These Father’s Day Gift Ideas will cover all the men in your life—from husband to your own dad to your son to your brother—and every man in between.
You’re welcome.
Oh, and these are things he’ll actually use.
If the men in your life are anything like mine, they’re tough to buy for! Maybe because it seems like they already have everything they need so it’s hard to find things that they’ll actually use and not just sit on their desk or dresser and never touch again.
I used to give my husband cute, kitchy stuff but it I stopped doing that because 1) it was a waste of money and 2) we’re drowning in stuff like that because we have young kids—I definitely didn’t want to add to the “stuff that serves no purpose” piles, ha. #parenthood
I’m not a minimalist, but I do like to get people things they’ll actuallyuse.
And almost all of these Father’s Day gift ideas are Amazon Prime, which means you’re not late. You’re right on time. 🙂
This post includes affiliate links.
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: Food & Beverage
Daddy & Me Mug Set: Cutest Father’s Day gift for only $10! Perfect gift for their Dad “from them.” I bought 2 sets so I could have a mug for each kid. I’m giving one of the Dad ones to my hubs & one to my own Dad. Win win.
The mugs are the perfect sizes, too. I’ve been wanting a real “mini” mug for my kids for awhile. And the large one is the perfect size for my hubs who loves ☕ (almost) as much as me.
LegitMeat Thermometer: If your Dad or Husband or Brother or Son or any man in your life who likes to cook/grill/smoke meat doesn’t have a good meat thermometer, voila! Congratulations, you’re done shopping! And I’m not talking about a dinky meat thermometer. Everyone has one of those. I’m talking about a legit one. A solid meat thermometer is uncomparable. Enter the Thermapen.
Wine Stopper: My husband used to love cocktails. Then he loved beer. Now he is Team Wine. This is the wine stopper to end all stoppers. It has an airtight seal, is easy to use, and it legitimately doesn’t leak—even when you lay a bottle on its side. It even fits champagne bottles for when you’re feeling fancy.
Electric Wine Opener: I enjoy opening wine now. So maybe this is a slightly selfish one. But my husband LOVES it. So maybe it’s not. Super easy, super powerful.
It’s so fast & easy that used my husband’s one day (I had given it to him for Father’s Day, of course) and never gave it back. Had to buy him a new one because I flat out stole the one I had given him.
Reidel Wine Glasses: Reidel is the brand. It just is. So no need to look any further. It has the super thin rim and the elegant profile. If he doesn’t have a nice set of wine glasses, get this classic set that can be used for white or red.
Coffee frother: Why does this thing make coffee taste SO MUCH BETTER? We are both obsessed with it. We even travel with it. If he’s a coffee drinker (with cream/milk because it wouldn’t do much for black coffee), he’ll love it.
Pizza Screen: Does he have a Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe? Pizza is our favorite thing to make on our smoker, I kid you not. It took us years to figure out how to get the pizza out of the face-melting BGE. This is the answer. And it’s also so convenient to make the pizza right on it.
Legit Steak Knives: Several years ago my husband was at his friend’s house for dinner & he literally texted me about how amazing the guy’s steak knives were. He totally fangirled over them. “They slice everything like butter.” I kid you not, he couldn’t stop talking about them. So of course the next day I called the friend & got the deets. They are expensive and they are awesome. Def one of the cases where “you get what you pay for.”
Note: Wüsthof has a Classic knife line & a Gourmet Knife Line. Both are great, but the Classic line is the real deal because it’s fully forged as opposed to laser stamped = which means it’s heavier, sharper, and a lot more expensive.
Air Fryer: It’s all the rage. My Dad is obsessed with his. I think it’s akin to how women love their crockpot/instant pot. Calm down. Not that women wouldn’t love this, but the truth is you’ll have a hard time pulling me away from my crockpot. No shame in my slow-cooker game. BUT, I know sooo many men who freaking LOVE their air fryer.
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: The Great Outdoors
YETI Backpack Cooler: If you need a WOW gift, this is it. Truly one of the greatest things I’ve ever bought my husband. We use the heck out of it because we have kids & already don’t have enough arms as it is. The backpack style distributes the weight & keeps it from feeling too heavy. It’s our go-to cooler, every time.
YETI Attachable Bottle Opener: Gotta accessorize that pimp cooler. This awesome pull bottle opener latches onto that YETI cooler (& even of their soft coolers). It comes in so handy—no more searching for a bottle opener! (On Amazon here)
YETI Dry Bag: My husband specifically said he needed somewhere better to keep his phone & wallet dry & safe and not just floating around in our enormous beach bag with all the toys & all the sand. It also attaches directly to soft-sided coolers like our beloved backpack one above.
Bluetooth Speaker: This thing is MIGHTY. It’s loud & the sound quality is awesome. It’s also waterproof & holds a charge forever. And the bluetooth connection works great. My husband actually got me this for Christmas and it has taken the place of the much larger, much more expensive bluetooth speaker we used to use. It’s just so much more convenient than pulling out a big bulky one.
If he needs a pocket-sized speaker that still packs a big punch, this one is excellent. We have 2 & use them on everything from bike & golf cart rides to letting our kids jam out to their fave songs. (also available at Target)
Sunscreen Flasks: Alright, this is a useless yet fun one. Totally a novelty item but he’s here for it and has used it on more than one occasion. It’s always a big hit with all the men.
*Up the ante with LED lights. Go for just the ring light or light up the whole board.
Bocce Ball: Another classic. Perfect for the beach or the yard. (Bocce requires more space to play than corn hole, so keep that in mind.) *Target also has a handsome bocce ball set if you want a chicer bag.
The resin set is the classic heavy bocce ball set. This is the one we’ve always had. But, they also have a lighter rubber one that would be easier to transport & better to play with kids.
Golf Cart Cup holders: When will vehicle manufacturers get the memo that PEOPLE NEED MULTIPLE CUPHOLDERS??!! These are everything. I’m not lying when I say that I ordered 6 different “universal cup holders” to test out on our golf cart that can fit 6 people & legitimately has ONE cupholder. Whoever made that decision should be let go. Anyways, these cupholders are 💯. They don’t budge, even on huge bumps. Yes, they hold the big Yetis. We have 5 of these on our golf cart. 6 people to 11 cupholders is a much better ratio.
