The Blog

A Simple and Quick Christmas Shopping Guide

Looking to complete your Christmas list with ease this year? Well you have landed in the right spot. Check out my quick clickable shopping guide to knock out some of those Christmas to-do’s.

Please note that every idea on this list comes recommended from me through personal experience and love for these items. However, I’m an affiliate partner to some of the links I will provide and may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.

Let’s get started. I’m going to keep the type short and sweet so you can move through the shopping list with ease and quickness. Sound good, friend? If you prefer to hear my take on the gift options you can see my IG Live here.

Table of Contents

  1. Experiences
  2. Support Small Business
  3. Personal Wins

Experiences

I’m a big believer in the concept of memories will last longer than things. Therefore, I prioritize as much experience into my kids presents as possible. Here are some ideas for you to do the same.

Memberships

Look into year long memberships to your local zoo, science center, trampoline parks, kids museums, etc. This is a great gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. It is a great option to get the kids out of the house and moving.

If you are looking to give the kids something tangible the morning of Christmas. Hop on Etsy and find a tickets, like these, to personalize and download.

Subscriptions

Do your kids get excited when they receive mail? Box subscriptions and Magazines are a great way to light them up each month.

The Little Passports

KiwiCo

Magazines

What I like about the box subscriptions is that it is monthly planned activities that I don’t have to come up with and acquire the materials for. It provides me high quality time with them at ease. Extra bonus that they are learning educational things in the process.

Spa Day

My little girl loves to have girl time and go get our nails done. So I know on Christmas morning she is going to love receiving a gift certificate to our favorite nail salon.

Tickets

Surprise your kiddos with tickets to…

  • Concerts
  • Monster Truck Rallys
  • Movie Theatre
  • Local Theatre Productions
  • Disney on Ice
  • Polar Express
  • Amusement Parks

Here are some great printable downloads to give on Christmas.

Trips

If you are thinking about taking a family trip in the upcoming year giving it as a Christmas gift will surely be a hit.

Weekend Getaways

It doesn’t necessarily have to be a big trip it could be a weekend getaway with a special event included. For instance…

  • Water Park
  • Amusement Park
  • Snow Tubing
  • Train Ride
  • Air Show
  • Hot Air Balloon
  • Hiking to a Waterfall
  • A New Zoo or Aquarium

The possibilities are truly endless, be creative! My kids love the excitement of staying in a hotel. Bonus points if you can find one with a pool and an elevator. Instant kid pleasers!

Big Trip

Maybe you have lofter plans and want to book a big trip!

We are planning a bigger trip for our kids this upcoming year because they have been begging us to fly.

Many people give Disney trips for Christmas. I think we will be looking at something a little more tropical or possibly visiting a National Park.

If you need help researching ideas and planning the right trip for you. Contact me. I will soon be offering Travel Planning Research Packages. However, I will be happy to work with you if your need is for this upcoming Christmas.

A great way to present a trip as a Christmas gift is to give some luggage, packaging cubes, toiletry bags with the tickets inside.

You can always do special personalized tickets like this as well.

Support Small Business

Photos by Paige Cody on Unsplash

I love shopping small and knowing that my money is going directly to helping a family thrive. That my money is providing them freedoms not available in traditional jobs.

Keep in mind while shopping small…

  1. Purchase earlier
    • to allow for personalization and shipping
  2. Understand if prices are a bit higher
    • they are often a 1 or 2 man team it takes a lot to get the items out of the door
  3. You may have to pay for shipping.
    • Many small business do provide free shipping, however please remember that it is very costly to ship. If you love the product don’t let shipping be your determining factor.
  4. Know you are directly helping another family.
    • Possibly allowing a mom to have a flexible schedule to be more present with her children.
  5. Reviews help.
    • When you receive your product and you love it take a moment to share your experience with others. It helps small businesses more than you know.

Now to the shopping! I have so many great options for you all hosted on Etsy, the homemakers marketplace.

My Etsy Kids Gift Collectionclick here to see the whole list & more – you can search the list for multiple options. OR I list out many options for you below with direct links.

Personalized

Hot Chocolate Gift Sets

I gave my kids a hot coco set last year and they loved it. I had the campfire mug and a variety of bombs, stirrers, and cones in the package. They enjoyed exploring all the different ways to achieve the same outcome.

Other Items

Personal Wins

I wanted to share some items that have been big hits in our house as well. These are items that I often recommend to friends in conversations.

Bounce House

Little Tikes has great high quality options. We have used the smaller and owned the larger options below. We have used the bounce house for over 4 years now, and surprisingly it just now needs replacing. We were not gentle on it! The kids and their friends love bouncing all of their energy out on it. The set up and storage is easy as well.

We personally would not get enough use out of the water slide bouncy house, but I think it would be an awesome addition to the back yard in the summer.

I do recommend a tarp to prolong the life of any of the bouncy houses.

4 Wheelers

Two years ago we gave both of our kids 4 wheelers. We purchased two different kinds due to their age and readiness. They both are battery powered but one has a lot more get up and go. They both have been a big hit.

  • 12V– This one was for our 3 year old. It is very similar to a power wheels. Perfect until they reach the 5 year old range.
  • 24V– The one was for our 5 year old. It is the last step before a gas powered option. It will get up and go. We love that it does have a governor on it. You have to take the key and adjust it to turn up the speed. This is still serving her well and probably will until she is 10.

Please do keep a close eye on your kids with these toys. They can be dangerous if not handled properly. They can tip or flip if the kids get reckless. We got full helmets that our kids wear every time they jump on it. We have had no problems but each kid has a different level of daringness. Of course, only you know your kids limits.

Imaginative Play

Playhouses have been a big win in our household. Crate&kids have some amazing options. We have the camper and the snack shack.

This campfire set goes perfectly with the camper. The Grass Rug gives a fun set up. Then pottery barn has the best sleeping bags to put inside.

We coupled our Kitchen Set with the snack shack so they have a full restaurant. Including a Cash Register and Ice Cream Bar.

Water Tables

This is for the younger kiddos but honestly we just outgrew it at 7&5. I’m sure they would continue to play with this water table however after 7 years in the sun it finally had met its day!

Bags

  • Roller Suitcases
  • Packaging Cubes– I use compressive packaging cubes for me, but I like the extra space for the kiddos. However, if you just one set for the whole family I can understand that so here are the compressive ones I use. This is the #1 thing people love that I recommend when it comes to traveling!
  • Toiletry Kits
  • Book Bags

Lego Sets

These have been a big hit with my son and daughter. Lego sets give my husband and I an activity to do with our kids. So great quality time as well. This has been our sons favorite thus far. This has been our daughters favorite thus far.

Friendship Bracelets

For my daughter who doesn’t love to color friendship bracelets is a craft that she loves to do.

Activity Books

Paw Patrol Tower

I made the mistake of not getting this tower for my son last year and he has asked for it all year. So, by golly, he just got it for his birthday and he loves it.

American Girl

WellieWishers are a more affordable introduction to American Girl dolls to see if your little one enjoys playing with dolls.

Takeaway

Well, I just threw a lot of options your way, friend. Take what speaks to you and leave the rest. Please do share this post with your friends. See what speaks to them.

If this is your first time landing on my site. Welcome! I hope you found this post helpful. My goal is to make busy mom’s life easier. My superpower is planning so why not help you plan those Christmas presents and knock them right off your to-do list!

If you would like to stay in touch please sign up for my newsletter here. I send out one highlights reel a week letting you know what new tools are out there to help you simplify your life. Not to mention my email list has access to all my freebies and has first dips on new offers. So come join the party!

Until next time.

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