Last-Minute Christmas Gifts to Buy (or Make!) for the Child in Your Life
- Elizabeth King
- Nov 22, 2024
- 3 min read
Are you doing some Christmas shopping right now for the kids in your life? Shopping as an “auntie” is one of my favorite things to do! I love finding just the perfect gift for each of the little ones in my life. Here are just a few ideas to keep in mind as you start your search for the perfect Christmas gift.
Sensory Bins/Tubs:
For a friend’s little one, I went all-out and put together a sensory bin based on one of the child’s interests: Bluey!
I used Kinetic Sand as the filler, but you can choose any filler of your choice (be aware of any dietary restrictions or allergies beforehand, of course): dry beans/lentils, uncooked rice (you can dye it if you’d like!), sand, pebbles, shredded paper, water beads, etc…the possibilities are endless!
Then add small items for loose parts, such as pom poms, buttons, wood pieces, large beads, pipe cleaners cut into smaller pieces, popsicle sticks, mini erasers, letter tiles (I picked out mine from a BananaGrams game), small toys (like the Bluey ones I picked out), etc.
I would also get a large storage container like the one pictured, and then fill it with the items, setting it up in an aesthetically pleasing way that will invite the child to play.
This is a wonderful developmentally appropriate gift that the child in your life will love and remember fondly for years to come!
Montessori-Style or Natural/Wood Toys:
When I’m picking out toys for children, I always tend to look for the more natural-looking toys with wood or silicone. I love color too! In my opinion, the best toys are good quality, look and feel natural, and have inviting colors that aren’t overwhelming. I shy away from toys that make a lot of loud noise or come with flashy parts that will capture a child’s attention for maybe a few minutes, but don’t really add a lot of educational value (even the ones that claim to be “educational”).
Some of my favorite brands are:
Melissa & Doug: https://www.melissaanddoug.com/
Lovevery: https://lovevery.com/
Kaplan Early Learning: https://www.kaplanco.com/
Lakeshore Learning: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/
Gigglescape (Only at Target): https://www.target.com/
And the best part? Yes, you can find all of these brands at Target! Yay!
Books!
Of course, I’m going to suggest books. I love books! You might choose to pair one of the ideas above with a book that you think will interest the child you’re buying for. I don’t always get my books new, either; sometimes I go to a used book store to find a book. Just make sure that the book is in great condition and that you remove all stickers prior to giving the book to the child.
Here are a few of my favorite books for gift-giving:
Cocoa’s Cranky Christmas (by Thomas Nelson & Beth Hughes): Looking for a fun Christmas-y story that’s interactive and fun for toddlers and preschoolers? I love this little board book about a cranky puppy named Cocoa. Children will love trying to find different ways to cheer him up, too!
Sneezy the Snowman (by Maureen Wright):
One of my winter-y favorites! This cute picture book features a loveable snowman named Sneezy who is constantly trying to get warm, but every time he does, he melts! The children in the story have to figure out how to keep him warm without letting him melt. Little ones will love this fun, rhyming story and the bright colorful pictures too!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault):
Who doesn’t love this classic? I suggest getting the large board book for extra durability. Also, don’t forget there’s a song that goes along with the book!
I hope you have some great ideas and you’re ready to go shopping for the children in your life!
Let me know down in the comments which of these ideas inspired you or if you have any other suggestions for gifts to get for the kiddos this Christmas.
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