Holiday Gift Giving Ideas for Kids (and a Giveaway!)

During the holidays, we like to make our gift giving to the boys very intentional, making sure we make the real focus on the true meaning of Christmas. That said, we certainly get gifts for the boys and adhere to the “something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read” concept. It helps keep gifting simple, stress free and practical. We also like to do some sort of joint gift, which is typically an experience that we can enjoy together as a family, like an overnight to a local waterpark during the winter, or something like a pass to one of the adventure farms near us. Here’s a glimpse of our gift plan this year for the boys (4.5 and 1.5 years old):

Something they want 
Doctor’s Kit – I am a big fan of open ended toys that encourage creativity and imagination vs the single use/light up/loud music toys. A doctor’s kit has been mentioned by Bryce, and it’s something both boys can use to play with together.
Rokenbok Action Set – Bryce has been building nonstop these days, and he is ready for something a bit more complex than blocks and Duplos. This set looks right up his alley and has companion sets you can add with it.

Other ideas: music set, board and card games, Everyday Play Deck, ice cream set (we have this and it is a HUGE hit)

Something they need
Personalized towels – We recently updated the boys’ bathroom, and are in need of some new towels as many of ours are quite worn. We opted to get these adorable plush personalized towels so they can hang side by side and there is no confusion on whose towel is whose! They come from Stuck on You, a global leader in personalized products for baby & beyond. In addition to a broad offering of labels, the Stuck On You collection includes activity and personalized books, durable and stylish bags, lunchboxes and drink bottles, stationery, bag tags and gorgeous gifts for all ages. We have their backpacks and pajamas and they are GREAT!

Sippy cup tops and 360 sippy cup – We have TONS of plastic sippy cups from over the years, but they are worn and have warped with washing, leak, etc. I’ve tried multiple brands and just haven’t been impressed. Then we tried the silicone based brand GoSili and are hooked! GoSili is the first brand which focuses on creating silicone products that have high-end design at affordable prices competing directly with plastic. The company is dedicated to moving away from toxic and unsustainable plastic wares by providing the alternative to them.  I minimized our kiddos’ drinkware cabinet and it’s nearly all silicone now, and I feel much better about it. We have been using their silicone straws and tops for smoothies too and they wash and wear so well!

Something to wear
Shoes (exact styles here and here)-By this time of year, the boys are likely in need of a pair of new shoes. When it comes to footwear for the boys, I love pediped. They are not only designed for healthy development of children’s feet, but also have flex foot technology, which allows you to adjust the fit of the shoe. We have used them from baby to big kid (see my previous post here) and they have held up really well. Their designs are really cute and fun, and they are vegan and machine washable!

Other ideas: socks & underwear, rain boots, suit, winter coat or bunting

Something to read 
Alpha Block – there are several types of these books, and they are such fun board books and longer than the typical board book, so it creates more of a story. We have the farm version and Blake is getting the Alpha version for Christmas.
A Tale of Two Brothers – saw this recommended by a blogger I like, so snagging it as a joint gift (we LOVE books at our house– can never have enough!)
Junior’s Adventures Storytime Set – as big fans of Dave Ramsey himself, this set of books teaches important concepts in a fun way
Anything from Richard Scarry is also a win for us too! T and I grew up with these books, love that there is so much to see on each page.

And just for you lovely Style Files blog readers, I have a giveaway to help you jump start your holiday shopping. Winner gets a pair of pediped shoes (your choice of size and style) and a goSili set of reusable straws and kids travel cup gift package. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. US only. All entries will be verified and a winner will be selected at random in one week. They have 24 hours to respond to claim prize. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post was in partnership with pediped, Gosili and Stuck on You, all brands we love and use in our home. Thanks for supporting the brands that support The Style Files!