Rachel (Kids ages 6, 4, and 1)

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We try to keep gifts to a minimum in our home. With three kids and a small home, there isn’t a lot of space and we have found that having less stuff leads to more independent and creative play, a calmer and tidier home environment, and more time spent doing the things we love. Usually for Christmas we give each of the kids three gifts. I used to follow a guide for this, but have become less rigid in the past few years and have instead started focusing on the following categories.

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Meaningful gifts:

• Picture books- My children love looking at family picture books I have made over the years. I have started giving them their own picture books as a meaningful gift that they will be able to cherish for many years to come.
• Handmade gifts- Over the years my mom and I have made a few different handmade gifts for our children. I have made princess peg dolls, homemade playdough, and crocheted bookmarks and my mom has made each of our children a stocking, crocheted stuffed animals, and Christmas dresses.

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Disposable gifts:

• Art and Craft Supplies- My kids love doing crafts of any kind. We are constantly running out of art supplies so new markers, paints, coloring books, paintbrushes, craft kits, etc. are always a hit. My oldest daughter is also becoming more interested in learning how to crochet and embroider, which is fun because it is something we can do together.
• Bath bombs/bath crayons- Nothing turns a mundane bath night into an extra fun experience like a bath bomb or bath crayons! We have recently discovered magic towels as well and my kids think they are the coolest.
• Personal Care Items- Simple, but always a hit! Think new, fun toothbrushes, hairbrushes, nail polish, chapstick, body care products, etc.

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Books/Audiobooks:

• If there is one thing I will never say no to more of, it is books. We LOVE to read together as a family and I am constantly on the hunt for new (or new to us) books. I typically search local thrift stores and discount book shops first, but will also purchase new ones if I can’t find what I am looking for. My oldest children have Yoto players and my youngest has a Tonies box and if grandparents ask for gift ideas, I always point them to more books for these audio players first.

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Spiritual Formation Gifts:

• I love gifting resources that will point my children to the Lord or help our family grow in our discipleship practices. In the past we have gifted our children their own Bible with a monogrammed case, catechism or devotional books, Bible sticker or coloring books, prayer cards, new journals to take to church, etc.

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Practical Gifts:

• If there is something my children are in need of anyway, I use Christmas as an opportunity to purchase it and turn it into a fun gift. New slippers or pajamas, shoes, a backpack or lunchbox for school, a pillow, even furniture for their room like a reading chair or a new dresser.

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Timeless Gifts

• There are a few types of toys that I have found have withstood the test of time and are something my kids continually come back to. These include dress up clothes, blocks of various kinds, Magnatiles, play silks, bikes/trikes/scooters, balls, play people and animals, pretend play kits (doctor, vet, dentist, makeup/hair, explorer), train set.

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Gifts that Promote Time Together

• Games/Puzzles- We love playing games together as a family, especially in the cold winter months when we are inside more often. I typically purchase a game or puzzle for at least one child each Christmas. This year I got my children card holders so that when we play Uno or Go Fish, they are able to hold their cards.
• Experience Gifts- This is a great gift because it adds zero stuff to your home, but creates lasting memories for your family. Gift your kids a years worth of lessons for something they are interested in trying or give your kids a “ticket” to your local zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, amusement park, waterpark, theater, etc.

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Megan (Kids ages 10, 8, 7, 6, and 9 months)

Christmas tends to be the most highly celebrated and favored holiday of the year for both kids and adults alike. Understably so, it is a festive and fun time as well as a deeply meaningful and profound celebration. The advent season is a sacred and sweet time in our home. However, Christmas is one of the several holidays from the liturgical calendar our family celebrates. Each holiday is special in our home and multiple of them include gifts as a part of the celebration so we decided early on to not give a plethora of gifts for Christmas. We give our kids one gift each or one larger group gift to all the kids. Grandparents still give gifts as do a few other relatives but we try to keep it to things they have been waiting for or needing in order to reflect the advent season of waiting for what we need most, the most precious gift of Jesus.

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