Golf Cart Storage Box/Caddy: Turns out our golf cart is actually storage deficient, too. So Amazon to the rescue again. I ordered a bunch of golf cart storage solutions to try (to hold stuff like sunglasses, garage opener, hand sani (we have kids), chapstick, etc. and this one won by a landslide. All the ones that mount with the “strongest velcro or adhesive ever” or whatever … just no. They didn’t even last for a single day in the humidity where we live before falling off. These caddies mount to the bars of your golf cart & come with a bunch of different size mounts so you can use the size that works for yours. We have two on each side.
Cigar Golf Cart Clip: Final golf cart thing. But this is not just a cart thing, it’s a golfthing. My husband only smokes a cigar when he plays golf. IDK why but it’s a thing. He says the “stage 5 clinger is a must.” That’s what this thing is. Gotta admit, love the name.
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: Around the House/Yard
Airpods: Full-proof gift right here. I’ll admit that I used to think cheap bluetooth ear buds were as good. I was super, super wrong. I finally sucked it up and bought some Airpods. Instantly loved them. Then I bought my husband a pair. He instantly loved them, too. Yes, they’re $$, which is why I never bought them before. They’re worth it, especially if he has in iphone because it just makes it so damn easy! Of course they sound great for tunes (hello gym, bike rides, runs), but the voice clarity for calls is unmatched, too (hello conference calls). *I linked these from Target because most locations have them in stock & you can do Drive Up pickup in 2 hours. BOOM. Done.
Air Compressor: One of my fave things my husband ever bought himself because we use it ALL the time. It inflates car tires, bike tires, stroller tires, sports balls, beach balls, inflatable pools, giant swan floats (just sayin), etc. The best part is you just enter the PSI you want it to inflate to & it does it automatically.
Couch Blanket Big Enough for Him: About 7 years ago my husband said all he wanted was a blanket big enough for him on the couch. He’s a tall guy & all our blankets were like throw blankets. So I got him the king-sized 96×80″ and it’s been the entire family’s favorite blanket ever since. My hubs still uses it almost nightly.
Digital Photo Frame: My husband actually give this frame to ME, bu we are equally as obsessed with it. And if I’m being honest, he probably adds more photos to it than I do. And real talk: It’s a joy to see all your favorite pictures & memories throughout the day. We LOVE it. And it’s both a sweet and cool gift.
Pro tip: A digital picture frame also makes the perfect gift for Grandfathers!! Whether they live 5 minutes away or 5 states away, they will love it. And don’t worry—they won’t have to “do anything” to make it work! It’s
Your Father’s Story journal: I just came across this and think it is the neatest thing. So special. You give it to your Dad & he fills it out to share his life with you. Honestly, the older I get the more I realize I wish I knew about my parents’ lives and history. This is a simple, beautiful way to find out.
Porch/Patio Heater: This is the basic mushroom one you see at restaurants and it’s the best & most reliable. We’ve tried the cool looking ones with fire running up the middle & they 1) don’t put out as much heat and 2) are so finicky. This one works.
Fire Poker/Stoker: It’s a poker. It’s a stoker. It’s cool. It seriously has a built-in air valve that you can use to stoke the fire. It also is extra long so you don’t have to get too close.
Marshmallow Roasting Sticks: If he ever builds fires, these are a great gift from the kids/grandkids. They’re so handy & the telescoping handle is perfect.
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: GiantProjector Set Up
***If you want to WIN Father’s Day, skip the rest & just get this setup:
We have an amazing outdoor projector setup. It’s EPIC. So much fun for movies, sports & everything in between. It’s honestly the BEST. And sooo easy. I always thought setups like this were astronomical and/or very involved to setup. This one takes about 5 minutes flat. Our kids love it. We love it. Our friends love it.
Below is everything—and I do mean everything—you need.
Projector: I can promise you this projector is unbeatable. (wellll, unless you want to pay 2 or 3 times as much). Its price is in line with all the other projectors in the same echelon but it performs SO much better…and I should know, because I literally ordered & tried 6 different projectors to make sure I got the best. It projects a picture bright enough to see in broad daylight which is nearly impossible to find. (We have the XGA model. It has higher resolution than the SVGA. The WXGA has the highest resolution & is widescreen formatted. I’m very happy with the XGA. I think the brightness is the same on all.)
(We used to have a different projector that just never projected bright enough so we could never use it unless a room was pitch black…and we couldn’t all fit in a closet so it was a no go. So glad we finally got a better one because now we use it allll the time.)
*Pro Tip: We use our firestick with it but you can plug in a phone or computer with HMDI adapter. The firestick is only $30 & just makes it so simple for Netflix, Disney +, Youtube, YoutubeTV (helloooo sports!), Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.
Screen: We have this screen in the 80″ 16:9 configuration. We’ve had it for 5+ years. There is zero setup & I think that’s why we use it so often. So easy. I love this screen so much I can’t express it. It’s slim to store (but long), so easy to use, sturdy, takes 2 seconds to put up & down.
*Here are 2 other options that are more reasonable & get really great reviews that I would look at today if we didn’t have a screen already: Tripod Base Screen, 2-legged Screen
Stand: I went without a stand for years with our old projector. I’d literally just prop it up on books or random boxes & try to get it the right height. I wish I’d bought the stand years ago. It makes it so stable and so easy to adjust for the right height. The legs adjust at 2 different spots on all 3 legs so you can actually get it even on uneven ground.
Long AUX Cable: If you want to hook up to a louder speaker(it has a speaker included but a louder speaker is a game changer), you need an AUX cable. You can use a short AUX cable & put the speaker right by the projector or you can use a long one to put the speaker somewhere else further from the projector. It doesn’t have bluetooth speaker connection (none of the ones I tried did), so you need an AUX cord. (Most bluetooth speakers still have an AUX input so you can likely use a speaker you already have!)
3 outlet Extension Cord: I love this one because it has the 3 outlets I need for projector, speaker, and Firestick. Or just use a regular extension cord & a surge protector. Either way, you’ll need a few outlets right by your setup.
Case: I love having one bag for everything we need for the projector setup. It has little areas for organizing the remotes, cords, etc. The case makes it so easy to protect & easily store & transport everything you need
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: Clothes& Stuff
Father/Kid Matching Shirt Set: A perfect Father’s Day gift. The pizza & fry sets get me every time. (pssst – they have matching onesies for the littlest ones!)
Swim Trunks: Tis the season after all! Tons of great designs, perfect length, so comfy, & look grrreat. This is my hubby’s fave style.
