We have so much stuff for our kids and it’s fun to get them that stuff. It can be even more fun to get stuff for other people’s kids because it lives in their houses. I really do my best to be mindful of people’s space and what kids will actually use when we select presents for birthdays and holidays. We love giving experiences (from supplies for water balloon fights to museum memberships), but because much of the world is closed for business and we are not getting together in big family groups, stuff feels like the answer right now and for the winter holidays. I’m building my gifting plan here; so, don’t be surprised if your kids get some of these things from us. I’m pretty focused on little kids because I live in the little kid world right now.
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Personalized Photo Fun
My sister’s kids traditionally receives great personalized placemats on St. Nicholas Day. I love a practical gift, so Shutterfly placemats are perfect with special pictures of each kid from great days that year. Luke loves looking at pictures of himself. This year we plan to take our photo gifting to the next level with with games from Shutterfly including puzzles and memory cards.
My sister’s kids traditionally receives great personalized placemats on St. Nicholas Day. I love a practical gift, so Shutterfly placemats are perfect with special pictures of each kid from great days that year. Luke loves looking at pictures of himself. This year we plan to take our photo gifting to the next level with with games from Shutterfly including puzzles and memory cards.
Take-Along Railroad
We really take this railroad along! This thing traveled to Florida with us when traveling was thing. The track accommodates multiple train brands including Motorized Thomas Engines.
We really take this railroad along! This thing traveled to Florida with us when traveling was thing. The track accommodates multiple train brands including Motorized Thomas Engines.
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Personalized Bedding + Towels
My sister, brother, and I were gifted Disney sheets from a family friend when we were very young. My Lion King pillow case was a prized possession because it was different from our more uniform floral bedding. And Luke loves declaring things as “MINE.” So, why not give kids something they’ll use everyday and will be specialized for them. Pottery Barn Kids has fun bath and bedding options. Lands End has great towel picks too.
My sister, brother, and I were gifted Disney sheets from a family friend when we were very young. My Lion King pillow case was a prized possession because it was different from our more uniform floral bedding. And Luke loves declaring things as “MINE.” So, why not give kids something they’ll use everyday and will be specialized for them. Pottery Barn Kids has fun bath and bedding options. Lands End has great towel picks too.
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Highlights Subscriptions
I loved Highlights magazine as a kid and they’ve expanded their offerings to include subscriptions for your littlest gift recipients. Our favorite part of every Highlights issue was the Hidden Pictures page; so, if you are looking for something to wrap up to go with a monthly subscription, you can purchase sets of Hidden Picture books.
I loved Highlights magazine as a kid and they’ve expanded their offerings to include subscriptions for your littlest gift recipients. Our favorite part of every Highlights issue was the Hidden Pictures page; so, if you are looking for something to wrap up to go with a monthly subscription, you can purchase sets of Hidden Picture books.
Crayon Holder
My family’s favorite restaurant growing up delivered crayons to the table in a wooden holder. It’s one of those random memories that I felt like needed to be imposed on my children. There are lots of forms of this classic kids accessory. But, just know that this thing is a dangerous projectile if your kiddo is a pitcher. Pair this holder with some metallic or glitter crayons for that cool aunt / uncle vibe!
My family’s favorite restaurant growing up delivered crayons to the table in a wooden holder. It’s one of those random memories that I felt like needed to be imposed on my children. There are lots of forms of this classic kids accessory. But, just know that this thing is a dangerous projectile if your kiddo is a pitcher. Pair this holder with some metallic or glitter crayons for that cool aunt / uncle vibe!
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Trailblazers T-Shirts
We just added RBG and Zaha Hadid shirts to our wardrobes! Trailblazers has a huge collection of inspiring shirt options and artwork too.
We just added RBG and Zaha Hadid shirts to our wardrobes! Trailblazers has a huge collection of inspiring shirt options and artwork too.
Reusable Sticker Books
These sticker books are PACKED with stickers. They are meant to be used on the scenes that come in the sticker books, but we use them as window clings. So far they have been a hit around here and very durable.
These sticker books are PACKED with stickers. They are meant to be used on the scenes that come in the sticker books, but we use them as window clings. So far they have been a hit around here and very durable.
Self-Sealing Water Balloons
Not the ideal winter gift, but a favorite of mine — these water balloon kits fill 20+ water balloons at a time and don’t need to be individually tied. Water balloon fight ready in…3..2..1!
Not the ideal winter gift, but a favorite of mine — these water balloon kits fill 20+ water balloons at a time and don’t need to be individually tied. Water balloon fight ready in…3..2..1!
Building Block Mat and Storage Bag
This is on our wish list this year 😉! We have lots of Duplos and we dump and clean them up over and over again daily. These bags make that process easier and even let you take your blocks on the go. There are lots of options to support small businesses with this gift idea and you can make it all the more exciting by including a new Lego set.
This is on our wish list this year 😉! We have lots of Duplos and we dump and clean them up over and over again daily. These bags make that process easier and even let you take your blocks on the go. There are lots of options to support small businesses with this gift idea and you can make it all the more exciting by including a new Lego set.
Lacing Beads
We could use some practice with fine motor skills around here (maybe for me and for Luke). I loved my lacing beads as a kiddo and there are so many options out there including lots of handcrafted beauts like these.
We could use some practice with fine motor skills around here (maybe for me and for Luke). I loved my lacing beads as a kiddo and there are so many options out there including lots of handcrafted beauts like these.
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Framed Art Prints
We have been loving getting to know the work of children’s lit illustrators. Many great, award-winning illustrators sell art prints from their works — check out Christian Robinson. But you can also simply buy books from great illustrators and frame your favorite pages — consider Peter Spier, Rafael Lopez, Rosalind Beardshaw, Felicia Bond.
We have been loving getting to know the work of children’s lit illustrators. Many great, award-winning illustrators sell art prints from their works — check out Christian Robinson. But you can also simply buy books from great illustrators and frame your favorite pages — consider Peter Spier, Rafael Lopez, Rosalind Beardshaw, Felicia Bond.
Color Wonder Markers and Paints
If you have a kid-free house, but have little people visiting, Crayola Color Wonder products are here for you. These paints and markers appear clear on all surfaces except Color Wonder paper.
If you have a kid-free house, but have little people visiting, Crayola Color Wonder products are here for you. These paints and markers appear clear on all surfaces except Color Wonder paper.
Puzzle Huddle Puzzles
Our toys are pretty white-washed around here. We’ve been working to diversify Luke and JJ’s playthings. Puzzle Huddle focuses on creating puzzles with Black characters and has lots of really great examples of girls doing very cool things.
Our toys are pretty white-washed around here. We’ve been working to diversify Luke and JJ’s playthings. Puzzle Huddle focuses on creating puzzles with Black characters and has lots of really great examples of girls doing very cool things.
Custom Floral Letter
Little people love things that are all about them. These fun custom letters may be borderline tchotchke, but would certainly make awesome embellishments to a wrapped gift box!
Little people love things that are all about them. These fun custom letters may be borderline tchotchke, but would certainly make awesome embellishments to a wrapped gift box!
Books! Books! Books!
These are some of our favorites and a few we have on our Christmas list this year.
These are some of our favorites and a few we have on our Christmas list this year.
