I’m often asked about gift ideas. So, I made a gift list. Please know I only recommend items from personal experience or trusted advisors.
While we tend to purchase more experiences than stuff, these ideas will guide you to live more simply. Wherever possible, I choose high quality, fair trade items.
A final note, before you add any of these items to your house, be sure to declutter things you no longer use. Donating excess items will bless someone else and create a more peaceful space.
For more ideas about how to get ready for the holidays, check out my Christmas Webinar.
Littles
I don’t have little kids anymore. But if I had it to do over again, here are the toys I would buy. Most importantly, we would own far fewer toys. Here’s why.
The best toys for kids of all ages are open toys and anything without a battery. An open toy allows children to be creative and use it in many ways. For example, an Ironman mask is a closed toy. A red cape is an open toy. Open toys last longer and grow with children. If you’re not sure how to identify an open toy, stick with traditional toys. (Blocks, trains, cars, dolls, etc.)
Stack Up Cups – I swear this is the only baby toy you’ll ever need. I keep a small box of toys for littles. It includes these cups. And the big kids steal them!
Wooden Blocks – Another 100 Piece Developmental Set – Blocks complement other toys. For example: Build a garage for the cars, a track for trains, a lair for superheroes, a crib for dolls and so much more.
Magnatiles – Magnetic tiles for building new creations.
Pretend Ice Cream Set – This toy has stood the test of time. We still have it because the littles who visit my house play pretend. They serve ice cream cones to everyone. It’s a keeper.
Play Doh Classic – Keep it simple and buy a 4-pack. And you’ll be more likely to encourage play-doh-playing. No extra toys needed. Plastic Play-Doh toys limit creativity and turn them into closed toys. Offer a small rolling pin like this (if you must). (Pro Clean-Up Tip: Allow Play-Doh bits to dry and harden on the floor or carpet, then vacuum.)
Elementary Age & Teens
Bluetooth Speaker – My teen loves this small portable waterproof speaker to play music on his phone. And he also gave him Spotify Premium so he can customize his music and not be influenced by the ads.
Paper Airplane Book – Admittedly, this toy breaks the Open Toy Rule, but the paper can be used for many things. And there’s nothing better than telling a child the can make as many paper airplanes as they’d like!
LEGOS – The LEGO Classic Educational Set does not force a specific design. Purchasing some LEGO sets is fine, but allow kids to modify them later. Many of our LEGO builds were reconfigured and we set a boundary for the display space. I suggest limiting sets and choosing open storage bins that encourage creativity. Here’s how I organize LEGOS.
Dangerous Book Of Boys – If you have a boy, embrace it! And buy them this book. Better yet, let them try some of the experiments with a friend and general adult oversight. 🙂
Aerobie Frisbee – This disc is easy to throw and catch. Great for travel and as you can see, ours is well-loved.
Card Games
Family game night is a weekly goal in our house. Margin in our schedule creates space for nights like this.
Monopoly Deal – This card game is the fun of monopoly without the crying. The winner can change quickly and each hand takes just 15 minutes. It’s the only card game we travel with.
Phase 10 – A favorite of my husband and I. When we’re tired of Monopoly Deal (rarely), we switch to Phase 10.
Sleeping Queens – I love that this game was created by an 11-year-old and her family. A recent addition that’s played almost as often as Monopoly Deal.
Exploding Kittens – My teenager really likes this one.
Deck of Cards – I started playing cards at a very young age with my grandma. I wouldn’t trade those days for anything. Now, we love Pinochle and Spades too.
Board Games
Sequence Junior – This game has been in our game cabinet for a long time! My son and his nana play it often.
Codenames – Super fun to play with a group!
Mexican Train – A quality set of dominoes means many games, but Mexican Train is our favorite.
Ticket to Ride – The classic US version is great, but the European version added some fun features and more challenges. It teaches strategy and geography.
Outfoxed – This cooperative game is great for kids ages 4 to 14, and adults too.
Rummikub – It’s like rummy but with tiles and the fun of rearranging the entire board.
Arts and Crafts
I’ve organized a lot of craft rooms. Because of this, I do not recommend Craft Kits. In my travels, I find half-finished and unopened craft kits all the time.
Craft Kits are a very closed toy that limits the creative nature of your budding artist. Most kids will choose traditional supplies over kits. Here’s how to stock a great craft space. (Spoiler: You don’t need much.)
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils – I have a reluctant artist, but even he loves these colored pencils. The Twistable Crayons are fun too. For the more advanced artist, here is a high quality set of colors pencils.
Crayons – 24 crayons provide enough color options, I promise. 🙂
Washable Kids Paint Set – Remove the paint bottles from the box and add a small pack of brushes to create an awesome stocking stuffer!
Heavy White Paper – 40 sheets of large art paper. Great for creating and protecting your table or floor.
Construction Paper – Just 50 sheets. Resist the urge to buy a pack of 500 and then get frustrated because your kids don’t clean up. Start small. Limits breed creativity.
Craft Organizer – Choose a bin like this or repurpose one you already have. You do not need a dedicated craft room. Make the crafts portable and embrace the boundary. Replace items as needed.
Mr. Sketch Smelly Markers – Because they are fun and smell good. I have fond memories of art class and these markers.
Travel
Passport and Phone Travel Pouch This pouch has a strap to wear securely across your body and allows you to travel light with just the essentials. I pack it for every trip!
Patagonia Sling Bag – I carried this bag across the US for three months in 2017 and it still looks new. Patagonia products are truly forever items. Recently, they improved the front zipper pocket which is ideal for your phone. You can swing the bag in front of you and access all the pockets without taking it off your back. Perfect for airports and hiking. My water bottle clips on with a carabiner.
Cotapaxi Alpa 28L Backpack – This is my new carryon/weekend bag/all-things-travel bag. I have abandoned the wheelie suitcase since airline overhead bins just get smaller. The Alpa 28L has shoulder straps plus two handles to carry it like a suitcase. The padded pouch protects my laptop so I can travel with just one bag. Minimalist packing.
Experiences Not Stuff
Raddish Cooking Club – Raddish is a cooking class in a box featuring delicious lessons and skill builders. Memberships to fit any budget. Read more about how it works here. Or consider another meal delivery service and have kids choose and cook the meals.
FONZ National Zoo Membership – Includes free parking and carousel rides.
National Park Pass – Know someone who lives near a park or two? Perhaps they are planning a road trip in the new year? Give them the gift of our beautiful national parks. Note there are special programs for seniors, military and 4th graders.
Minimalist Inspired Gifts
French Press – Are your kitchen counters overrun with appliances? Try my suggestions here and maybe switch from a traditional coffee maker to this French Press. Reclaim your counter space. Pair it with some delicious coffee from a lovely small business Presto George in Pittsburgh, PA. And shipping is free over $75. Here’s a link to my favorite coffee.
Kindle – I have been a Kindle reader for over 15 years. And I read more since downsizing my physical library. Isn’t the goal to read more books, not own more? The Kindle PaperWhite is great for an avid reader. There’s no glare so you can read inside or out. Did you know you can borrow electronic copies of books from most libraries?
Bar Shampoo and Conditioner – Consumables make a great gift. Lush products are good for 80 washes. Think about how much plastic that saves in a lifetime. I love these products and yes, they work really well on my very thick hair. If I can use them, anyone can!
Rothy’s – Beautiful, washable shoes made from recycled water bottles. I love mine! They run small unless you have narrow feet. Adjust sizing per website recommendations.
Amber Glass Bottles – I love making my own cleaners. And these glass bottles work well with the essential oils and other natural ingredients.
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