Everyone’s favorite gift guide – what we’re actually giving our kids this Christmas! It’s been enjoyed since 2019, when we had a four-year-old girl and a one-year-old boy. Below, I’ve shared what each of our kids will be finding under the tree this year, along with a few suggestions I gave to relatives. I’ve also listed a few of the very favorite kid items we already own at the bottom if you’re looking for a few more suggestions!
(And if it’s helpful, I’ve linked everything here!)
First, the kids will be receiving one joint gift this year – the beautiful embroidered banner below for our loft/playroom, in honor of the Narnia books they’ve been reading with John. I love it so much, but the other designs are tempting, too!
June (who is almost 9) will be receiving:
— A ticket to Alice in Wonderland performed by the Carolina Ballet this spring. I wasn’t thrilled with the DPAC offerings this season, and though I don’t think a ballet would be her first choice, she thrives on a fancy night out and 1-on-1 time so I feel like we can’t go wrong here. — New bedding: the duvet, sham, and sheet set of her choice. I’ve selected some options I think she’ll love (including this, this, and this) and will wrap and print a little catalog for her to choose from. She’s been asking for a “fluffy” comforter for awhile (she has a quilt on her bed now), so I think this will be very exciting. — 8 books in the Dear America series, a favorite from my childhood. And when I say from my childhood, I mean from my childhood – I’ve tucked these away for several decades just for this moment! — Two winter watercolor workbooks – one from Emily Lex (I bought it in the cutest shop in our downtown, supporting two small businesses in one go!) and one from Brighter Day Press. I’m hoping she’ll let me paint alongside her!
— A ticket to Dude Perfect when they come to Greensboro next summer. We would have bought tickets for both kids, but June will be at camp on this date! — A replacement Yoto Mini. Yep, you read that right: somehow Shep’s Yoto went missing a few months ago, and though I am annoyed that he lost it and was definitely not going to jump in to replace it immediately, he’s been sad without it and I’d love for him to have one again. — A wooden paddleboat kit. We snagged this surreptitiously on our Bryson City trip after he clamored for it in a store. — An NC Courage tee to cheer on his favorite soccer ladies.
— Dog BINGO. I originally purchased this for June a few months ago, and she’s going to be very jealous when she sees Annie open it, but ultimately it will be played by everyone and I’m relieved to have another gift with the name of the hardest child to shop for under the tree :) — A giant box of chalk. This sidewalk chalk is incredible – bold and vibrant – and with 180 pieces, should satisfy our smallest artist for at least a few weeks. — A kimchi tee. All of our kids are nuts for fermented cabbage, much to John’s delight. They’ll get a kick out of this graphic tee, which I’ll wrap with a few consignment finds I held back from my fall haul. — A new bike helmet from our local shop, just like the big kids. — A little purse for all her treasures.
A FEW OF OUR TIME-TESTED, VERY FAVORITE TOYS AND GIFTS:
— The Nugget, a key component for hours of open-ended play. — This ice cream play set, which has provided hours and hours of entertainment. FIVE STARS. — A set of MagnaTiles, because yes, they’re as good as everyone says they are. Definitely add the cars, and remember MagnaTiles and PicassoTiles are interchangeable! — A big box of colorful Duplos (played with daily for many years). — America’s Test Kitchen Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs, which has some of the most delicious recipes I’ve ever tasted (those chocolate crinkle cookies!). — A box of letter writing supplies (cards and envelopes, postage stamps, a fancy pen, stickers, a return address stamp, maybe even pre-addressed labels printed with the addresses of grandparents and friends!). — The softest faux fur tie dye blanket in all of June’s favorite colors. — A wooden train track. We have a combo of the Hape and Ikea sets, which are interchangeable. — A Micro Kickboard scooter. These are hands-down the best scooters – we’ve gifted them to all of our kids around age 2, and 3-5 is the sweet spot. — A Priority Start bike. June started with the 16″ at age 4 3/4, graduated to the 20″ at age 6, and got the 24″ for her 8th birthday. Shep now rides the 20″ and Annie will get the 16″ on her 4th birthday. These bikes are SO well-made – they’ve been through several kids in our family and still look perfect! — An art case coloring set. One of Shep’s most beloved items, used daily! — A game you can play together: try Cover Your Assets, Ticket to Ride, or Sushi Go Party, all family favorites. (More ideas here!) — The cutest personalized notepads. BIG favorite with June.
