I started writing an all-the-feels post and then realized I had some gift guides in the hopper, and it’s already December 5th which means I Rip Van Winkle’d from Thanksgiving until now because I have no idea how it could possibly be December 5th.
We’ve pretty much wrapped up our holiday shopping and are happy to be enjoying our days at home right now. For those of you who are still shopping, below is our big fat gift guide with lots of our favorites for kids.
And two of my favorite holiday moments this week–one from our family pictures and one capturing Dash’s impressive self-control. He’s done so good to look and not touch the snow village this week.
Stocking Stuffers for Kids
1. Paper Airplane Squadron Kit Because MORE PAPER MESS all over the floor is exactly what you want for Christmas morning.
2. Snake in a Can of Mints Prank Anything jokey and prankster goes over well in our home, encouraged heavily by Brett. Just make sure the kids do not use this snake-in-a-mint-can on the 85-year old neighbor who just returned home from heart surgery.
3. Questions for Family Dinner This is a mini box, around $5 and a great way to encourage good conversation during dinner.
4. Jessie Jumbles Hair Accessories Love these little retro accessories–a whole bunch of them available at Jessie Jumbles Etsy shop
5. Kathy Kruse Nickibaby Doll The weighted body of this little doll makes it extra special, and it’s the perfect size to peek over the top of the stocking.
6. Road Tape No need for an expensive road table with this inexpensive tape that can be mapped out across a nice stretch of floor. Add some little cars, and you’re all set.
7. Trick Dogs Magic Trick Kids love magic.The end.
8. Neon Scratch Notes
9. Anne of Green Gables Paper Dolls Yes! They exist! Bosom friends and kindred spirits in the form of paper dolls. And puffed sleeves–the puffiest ever.
10. Tattly Temporary Tattoos Our favorite temporary tattoos with an impressive collection of art and illustrations.
11. Uno Every home should have it.
12. Break Your Own Geodes. This box of ten gives you enough to drop a couple in each kid’s stocking. Your kids will love breaking these open to find the hidden crystals inside.
13. Love Chic Baby Perfume Perfume made just for little girls and boys
14. Rhinestone Slap Watch
15. Djeco Paper Doll Kokeshis Beautiful 3-D dolls with easy-to-follow instructions for putting them together.
16. Fingernail Friends Turn little hands into a zoo with these stickers made for fingernails.
17. Tin of Stockmar Beeswax Crayons
18. Dinosaur Fossil Excavation Kit For little paleontologists–a tiny kit, perfectly sized or stockings.
19. Stripe Knee Socks Roll ’em up and tuck ’em right above the orange that goes in the stocking toe.
20. Folkmanis Lop Bunny Finger Puppet The snuggliest little bunny that comes to life.
Gifts for Kids
WEAR
Children On Parade Dress from Cat and Mouse on Etsy. Black Peter Pan collar plus this whimsical illustration = kiddie fashion win.
Lit 101 Shirt from Passive Juice Motel. Shel Silverstein, Maya Angelou, Roald Dahl, Hemingway, Jane Austen, Steven King–all the literary greats combined in hip tyke wear. Love this shirt.
Scottish Tartan Clogs from Cape Clogs. Cute little statement piece for jeans or with a skirt and tights. Bagpipes optional.
PLAY
Under the Nile Doll. I found this doll in a little shop in Traverse City this summer and surprisingly managed to save it to give to Nella for Christmas. It’s so well made, is the perfect size and comes with a cute little purse that holds an extra outfit. Great for girls and boys.
Little Libarian Kit. I would have been obsessed with this as a kid. Who am I kidding, I’m obsessed with it now. Transform the books your little one already has into a pretend library and make it legit with this kit–everything you need to play librarian: library cards, overdue slips, due date cards, card pockets, reading journal, etc. Add this due date stamp to make it even more fun and prepare for hours of reading fun and imaginary play.
READ
What Do You Do With an Idea?. I get teary when I read this to my kids–a simple story that represents the powerful truth that ideas are important and that no matter what people think of yours, don’t let them wither–your ideas lead to big, beautiful things and can change the world.
Kiki & Coco in Paris. The girls love this book. Gorgeous photographs and a cute story.
Hailstones and Halibut Bones. An oldie but a goodie. We keep this on our nightstand and frequently open it and let the kids pick out a color poem to read. It’s full of beautiful imagery and is a great creative writing tool to prompt children of all ages to create their own color poems (one of my favorite writing lesson memories from teaching days).
