I have so much fun putting together my annual gift guides. So, if you hate shopping or trying to think of gifts for everyone in your life, hopefully these ideas will work for you — more grown-up gift guides will be posted soon. As always, I love hearing from you with additional gifts and will try to keep the ideas coming on Facebook as we get closer the holiday season.
Usborne Magic Painting Books
I shared these in Just 3 Things No. 10, but need to re-emphasize how fun they are for kids (and adults). These beautiful books just take water, a brush, and your relaxing headspace to create wonderful paintings.
I shared these in Just 3 Things No. 10, but need to re-emphasize how fun they are for kids (and adults). These beautiful books just take water, a brush, and your relaxing headspace to create wonderful paintings.
Cool Tableware (BIPOC-Owned Business)
For the kid with the parents who don’t want to sacrifice their cool design aesthetics, fun and exciting tableware can really step up snack time.
For the kid with the parents who don’t want to sacrifice their cool design aesthetics, fun and exciting tableware can really step up snack time.
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Toddler Cutting Board Set
A set of toddler knives is on Luke’s Christmas list this year. He wants to “help” in the kitchen and I can get frustrated easily trying to find ways to engage him. I’m hoping he will enjoy slicing and dicing with these basic knives!
A set of toddler knives is on Luke’s Christmas list this year. He wants to “help” in the kitchen and I can get frustrated easily trying to find ways to engage him. I’m hoping he will enjoy slicing and dicing with these basic knives!
Life on Earth Simple Bingo
This brand’s games are beautiful and this bingo set is appropriate for players as young as 3.
This brand’s games are beautiful and this bingo set is appropriate for players as young as 3.
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Usborne 100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly Book
This became one of my go-to presents in the past year. It works for kiddos across age groups and is fun for grown ups too. There are a few versions to pick from and enjoy.
This became one of my go-to presents in the past year. It works for kiddos across age groups and is fun for grown ups too. There are a few versions to pick from and enjoy.
Do Good Daily (BIPOC-Owned Business)
My 1 and 3 year olds do not have the focus to work on this with me yet, but I love this set of tools to mindfully set goals for doing good every day.
Update 10/22 : No longer available, but the artist has collection available with Target.
My 1 and 3 year olds do not have the focus to work on this with me yet, but I love this set of tools to mindfully set goals for doing good every day.
Update 10/22 : No longer available, but the artist has collection available with Target.
IKEA BYGGLEK Lego Box
These can be tricky to come by and folks like to re-sell them online for crazy prices, but if you have an IKEA near you they are definitely worth snagging. The Lego box can be paired with a kit to amp them up and are really great for 6-10 year olds who love displaying their little creations.
These can be tricky to come by and folks like to re-sell them online for crazy prices, but if you have an IKEA near you they are definitely worth snagging. The Lego box can be paired with a kit to amp them up and are really great for 6-10 year olds who love displaying their little creations.
Pantone Box of Color
I wouldn’t be themostcolorfulone if I didn’t recommend this colorful set of books for the littlest folks in your life.
I wouldn’t be themostcolorfulone if I didn’t recommend this colorful set of books for the littlest folks in your life.
Not So Different (BIPOC Author)
This recently published beautiful book aims to "children to embrace their differences and celebrate diversity."
This recently published beautiful book aims to "children to embrace their differences and celebrate diversity."
The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey
This is not a toddler Curious George story, but instead the fascinating origin tale of its authors and illustrators. I found this in a Little Free Library and have really enjoyed reading it myself. Thriftbooks has some copies at great prices too.
This is not a toddler Curious George story, but instead the fascinating origin tale of its authors and illustrators. I found this in a Little Free Library and have really enjoyed reading it myself. Thriftbooks has some copies at great prices too.
Eric Carle Magna-Tiles
Magna-Tiles are a pretty universal kid present, but add in Eric Carle’s beautiful illustrations and even the littlest toddlers will want to engage and build. Pair these with the associate book so that kiddos can build the story as it is read aloud to them.
Magna-Tiles are a pretty universal kid present, but add in Eric Carle’s beautiful illustrations and even the littlest toddlers will want to engage and build. Pair these with the associate book so that kiddos can build the story as it is read aloud to them.
Magnetic Drawing Board
Yes, the Magnadoodle from your childhood is still out there and lots of fun. JJ loves our drawing board for at home and in the car. Keep it classic, gift this with another of your own favorite childhood toys. If the kids don’t like the toys, the parents probably will ;)
Yes, the Magnadoodle from your childhood is still out there and lots of fun. JJ loves our drawing board for at home and in the car. Keep it classic, gift this with another of your own favorite childhood toys. If the kids don’t like the toys, the parents probably will ;)
Little People Lift the Flap Books
Both JJ and Luke love these books for some reason — it may just be us, but we hope the little folks in your life will enjoy them too. There is so much to look at on each page and every spread offers questions and talking points to think about as an adult reads along.