Whew! I hope that’s helpful! I’ve rounded up a bunch of ideas, but remember, kids don’t need much to be happy – in our family, we’ve actually found that too many gifts can be overwhelming and dull the whole experience. So choose wisely, and with joy – giving our kids good gifts is a really fun part of being a parent! :)
Below, tell me what you’re getting your kiddos this year — I love hearing your shopping lists!
Previously: — 2023: A 7-year-old girl, a 5.5-year-old boy, and a 2.5-year-old girl — 2022: A 6-year-old girl, a 4.5-year-old boy, and a 1.5-year-old girl — 2021: A 5-year-old girl, a 3.5-year-old boy, and a six-months girl — 2020: A 4-year-old girl and a 2.5-year-old boy — 2019: A 3-year-old girl and a 1.5-year-old boy
Welcome to the first EFM gift guide of 2024! No better place to start, as there’s no one I know better how to shop for than myself :) And I actually do plan to shop for myself this Christmas, as funny as that might sound. There are a few reasons why…
First, I am committed to a Christmas morning that is not simply my children opening gift after gift. I want them to see other people (a.k.a. me and John) opening and enjoying gifts, too, and understand that this morning is for them, but not all about them.
This is tricky, though, because while John and I try to exercise restraint in our giving, the handful of gifts we select for them are just the start: our kids also get gifts from two sets of grandparents. And aunts and uncles. And great aunts. And their siblings.
Which is so wonderful! But in contrast, John and I get gifts from… each other. Maybe one or two or three. And as both sides of our families have moved to swap systems or exchanged gifts for experiences, the balance of boxes under the tree has become more and more lopsided.
So yes, I’d like to even things out a little, and if I need to buy myself gifts to do so, I’m okay with that: I like getting things that I believe will improve my days or bring me little glimmers of joy, but gifts are not my main love language.
Second, I’m frugal. For years, in our early life together when we were living on less, I built my Christmas list with great care, earmarking things month in advance that I wanted but that simply didn’t fit in our budget. I’m grateful for all the gifts from parents and in-laws and siblings that for years filled in the gaps.
Though our budget has expanded, my frugal ways have mostly stayed the same — it still feels like I need an excuse to buy the special items that add a little joy, delight, comfort, and flair to my days but that I don’t need.
Christmas, then, becomes an opportunity to choose a few items that no one is going to buy for me… but me. (Usually at a discount – thank you, Black Friday!) And wrapping them and putting them under the tree kills two birds with one stone: I get a few things that have been on my wishlist, and my kids are reminded that Christmas joy is for everyone.
Is Christmas all about gifts? Of course not. But I do think the way we handle them in our homes can shape our children’s norms, expectations, and understanding of the world around them, and I want to handle that with care.
Now that we’ve got the (overly) deep discourse out of the way, let’s get to the goods! While these are gifts on my personal wish list, here’s hoping you might find something that would appeal to your sister, mom, mother-in-law, or friend, too. I’ve linked them below and rounded them all up here, if helpful!
On my wish list:
— The prettiest blue floral dress | I’ve been loyal to Lake’s pajamas for almost a decade but have never branched out into their other offerings. This dress looks like such an easy, swingy number to pull on.
— A personalized charm necklace | A dear friend has one of these necklaces and I think it’s an effortlessly chic (and meaningful!) piece. I’ve mocked up the Jane chain with four charms and am hoping for a Black Friday sale.
— A Blackwatch quilted pullover | Is this me embodied in a top? It just might be. I’d pull this on all fall and winter as a cozy extra layer and am always happy for an opportunity to buy from my favorite Maine company.
— A fluted mixing bowl | Our stand mixer is a permanent fixture on our kitchen counter and I think this would be the prettiest upgrade.
— A family snack box | I upped my snack game considerably from our first to second neighborhood swim season but this little guy would take it to the next level, keeping the plethora of fruit, veggies, goldfish, chomps, and treats we pack in place.
— A cozy sweatshirt that gives back | Hope Heals, a camp where families with disabilities experience respite free of charge, is precious and dear.
— A book of poetry | I’d keep Mary Oliver’s Devotions on my bedside table and slice off a poem to savor each evening.