Family Swimsuits: Target just launched a family swim collection and it’s perfect. Would make such a great Father’s Day gift. Coordinating trunks for the boys is my fave part, but they have matching suits for the Mamas & girls, too, so the whole fam can match!
World’s Okayest Dad Shirt: My husband bought this for himself when I found out I was pregnant with our first. 6+ years later it’s still one of his all-time faves. If your man or your dad has a sense of humor, he’ll love this!
The Golf Father Shirt: For all the golfers out there. My husband & Dad both love this shirt. ⛳
Diversified Portfolio Golf Shirt: My husband is going to looooove this. One of my gifts for him this year. Again, for all the golfers. ⛳
Fun Boxer Briefs: You can’t go wrong. You know he’ll wear them. And he’ll love these cheeky (pun intended) designs. I’m partial to the chick magnet ones myself.
Athletic Shorts: My husband has worn the same 2 pairs for 10 years. He recently commented he needed some new ones in the mix. Bingo.
Silicone Wedding Rings: When we got married, I gave my husband a Tungsten ring. Not expensive, but an extremely strong metal and very simple & “manly.” I had it engraved & everything. After several years, he lost it. He’s a surgeon & he has to take it off during surgery, so he’d typically put it in his scrubs shirt pocket during surgery. Well, it fell out somewhere along the way. I bought him another. He lost that one at some point, too. Then I wised up & switched to a silicone ring. He loved it. And then he lost it. So then I bought him 3 for Valentine’s Day one year.
It’s ridiculous, I know. Absurd really. BUT if he didn’t wear it to work this wouldn’t be a problem, so I can’t reallyyyy be upset. I want him wearing it as much as possible because he is 🔥 & want the world to know he is claimed. I wish he’d just get a tattoo already.
Bottom line: this silicone ring is so comfy. He can wear it to the gym. And he can golf in it. He still can’t wear it during surgery, but at least it’s not expensive. This brand is comfier to him than several of the other brands we tried because the edges taper so it’s not as tight or bulky, according to him.
*Pro tip: Free returns on these (thanks Amazon!), so it’s helpful to order a couple sizes to have on hand to try for him & then you can just send the extras back. Also, you can pull/stretch them some before you wear them & that helps it be extra comfy.
**Pro Tip: You can also get a Father’s Day card online—I know, I know. But trust me on this—the selection of Father’s Day cards is amaze (everything from super sweet to hilariously inappropriate) & the prices are better than most store prices for cards! So order your Father’s Day gifts, your Father’s Day cards, and voilà. You’re done. And you nailed it.
Well there goes my whole heart, just walking down the street.
Let’s celebrate the Dads & Father figures. Because they’re important, too.
And he lived Happily Ever After. Because he had such a great Father’s Day. The End.
Looking for gifts for HER? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with these perfectMother’s Day Gift Ideas!
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Fitted “baseball” hat with that perfect vintage look. Leather strap adjustable back. C’MON MAMA Mama Bear & Cub logo on front + C’MON MAMA side detailing.
***ALSO YALLLLLL.Take a close look at my logo below. What makes it special is the little Baby Bear Cub I designed within the Mama Bear! (it’s trademarked!)
It turns out my own mom & sister didn’t know that for 3 YEARS. I’M SHOOK. But in case you didn’t know that either—now you do. Just look at that Mama with her Cub in the center—right where it belongs. 🐻♥️🐻
Every hat order comes with a C’MON MAMA Bumper Sticker/Laptop Decal!
These Mother’s Day Gift Ideas will cover every woman in your life—trust me. There is a perfect gift for her on this list…whoever her is.
As a Mama/wife/daughter, these Mother’s Day Gifts are all my favorite things—the things I love & the things I actually use.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas that are Mom approved. Grandmom approved. Sister, Aunt, Daughter, Niece & Friend approved.
Oh, and Wife approved, too. Obvi.
So don’t be afraid to send this list to whoever might be buying for you, Mama. It’ll make their life easy. 😉
Nearly everything is Amazon Prime or Target (hallelujah for 2 hour Drive Up!). Which means you’re not late. You’re right on time. 🙂
This post includes affiliate links.
MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: Jewelry & Clothing
C’MON MAMA Mama Bear Hat (with Baby Bear Cub!): Yes, these are my own C’MON MAMA hats so I might be a little bit biased, but they really are the BEST! I mean, did you see the little Bear Cub in the middle of the Mama Bear? She’ll never want to take it off. Trust me—the Mamas in your life will LOVE these hats.
Available in 2 styles—Vintage Charcoal or Denim Trucker—both with that perfect vintage look & a killer fit. You can’t go wrong.
Mama Shirts: If she’s like me & a sucker for tees/tanks that say Mama or reference being a Mom, get her a couple of these & she’ll be thrilled. All from Target & all awesome. I bought all 3 & wear them on repeat. “Raising Kind Humans” shirt, Mama Rainbow Tank, “Happy Mama” tee. You can’t go wrong with any of them. *Pro tip: You can probably even score one/all of these via Target drive up if you need a last minute gift!
MAMA Necklace: Simple, beautiful, & the word that says it all. I’ve worn my MAMA necklace since becoming a Mom (over 6 years ago!) & have taken it off only a handful of times. *If you’re shorter on time, these are my fave Amazon picks for Mama necklaces: Gold, Silver, & a beautiful spaced out version.
Bonus find: If you’ve got a Nana, Mimi or Gigi in the family…I gotcha covered with the perfect necklaces!
The BEST Pajamas: Target does it again. These = a must. My mom, sisters & I have several pairs each. That’s how great they are. They are the softest pajamas ever & look so cute/put together on. These are the only “matching” pajamas I own & I have to admit that my husband loves me in them (a step up from my regular t-shirts + jammy pants I guess, haha). They come in several styles, but the cropped pants are my fave style because they’re great for all seasons plus you don’t have to worry about the length being too short or too long. But I love them all & have the long pants, the long sleeves, the short sleeves, the shorts…see? I was basically telling Target to take my money as soon as I tried on my first pair…knew I had to have more.
The BEST Slippers: I only take these off to put on shoes when I leave the house, and then the second I get home I take my bra off and put my slippers off. My life is sexy like that. I honestly have 6 pairs. It’s like you’re walking on clouds. They’re one-size-fits-all which makes it so easy for gift-giving. And they don’t slip. They’re definitely equal to or better than slippers 5x as much. These have soft soles, so they’re “house” slippers, but they’re not flimsy. They are the cushiest.
