10 Unique Holiday Gifts for Families

When it comes to gift giving this year, why not try something a little different? Leave the toys to Santa Claus and buy one gift that's great for the whole family. Your family is guaranteed to love it, and you'll love how much money you save on gifts. We've found 10 fantastic presents that are perfect for all ages, and promote time spent together, because after all, that's what family is all about.

Let's face it: the best part of a campout is the S'mores! With its safe-for-indoors, flameless electric design, this marshmallow toaster is ideal for year-round use. Plus, it has convenient side compartments to store all of the necessary ingredients, like graham crackers and chocolate.

Price: $69.85
Available at: www.hammacher.com (get free shipping on orders over $99 when you use the promo code HSFREE at checkout)

Thanks to this new edition of Monopoly, electronics-happy kids and grown ups can take advantage of this beloved board game. Players can use an iPad as their "virtual banker," which means no more loose pieces of paper (or cheating!). The game packs all the fun of the original version, plus you can get a downloadable app (available on Apple products) that's full of enhanced fun, like "Chance" and "Community Chest" mini-games.

Price: $28.62
Available at: amazon.com

Instead of sending everyone to the movies, why not make the most of the small screen? These movie-night gift baskets come with one DVD and chock-full of sweet and salty snacks to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Available in dozens of themes, from the Disney Finding Nemo basket to The Dark Knight Rises basket, they have movies to match the tastes of grandchildren of all ages.

Price: $49.95 for Finding Nemo basket, prices vary
Available at: dvdgiftbaskets.com

Grandkids young and not-so-young will scream for the ice cream made in this machine. In about 20 minutes, this appliance can make creamy, soft serve ice cream as good as any franchise. There's storage for three toppings and the machine can dispense directly into a cup or cone. For those with more grown-up taste, instructions are included to make sherbet, sorbet, and frozen yogurt.

Price: $89.99
Available at: amazon.com

Help promote your grandchildren's education through fun family experiences. Many cultural institutions, such as zoos, museums, and aquariums, offer family memberships at a discounted price. Pick one and let your clan look forward to a year of visits. Just make sure they send you pictures!

Prices and availability vary by location.

A new take on traditional tea cups, these cups are crafted to reveal their heart shape when filled. Cups are small enough that little ones can hold them at a tea party with their favorite stuffed animals, or you can divide the set of six and individually wrap each cup for different recipients matched with their favorite tea or coffee.

Price: $49.99
Available at: store.yedihouseware.com

If you're looking for a gift to send to far away family, L.L.Bean has packaged essentials for the perfect holiday breakfast. Complete with two pancake mixes, jam and maple syrup made in Maine, this set has all of the makings of a yummy family meal.

Price: $39.95
Available at: llbean.com

Families with little artists ages three and up will love this crafty gift, which calls upon creativity to decorate a set of wooden blocks. Each set comes complete with nine wooden blocks, colored pencils, templates, paints, and brushes. For a group activity, divide the blocks among family members and let them design their own—the result will be a playful family keepsake.

Price: $35.99
Available at: oompa.com

Deck their halls with this customizable wall hanging. Available in multiple sizes and frames, you can match the display to just about any home's décor. You can also select up to 12 different family members to include, from pint-sized pets to parents. Plus, each canvas can be personalized your family name.

Price: $59.95 and up
Available at: redenvelope.com

Families that love the great outdoors will get a kick out of this picnic pack, which makes it easy to plate a memorable meal on the go. Each set comes with service for four, including silverware, plates, napkins, drinking glasses and more. Parents will love to pack it up for a special date night, and kids will have fun laying out the table cloth for a fun snack.

Price: $58.99
Available at: amazon.com