— A family hymnal | I researched many options to find what I was looking for – music and lyrics for a wide selection of favorite hymns – and think this is it!
— A sun hat | I love my current sun hat but it’s not very packable and it doesn’t have a chin strap. A friend has this one and I think it would work well for boat rides and plane trips!
— A block print tablecloth | The loveliest neutral tablecloth that would be on repeat on our table throughout the fall.
— A cozy Christmas puzzle | Though I might have to break this out in advance – I’d rather see it on our table all month rather than under the tree on Christmas day!
And now, here are a few things I own and love that I think are worthy of adding to your wish list – or considering for your loved ones!
Clothing:
— A soft, chunky sweater | I bought this a few years ago and it is one of my favorite things in my closet. It’s easy (and so comfortable!) to wear, but looks really refined. The dark moss this year is so good! — Sleeveless linen dress | My favorite thing to wear in the summer! (Or this dupe, which my friend swears is just as good!) — Clementine shorts | Made for athletic pursuits but they look cute enough to wear out and about with a tee. My favorite colors right now are the Peri and Crushed Ice. — Kule tee | My favorite striped tee. I have the Classic in cream and navy, but it reads black and white to me. — Summersalt swim suit | I have the Sidestroke, the Oasis, and the Marina and I love them all. I would order up at least one size, as I think they run small. Very fun one-pieces and they’re always getting compliments from other mamas at the pool! — Lake Pajamas | It’s been almost a decade since I’ve worn any other pajamas (and in fact, still wear my original pair!). I wear the long-longs year-round and they feel so cool and silky. (I even added a holiday pattern last year!) — Joggers | My one and only pair of joggers, and they are regrettably worth it. I have the lake heather.
Shoes and accessories:
— Shearling slippers | At hours-of-wear, this item of clothing would probably clock in at the top of my wardrobe – they’re my go-to from when I walk in the door to hopping into bed. — Maylis shoes | I own and adore the Ella heels (in cream) and the Catherine loafers (in Maylis blue). Both pairs are comfortable, beautiful, well-made, and required almost no breaking in. Still in awe one of my bestest friends has seen a dream come to life in this company! — Ugg Classic Mini II Bootie | I was dubious about adding these to my wish list a few years ago, but I am fully converted. Priceless for staying warm in the winter, especially with walking June to school and hanging with friends and neighbors outdoors. — Hunter Play Rain Boots | I used to own tall Hunter boots and almost never wore them, because they were uncomfortable and hard to take on and off. I received the shorter version for Christmas a few years ago and ADORE them! Perfect for rainy walks and school pick-ups. — Julie Vos Penelope Demi Studs | I wear these 99% of days. Classic pearl studs with the loveliest gold-rim upgrade. — Bogg bag | Have you been to a public pool in the last few years? You’ve likely seen one of these tall-sided bags. We tote ours daily for neighborhood swims in the summer!
This post is already long, so I’ll save the non-clothing ideas – many of which feel more fitting for gifting to others – for next week! I also have posts in the hopper for grown-up and kid stocking stuffers as well as everyone’s favorite post: what we’re actually giving our kids this year!
October was full (actually, really full as I look back at my calendar), but its pace felt just right. We had time for movie night each Friday, for playdates and playing outside, for an impromptu hot dog and fire pit dinner with friends, for crafting Halloween costumes and walking to soccer and celebrating birthdays and TTT and volunteering at school each week. I try not to take any of it for granted, because it is all precious to me – and though it doesn’t feel like I’m fighting for it in the moment, I know we stacked many decisions on top of one another to get to this place. In this month of gratitude, I am grateful.
On my calendar: — Voting, always. — Thanksgiving in Virginia with John’s side of the family! — Beginning my 2025 PowerSheets. I chose Aloe!
What I’m loving right now: — Clothing swaps! Every few months the ladies of my church community group do a clothing/home items/toy swap and it is the best! I left the last one with two new-to-me pairs of jeans, a real boon to my wallet. — Speaking of jeans: In addition to the CG jeans, I bought this pair after trying them on in store. I feel like they’re a very wearable pair of wide-leg jeans if you, like me, have been hesitant to branch out from skinnies! — I’m surprised I’ve never mentioned this before, but this carpet spray is a dream for getting stains out of rugs and all kinds of upholstery. I just ordered another bottle.