MAKE
Project Runway Make-up Kit. Perhaps my inclination toward this gift is related to the fact that I’ve caught my kids digging through my make-up bag far too many times and have the dug-out lipsticks to prove it. Lainey’s also been asking a lot lately to do my make-up, and sister has a tendency to go Tammy Faye. So this is perfect–all the paper faces her heart desires and the make-up it takes to make them beautiful.
Kiwi Crate Subscription. A gift that keeps on giving. Everything your kid needs to make crafts, build models, explore science, etc.–delivered to your door each month.
Happy Weekend, Friends!
pegRX says
LOVE this gift list – I’d be delighted with a couple of Jessie Jumbles hair clips for myself! But FYI people who study dinosaur bones are paleontologists, not archaeologists 🙂
CSB says
Thank you for these recs! I trust your judgment so much — a number are in my Amazon shopping cart now. 🙂
Kelle says
@pegRX Ha. You’re right. All those years of watching Ross, and my 90s Friends trivia completely failed me. Thank you!
Sarah ::Heart Deco:: says
I’ve seen about 1,324 gift guides for children on various blogs. This one was by leaps and bounds THE BEST. Thank you for finding true gems. My amazon cart is really full. I can’t wait for my 4 year old to open that unsuspecting can of nuts. I wonder if therapy for a “nut phobia” is in included in the purchase price. Thanks again and I have enjoyed your blog for years.
The Students Wife says
Love the gift guide. You always take the best pictures of your kids!
http://www.studentswife.com
Alicia Hutchinson says
SHUT UP with the library kit!!!! I would have flipped over this kit as a kid, but obviously it’s still appealing 😉 SO many of these things in my Amazon cart now…thanks!!!
Alicia Hutchinson says
Hey, I’m back…so I know you’re not here yet with your own little babes, but since you’ve got older stepsons, maybe you could help…any stocking stuffer ideas for a 12 and 9 year old boy?? Besides gamey stuff?? So sick of that stuff. They love jokes, pranks (help me), building, outdoorsy stuff…any ideas?? You’re obviously pretty awesome at the gift list thing…
Kelle says
@Alicia Hutchinson
I have a harder time with their stockings too! We do grooming stuff–cologne, good hair putty, deodorant, men’s body wash, etc., protein bars, new toothbrush, ear buds, phone charger (always losing track of those around here). You can always make cool coupons too — stay up late, get out of chores, get picked up early from school, etc. iTunes card, socks. Colder weather–gloves, hand warmers…Hope that helps. I’m always looking for good older boy suggestions too!
Sarah Lei Spagnolo says
We are doing a Secret Santa with our Mommy Meet-up Group and this list gave me some great ideas. Thank you!
Mrs. Fun says
Oh goodness, I too love tip toes, so sweet!!!!
At the same time, if my kids received anything you listed they would look at me funny, lol. I suppose my kids are just different. They want legos, baby dolls that cry , bikes , scooters and board games. If I gave them something to wear other than pajamas they’d feel my forehead for a temperature.
J says
Ha! Kids are the best to shop for, namely because they want to open actual stuff. My struggle is that the kiddos in my family pretty much morphed into teenagers, like last week. I’m trying to remember that gift cards are much easier to shop for — and look on the bright side.
Cheers!
Jess Townes says
Thanks for the fun list. My 7 year old loved his Break Open Geodes kit so much he’s been through three in the last couple of years. Huge hit for any kid who loves minerals and breaking things. I’m adding the Idea book to my list right now….I get a little weepy at a surprisingly large number of children’s books, so maybe I’ll pick up some Kleenex too.
Shiloh says
I continue to look at your blog, just to see the photography. Thanks for sharing with the world!
From Shiloh
http://shilohsstory.blogspot.com/2014/12/move.html
Angela Olsen says
This is great, Kelle! We recently sold everything (as in an estate sale – everything) & are being incredibly intentional about what we buy for our kids now. I’m definitely holding on to this list as good gift options in the future. So, thanks!! PS Do you know the Etsy shop FaithWorks4U? Vintage inspired girls’ clothing. My daughter has a dress from her & we’re in love!
Angela // TheMangoMemoirs.com
CLRose says
The geodes are awesome for my little rock hound.
Best,
Caryl
Carmel says
Hi! I’ve come across your blog and follow you on Instagram…I was captured by your birth story you told a couple years ago 🙂
Question…we are from Kentucky, but travel to Naples often. Do you take pictures for clients??…or do you recommend a photographer? I am interested in having our photos taken next time were in Naples (February).
Thought??! 🙂