Both JJ and Luke love these books for some reason — it may just be us, but we hope the little folks in your life will enjoy them too. There is so much to look at on each page and every spread offers questions and talking points to think about as an adult reads along.
Haus of Headrwaps (BIPOC-Owned Business)
Before having a JJ, I was judge-y about little girls with big bows — now I am very supportive of the cuteness factor and practicality. This site is unfortunately closing, but has great deals while supplies last. I think a cute bow would be the perfect thing to pull together any holiday gift.
Update 10/22: No longer available.
Before having a JJ, I was judge-y about little girls with big bows — now I am very supportive of the cuteness factor and practicality. This site is unfortunately closing, but has great deals while supplies last. I think a cute bow would be the perfect thing to pull together any holiday gift.
Update 10/22: No longer available.
Build a Bouquet Snap Together Flowers
These are fun tinkering toys to keep little hands and minds busy.
These are fun tinkering toys to keep little hands and minds busy.
Removable Wall Decals
We are renting our home, so wall decals have been our go-to decorating item for our kids’ rooms. Definitely ask the parents before gifting these to make sure they are welcome and the parents are ready to put them up. There are beautiful options on Etsy, but if gifting, look for adhesive decals instead of transfer decals which are a bigger undertaking and not easily movable.
We are renting our home, so wall decals have been our go-to decorating item for our kids’ rooms. Definitely ask the parents before gifting these to make sure they are welcome and the parents are ready to put them up. There are beautiful options on Etsy, but if gifting, look for adhesive decals instead of transfer decals which are a bigger undertaking and not easily movable.
Waffles + Mochi: Get Cooking!: Learn to Cook Tomato Candy Pasta, Gratitouille, and Other Tasty Recipes (BIPOC Author)
If you have any young chefs in your life or kiddos who enjoy the Waffles + Mocha Netflix show, this cookbook will be released in time for the holidays. Pre-orders are available now to make you feel really on top of your game.
If you have any young chefs in your life or kiddos who enjoy the Waffles + Mocha Netflix show, this cookbook will be released in time for the holidays. Pre-orders are available now to make you feel really on top of your game.
Alphaprints
These board books are great for little eyes and hands. They are super colorful and inspire kiddos to see and create things based on shapes around them.
These board books are great for little eyes and hands. They are super colorful and inspire kiddos to see and create things based on shapes around them.
Play-Doh Shape Extruder
This is cheap, simple fun and Luke’s absolute Play-Doh toy. It is one of the few things in our house that keeps him truly occupied.
This is cheap, simple fun and Luke’s absolute Play-Doh toy. It is one of the few things in our house that keeps him truly occupied.
Virtual Dance Class (BIPOC-Owned Business)
For families that aren’t comfortable or able to get back into in-person activities, it may be fun to gift a virtual experiences like the dance classes offered by Lovely Leaps.
For families that aren’t comfortable or able to get back into in-person activities, it may be fun to gift a virtual experiences like the dance classes offered by Lovely Leaps.
I’ve been Christmas shopping for Luke and JJ for a few months because it is fun and relaxing for me haha. I’ve been doing my best to buy everything used or re-sold new with pretty great success thus far. My favorite places to shop include:
Bears Repeating (Local to Lehigh Valley, PA)
The Kids Clothesline (Local to Lehigh Valley, PA)
Three Peas Children’s Consignment (Local to Ann Arbor, MI and Shipping available)
Just Between Friends (Find your local sale)
Mercari (Shipping available - try my referral link for money back)
Thriftbooks (Shipping available)
Facebook Marketplace (Local to you and Shipping available)
Happy shopping to you all. Hopefully these ideas will help for the kiddos in your life, plans for toy donations, or any gift exchanges you get roped into as well.
Bears Repeating (Local to Lehigh Valley, PA)
The Kids Clothesline (Local to Lehigh Valley, PA)
Three Peas Children’s Consignment (Local to Ann Arbor, MI and Shipping available)
Just Between Friends (Find your local sale)
Mercari (Shipping available - try my referral link for money back)
Thriftbooks (Shipping available)
Facebook Marketplace (Local to you and Shipping available)
Happy shopping to you all. Hopefully these ideas will help for the kiddos in your life, plans for toy donations, or any gift exchanges you get roped into as well.
