My Favorites- you get a car! you get a car!

Well, you don’t really get a car but you might be pretty excited to get your holiday shopping kicked off!

Why does this opportunity to give make us feel anxious?

I don’t want to clutter their space...

Another gift card?

They buy everything they’d want for themselves…

They didn’t seem to like what I got them last time…

Their taste is so different from mine…

I’ve ran out of time to get them something I really wanted to…

I’m always on the prowl for unique and fun items and am excited to share some of the things I’ve recently discovered, already love, or have added to my own wishlist! (These are NOT affiliate links so you can trust that these are coming straight from me). I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments!

TIP! Keep your own running list of gift ideas. Use Amazon gift lists, Pinterest, Instagram, or just pictures on your phone (you can add them to an album or on Google Photos). If you like something, join their mailing list for flash sales and coupons. Start now and you’ll have plenty of time!

DON’T FORGET! The best gift we can give our family and friends is ourselves! It’s never too late to start a tradition, memorialize special times together, or reminisce. Nothing calms a hysterical kid (and a hysterical parent) than telling them the story of the day they were born or looking through a photo album from when they were babies! Okay, on to the goods!

I hope you find something useful from these lists!

Kim

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Grown-up Gifts-

Anything from GLDNxLayeredAndLong

Minimalist, personalized (or not) jewelry.

Buffalovely-Cheeky Home Goods- $10+

Aloha Collection Bags- $15+ ($58 for tote shown)

Totes, pouches, and more all super lightweight and waterproof. Love these! Patterns are always changing and they have 30% off about quarterly so join the mailing list!

Family Portrait on Ornament- $15

Custom Family Portrait- $56

Search Etsy for custom portraits and you will amazed at what you find. All different styles and prices and offerings. Something for everyone. My teenage niece is getting an anime recreation of herself this Christmas! SHHH!

My Life Story- $30

Wish you knew your grandparents’ stories? You’re never too young to write your story down.

Colorful Card Holder- $21

Great for all gift cards you always seem to leave at home when you need them.

Best Multi Pen- (Red, Black, & Pencil)- $11.50

My mom first gifted me this pen and it is by far my favorite. Thin and clean lines with red and black ink and a pencil- everything I could need! Jet Pens also has great summaries of their favorite pens if you want to see what else they have.

Felt Recreation of your pup!- $175

Money from each purchase is donated directly to your local shelter. They also have some in stock for $75 if you’re lucky enough to find one that looks like your pup or cat.

Nixplay Wifi Digital Frame- $140+

Use your phone to send pictures and video to your friends/ family around the world. Send to your own frame too. Amazing grandparent gift or gift for your spouses desk!

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For Young Kids- Plan Toys and Hape make up most of the toys that I have put away for my kids’ kids. Timeless and well-made.

Plan Toys Ramp Racer- $60

Plan Toys Cutting Fruit- $12

Plan Toys Musical Band-$60

Non-migraine-inducing drum set!

Domino Race- $10

Hape Wooden Kitchen- $115

Hape Pound & Tap Xylophone- $25

Magna-tiles or Picasso Tiles $30+

An ageless toy- simple and satisfying!

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Gifts for your big kid-

Speed cube- $6+

The smooth and easy movement of these cubes takes away the frustration and almost makes it a fidget toy. Less expensive and more options than Rubik’s too! Have your kids just solve one side. Over and over again.

Q&A a Day Journal- $11

One question for each day of the year. They go back and answer the same question and can giggle about how they responded last year:)

Any Thinkfun or Smartgames Games- $8+

My favorites are Rushhour, Laser Maze, and Waterworld! Seriously, 4 years up to grandparents will love these! Working through these with your kids is so heart-filing!

Concert Ukulele- $40+

Concert ukes are a tad bigger and more comfortable to play on. Any musical background at all and a kid can likely pluck out their latest Suzuki song. Unlimited free online learning is another bonus! If you’re like me, you can sneak it when they aren’t looking and try to learn your own song:)

Untamed T-Rex Fingerling- $15

These make 40 different movements and noises in response to your touch, sound and movement.

Kendama- $10+

Ummm… there are professional Kendama people! No joke. Check them out online then let your kid (you won’t be able to resist either) try some of the tricks.

Polaroid Zip- $99

Print peel and stick pictures from phone or tablet using their app. You can add effects, create collages, and more. Great for journaling, putting on school binders, or anywhere they can imagine.

Homework/Hobby/Art Caddie- $16

I saw this and instantly thought ‘CABOODLE!’ Container Store has amazing small storage solutions but this one is my favorite! My boys have put stickers on it and chose what they might need for homework and filled it up. They can grab it and get to work anywhere.

Photo Gifts-

mPix Cutout Statuette- $16+

Photo Calendar- $25+

Memory with your Photos-$20

Also available on Shutterfly.

A Layflat Photo Album- $65+

Try mPix, Blurb, or my favorite- Artifact Uprising. The layflat, matte paper takes these albums to the next level. You may be tempted to put a thousand pictures in but just choose the ones that make you feel something.

Artifact Uprising Wooden Print Holder with Print- $109+

You can purchase similar wooden print/poster hangers on Amazon starting around $15, then print elsewhere. Artifact Uprising is high end and professional.