2018 Gift Guide for the Kids

Hi friends! Hope you’re having a wonderful morning. The gift guide fun continues with one of my very favorite gift guides: for the kids! Even before I had kiddos, I always had the best time shopping for my brothers and the little cousins in our family. Kids really bring out the magic of the season, and while it’s SO much fun (and so easy!) to shop for them, it can be tempting to go a little overboard. Since Livi was a tiny baby, I’ve managed to stick to a basic philosophy when it comes to choosing holiday gifts for the girls: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. This covers all of the bases, I don’t feel like I’m going bananas, and let’s be real, they’re going to get an avalanche of toys from their grandparents anyway. 😉

For the Kiddos

Here are some of the best things I’ve found! 

Holiday Gift Guide 2018 for the Kiddos

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids:

Small Camera

Something they want:

– A scooter. Both of the girls have had scooters for quite a while, and they still get almost daily use.

– A bike. This is P’s big request this year!

– A dollhouse. I found this one at Costco and think the girls will love playing dolls together.

– Their own bounce house (the girls would go crazy for this!)

– An American Girl doll. The classic never dies. The girls have 6, and they’re obsessed with them.

– Disneyland tickets

– Dress-up costumes, like firefightersprincessesveterinarianssurgeonpilots, etc.

– A play tent. Such a perfect little spot to read or to place with toys in their own space.

– A ukulele

 A mini camera

– Power Wheels. We got these for the girls last year, and it was a HUGE hit. One of them is in Georgia, but they ride the other one all the time. It cracks me up to see them play some country music over the speaker and ride around the yard together.

Caboodle

Something they need:

– A Caboodle. I’m so pumped for the girls to open these! They love holding onto random knickknacks and have lots of little lip glosses and jewelry. This will be a great way for them to keep everything separate – because god forbid Liv would end up with P’s chapstick – and also organize them a bit. It’s like their own special box that they can fill with treasures.

– A warm jacket.

– Sneakers that will outlast days on the playground.

– Jammies.

– Leotards and tights.

– A gift card for a museum, zoo, or kids’ play membership

– Something to decorate their room, like a poufsmall chair or dreamcatcher

– Art supplies

Artboard 51

Something to wear:

– Ugg boots. The girls both got Uggs about a month ago and love them. They’re amazing quality, too. They’ve been on the school playgrounds many times and still look great. 

– A box from Mac & Mia. They always send the CUTEST stuff for the girls.

 A party dress.

– Long-sleeved tees and leggings or jeans

– Sequin jeans or sweaters

– Rain boots

Personalized Garden Fairy Book

Something to read:

Pinkalicious 5-minute stories

– Little Heroes storybook

Pig the Pug

Pout Pout Fish

– Personalized Garden Fairy book

Dragons Love Tacos (+ the sequel)

The Day the Crayons Quit (+ the sequel)

Fancy Nancy

Any of the Olivia books

– Princesses Wear Pants

– Happy Birthday, Cupcake

Personalized  “Where’s Waldo?”-esque book

 E.T book for kids

Sunnies

Stocking stuffers:

– Bubbles

– Melting snowman

– Harmonica

– Glittery unicorn ball

– Sunnies

– Fun socks

– Macaron lip glosses

– Headbands or bows

– Magic wand

 Sofft crown

 A small baby doll

Necklaces

– Play-doh

– Candy cane pop rocks (if you haven’t seen your kiddo eat Pop Rocks yet, it’s amazing)

– Unicorn sidewalk chalk

What have you found for the kiddos in your family? What’s on their wish list this year? P wants a bike, and Liv wants roller skates and a spike bracelet. (???)

To spice up this year’s gift guides, I’m including some occasional giveaways. 😉 A lucky commenter will receive 5 books of their choice to share with a kid this holiday season. I’ll announce the winner on Monday! For an extra entry, like and leave a comment on my last Instagram post.

xo

Gina

Check out my gift guide for men here!

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64 Comments

  1. Melissa S. on December 5, 2018 at 7:53 am

    Caboodles! Oh my gosh what a great idea.