The BEST Dress: I get nonstop compliments when I wear this dress. And it’s so inexpensive! It just looks so flattering on. I have it in 4 different designs because I’m a big fan of sticking with what works. This is THE most perfect dress for spring & summer. (I meannn, you can also throw on a jean jacket or cardigan + booties for fall/winter.) Belt or no belt both look great. The length is perfect for Momming.And did I mention the HUGE pockets?!
**One note: Avoid the dresses with the teeny buttons—for some reason they’re thinner than the others.
Who knew a $30 dress could be so lovely?
The Other Dress: This is my second favorite Amazon dress. I own it in multiple colors (told ya I’m like that). I have it in cheetah, dark green, & purple.
#MOMLIFE Headband: I’ve used these headbands for YEARS. Perfect for exercising and Momming…which is quite possibly the toughest workout of all. They put all other sporty headbands to shame for 2 reasons: they won’t cause a headache even after wearing them alll day, and they don’t ever slip. The 1″ ones are my favorite width.
Towel Wrap: Every woman needs one. Super simple, but super convenient–especially with kids glued to you at nearly all times.
iWatch Band: I genuinely love wearing my iWatch. And I really do like the normal sport band, BUT I love swapping this band in (takes 2 seconds) when I get dressed up. It makes my iWatch look like something really pretty that goes with all my jewelry.
Digital Photo Frame: I really think this is possibly the best gift you can give a Mother. If she doesn’t already have one, stop right now, get this one, and call it a day. I have the Carver frame and LOVE it. This frame is not the clunky old school digital picture frame. It’s simple & elegant and in two words: I’m obsessed. I love mine. Why? Well, because it is a joy to see all your favorite pictures & memories throughout the day. And also because it’s HARD to update framed photos throughout the house. It takes time…which is something Mamas don’t have a lot of. It also takes a lot of effort to pick which pictures are frame-worthy when you have approximately 37284720 pictures to pick from (yes, I have a picture-taking problem). This picture frame is a no-brainer and solves both those problems. It’s SUPER easy to add all her favorite photos for it to rotate through, and the kids & people of all ages in the house will LOVE looking at it as much as she does.
Pro tip: A digital picture frame also makes the perfect gift for Grandmothers!! Whether they live 5 minutes away or 5 states away, they will love it. And don’t worry—they won’t have to “do anything” to make it work! We gave one to each Grandmom for Mother’s Day a few years ago & it’s probably their fave gift we’ve ever given them.
*ORDER BY SUNDAY, MAY 2ND FOR MOTHER’S DAY DELIVERY!
Hinged Vase: The most beautiful & unique vase I’ve ever laid eyes on. I saw it on a friend’s dining table & just had to have it. It’s expensive. But it’s also just so cool. And it is inexplicably much cheaper on Amazon than in stores. *There is also a beautiful smaller version.
Capri Blue Volcano Candle: My fave candle ever. I buy it again & again & again. The tin container is perfect so it won’t break in transit. Honorable Mention: If she’s an 80s/90s baby, the nostalgic Eucalyptus Spearmint Bath & Body Works candle will resonate with her because old habits die hard.
Essential Oil Diffuser: No, you don’t need to be “into” essential oils to love a diffuser. I diffuse the Capri Blue Volcano oil (yep, same scent as that candle above—told ya I’m a die hard fan) & it makes my home smell so fresh and light. But you can diffuse any (essential) oil.
Willow Tree Figurines: If you want to give her something tender & special, pick out one of these. It makes a beautiful gift to give her “from the kids.” These are simple sweet statues/figures of Mothers with their child/children/grandchildren & have many different ages & stages so you’re guaranteed to find one that is perfect for her.
XL Heating Pad: Okay, this isn’t the sexiest gift, but damn if it’s not one of my favorite things I own. Like the frother, if this broke I would have to buy another one immediately. It turns out back pain is real, particularly when you’re picking up kids all day or leaning over & picking up toys…or let’s be honest, even if you just sit down “wrong” you might feel it in your back. This heating pad is big & plush & I use it every single night—even in the summer. (*My sis with no children bought one for herself recently & is equally obsessed. Verdict: Not just for Moms.)
Turkish Towel: I just love these. They are the only beach towels we use now & have for years. Turkish towels are the perfect beach/pool/lake towel. They’re so thin & absorbent & take up zero space & aren’t heavy at all…which is a lifesaver when you’re already carrying every single thing under the sun for a mere couple hours in the sun. They can also double as a cute swimsuit wrap/sarong AND a lightweight little throw blanket. And they’re perfect to wrap around kids and adults alike. Basically the perfect towel. And let me tell you, it felt good to get rid of all my heavy bulky beach towels that take forever to dry & use up all the space in my bag!
Okay, so I love these things so much that I’m currently switching all my regular bath towels out to these lush turkish bath towels. They’re so easy to wash because they’re not bulky like normal towels which means less laundry loads which means they are essentially the gift of time Ha. And anytime I have company they rave over them. I loooove these in particular for home because they’re a little more plush & prefer the other ones above for beach/pool/lake (because we use our beach towels hardddd aka kids/sunscreen/spills). Typically I stick with white towels just because they’re so easy to clean/bleach, but I did get a couple of the denim ones too just because I am a sucker for anything denim.
Couch/Bed Tray: I know you’re wondering what this is so hear me out. Years ago I was in an airport and I for some unknown reason bought a cambray tray in an airport coffee shop. Inexplicable impulse buy. 6 years later it is one of my favorite belongings and I legit use it every. single. day. I lost it under the couch for a few weeks recently and I honestly almost cried.
MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: IN THE KITCHEN
Coffee Frother: This is one of the few things I own that if it were to break, I would have to order another one immediately. I can’t do my coffee without it. It just makes it taste so good. I simply use it to stir my de-lish flavored creamer into my coffee. It makes it so frothy & yum. At this point I’ve bought one for every single person in my family.
