Christmas and Winter Holidays Gift Ideas for Kids Who Like the Harry Potter Stories

The Harry Potter series of books and movies may seem like a strange choice for Christmas and winter holiday gifts for kids who are fans of the stories. Yet, Christmas and winter holidays play important roles in the films. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the ancient stone castle housing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry displays Christmas decorations, and the pupils are offered a Christmas break.

Older elementary school-aged kids and young tweens may enjoy a theme gift from the series, whether it be a variety of wands or Hermoine Granger's Time Turner.

The selection of wands is staggering. Hermoine's, Harry's and Ron's wands start at $35.00. Dumbledore and He Who Must Not Be Named also have wands at this price. Ron's sister, Jenny, and their friend Luna have wands that run about $28.50. Hermoine's measures about 14 inches. When kids wave the wand, it lights up; another wave turns it off. Be sure to purchase at least two AAA batteries. Some parents report that the wand works best with the strongest Lithium batteries.

Many Harry Potter items appear in The Nobel Collection: Product Catalog.
For Christmas 2011, the site advises placing orders on or before Sunday, December 18th, by 11:00 PM, Pacific Time. Check out other sites such as Barnes and Nobel for additional pricing info.

If the price of the wands or Time Turner is too steep, then consider ways to improvise. For younger kids who haven't seen the catalog Time Turner, a pretty pendant or necklace in a pretty box, and wrapped in nice paper, offers an inexpensive alternative. The pendant shown below has the same swirly features as the catalog Time Turner, but only cost $1 at a local thrift store. The box came from another thrift store.

The Internet also abounds with directions for homemade wands. You can make them using only a piece of wood, several sheets of computer paper, a glue gun, and paints.
Another homemade wand lights up in the video Hermoine Granger Light Up Wand (Homemade).
Another set of directions skips the wood and uses computer paper and a glue gun with paint.
Options include an electric switch and wire hidden under decoration to power an LED light on the end of the wand. As with any project, plan ahead and assemble supplies. Make these as Christmas and holiday presents. Or, use these as Christmas break projects for kids home from school and wondering what to do. For ideas about wands, Time Turners, jewelry, bookmarks, and other items, see The Nobel Collection site.

Pike Place Market Overlooking Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington: Hands of the World

      Outside "Hands of the World" shop, downstairs at Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington.

During the winter holidays, visit the Pike Place Market if you are in Seattle. If you can't get to the Emerald City, then take a virtual visit. Looking at the Pike Place Market shops helps inspire Christmas and holiday gift and activity ideas.

If you like international and fair trade items, then visit Hands of the World. Located one level below street level, this colorful shop and helpful staff create a place to shop and learn. Many items come from women's co-ops around the world. These unique designs and items make interesting and useful gifts. Scarves, mittens, wooden flutes, "rain" toys: these just begin to describe the items available.

My personal favorites are the jewelry pieces, especially the pendants. I've purchased a few pendants there, and always receive compliments on them.

Ridiculously Inexpensive Christmas and Holiday Gifts by Teresa K. Dashwood

The holidays are approaching, and in times of economic turmoil, people can become stressed as they realize they may not have enough funds for presents. This post, and others to follow, will explore some holiday gift options that cost little or no money. Save funds for children's Christmas and holiday presents, and find thoughtful or amusing gifts for the grown-ups.

Bookmarks

It's easy to find holiday or gift bookmarks online that you can print on photo or heavy paper.
The bookmarks make nice stocking stuffers or simple gifts.

Run a web search with a name of an actor, author, movie, book, or television show.
Add the word "bookmark" to refine your search.

An example is for fans of Orlando Bloom. The website "The Orlando Bloom Files" contains five pages of printable bookmarks, along with directions.

Homemade Bookmarks

With a small investment of card stock paper, you can make your own bookmarks. Think of the person on your holiday list, and the types of quotes or images they enjoy. Cut out paper for the bookmark size you want, such as 2 x 6 inches. You can write the quote with a calligraphy pen and draw an image. Or type the words on a word processing program, print it out, and tape the words onto the card stock. Print out images and tape them on the card stock too. Another idea is to print the words and images directly onto the card stock. Or, instead of tape, put the bookmark through a lamination process.

The main goals are to use your creative process to make a gift for someone. Use your imagination.