  2. Kylee on December 5, 2018 at 7:56 am

    Love all of these ideas!!

  3. Monica on December 5, 2018 at 7:57 am

    Both of the girls are asking for a game watch! Their little brother is getting blocks! This Christmas is going to be so much fun. The girls are just starting to really get into it!

  4. Jackie K. on December 5, 2018 at 8:04 am

    It’s my son’s first Christmas, I ma having a hard time NOT going overboard 🙂

  5. Molly Petsch on December 5, 2018 at 8:14 am

    I never knew an E.T. existed! My boys would love it! Adding it to my wishlist!

  6. Kristen on December 5, 2018 at 8:28 am

    Gina, you are a godsend! SO many awesome ideas—thank you so much for this

  7. Elizabeth Flanagan on December 5, 2018 at 8:29 am

    The necklace is a great idea!!

  8. Susan on December 5, 2018 at 8:38 am

    Art supplies are big for my 4-year-old daughter this year. She would color, paint, and create ALL DAY if I let her. Love Caboodles, and books are always on our list, too…thanks for the chance to win some more of them!

  9. Jessie on December 5, 2018 at 8:39 am

    Great ideas, thanks!! My son wants a globe, binoculars and a play teepee for Christmas:)

  10. Crystal on December 5, 2018 at 8:42 am

    My little one changes his mind on nearly a daily basis on what he wants for Christmas. One day it’s a guitar the next it’s a skateboard nee a snowboard then it is a tablet.

  11. Deidra on December 5, 2018 at 8:45 am

    These ideas are great. My boys want a Nintendo Switch for Christmas.

  12. Stephanie on December 5, 2018 at 8:57 am

    Oh man, my daughter would die for that sequins dress!

  13. Madelyn on December 5, 2018 at 9:05 am

    My toddler loves to cook with me, so he’s getting a play kitchen for Christmas! Can’t wait to give it to him.

  14. Amy on December 5, 2018 at 9:10 am

    I never thought of a caboodle for my little, but it’s on my list now!!

  15. Laura on December 5, 2018 at 9:34 am

    I love the Caboodle idea – My daughter will think it’s the coolest thing (just like I did almost 30 years ago!?)

  16. Stephanie on December 5, 2018 at 9:38 am

    We got my 18 month old a balance bike and my 5 year old is getting a desk for her room loaded with art supplies. We also got her a kiddie zoom watch that I know she will be pumped about.

  17. Alaina on December 5, 2018 at 9:42 am

    We’re getting those scooters too!

  18. Loreen on December 5, 2018 at 9:49 am

    My girls are getting a doll house. It’s hard not going crazy for them.

  19. Mandy Reilly on December 5, 2018 at 9:49 am

    I want a Caboodle!

  20. Kelsey on December 5, 2018 at 10:03 am

    It is hard to contain yourself with the littles, especially when they start wanting things. Hot on my six year olds wish list this year? A Gatorade water jug.

  21. Amy Austin on December 5, 2018 at 10:08 am

    I love this list! Since I don’t have kids, it helps to see what you’re getting for your daughters……and I have young great-nieces:) books always seem like a safe bet to me!

  22. Amanda on December 5, 2018 at 10:11 am

    I love giving (and receiving) books as gifts – kids and big kids alike! A great one to recommend for your girls is “The Happiness Tree.” It’s nature and yoga and always a favorite. Another great idea for kids is to make a donation in their honor to an organization that helps other kids in need.

  23. Justine on December 5, 2018 at 10:24 am

    Great ideas! I love giving experience gifts

  24. Becky on December 5, 2018 at 10:32 am

    I got my son the ET book last year for Christmas and he LOVED it. We’ve since added Back to the Future and X Files to the collection and he’ll be getting Buffy the Vampire Slayer this year.

  25. Kim D on December 5, 2018 at 10:46 am

    The melting snowman is hilarious! My 7 year old would love it!