Stemless Swirl Wine Glasses: I have to give my hubby credit for this awesome find. He got me a set of these “ergonomic” stemless wine glasses for Valentine’s Day and I LOVE THEM. He nailed it. For some reason, I much prefer stemless wine glasses to stemmed. They’re easier to handle, less likely to spill, and tbh the real reason is I can set them on my couch tray and my glass won’t tip over. These are super comfortable to hold and I love the little indentation for gripping. It also makes them look cool. They’re Riedel so they have the thin edge = they’re “fancy” like that. (I have the red wine set)
Electric Wine Opener: When I was a server, I legit used to pay another server $5 to open all the bottles of wine people ordered from my table. I hated doing it. Then again, I had to do it in front of the table & make it look poised and act like I knew what I was doing as an 18 year old non-wine drinker…so that probably had something to do with it, too. And then until I bought this thing, I always made my husband open the wine. BUT I actually like opening it now because this electronic wine opener makes it super easy…and even a little fun.
Gold Mixing Bowls: These are GORGEOUS. And, they have LIDS! (the cooking bowl equivalent of “it has pockets!” They are dishwasher safe (a requirement) & the finish stays on perfectly. These are so pretty that she will want to leave them out on the counter.
(*I also have the rainbow set because my little girl loves to cook with me & she loves all things bright & rainbow…plus, tbh I’m kind of extra like that since becoming a Mama. Like I used to wear mostly black & my kids LOVE when I wear brighter things so now I’m basically captain of Team Neon.)
Electric Tea Kettle: I love when practical things just look really awesome, too. Win win.
Swell Bottle: I have 5 of my own & use them constantly. They come in so handy with kids/momlife. At any given moment, I have my coffee, water, and I love these for taking refill water for my kids! They’re kind of like if Yeti made a bottle. They keep liquid hot or cold for an entire day which is awesome, but by far my favorite part is they DO NOT LEAK. And it’s not like the things that say they don’t leak but then the second its on its side it drips out. These legit don’t leak a drop. So you can toss them in your purse/diaper bag & go. I have 3 17oz bottles & two 25oz bottles (holds an entire bottle of wine…or so I’ve heard).
YETI Cup: If you have a Yeti cup that she uses, that doesn’t count. She needs one of her own. YETI is still King Queen for good reason. Their cups just freaking work & they hold up so well. A Mom’s coffee is never hot. Change that.
*Pro tip: Slap on the Mama Bear + Cub decal that comes with my C’MON MAMA hats! BOOM – instant customized cup. Plus it’ll stay on through allllll the washes.
Wooden Utensil Set: Simply beautiful teak utensil set that’s perfect to use with nonstick pans so they don’t get scratched them up.
Turkish Hand Towels: Told you I loved these things. I didn’t realize there were Turkish hand towels. Had to have. Love them in my kitchen & bathrooms. Turkish Towels just have such a cool vibe and they’re so neat & different. They also don’t hold water so they make great hand towels for cooking, cleaning, bathrooms, you name it.
MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: BEAUTY
Best Chapstick: Alert Alert!!!! This just in: They now have a Gift set of my 3 fave chapsticks in the history of the world!!! Don’t sleep on this. Just trust me. I’ll break it down for you below, but trust me. She will love these.
These chapsticks are my Holy Grail items. I have 7 of these at all times simply because I’m obsessed with it & never want to be without it. Moms know all about the house chapstick, purse chapstick, car chapstick, diaper bag chapstick, stroller chapstick, beach bag chapstick, bike chapstick, golf cart chapstick…I could go on.
For some light color, this one has been my go-to for 6+ years running.
For neutral/nude color this one is my go-to & keeps my lips so moisturized.
This is the only kind of lip color/thing I use. Everyone always wants to know what I wear on my lips & it’s these two chapsticks. I feel silly when yall ask me my lip color and I’m all like “Baby Lips Chapstick.” But it’s the truth!
*For summer, the sunscreen chapstick is a MUST (for her & the kids). It looks like this one is only available as part of the set right now. Get that set!
At-Home Hair Gloss: Does she have hair? If YES then get her this Olaplex gloss. Seriously. That’s the only parameter. It’s that awesome. It’s the same product that they use at salons, but it’s now available for home use…hallelujah. Won’t mess with color so don’t worry about that. It’s not cheap but it lasts foreverrrr. Who doesn’t want shiny, soft hair?
Wet Brush: Yes, she probably already has one. And yes she probably needs a new one. A cute, fresh one.
XL Barrette Clips: Finally! Clips big/strong enough to hold my hair back! They also look stylish because barrettes are having a moment right now. I wear these constantly. The normal sized ones couldn’t hold my hair back well enough but the largest ones were too heavy. These win.
Flowerbomb: This has been my go-to perfume for 10 years. I smelled it on someone one time and loved it so much I asked her about it. So glad I did.
Tinted Sunscreen: This is my holy grail. I literally don’t go a day without putting it on. Ever. I’ve tried others. I’ve even tried different Elta MD ones. But none can compare. It stays on all day, eves you out, it isn’t orange-y, it doesn’t break me out (which is saying A LOT because I break out easily), and it WORKS. My face never burns (thank god because Motherhood ages me enough without the sun coming after me, too). I wear it all year-round and honestly unless I’m getting dressed up for something, it’s the only thing I wear.
Geometric Makeup Bag: Sometimes something fun is just…well, fun. Perfect to throw in her purse.
Full-on Cosmetic Bag: For traveling or just the whole shabang, this thing is amaze. It has firm sides to protect what’s inside & is just a great cosmetic organizer/travel bag.
Toiletries Spin Tower/Organizer: Thought this was a bit much the first time I saw it. The second time I saw it I thought it might be cool. The third time I saw it I had to have it. I freaking love this toiletry organizer. And I love that it doesn’t take up much counter space. It’s basically a lazy susan for your bathroom. But make it elegant.
That sunscreen up top makes the cut, too.
MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: ACCESSORIES
Airpods: I used to think that cheap bluetooth ear buds were as good. I thought wrong. I finally sucked it up and bought some Airpods. Never going back. I love them. Yes, they’re $$$. That’s why I never bought them before. Of course they sound great, but the voice clarity for calls is unmatched & the main reason why I love them so much. Everyone can hear me perfectly. If she has an iPhone, these are a no brainer because they just work so simply together. The charge lasts so long & I love that you can use just a single pod for making phone calls or listening to that podcast (ahem, shameless plug for my soon-to-be-released podcast!) while you fold laundry…& still be able to listen out for your kids with the other ear. *I linked these from Target because most locations have them in stock & you can do Drive Up pickup in 2 hours. BOOM. Done.
