Christmas Gift Giving Guide
With the holidays rapidly approaching, the desire to get my shopping done is increasing. Every year I want to enjoy the holidays and not be running around like crazy on Christmas Eve trying to find last-minute gifts. In an effort to be more relaxed I’m hitting up all my fellow bloggers’ gift guides, and I’m sharing some of my recommendations with you as well!
I do understand that Christmas is not just about giving gifts. My family and I love this time of year because we get to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We also try to balance the fun and magic of Santa, and Christmas traditions as well. Part of that is giving gifts, and really, the greatest gift of all was given by our Savior, so I don’t see the harm in also giving gifts at the time of year we celebrate our Savior the most.
So, I will include some links for gifts to fit a variety of age groups, because between my parents, siblings, husband, teens, tween, and little guy- we pretty much cover anyone and everyone! Most of the links are affiliate links- which means I might make a tiny commission for referring you, but there is NO extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting a small business!
Tiki Brand Stainless Steel Smokeless Firepit
We have this firepit in our back yard and we love it! It really has minimal smoke (depending on random wind and breezes) to make my hair and clothes smell. In Montana, the summer and fall evenings can get nice and cool, and we have loved gathering around the fire pit and talking, or making s’mores. I also recommend the fire starters from the same company. This could be a great gift dad, grandpa, or to the whole family!
When our old, hand-me-down trampoline broke this summer (because it had several kids on it), I set out to find a new one that would hold all the neighborhood kids that end up over here on a regular basis. This one fit the bill! It can hold 10 people or up to 1500 lbs! It has lights, a water sprayer, a net, and pads to cover the springs. It also includes a basketball hoop and basketball. It has provided hours of fun for kids big and small- and even their parents, haha!
This game has been fun for our whole family. It is fast-paced and gets a little wild, in a good way. My kiddos love it, and kids can even play it without adults, which sometimes that’s a win! 😉 It also doesn’t take hours to play, which is great for busy family schedules.
Now, Why all the Book Sets? You might ask… Well, in our house Santa only brings books. If someone is going to get all the credit for bringing great gifts, it’s not going to be Santa. Also, some kids of the world get ipads, bikes, 3-D printers, etc. from Santa, and others don’t get anything. So, to do our part to help with the comparison game- we just make the only gift from Santa -books. Some might call that boring, but it works for us. Plus, then our kids can express to US how grateful they are for the cool gifts. Haha! (Remember to insert sarcasm while reading that.)
The Inheritance Games Book Set
Our teen daughter enjoyed the Inheritance Games, and The Selection books.
My teen boys (and daughter, actually) all enjoyed the Dune books.
The Secrets of Immortal Nicholas Flamel Book Series
We bought this set for my tween son, but my teen daughter enjoyed them. (She LOVES to read!)
Big Shark, Little Shark Step Into Reading Books
I bought several books from this Step Into Reading Series for my little guy. They are easy reads, not too long for bedtime, and they are good for helping the kids learn to read.
I actually bought this for myself, but my husband bought one for work, and I think teens could find uses for it as well. My teens are really into tech, YouTube, etc. I find it holds my iPad well and is easy to use.
Ortizan Portable Waterproof Blutooth Speaker
My teen kiddos LOVE their music. Portable speakers were a big hit with them. The waterproof ones are helpful for going to the lake, working outside, or for my kiddos to take to swim practice and swim meets.
The COMFY Original Oversized Wearable Blanket
Our oldest son got one of these years ago, and gets more use out of it than I ever would have predicted! My daughter has been asking for one for a while. Who would have thought a wearable blanket would be so popular? Great for snuggling on the couch, bus rides for school trips, and again- great for swim meets.
Does your main squeeze need some motivation to get moving? These athletic shorts for men are great for all types of activity; running, working out, hiking, you get the idea. They have a spandex layer underneath for extra support and even a pocket for your phone. Overall, super functional and comfortable while still looking nice.
These pants were recommended to me by a friend, and they are amazing! I needed something a little dressier than jeans for working at the schools, but I’m also all about comfort. These are more comfortable than sweats, dressier than leggings, and can look formal enough for work. Win, win, win. Trust me, ladies, give these a shot! Or husbands, gift them to your wife!
I’m on my second pair of these Converse. I bought a pair years ago, wore them basically every day, and have just recently bought another pair. They work great with shorts or pants, or short pants- which is what I typically wear because I’m short. Haha! (I’m talking ankle-length pants) I love the look of these with no-show-socks. It’s my jam. I would love to get them as a gift.
My 6-year-old has been enjoying this puzzle book. It starts with easy 4×4 puzzles and eases you into more difficult ones. These get my kiddo thinking, and doing more than sitting in front of a screen- I call that a win!
100 Piece Wooden Puzzles for Kids
This is another gift that my 6-year-old loves, but my tween has also been working on them as well. I like puzzles to keep my kids thinking, and they can do them over and over again!
Have you ever had a son with feet that are too big for the kid’s shoe sizes, but too small for the men’s shoe sizes? These have been an answer to that problem for us. They look like Hey Dudes, but they are cheaper- and they have a smaller size than men’s Dudes. My son loves them!
Waterproof Metal Detecting Pinpointer
This is an affordable metal-detecting pinpointer that is great at the beach, lake, or river. My kids (and husband) have really had lots of fun metal detecting, and having all the right tools makes it easier and more fun. This is a great addition to a larger metal-detector.
Star Wars Mission Fleet Razor Crest
My son has a whole collection of these toy series. They are mini versions, the perfect size for little hands. There are sets from the original Star Wars movies and characters, but also for the newer Mandolorian Shows. Fun toys, with moving parts, and fun to collect a bunch of them!
These Thread Wallets and Lanyards are great to keep your cards, cash, and ID easily accessible. My teenage daughter is all about these. The lanyards are handy for hooking onto the wallet, or your keys, and keep them from getting lost. My boys and I like lanyards, too. A great gift for all ages.
I have one of these Walli phone cases and I really like it! I love having my credit cards right there with my phone, I typically don’t even carry a purse anymore! It’s super convenient for me. Plus they have super cute designs and matching lanyards.
Please let me know your great gift ideas this year! The holidays are also a great time for good food, don’t forget to check out my favorite recipes for this time of year. Merry Christmas!