  26. Megan B. on December 5, 2018 at 10:53 am

    I ran across these this year and think they are such a cool idea! Get kids used to doing mindset work at a young age so it’s just ingrained and party of their habits, you know? I wish I had started doing this stuff way sooner then I did! https://lovepoweredco.com/collections/all/products/love-powered-box

  27. Anne on December 5, 2018 at 10:55 am

    I don’t have any kids but I LOVE shopping for my niece and nephew. I always cover reading and wearing in their gift, but for their wants I’m getting my niece princess dress up outfits and my nephew cars (he loves anything with wheels!). Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  28. Natalie on December 5, 2018 at 11:19 am

    I love how the caboodles are back!

  29. Amanda on December 5, 2018 at 11:23 am

    I love the personalized books for my twin niece and nephew!

  30. Dena on December 5, 2018 at 11:29 am

    I like how you divided the guide up – I’ve heard more parents focusing on this for Christmas and I love it.

  31. Shanna on December 5, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    I need a caboodle!

  32. Jessica on December 5, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    My girls want a doll house this year and unicorn stuffed animals. I love the idea of the caboodle for holding all their little toys and Knick knacks!

  33. Marissa on December 5, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    A few of my friends have kids and I’m due in January, so I’m sure I could find some good homes for those books! Thanks for the ideas!

  34. Amie on December 5, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    Great ideas! Love the simplicity!

  35. Maggie C on December 5, 2018 at 1:35 pm

    I love your philosophy towards buying gifts for your kids! Something I’ll gave to adapt with my own 🙂

  36. Stephanie Woods on December 5, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    Oh man I need to get the where are you books for my daughter! She would love it!!

  37. ErikaMC on December 5, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    I’m so glad I saved my Caboodle from when I was little. I remember getting it as a Christmas present and it still holds little treasures. Now I can get my daughter one too! Some great book recommendations – always love finding new favorite books to add to our collection.

  38. Tiffany V on December 5, 2018 at 3:44 pm

    Love the caboodle idea! I had one growing up and bet my daughter would love one! Thanks for the great idea!

  39. CrystalB on December 5, 2018 at 3:52 pm

    I’ve always been good about not buying more stuff, but this year I went overboard a tad. We are entering the years when expensive things are more common and toys are less and less. And when the kid asks for a piano and coding stuff it’s hard to say no 🙂

  40. Tracy on December 5, 2018 at 4:13 pm

    Kids really are the most fun to give gifts to! Great ideas!

  41. Abby on December 5, 2018 at 5:20 pm

    Great ideas! I love giving books and a small toy to my niece and nephew.

  42. Leila on December 5, 2018 at 5:22 pm

    My girls got caboodles last year and are great to Keep things organized

  43. Kristin M on December 5, 2018 at 6:01 pm

    This is the first year I have nieces and nephews to buy for and I am SO PUMPED!! Shopping for kids is so much fun.

  44. Valerie LeBlanc on December 5, 2018 at 7:38 pm

    We are trying to be liw key with the gifts this year too. I like your 4 Tier approach. Live the Caboodle idea! Stealing that!

  45. Caitlin on December 5, 2018 at 8:45 pm

    Whaaaat Caboodles are back? I feel like my almost 4 year old would love one (and I would too again :))

  46. Susanna on December 5, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    Christmas is so much fun with kids! I’ve been trying to keep it simple with my little guy – especially since I know the grandparents will go crazy 🙂

  47. Devon on December 5, 2018 at 9:31 pm

    Is it bad I also want a caboodle for myself!:-D

    • Fitnessista on December 6, 2018 at 12:33 am

      i was REALLY tempted to get an extra one

  48. Olviya on December 6, 2018 at 12:08 am

    Yes to so many of these! Thanks for sharing your ideas.

  49. Paige on December 6, 2018 at 6:03 am

    My son is only 4 months old but he loves looking at the pictures while we read him books

  50. Whitney on December 6, 2018 at 8:30 am

    These are incredible ideas! I’ve marked many of these for my 5 and 3 year old girls. Thank you! I’m an Elementary School Counselor and an Usborne Books consultant, but we can NEVER have too many books!

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