Lovehandle: Have used this for nearly 8 years. I like it way more than the loop or the knob thing. It frees up my hands which is a lifesaver because we only have 2 (although everyone seems to think Mamas have 20). It also keeps my hand from getting fatigued (from all that texting and scrolling, ha). *It also comes in an XL size.
Giant Tote: Perfect for groceries, yes—but also perfect for alllll the stuff Mamas haul around in their car. It folds flat when not in use (which for me is never, ha) & did I mention it has pockets? Pro Tip: This would also be fun to use as a big gift bag full of lots of Mother’s Day Gifts!
Laptop Bag: I am a SAHM and don’t “work” outside of the house, and I love having a laptop bag for the occasions that I do head out to get some work done. I tried 4 different laptop bags before settling on this one. It’s great. I love the look, the pockets, & the padding for protection. *It comes in various sizes to fit all laptops/tablets.
Kindle Paperwhite: If she loves books, she will love reading whatever she wants without straining her eyes…and without keeping up the sleeping baby/kid/ahem, grown man, ahem beside her. My sis is a bookworm and she used hers constantly when breastfeeding.
Book light: If she likes to read, get her this. It’s reliable & has 3 brightness settings. And it’s lightweight and doesn’t weigh your book down! *If she travels often, get this one with a case.
Blue Light Glasses: Do they work? Who really knows, but I think they do. And tbh they’re so stylish. I use them when we watch something late at night (once in a blue moon because #momlife ha) so the blue light rays don’t affect my sleep. I also take melatonin so there’s that.
Wallet: Does she have a wallet she actually likes? If not, this one is great. I’ve had it for a few years and love it. I love how flat and not bulky it is.
O Key Ring: Love this keychain. It’s perfect on my arm or pocket (orrrr tucked into my leggings, because lbh.)
Ta Da! I hope these Mother’s Day Gift Ideas make it super easy for you to give her the sweetest Mother’s Day ever.
After Momming through a pandemic, she deserves the world. I can promise you that.
Pssst—Father’s Day is just around the corner! Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with these perfectFather’s Day Gift Ideas!
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This is THE list of Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids.
Basically, I’ve done all the work so you don’t have to. Like you, I live & breathe my kids. Andddd I’m a researcher. And review reader. And a tryer of all the things (thanks, Amazon, for the endless free returns!).
These are the best Christmas gifts for kids all rolled into one post.
Big stuff. Little stuff. And everything in between.
I’ve included the things we’ve bought over the past 7+ years that we’ve loved & that are still in use today.Our “holy grail” things that have been BIG wins.
And did I mention every single thing on this list is Amazon Prime or Target? (Because lbh, we know expedited shipping is CLUTCH in #momlife … and because Target Drive Up is my new love language. Which means, don’t worry—you’re not late buying gifts—you’re right on time. The gifts will be there on time. Hallelujah!)
This post includes affiliate links.
Alright, let’s do this!
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
CREATIVITY + ART & CRAFTS
Jumbo Rainbow Magnadoodle: One of the best things I’ve ever bought for my kids. We use them daily. And I do mean daily. I draw pictures on it every few nights for my kids & it’s one of the things they look forward to the most. When we go out on a date night (pre-pandemic ha), I always leave a note on them when we get home so that when they wake up in the morning & see a new pic they know we came home & checked on them. Both kids draw on theirs every single night.
LCD Rainbow Writing/Drawing Tablet: So cool. This is just like a Boogie Board, only less than half the price. It also comes with an extra pen & stylus and has rainbow “ink.” We keep one for each of my kids in the car at all times. *I appreciate that the button battery (one of my greatest fears) is secured with a screw! (many of them in similar products aren’t)
Mega Puffy Sticker Pack: WIN!!! My mother-in-law sent us these & it’s the gift that keeps giving. And giving. Kids LOVE stickers. Parents LOVE puffy stickers. Why? Because they’re the one true sticker that kids can easily play with autonomously. I hate regular stickers because my kids can’t peel them off by themselves. These puffy stickers are the bomb. I can put down 10 sheets and my kids go to town for a solid hour. This is a great joint gift for kids.
Easel: We use ours often & I always love how my kids magically turn into little Picassos & take their work so seriously. This easel has adjustable legs so it can be a floor or table easel…and grow with them. I love that both my kids can use it at the same time. Pair it with this XL easel paper pad— (sooo much easier than the roll) & our personal fave KwikStix (details below).
KwikStix: I’ve talked about these so many times before. I wrote a whole article about how KwikStix are a total mom hack. They are basically the perfect paint/crayon hybrid. And superrrr washable. We use them for EVERYTHING. (*Get the big box if you want alllll the colors.)
Baby/Toddler Water Easel: For the super young ones, this is awesome. Paint with just water. 100% mess free. Let their creativity soar with just water. It dries in minutes & they can do it all over again.
Make Your Own Puzzle: Bank white puzzles that kids can color on & decorate to make their own. So fun. Kids can be super abstract in their artwork (just mine?), so it will be fun for them because THEY will know how the pieces fit back together even if I don’t. *I recommend using crayons, colored pencils, or permanent markers. Regular markers take too long to dry & will be smeared in the process.
Mini Sketch Pad: My kids are obsessed with these little sketch pads. They love having their own “journals” or “books” & even sometimes turn them into never-ending sticker books. Also love these mini Doodle Pads.
Electric Pencil Sharpener: Last Christmas we gave our son a big set of colored pencils & his own sharpener for his room. He LOVES it. And I mean looooves. (The world is weird. Now that we really don’t need electric pencil sharpeners anymore, we forget how cool they are for kids.)
“Pencil” Box: This is just an all-around great container. My kids use theirs for their school pencil boxes, but they’d also be perfect for holding crayons/marker/scissors etc. at home. Great size. Designs= Frozen, Avengers, Superhero, Minnie Mouse…
Paint by Sticker: Such a neat activity that will keep your older kid engaged for some timeeee. (hallelujah for that!)
Dry Erase Boards + Markers: My kids refer to these as “magic” boards, because that’s kind of what they are. We forget how cool they really are. I used to LOVE when I’d get picked to write on the dry erase board in class. This size is perfect for them. My kids get so pumped when I pull these out.
Tie Dye Kit: This one is so easy & fun. My kids LOVE doing this. *Pro Tip: If you have a stainless sink do it in there and there is no mess/staining to worry about.
