Crafting Kit
A jumbo arts and crafts supplies kit encourages creativity and provides your family with fun activities on any rainy day. The kit makes a fun family gift idea for Christmas because it promotes creativity and learning for all ages and skill levels. Use the supplies for a planned Christmas craft project for the family, or let everyone pull items from the box and use their imagination to make a unique decoration or silly craft.
35. DIY Coupon Book
Create DIY coupon books as family gift ideas for Christmas that promise plenty of fun nights in the weeks and months to come. Include coupons for a night at the theater, dinner at everyone’s favorite pizza spot, paper plates and no dishes night at home, manicures and pedicures or a face mask evening. Get creative with the coupons depending on your family’s interests, and take turns picking one each week or month to keep the family fun going all year.
36. Books for Family Reading Time
Gather a selection of books by your favorite authors as family gift ideas for Christmas that encourage reading and spending time together. Include books for all ages in your family, and provide some independent reads and some books the family can enjoy together. For a family gift idea for Christmas that nudges new habits, slip in a book light for quieter bedtimes.
37. Travel Bingo Kit
For fun family gift ideas for Christmas that everyone can enjoy, purchase a road bingo game kit. These easy-to-use cards help children pass the time on long trips in the car and maintain awareness of the road around them. Search for license plates, landmarks and road signs as you close boxes on your card and work to win. This is a great road trip game and a Christmas gift idea for family that will spare you the familiar chorus of, “Are we there yet?”.
38. Tickets for a Local Theater Production
While tickets to a Broadway show are often expensive, tickets to a local theater production are cost-effective and budget-friendly when you are buying for a larger crew. Choose from a school play, a children’s theater group or a local venue that supports local actors. This family gift idea for Christmas is a fantastic way to introduce your gang to theater and the arts and support your local theaters and art scene, too.
39. Zoo Membership
Zoo memberships are ideal family gift ideas for Christmas for anyone who enjoys animals or spending time outdoors. These gifts are economical when you spread the cost over the year. It lasts all year long and is perfect for families with young children. Trips to the zoo are fun and educational, and they offer tremendous opportunities for families to learn about endangered species and the importance of conservation efforts. Look for reciprocal agreements with aquariums to squeeze extra value into this family gift idea for Christmas.
Family Gift Ideas for Christmas FAQs
How To Do Christmas Gifts With a Big Family?
When you have a large family, finding gift ideas for family at Christmas and staying within budget can be difficult. Some ideas that can help include setting a smaller budget for each item, chipping in for one larger gift for each person, purchasing one gift for the whole family, exchanging names so that each person in the family only buys for one person, opting for more handmade gifts or only purchasing gifts for children.
How Much Should I Spend on a Family Christmas Gift?
The amount you spend on family gift ideas for Christmas depends on your budget, the size of the family and the specifics of the gift you choose. A good rule of thumb is to select meaningful Christmas gift ideas for family rather than focusing solely on cost.
However, generally, a modest budget for gifts for a family of 4 can range from about $20-50, a moderate budget is typically $50-100 and a high budget is $100 and up. One way to keep the budget down is to purchase one gift for the whole family rather than individual gifts.
What Is the Most Requested Christmas Gift?
The most requested family gifts for Christmas typically vary by age and sometimes gender. Often requested Christmas gifts for Mom include cooking utensils, handmade gifts for the children and bath products. Popular Christmas gifts for Dad include tool sets, golf clubs and sportswear. Christmas gifts for teens that are always appreciated include clothes and gift cards. Younger children love toys and games. Family gift ideas for the whole family, like a zoo pass or museum membership, are also frequently requested.
Choosing the perfect family gift ideas for Christmas is more than just selecting the item — it's about picking something unique and creating shared experiences and lasting memories. Whether you choose an engaging activity, a practical tool, a fun gift or a personalized keepsake, the best gifts bring joy and a smile to the recipient.
This Christmas season, focus on choosing more personalized gifts or meaningful things. After all, the most meaningful gift is the time spent with those you love. Which Christmas gift idea will you choose for your family?
For even more fun Christmas gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
