Christmas season is such a beautiful season of cheer, joy, and remembering the birth of Christ. There also comes the Christmas gifts, and each year Paul and I struggle a little finding the balance of staying in a budget and meeting the kids’ wishes.
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We have definitely overspent in some past years, but each year we tweak our Christmas process and inform the kids on the amount they may expect to receive. I have also recently really embraced the motto that “Less is More.” (Read Joshua Becker’s book The More of Less.) It is amazing how a few simple items actually bring more joy, and let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas – Christ.
This year, we are going to do 3 gifts for each child as that is how many gifts Jesus received. We’ve decided to do a gift from Santa, a gift from mom & dad, and a family gift. Yet, we do usually add books in addition as I always love adding to our home library every year. I also have some very eager and upcoming readers. You can read part 1 of my teaching to read series here.
As you contemplate your Christmas list, I have gathered together some of our favorite gifted items to the kids the past few years.
Gift Ideas for Toddlers
This age is great because it can be kept so simple. I love how this age has no requests. Our favorite toddler toys include:
- Magnatiles – endless hours of entertainment! I continue to add to my basket of these over the years and they are a toy that go back to almost daily. I can hear them play up in our loft area now!
- Duplos – again, timeless toys!
- Montessori switch board – awesome toy for travel and it’s quiet!
Sports/Outdoors Gift Ideas
I love adding to our outdoor equipment. It keeps less mess inside and the kids active outside.
- Spike ball – this popular game is popular for teenagers
- Drone – recommend for ages 12+
- Fishing rod – this foldable fishing rod my son has loved the past couple years and it is still going strong. Best part is that it is easy to store.
- Rebounder net – we have sport fans coming up and this is what we are adding to our yard.
Wheels & Riding Gear
honestly, we are not bike fans. The kids do have bikes that we collect used, but what gets used the most are alternative wheels that are easier to store and maintain:
- Skateboards – classic choice for kids who want to learn tricks and have good balance
- Penny boards – great for new skateboarders! These are smaller, lighter, and perfect for beginners who are just learning to balance and cruise. Yet, really the big kids love this one too! When we bring it to our co-op, it is a prized possession among the kids!
- Scooters – probably the most used in our house! Easy for all ages and skill levels! Here is our favorite one for under age 6 (it rides so smooth!), and this one is great for ages 6+.
- Skates – whether inline or quad, these are great for kids who want a different kind of speed
All of these are easy to maintain and don’t take up space when packing up in the car. Don’t forget elbow pads and helmets!
Indoor Entertainment
- Beads – I now have girls ages 7-12 and having pony beads and bead bracelet supplies is essential. Keeps the girls very busy with screen-free entertainment.
- Markers – these markers are a favorite of my 12-year-old daughter’s
- Legos – there is always someone who wants a Lego set. Favorite Friends sets have been these: Treehouse, Adventure Camp, and Horse Training
- And the boys love the Ninjago sets.
Family Gifts
These are gifts that bring the whole family together and create shared memories.
- Ninja line – this is a classic in our yard.
- Trampoline – I know these can be controversial, but nothing says get your energy out like a trampoline. My kids spend hours on this.
- Inflatable paddle board – for our camping travels and lake days. We love having this!
- Geo dome – this is a great gift if you have a lot of little kids.
Board Games
Our family is still at an age where I do not have a lot of board games as they tend to be used not for their purpose, but there are a few games we keep high on the shelf that we love to play when we have company.
Books
Here are some of our favorite books that we love to keep on our shelves:
- Mighty Jack Graphic Novels – my kids love these books so much there have been actual wrestling matches to try to get to the book first!
- Little House on the Prairie – timeless classics for learning about pioneer life
- Magic Treehouse – great early reader series – everyone lives diving into Annie and Jack’s adventures!
- Wingfeather Saga – epic fantasy series that keeps kids hooked! There is also a show on Angel Studios!
- Nancy Drew – great pre-teen mystery read! I read everyone as a young girl and love seeing my girls pick them up!
- Tintin – also a very well-loved series! Once a child picks one of these up, he is engrossed in the world of Tintin and nothing can burst that bubble
- Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales – educational and entertaining!
- A Tale Dark & Grimm Trilogy – my kids love these! Warning he does not lighten the Grimm Fairy Tales, they are true to nature. Highly recommend the Grim, Grimmer, Grimmest podcast as well!
The list can go on, but these are by far some of our favorites!
Favorite Gift for Mom
Plant Therapy Diffuser and Essential Oil Sets – you cannot go wrong! Having a beautifully scented, cozy home with a clean essential oil brand is a must for me. Here are some of my favorite gift sets.
Start Essential Oil Set with Carrying Case – a great way to get mom’s essential oil collection started
Kid-Friendly Set – staples to have around to keep immune systems up!
Diffuser – pretty addition to diffuse those essential oils!
Favorite Gift for Dad
My husband is hard to buy for, but I am always trying to find unique gifts. One of his favorite gifts is this Holy Cow Canvas National Park Push Pin Map! He loves maps and this one is a great conversation starter. We have it hanging in our family room and we love reminiscing over the places we have been. Whenever we have guests, they always gravitate to the map. I highly recommend!
Wishing you a blessed and holy Christmas season. I hope these gift ideas help simplify your Christmas!
What are your favorite intentional gifts for your family? I’d love to hear what works in your home!
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