Rainbow Knit Loom: Ages 7+ and so much fun. Simple enough to do but impressive enough to feel a major sense of accomplishment.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
OUTDOOR FUN
Bike + Basket
Scooter: IF YOUR KID DOESN’T HAVE ONE OF THESE STOP & GET ONE RIGHT THIS SECOND. That’s how strongly I feel about these scooters. They are the best. Sooo easy for kids to get the hang of. So fun. My kids have been using them since a little before age 2, no lie. My son is 6 and still rides his constantly. He has the larger Maxi Version because he was an enormous child so we started him on that one. My 4 year old daughter has the mini.
Helmet: I love this helmet because it comes in different sizes & colors and it grows with them. And I love that it’s blank because my kids slapped their own little stickers all over theirs!
Bike: Love this brand. We have one for each of my kids. These bikes are super lightweight which made a huge difference in my kids learning to ride a bike. We tried another bike from Dick’s before this one, but it was just too heavy for my son. And he’s not a small kid. Also, it is nearly impossible to find an 18″ with training wheels, which is exactly what we needed. Avail in 14″, 18″ & 20″ sizes.
Bike Basket: I am in love with this basket. The Junior size is the perfect size for kids (the “kid” size is too small to be meaningful). This basket is large without being heavy & it doesn’t throw their bike off balance at all. They love having their own bike basket & I love that it doesn’t flop around. Oh, and I love that they can carry their own stuff in it. Hooray for free(ish) hands.
Bike Bell & Tassels: Because sometimes being “extra” is so much more fun. For the Spiderman fans, check out this bell. *Oh, and don’t sleep on spokes beads! My kids are getting them this year & are going to LOVE them.
Kid Skateboard: This 23″ board is the perfect size for kids. And it’s width gives it the stability beginning riders need.
*Don’t forget the pads! Skinned knees hurt. No matter how “big” you are.
Chalk: Great joint gift for kids. Our chalk stash is alwaysss in need of a refresher. A fresh set of chalk just feels good.
Bubble Gun: Enough said. This comes with 2 & I love that it has a larger “bubble reservoir” so you don’t have to refill it as much. Bubble guns are finicky & these have lasted great so far.
If you want something different, check out this jumbo bubble gun that blows big bubbles with smaller bubbles inside. It doesn’t have a reservoir—it’s a dipping bubble gun. Great choice for older kids.
*Bubble refill: You’ll need it. They’ll burn through the bubble solution so quickly because they’ll be so excited about their new bubble guns. Be prepared.
Slingshot: This is a quality toy. It doesn’t look like a toy. It looks authentic & awesome. And works just as awesomely. Guaranteed hit.
Bow & arrow: This soft-tipped arrow set is so much fun. My kids love playing with it & I love that the “arrows” are not pointy.
Walkie Talkies: Ahhh, the notoriously finicky gift that all kids love & then get frustrated over because they don’t work. This is the most reliable set I’ve found. Phew. They come in a set of 2 or 3 & you can add on more.
Laser Tag: An epic gift for bigger kids. I used to looove playing laser tag growing up. This is a set of 4 with laser shooters & vests. Make sure you stock up on AAA batteries, because once they start playing they might never stop. (Adults have been known to join in the fun, too). *These laser tag “guns” have 4 “gun style” options so if guns are a no-go in your house, you may want to skip.
Treasure Map: So simple & yet so awesome. It’s waterproof & so fun for outside. Also rip-proof. Basically kid-proof.
Light up Football: With the nights getting dark early, this glowing football is awesome. Basketball also available.
Dodgeball Set: How fun is this?? Love the colors & that they’re a bit softer than the norm.
Binoculars: These are awesome. Easy for kids to use, comfortable to look through, & with 8x magnification instead of a measley 2x magnification. The real deal.
Tree Face: The tree we put this face on instantly became an enchanted, magical tree. We had a tree face on one of our trees growing up & I’ve never forgotten about it. $20 is a cheap price to pay for some much-needed magic these days.
Outdoor Bell: If your kids have a swing set/fort/tree house, this bell makes an awesome addition. Of all the accessories I bought for my kids’ tree house, this is their hands-down fave.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
BLOCKS, LEGOS & BUILDING THINGS
Magnetic Tile “Blocks”: We play with these ALL the time. They’re the BEST. One of my fave toys I’ve ever gotten my kids, and one of their fave toys hands-down. Imaginations can run wild. These are cheaper than some of the more well-known brands but the quality is equal.
Magnetic tiles are seriously one of the best gifts you can give your kids. They will play with them for years & you can add to their collection year after year with different shape & color combos. Imaginations can run wild. PicassoTiles, Magnatiles, Skymags, etc., all work together flawlessly, which is part of the beauty of these tiles. You can interchange brands & sets to form the most epic sets ever.
*Up your collection by adding this “designer artistry” set. We always needed more tiles to keep building bigger castles & towers, and these solved that problem!
*This year we’re giving our kids this “ice” set. I see many, many ice castles in their future.
Bristle Blocks: Yet another fun toy to imagine & build with. Best for younger littles.
LEGO starter kit: The perfect introduction to all things Lego without being too complicated. If your kid is a Lego affiicionado, the Lego options are endless.
Lego Picture Frames: This is so neat. Let them build their own picture frames. I’m giving this as a joint gift to my kids this year & they’re going to love it. The entire Lego DOT collection is pretty fun with the DOT bracelets being one of the most popular items.
Lego Storage: Not gonna lie, I bought this because it’s just so cute. But, it’s also just so functional. My kids are now getting into legos which means thousands of little pieces everywhere. Save your sanity. **Also LOVE this Lego “Face” Storage that just launched at Target!
Classic Train Track: Not too much compares to a classic train track set. We’ve had ours for 5+ years & my two kids still LOVE playing with it.
Dinosaur Snap Race Track: Someone gave this to my boy for his 5th birthday & it is AWESOME. Love these flexible tracks. A fun spin on traditional train tricks.
Build your Own Flower Garden: This set has been a hit with my kids for 3+ years now. They make little gardens & flower arrangements all the time. Sometimes they make them so villains can destroy them, and sometimes they make little arrangements for tea parties. Anything goes. (I love that about kids).
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
GAMES, ACTIVITIES, MUSIC & “TECH-Y” STUFF
Kids Digital Camera: I looked at soooo many cameras before picking this one. This one is perfect: perfect size, perfect features, perfect storage…and super easy to use. We gave one to each of my kids last year (ages 5 & 3 at the time), and they have LOVED them.