As a reminder, you can find allll the things I’ve loved over the last few years neatly organized right here!
What I read in October: — The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey | Just trying to keep up with my oldest reader! I’m always grateful when she wants to share something she’s read and loved with me. — The Pursuit of God | Reading this one as part of a book club at church! Written in 1948, with scripture quoted in KJV, I think I’d have missed a lot of its depth without the chance to discuss it with others. — The Outlaw Noble Salt | Loved loved loved this one! It’s a sweepingly romantic tale that explores an alternative ending for America’s most famous outlaw – a happy one, to boot. I found it fascinating how the author turned the idea of an outlaw inside out, making him the most steady and trustworthy character in the book. You’ll fall a little bit in love with him and be glad you did. Still thinking about this one weeks later! — The Tech-Wise Family | Re-reading an old favorite! I first read this little number in 2018, towards the beginning of our family’s life, and credit it with shaping and encouraging our bent toward digital minimalism. It holds up!
My reading list for 2024! I’m 14 / 24 so far. Two months to go and I hope to read 3-4 more from my list!
Revisiting my October goals: Edit Sheptember, Volume 6 Create our family Halloween costumes (Done! See them here!) Refinish the dining room table (Yes! I used a semigloss finish and it is now soooo much easier to wipe clean!!) Finish TCF content planning for the rest of the year Finish writing the TCF course (I did not finish but made major progress! Over six hours, I wrote all of lessons two and three and about half of lesson four. There will likely be five lessons total!) Send care packages to our favorite college students List items that have been accumulating on Buy Nothing Make a Christmas decor plan Choose our new china salad plates (I didn’t have time to make it to Replacements but ordered and returned two sample plates… so a little progress!) Read chapters 13 and 14 of Outlive
November goals: — Edit Sheptember, Volume 6 — Design and order our Christmas card and newsletter — Finalize china salad plate choice — Sell the gray table to make room in our loft — Read chapters 13 and 14 of Outlive — Paint the kids’ book ornaments. This was such an unexpected delight last year and I’m so eager to get started! I have June’s and Shep’s books picked out but I’m still debating Annie’s… there are just so many picture books we love!
As a reminder, many of these are drawn from my 2024 goals!
I’d love to hear: if you had to pick one book for each of your kids (or for yourself!) to sum up the year, what would you choose?!
P.S. Gift guides are coming! I am planning the following posts, but open to your requests: gifts for Em, stocking stuffers for kids and grown-ups, and what we’re actually giving our kids this Christmas. I’m also considering an updated post on some of John’s clothing favorites, since the original was a hit but is now three years old!
I have a discouraging number of half-finished posts in the queue, including at least one other travelogue (our summer trip to Michigan!)… but also no hesitations about bumping this one to the top.
In my last post, I wrote that we’d canceled our trip to Lake Lure in the wake of Hurricane Helene and wouldn’t be traveling to the North Carolina mountains this fall. The whole family was torn up about this, but John especially so. Once the storm passed, he stewed over what to do for days: travel to the Lake Lure Airbnb and use it as a base to volunteer with a local organization, leaving the kids with family or friends? Cancel the Airbnb and head to the Virginia mountains? Stay home entirely?
While we felt called to volunteer, our original rental was without power and water. And though we love the Virginia mountains, it felt wrong to bail on our beloved NC in her time of need. As the days passed after the storm, the messaging out of Western North Carolina became more nuanced: yes, some areas were devastated and not ready to receive visitors, though they coveted our aid (and would for a long time). Other areas, however, were open and ready for business – and, in many cases, desperate for it. Fall tourism dollars are incredibly important to these towns, and the blanket messaging of “don’t travel to WNC” had really hurt them.
So, following NC’s travel advisory, we rerouted our trip to Bryson City. We had wanted to visit for years, but had stopped short of Bryson City, in the far western reaches of the state, in favor of the more accessible mountain towns of Boone, Blowing Rock, or Asheville. With those off the table, we happily drove a tad farther – a little less than five hours from the Triangle – to our destination.
It was a delightful weekend. The weather was perfect, and we logged some gorgeous hikes, ate good food, and rested and relaxed together. We also got to support some mountain businesses that were extremely grateful for our presence, and though we are no saviors, we were grateful to get to be a tiny part of bringing hope in a bleak time.
