While I don’t hold tightly to any one gifting formula (e.g. something you want, something you need, something you wear, something to read), I’ve realized we do try to check at least two boxes with each gift collection: an experience, and something that will bring immediate delight (a kit, a toy). This year, the experience is the same for all three kids, and it’s a big one: a day at Disneyland with the cousins when we’re in California at Christmas. I’ve never been, and I can’t wait (and I can’t wait to see their faces). We’re also gifting our trio the Wingfeather Saga boxed set – read aloud delight awaits! For everything else our kids will be finding under the tree this year, read on… June (who is almost 10), will be receiving: — A weekender of her own. She has been asking for a small duffle for weekend trips and sleepovers, and this colorblocked version is quite fun.— “Fashion” sneakers. Fourth grade came with a noticeable uptick in brand/trend interest, including a desire for fancier sneakers. She picked out this style in the store but we’ll surprise her with the online-only lavender colorway.— A Camp Snap Pro camera. We got Shep the original Camp Snap camera (a screen-free, old-school, easy-to-use digital camera!) for his birthday this year; he he has loved toting it on adventures and snapping away. June will love this upgraded version (and to stop borrowing her brother’s.)— A Kavu sling bag. June came home from camp requesting a Kavu bag after seeing many other campers toting one. She likes that they’re big enough to pack a paperback :) Other ideas I gave to relatives: Crocs, a small jewelry case for earrings, outfits and accessories for her American Girl doll, a Doodle Crate subscription, the Mysterious Benedict Society books she doesn’t

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 side-by-side pottery wheel session with Mama. Pottery was her first elective choice at camp and she’s been eager to try her hand at the wheel. We’ll pair it with dinner after and I think she’ll be in heaven!— 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.— A dog rescue LEGO Friends set. She goes hot and cold on LEGOs but a “animal or bakery” themed set was at the top of her list this year. This one should do nicely.— 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

Friends, I have gone back and forth on gift guides this year! On the one hand, they take a lot of time to prepare, they might in the end be only nominally helpful, and the sheer preponderance of gift guides on the internet feels almost distasteful. On the other hand, I genuinely enjoy compiling them, the delight of helping one of you find a perfect gift is intoxicating, and they do contribute to the cost of keeping my internet home online. A conundrum! One gift guide I knew I’d share? What we’re actually giving our kids this Christmas! It’s been a favorite post since 2019, when we had a four-year-old and a one-year-old. Below, I’ve shared what each of our kiddos will be finding under the tree this year, along with a few suggestions I gave to relatives. As a sort of gift guide compromise, 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. All three kids will be getting a selection of clothes from my favorite consignment sale. When I shopped earlier this fall, I set aside some of my favorite pieces to place under the tree instead of into their drawers! In addition… June (who is almost seven) will be receiving:— A mama-daughter camp weekend. We have our eye on a particular sleepaway camp for the future (June looooves to watch their promotional video, ha), and thought it might be wise to dip our toe in before committing to a week in the summer. This introvert is a bit nervous, but also thinks it will be SO fun to spend the weekend with just my biggest girl!— The Penderwicks boxed set, because we both fell in love with the first book earlier

So happy to hear this year’s stripped-down gift guides are helpful! Two things I wanted to note before we dig into kid ideas today: First, they’re not as conducive to internet gift guides, but don’t discount the joy in giving experiences. I actually went back and added a few ideas to yesterday’s grown-up guide, and have included a few here! Some of the best gifts I’ve ever given or received have been carefully-selected adventures (bonus points for a surprise element!). Second, if it’s important to you, shop local when you can! Of all the categories, I find kiddo gifts especially easy to score at my favorite local boutiques (because everything is just so cute!!). Similarly to shopping from an online small business, your local purchase makes SUCH a difference to those business owners, especially at this time of year! If you’re in the Triangle, head to my faves: TinyParker & OtisThe Museum of Life & Science gift shopStylish LivingMcIntyre’s BooksQuail Ridge Books And now, for the gifts… My favorite kiddos :)Gifts for your favorite boys:— A high seas sweatshirt or dinosaur pants (both on Shep’s wish list!)— A basketball that glows in the dark and gets brighter the more you bounce it!— A sweet little Weekender bag— A Harry Potter sweater!! Perfect for an older kiddo getting into the books. Or, a handsome Fair Isle sweater if he’s not yet hooked.— Star Wars socks— A sharp rain coat (love the red, too)— An adorable tool box— Cute plaid jams— An Arctic explorer shirt Gifts for your favorite girls:— A caboodle. What is it about storing treasures neatly that gets kids so jazzed?— Dreamy castle pajamas— A beautiful blanket for her bed or a picnic in the yard (unicorn-esque colors but amenable to mama, too!)— Herd Your Horses, a board game