10 entertainment-themed gift ideas this holiday season

Here are 10 entertainment related gifts that offer the chance to have fun with family and friends. Let these ideas inspire you to come up with entertainment ideas of your own.

1. Victoria Theatre Association: Ticket to “SHREK THE MUSICAL”

Give your family member or friend a ticket to “SHREK THE MUSICAL,” running from Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, through Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton.

The performance is based on the film series “Shrek” about an ogre and a princess, and it is recommended for people ages 6 and older.

Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets prices begin at $15, plus service fees. Ticket prices are subject to change. A military discount of 25 percent is available with a military ID. The limit is two tickets per ID. This discount is not available on $15 tickets. Students with a student ID can receive half-off tickets at the box office or on the phone. The limit is one ticket per student ID, and this student discount is not available on $15 tickets.

To buy tickets and to learn about the Shrek Family Broadway Matinees scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19, and Sunday, Jan. 20, go to ticketcenterstage.com, or call 937-228-3630 or 888-228-3630. Tickets also may purchased at the Ticket Center Stage box office located in the Wintergarden at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, in downtown Dayton.

For more information, go to victoriatheatre.com.

2. Dayton Society of Natural History: Membership and stocking stuffer

Purchase a one-year membership to the Dayton Society of Natural History, and add one or more stocking stuffers from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton.

A membership to the Dayton Society of Natural History includes free admission to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park in Dayton, and Fort Ancient in Oregonia. There are several membership levels. One of the most popular is the "Family" level, which costs $85. This is for two named adults living in the same household, and six children 21 and under. This is good for one full year from the date of purchase. Perks include reciprocal benefits to more than 300 science museums and 150 zoos and aquariums worldwide through the Association of Science-Technology Centers and Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Effective Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, members also will have unlimited, free access to space, theater and dome shows at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.

To buy a membership, go to boonshoftmuseum.org, or call 937–275–7431, ext 144. You also may print out a membership application online and mail it to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, or stop by the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery during business hours.

In addition, add a stocking stuffer sold in the Discoveries Gift Shop at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery to your gift. One recommended item is Astronaut Ice Cream, a freeze-dried treat that astronauts have been enjoying for years, costing $3.99 per package. Another suggested item is a Crack Open Geode, which can be cracked open with a hammer and chisel to show crystal formations, costing $3.99 each.

Memberships and stocking stuffers also are sold at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery's mall kiosk, located at Upper Valley Mall in Springfield.

For more information, go to www.boonshoftmuseum.org.

3. Movies: Gift certificate

Who doesn’t love a good movie? Movie gift certificates and gift cards are easily attainable at chain theaters and retail outlets that sell gift cards. But they are also available at independent movie theaters that might offer a different experience.

Buy a gift certificate to The Neon, an independent movie theater in Dayton, for the opportunity to watch art films, independent films, documentaries, Oscar contenders and more.

Gift certificates are available in $5 and $10 denominations, and the minimum is $5. They can be used to pay for movie tickets and concessions. Gift certificates can be purchased at The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton.

For more information, call 937-222-7469.

The Little Art Theatre, 247 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, also an independent theater, offers gift certificates for $7.50 each for use by adults, and $6.50 for senior citizens and children. "Admit Two" gift certificates and gift cards with added value for concessions are also available. Please visit the box office for details or to purchase gift certificates.

4. Young’s Jersey Dairy: Gift card

Buy a gift card to Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, good for “family, food and fun” at all facilities, including the Dairy Store, Udders and Putters, The Golden Jersey Inn, and Young’s Farmstead Cheese Marketplace.

Gift cards can be purchased for any dollar amount, and the minimum is $5.

Also, now through Sunday, Dec. 23, if you buy a gift card for $25 or more, you will receive a $5 bonus gift card, and if you buy a gift card for $50 or more, you will receive a $10 bonus gift card.

To purchase a gift card, stop by Young's Jersey Dairy, or visit their website.

