A few years ago we started the tradition of gifting one big great gift from mommy and daddy and then Santa brings five gifts: something you want, something you need, something to create, something to wear, and something to read. This keeps me in budget, keeps me sane, keeps our house somewhat clutter free, and teaches the boys that Christmas gifts can be meaningful.
1. Something they WANT: Just recently Liam has gotten excited about using wooden tools and gears to build things. He saw one of these work benches in a catalog and told me to “let Santa know about it.” I decided to go with this wooden workbench from TheTot. Here is the same brand but different version/cheaper price from Target.
Bear is not quite old enough to tell us what “he wants” but just like his brother at this age he is very into cars and trains. We have this EvereEarth Ramp Racer (similar one here) and he plays with it every day. So I decided to look into this Small Foot Parking Garage that I think he will love.
2. Something they NEED: After weeks of rain, I discovered that my boys desperately need rain boots. From my own experience with rain boots, my Hunter boots have lasted almost ten years now and are still in great shape. So I picked up two pairs of these Hunter rain boots for the boys, one size up, so hopefully they will be able to wear for a few seasons and then I can pass down to the twins. Here are a few lower priced boots here and here. You can also shop Poshmark for Hunter books and find get a great deal on a used pair if that works best for your budget.
3. Something to CREATE: We love these Snap and Build Trucks. We already have a set and they have been such a hit in our house! Bear, who is currently 22 months old, has learned how to snap them together and use the three pieces to make a car and then change out the pieces to create a different car. They are friction powered so after you build, they are fun to play. Even Liam at age 4 still loves these!
Liam has been really into crafting and coloring so we were all set on crayons and art supplies. So this year I ordered this Lite Brite for Liam and I am excited to see what he will create.
4. Something to WEAR: Every year I….err….Santa uses this system of gift giving as an excuse to get a nice new pair of pajamas for the boys. We are so fortunate to have so many hand me down pajamas from friends and family so a nice new pair is a little treat and this year I decided to get them both Kids Lake Pajamas so they could match mommy. So is this a gift for me too? 😉 Here is another super soft pair at a great price that I also love. I have also had my eyes on these Kissy Kissy pajamas from Maisonette for some Sophie La Girafe nostalgia.
On the topic of being practical, Santa also brings us socks every year. Let’s be real, the big man can’t get all the fun. We still want the kids to know mom and dad rule the roost. And socks go under the “Something to Wear” theme. After trying several different toddler socks, these Jefferies Non-Skid Socks have been our favorite so far.
5. Something to READ: This year Santa is bringing Little Blue Truck’s Christmas for Bear and The Gruffalo for Liam. Everyone in our home loves the Little Blue Truck Series. Perfect for learning animal names, sounds, and they are all a perfect length for a two year old. The christmas book will round out our collection. (we also just discovered the new Valentine’s day book is being released on December 7 so I am adding that to our list too for his birthday!)
For Liam, he is able to sit through longer books now and this fall we all enjoyed Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. All of her books are so whimsical and fun to read so we are adding The Gruffalo to our collection this year but any of her books would be a great choice for a preschooler/rising kindergartener.
So those are our five categories. Hopefully we can keep this tradition as the years go on and the children get older and more opinionated. Happy shopping and I hope you have a great holiday season!
xx Priscilla
