Presenting your annual Louisville holiday gift guide! Whether you’re looking for awesome new gift ideas for your kids, want experiences to gift, or are searching for a good cause to gift to on behalf of your family, we’ve got our top picks all rounded up here for you.
LMC on WAVE Country in 2022!
Womple
Bring the wonders of the world to your child’s fingertips with WompleBox! WompleBox is an award-winning subscription box that takes your child on a rollicking adventure to a new country each month. It’s the most engaging and exciting way for kids to discover geography, culture, sciences, wildlife, and more to deepen their knowledge of the world. Every box includes an illustrated early-reader adventure book that will transport them to a new place, two hands-on STEAM projects, fold-out map & fact-filled country guide, ‘Pen Pal Pack’ with stickers, stationery, envelope, and postcard, and a collectible from each place.
WOMPLE UNBOXING!
Get Out Pass Kentucky & Get Out Pass Ohio
Give the Ultimate Experience Gift!
With Get Out Pass, you get access to multiple venues for a full 12 months. Using code LOUMOMGETOUT gets you about a 30% discount anytime, but right now though December 31, 2025, you can get the Get Out Pass Kentucky for only $44.95* (the lowest price it will ever be!), covering 30+ attractions across Kentucky and down into Tennessee. Get entrance to Kentucky Kingdom, Beech Bend, Nashville Shores, Kentucky Down Under, Louisville Bats, and so many more.
You can also get the Get Out Pass Ohio, which covers the whole Louisville area and up into all of Ohio with 55+ attractions, including Kentucky Kingdom, Kentucky Down Under, Erie Zoo, Akron Zoo, Florence Y’alls, African Safari Wildlife Park, and countless more! This one is just $34.95* through the end of the year with our exclusive code LOUMOMGETOUT, an incredible deal for you and your family.
*Make sure you use our exclusive code in place of any default coupons at checkout to get the lowest possible price – LOUMOMGETOUT
My kids are the only grandchildren on both sides of our family. That fact, combined with the fact that our family lived in a pretty small space for a homeschooling family of five meant that holiday and birthday gifts could become overwhelming really fast. I’m far from a type A person, but even I was getting lost in the mess. We would donate every time the kids got new toys and gadgets, but we still found their tiny bedrooms cluttered and toys broken all the time.
I am happy to say that we have finally found a solution. Each year, we send our family a list of experiences that our kids would enjoy or have requested as an alternative to toys or gadgets. They often pair these with some small trinkets so the kids have something fun to unwrap, but they are things that are cheap or consumable (like coloring books and candy) that are not going to fill our home with more stuff.
If you are like us, and are longing for a way to give your loved ones an exciting birthday, Christmas, or any gift-receiving opportunity, here are some of the great options for the big and small people in your life that explore Louisville and its surrounding area:
For the family:
This historic farm and homestead offers classes and camps for nature lovers of all ages. Their “Christmas folklore and natural history hike” and “Old Time Country Christmas” event are some of our family’s favorite ways to spend time together during the winter holidays.
Louisville Orchestra’s Family Series
Youtube and video performances are wonderful, but there is something special about seeing and hearing exciting pieces played right before one’s eyes. The Louisville Orchestra’s Family Series is a great way for music lovers young and old to feel the magic of live classical music. This three concert series provides affordable and kid-friendly classical performances along with familiar popular music that the whole family can enjoy.
We studied shipbuilding, boats, and pirates in our homeschool this year, so something my family is looking forward to this year is a trip on the Belle of Louisville. We are going to enjoy a nice cruise along the Ohio river and fun exploration of the boat with an Adventure Passport.
Kentucky Kingdom Annual Passes
They’re part of both the Get Out Pass Kentucky and Get Out Pass Kentucky – get yours for the lowest price all year with code LOUMOMGETOUT!
Tickets to the Newport Aquarium
For kids:
Want the kiddos to feel like kids in a candy store? Why not take them to a candy store. Schimpff’s Confectionary is just across the river in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Open since 1891, this adorable antique shop is any child’s dream trip. Marvel at the giant gummy bear, fill your pockets with just about any sweet you can think of, or have the unique experience of tasting a red hot cinnamon drop still warm after being made right in front of you.
One of my son’s most memorable experience gifts was a birthday trip to the Kentucky Railway Museum. We attended the Day out with Thomas, and it was so much fun! There are also railroad adventures for kids who have outgrown their love of the blue tank engine. Wear your pajamas and take a ride on the North Pole Express or grab your cowboy hat and prepare for a Western style train robbery experience. Don’t forget the museum itself, too! Kentucky is home to lots of interesting history, and the railroads were a big part of all of it.
For grown-ups:
Louisville is a foodie’s paradise. Whether they are into raw vegan food, coffee, big juicy steaks, or local farm fare, there is a restaurant (or four) for them to enjoy. The LMC team has made a list of some of our favorite spots.
If you are looking for something a little less typical for a date night gift, check out After Hours at the Speed. You’ve probably taken advantage of the free admission during Owsley Sundays (If not, you should!), but this is something different. Every third Friday, this local art museum stays awake until 10pm with exciting musical performances, live shows, and other exciting programming. Grab a drink from the Wiltshire, and enjoy after-hours at this Louisville treasure.
For more ideas, also check out the following guides on the LMC blog. Our city has something for everyone:
Louisville Area Guide to Kids Activities
Guide to Coffee Shops in Louisville
Bath Wonderland Coat Drive
WHAT :: Provides coats and other warm clothing for the homeless. The organization is accepting new and slightly used coats, fleece, and blankets. Monetary donations are also needed for hats, gloves, masks, and other essentials.
WHEN :: Through December 15th
WHERE :: Donations can be dropped off at Pocket Change, 1519 Baxter Avenue and Change Today Change Tomorrow, 902 S 15th Street
MORE INFORMATION :: Monetary donations via PayPal: [email protected]; Venmo: @bathwonderland; and Cash App: $BG2L. It is very important to note “Coat Drive” when donating. Email [email protected] if you have questions.
WHAT :: The Center for Women & Families helps families experiencing domestic, intimate partner, or sexual violence become survivors. It provides emergency shelter for families, including pets. The Center needs monetary donations and has a wish list on Amazon. Purchase items most needed and have them shipped directly to one of its locations (thecenteronline.org/get-involved/give-donations/new-items).
MORE INFORMATION :: Send donations by mail to Development Office, The Center for Women and Families, P.O. Box 2048, Louisville, KY, 40201 or make them online at thecenteronline.org.