To my fellow NC folks, or those in surrounding states: consider a fall or winter trip to the mountains if you can. NC’s tourism site is regularly updated with an interactive map of areas that are ready to receive you, as well as lots of other helpful information. If our trip is any indication, it will be a blessing to them and even more so a blessing to you.
Ready for a little Bryson City travelogue? Let’s do it!
FRIDAY
Our goal was to leave our home at 8:30am, but if you know us at all you are not surprised to hear we left at 9 o’clock on the dot. Time was of the essence because we planned to eat lunch at Haywood Smokehouse in Dillsboro which, at over four hours away, would have tested the bounds of our young travelers’ stomachs even if we had arrived perfectly on time. Still, we endured the drive pleasantly enough with the help of lots of snacks and a third or fourth listen through of On the Night Train, the audio mystery our kids can’t quit.
Our drive was clear, but as we got toward the mountains, we passed tons of downed trees along the roadside. Once, we saw an evergreen farm whose trees were marked with a mud line about four feet up their branches.
We arrived in Dillsboro, a very cute and very tiny downtown, around 1:30. There’s about one block of commerce, but it was plenty for our purposes: we had lunch at the Smokehouse (where the kids discovered they all loved Brunswick Stew) then poked around in the shops near the railroad depot. The Fox’s Burrow was our favorite (we snagged lots of Christmas gifts!), but it was sobering to see the floor and about one foot of wall stripped back to plywood because of the flooding.
From the shops we crossed the railroad tracks to the river itself, and it was beautiful – clear and running swiftly. We walked along the edge for a bit before doubling back to our car and continuing on the last half hour to Bryson City itself.
We arrived at our rental around 4 and the kids’ usual flurry of excitement over exploring a new house kicked in. They raced up and down the stairs and then out the back door where a capacious porch swing and wide, shallow creek waited. I helped John bring our bags inside then curled up with a blanket and my book – this one, loved it so much and now I want to call everyone honey – on the swing. I read for an hour or so while John napped and the kids pretended to be puppies and spies.
Around 6:30 we gathered ourselves, added another layer (it was chilly!), and headed out for dinner in town, about five minutes away. We put our name in at Anthony’s then explored the railway depot and a few shops while we waited. A local legend, Anthony’s reminded me of all the traditional Italian restaurants in all the little towns I’ve ever visited :) We ended the evening with our first of many trips to The Chocolate Shoppe for truffles, squares of toffee, and rock candy sticks, which we ate on our rental’s comfy sectional as we watched Cinderella.
SATURDAY
We woke to another crisp mountain morning on Saturday. We dressed for hiking and drove into town for breakfast at La Dolce Vita, which had yummy bagel sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and more.
After breakfast, we drove across the boundary line into Great Smoky Mountains National Park – the most-visited national park and one we had yet to experience! We parked and set off on the Deep Creek Loop Trail, opting for the 2.5 mile configuration in consideration of little legs. We saw deer, crossed wooden bridges, admired changing leaves, and paused for a snack by one of several waterfalls before looping back to our car about two hours later.
After a quick lunch at High Test Deli (YUM) and a hot chocolate from La Dolce Vita, it was time to board the train!
We had reserved open-air tickets on the 2pm Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Nantahala Gorge excursion. Our family had an entire bench to ourselves, with plenty of room to sit, stand, stretch out, and move around. The train whistle sounded and we pulled out of Bryson City at about 2:20, traveling through kudzu forest, past Appalachian homes, and across a trestle bridge over Fontana Lake before arriving at the Nantahala Outdoors Center around 4:45pm.
We had about an hour at the center before boarding the train for the journey home – enough time to grab a snack and watch a practice session of a US national junior team canoe slalom racer! Very cool. Then it was back on the train for a glowy sunset steam back into the Bryson City depot, arriving around 7pm. We snagged a quick dinner at The Rice Wagon, a food truck permanently parked at the Mountain Layers Brewery in downtown, and more treats at The Chocolate Shoppe before heading home for a dip in our hot tub.
SUNDAY
We got off to a slower start on Sunday morning – a perk for the kids of most family trips like this is getting to watch a few episodes of a show while mom and dad wake up – and rolled into Bryson City Bakery around 10:30.
