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I used to get so overwhelmed with the thought of Christmas shopping for my family. I love Christmas–it’s my favorite holiday–but I felt so much pressure trying to find gifts that my family would find meaningful and useful but that also would fit within our budget and not clutter up our home. I can’t remember who I got this idea from, but I heard someone mention that they bought their kids three gifts that fit into the following categories–something you want, something to wear, and something you need. I decided to add one more category–something to read–because I love books and just couldn’t resist.
I have spent a lot of the last year reading books and listening to podcasts that talk about family culture and traditions. As my children get older, I have had a strong desire to cultivate a home with a strong family culture. Although I want it all at once, I know that traditions take time–years, even–to build. So, we are slowly working on creating little traditions that will make our house a home. Here are some books that talk about family culture and tradition:
This year, we decided to purchase gifts for our family with the categories mentioned above and tie them in with a new tradition. Each member of our family, my husband and myself included, will receive gifts from the following categories. Something we want, something we need. Something to wear, and something to read. We are aiming for four gifts each (plus stockings!), but if an item is more expensive and falls into two categories (ex: something we need/something to wear), we’ll combine the categories for one gift.
Creating a New Tradition with Meaningful Gifts
Creating a New Tradition with Meaningful Gifts
On Christmas Eve, we will all open our something to wear and something to read. I am planning on sewing pjs for the kids–so we can all wear our new jammies and snuggle up with hot cocoa, homemade cookies, and our new books. I am planning on using some of my favorite patterns from Lowland Kids: the raglan tee, pj pants, and raglan romper. I love how these patterns are simple and can be worn as jammies or even as play clothes!
So, since my kids are young (3 and 4 months) and not yet readers, I think I can get away with sharing what we are giving them without ruining the surprise!
Gift Ideas: What I'm Giving my Toddler Boy
My son is very in to cars, building, books, and playing outside. Although I know he would love new cars or trucks, he already has more than enough. So, we decided to gift him some open-ended building materials that will challenge his thinking, support his development, but still be enjoyable for him to play with.
Something You Want
MAGNETIC BUILDING TILES
My son loves to build and create, and I love how these tiles encourage dynamic learning. Aside from free play, they can be used to teach and practice shapes, colors, and magnetism.
Something You Need
KID-SAFE MONTESSORI COOKING KNIVES
A goal of mine for this next year is to involve my son in the kitchen with me as much as possible. He has started to show more of an interest in baking and helping prepare meals, so I decided to get him these child-safe knives. I love how they promote independence while teaching a new skill in a safe way.
Something to Wear
NEW PAJAMAS/LOUNGEWEAR SET
Because I sew, I want to try to make my kids something to wear using my favorite begginer-friendly sewing patterns from Lowland Kids. However, because my time is limited and I am all about practicality, I am planning on making jammies that are versatile enough to be worn during the day for play. When I don’t sew jammies, I love to buy Parade Organics sustainable jammies like the ones below.
Something to Read
DISNEY CARS ENCYCLOPEDIA BOOK
This year, I decided to try out Thriftbooks and I was not disappointed. Books are expensive, and for good reason, but new books just didn’t quite fit in our budget. I ordered this Cars Encyclopedia and was blown away by what good condition it was in, especially for only being 5 dollars. You can also find the book on Amazon if you can’t find what you’re looking for secondhand.
BONUS: Stocking Ideas!
My mom is the Queen of Stockings, and I want to carry on this tradition with my own kids. Here are a few of the items that I am slipping in my son’s stocking–a mix of practical and fun gifts that are inexpensive but meaningful.
DIY Toy Plane
DIY Toy Plane
Stacking Stones
Toy Car
New Toothbrush
I found mine at Lowe’s, but here is a similar one. I know my son will enjoy building this with his dad and making it zoom around the house when it is complete!
This compact toy has endless possibilities! I love how it encourages creativity and problem solving while developing fine-motor skills.
No explanation needed. If you know, you know.
These are my favorite sustainable kid’s toothbrushes! I buy them in a pack all at once to save money and so I always have one on hand. I’ll add a new one in my son’s favorite color stocking this year.
Gift Ideas: What I'm Giving my Baby Girl
My daughter will be about four months old this Christmas, so I am still learning what she likes. I am using Christmas an an opportunity to buy her a few developmental toys on my wish list for her as well as a few extra fun gifts for her.
Something You Want
MONTESSORI OBJECT-PERMANENCE BOX
I recently read The Montessori Baby and made note of the recommended toys for each developmental stage. This object permanence box is recommended for ages 6-12 months, so Christmas will be the perfect time to invest in this gift for my little girl. I am not sure yet if this is something that she would want, but I do believe it will support her development and provide moments of meaningful play and connection between us.
Something You Need
HANDMADE MONTESSORI TOY SHELF
My husband is planning on making our daughter a custom Montessori toy shelf for our daughter. My son’s toys are displayed on a bench, so I think that this shelf will be nice to have at her eye level as well as provide a future place where she can pull up and sit on.
Something to Wear
PAJAMAS/LOUNGEWEAR SET
Like I mentioned above, I am planning on making pjs that can also be worn as an outfit during the day. I love the Raglan Romper pattern by Lowland Kids for this very purpose! As mentioned above, I also love Parade Organics for ready-to-wear jammies!
Something to Read
YOU ARE LIGHT BOOK
I saw this book on Thriftbooks as a recommended title and was drawn to the beautiful imagery. I also love how it will be a book that I can use to help teach my daughter her colors and about light.
BONUS: Stocking Ideas!
Just as for my son, my daughter’s stocking will be a mix of items she will enjoy and practical items for her to use.
Pacis
Bows
Montessori Egg in a Cup
Teether
She doesn’t use a paci very often, but when she does–she definitely prefers BIBS pacis!
I love having a variety of bows to mix and match with her outfits.
This is another developmental toy recommended in The Montessori Baby book. It’s small enough to fit in a stocking and is relatively inexpensive for an heirloom-quality toy.
My babies start teething relatively early, so we thought Christmas would be the perfect time to gift our little girl with a new teether to support her through the teething process.
Having these four categories as guidelines helps me shop with intention for my family. My husband and I love practical gifts, but it is also fun to get something special that we really want and normally wouldn’t buy in addition to items we need. We are also working on trying to raise creative producers (buying gifts that encourage active learning and growth) and thoughtful consumers (by limiting the numbers of gifts and not spending excessively or beyond our means). We do throw a few extra smaller gifts in each person’s stocking, but overall we are really trying to stick to the no-more than 4 gifts per person + a few simple stocking-stuffers.
I’d love to hear how you choose to shop for your kids and if you have any Christmas family traditions. Let me know below–I’m always looking for more ideas for how to make Christmas magical and meaningful for my family.
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