5. Kings Island: Season pass

Purchase a 2013 season pass to Kings Island amusement park in Mason. Here are the season pass options.

You can pay in full now, or select the Buy Now, Pay Later option, and your credit card will not be charged until April 1, 2013.

For more information and to buy passes, go to www.visitkingsisland.com. If you purchase tickets online, you will be able to print out a membership certificate. You also can buy a Gold Season Pass at any Kroger store.

6. Newport Aquarium: Annual passes

Take advantage of the holiday special on annual passes at the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Ky.

An annual pass costs $45 for an adult, $40 for a senior 65 and over, and $29 for children between 2 and 12. Passes for children under 2 always are free.

For this holiday special, buy three passes, and get another one for free. This special is available now through Monday, Dec. 24. This deadline may be extended, so be sure to check the aquarium’s website for updates. This special applies to both new and existing pass holders.

To buy a pass, stop by the aquarium, or call 1-800-406-FISH (3474).

Pass perks include unlimited admission to the aquarium, invitations to special previews and events, $2 off guests’ tickets, and several discounts including deals at the gift shop, photo shop, and candy store.

For more information and updates, go to www.newportaquarium.com.

7. The Greene Town Center: Gift card

Buy a gift card to The Greene Town Center, which can be used nearly everywhere in the shopping center, with the exceptions of the movie theater and Pure M.D. Dayton.

If you purchase a gift card of $75 or more online on The Greene's website, it will be shipped to you for free, now through Thursday, Dec. 20. You also can buy a gift card at the guest services building at The Greene. The minimum is $10, and the maximum is $500 for one gift card.

For more information, go to thegreene.com.

8. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: Membership

Purchase a one-year membership to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati.

Standard membership benefits include free year-round admission to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, free enrollment in the Zoo Rewards Program, free admission to PNC Festival of Lights, free or discounted admission to more than 100 other zoos, discounts at all retail and food service locations, three half-price guest passes, and invitations to special events and previews.

To buy a membership, go to cincinnatizoo.org, or call 513-281-4700.

All memberships bought as a gift are sent to the giver in the form of a gift certificate. For more information, call 513-559-7713 or e-mail membership@cincinnatizoo.org.

9. College basketball tickets

Purchase tickets to University of Dayton basketball games this season at the UD Arena in Dayton.

Tickets to 2012-2013 men’s basketball non-conference games are available in the 400 level, and cost $20 to $10 depending on the opponent. Youth tickets for children under 18 are available for as low as $5 for select games.

In addition, the A-10 Conference Package for all A-10 games costs $80; availability of this option is limited.

Women’s basketball single games cost $5 for adult and $3 for children under 18. All women’s basketball games are general admission. The women’s basketball team is nationally ranked.

To purchase tickets, go www.daytonflyers.com, call 937-229-4433 or visit the UD Ticket Office. Call 937-229-4433 to ask about available group rates for tickets.

Tickets to 2012-13 men's basketball games for the Wright State Raiders start at $10 each. For more information, visit www.wsuraiders.com or call (937) 775-2804.

10. Baseball: Ticket package

Purchase Dayton Dragons baseball ticket packages for the 2013 season, for sale now through the end of 2012.

Each ticket plan offers members admission to two to four games per month during the season, which will run from April to September, and has benefits including “great seats” and a free Dayton Dragons season ticket holder gift.

The 17-game plan package option costs $165.75. This ticket package is made up of pre-determined weekday and weekend games spread throughout the season, adding up to 17 games total.

The shared game plan option costs $105.75, and offers admission to nine pre-determined weekday and weekend games throughout the season.

For more information and to order a ticket plan, call 937-228-2287, or e-mail dragons@daytondragons.com.

Also consider Cincinnati Reds gift certificates, now on sale and available in denominations of $10, $15 and $25. They are redeemable at the box office for tickets to any regular season home game, subject to availability. They cannot be redeemed online or by phone. For more information, visit

http://mlb.mlb.com/cin/ticketing/giftcards.jsp.