Wow. All the pastries are made in store and are giant and delicious. We went with a few more traditional options but drooled over the cases of apple galettes, peanut butter pie stuffed croissants, s’mores cruffins, maple pecan twists, vanilla bean morning buns, and white chocolate scones with blackberry glaze. While John stood in line, I wandered over to the adjacent general store, MRKT on the Square, and picked up a few more gifts for Christmas from their selection of kitchen goods, toys, and art supplies.
We wrapped up breakfast, hopped in the car, and drove about 30 minutes to Mingo Falls. Though we didn’t have a chance to stop at any of the historical or educational sites along the way, it was neat to see the Cherokee syllabary on signs as we passed through. And of course, Mingo Falls is well worth the trip on its own – it’s a short but steep .3 mile hike to a stunningly tall waterfall. Steps are built into the hillside to make it a bit easier. The big kids bounded up like goats while John and I hoofed it up behind them, Annie on John’s shoulders for part of the time. We hung out at the top for a good half hour and let the kids explore before heading back down.
We continued our circumnavigation of the Smokies and entered the national park again, driving 45 minutes to reach Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingman’s Dome, and the highest point in Tennessee, in the Smokies, and on the Appalachian Trail). The drive was gorgeous: similar in feel to the Blue Ridge Parkway, with curving roads that hug the mountainside and expansive vistas dotted with blazing foliage.
After finding a parking spot (tough on a beautiful fall day!), we set off on the Forney Ridge Trail around 2pm. AllTrails describes it as having a “captivating forest atmosphere,” and I couldn’t agree more.
We trotted along mossy stone steps, across wooden beam walkways, and through sunlit-filled pine forests to reach Andrews Bald about two miles and one hour later.
John selected this hike especially for me, as I’m always pestering him about visiting balds – unique mountains in the Southern Appalachians that are topped with treeless, grassy meadows instead of rocks or trees and thus boast incredible views. Andrews Bald did not disappoint: it was glorious to sprawl on the grass and snack on apples, peanut butter crackers, peanut m&ms, and mini Chomps before turning around.
But we weren’t done yet!! Two miles later we made it back to the parking lot and were all ready to sit down – but we were at the start of the Kuwohi Observation Tower trail, and we (or at least the parents, ha) wanted to make it to the top. Like Mingo Falls, we were in for another short, steep hike – this time, .5 miles each way and 337 feet of elevation gain. It’s a paved trail, but man, it was a rough add-on after the afternoon’s hike.
But also worth it! We hoofed it up the trail, the kids trailing comically behind us, and eventually made it to the top to enjoy the 360-degree views.
But only for a few minutes :) Back in the car and looking at the clock, we debated whether the timing was too tight to go back and change before our dinner reservation, but agreed that if we could be in and out of the house in ten minutes we could arrive within the grace period. Cut to the five of us sprinting and giggling through the house to get out of our hiking clothes and into mountain dinner appropriate attire as fast as possible :)
Our reservation was at the Fryemont Inn’s dining room, and it was a trip. Think summer camp dining hall, think big stone fireplace, think 100+ year old history. All dinners include the soup of the day (BLT soup on the day we visited!), a mixed green salad, the entree of your choice, three family-style side dishes, and dessert. (Plus soda for the kids, a thrill!) Was it the most delicious, creative food I’ve ever eaten in my life? It was not. But it was homey and memorable and a perfect way to cap off a mountain-y day.
MONDAY
We slept in, then packed up the house and drove to brunch at Mountain Perks, which had delicious bagel sandwiches and the kindest staff.
After browsing a few more shops, we ended our time in Bryson City with a visit to Darnell Farms. Nestled right against the Tuckasegee River, it had swings, a giant hollowed-out tree, knobbly pumpkins, a farm shop, and a hay maze to explore.
And that, my friends, is our trip to Bryson City! While BC is a bit rougher around the edges than some other mountain towns we’ve visited, it is so lovable and we were so grateful to get to visit it – and our beloved mountains – in this unusual fall.
If you’re planning a trip to Bryson City, I hope this recap was helpful! Any questions, I’m happy to answer – just leave them in the comments! (And if you’d like to see this weekend in motion, I had fun making this little video.)