Mini Polaroid Camera: For kids who are a little bit older, this is so fun. I love all these retro-ish items coming back around.
Audio/Story Player: THIS THING IS SO COOL. This is basically a small storytelling device that kids can use easily on their own. No screen, just listening. You buy little cards that they insert to listen to the story they want. They have some of the classic fave books available. It also has a “just for kids” daily podcast. The interface is super simple & cool. We find our 6 year old lying in bed or on his rug all the time just listening to this. Looove this screen-free creative option.
Light up Microphone & Bluetooth Speaker: We have 2 & use them ALL the time. They sing on them & also listen to their favorite songs on them (via Bluetooth from my phone). AND, they can sing along WITH the songs (not all of them let you do this). Also, the speaker for music & mic is loud enough. A karaoke machine without the machine, if you will.
Headphones: If they need their own pair, these are perfect. Comfortable & durable.
Dino Dig: A dozen dino “eggs” that crack & chisel open to reveal a baby dino inside. Someone gave this to my son for his birthday & it was spot on. It was so cute watching them work intently hoping they were going to reveal the T-Rex. *For the dino lovers, there’s also a fossil dig kit version & this larger single fossil dig kit!
Gemstone Dig: My kids are obsessed with rocks. This dig set has one giant “rock” that you chisel open to “mine” for gemstones. Another great & fun way to keep your kids occupied doing something they love—digging!
Kid Yoga Mat: My kids were dying for their own yoga mats because my husband & I do yoga at home. It was sweet that they wanted to be like us. These yoga mats are the perfect size for kids & they’ll love the bright colors & designs.
Ukulele: This ukulele comes in a million different colors & with a strap & pick. IT’s a great set.
For the littlest ones, I love this natural, small ukulele.
Electric Guitar: Just their size. Comes with an amp, case, tuner, strap & cable. This thing is quality. The real deal. My husband has 6 guitars of his own & was super impressed by this little rock guitar.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
MAKE-BELIEVE, HOUSE, DOLLS, CASTLES, & COSTUMES
Kitchen: (linked below) Playing house is one of every kid’s fave things to do. And how can you play house without a kitchen? (am I right or am I right? I feel like I might as well live in the kitchen.) My children play with their play kitchen every single day. No lie. If your kid doesn’t have a kitchen yet, this would be the perfect gift. And if your kid already does have one, make sure you get the below kitchen accessories & add-ons. They are golden.
Dust Buster: Hear me out. Tell your kids it’s a mini vacuum—just their size—& give it to them to clean up their messes & endless crumbs with. They’ll love having their own & rise to the occasion. I discovered this by accident. You’re welcome.
Cardboard Playhouse Castle: I think this “life-size” playhouse castle is about the coolest thing ever. It is blank so kids can color all over it & make it their own. This would make an awesome Santa gift because it is a BIG present (with a small price tag!)
Wooden Castle: We’ve had this exact castle for 5 years & it still gets used all. the. time. By my son and daughter. It’s compact and opens up and is a total win. My son puts his dinosaurs, superheroes, and Beast & Gaston toys in it all the time. Right now it has become the Nutcracker’s castle. This little castle is one of my fave finds ever. (*They also have a pink one )
Indoor Playhouse/Fort: It’s beautiful. It’s large. Awesome for a playroom or bedroom!
Dollhouse: Santa brought a dollhouse for my little girl last year. A dollhouse is the stuff little girl dreams are made of. *If you want a BIG dollhouse, this giant dollhouse is perfect!
Baby Doll Stroller: We have this one & one of the 4 wheel strollers. This one is my kids’ fave & the fabric doesn’t slip/fall off like on our other one. It’s been in heavy use since three Christmases ago & is still perfect.
Baby Doll Cradle/Bed: Must-have if your kid likes dolls. Honestly, my son and daughter both play with our doll cradle equally. Sometimes the dolls are asleep, sometimes the Beanie Babies, sometimes the Superheroes.
Santa is actually bringing this “Let it Go” Elsa dress! this year because after 2 years of intense wear, my daughter needs a fresh one. And although I love Frozen 2 more than Frozen, “Let it Go” is still my daughter’s main jam)
*We also looove these costume nightgowns because they are so soft & comfy! And washable!
Unisex Crowns: Fit my son when he was 1, fits him now that he is 6. Same for my daughter. They don’t hurt their head, they’re soft, and they’re the cutest. These crowns are one of my all-time fave finds & they get worn nearly every day. (This flower crown version is beautiful, too, and my son loves this black one.)
Sparkly dress-up shoes: I love that they can take these on & off by themselves. They velcro which is far superior to a buckle for little ones. I’m not a fan of the elastic banded ones because my kids have always had chunky feet & the elastic cuts into them.
Doctor Kit: Kids love playing doctor. It’s universal.
Cop Set: Cheap but fun. Yes, the handcuffs are flimsy & will likely break. If you want ones that won’t break, get these sturdier cuffs. My kids genuinely love to tie each other up and play good guy/bad guy. They also make me pull out wrapping paper ribbons to tie their hands so I am thrilled to give them handcuffs this year. (and ropes/ribbons/strings scare me because of strangulation hazards.)
Dinosaurs that Roar: If your kid is into dinosaurs at all, GET THESE NOW. Like click the link & Buy Now. You won’t regret it, trust me. They are big, they feel cool, and they roar. My son has 100 other dinosaurs but these take the cake & were a great addition to his ever-growing collection. (Seriously, these are so cool that they single-handedly made all the boys in my son’s class want to be the first one to school just so they could play with their favorite dinos from this set.)
Indominus Rex: This is the end-all-be-all if you have a dino lover in the house. Just trust me. My son has loved this toy ferociously for a year+. His friends all swoon over it.
Baby Indominus Rex: Just what it sounds like. Got this for my daughter this year & she’s going to flip out because she sees her brother playing with Indominus all day every day.
Gigantosaurus: Sticking with Dinosaurs for a second. If your kids like the show Gigantosaurus then this toy is so fun.
Giant Sequin Snake: My son wanted one of these so bad that he used his birthday money from Nana to buy his own & we had to scratch it off his Santa list. It’s big, fun & does that reverse sequin thing. Of course his sister had to have one, too. I can’t get over how inexpensive these are!
Jumbo Rubber Ducky: If your kids don’t have one, get one now. We have had 2 (one for each kid) for almost 4 years. I love that they have no hole in the bottom (they’re not squishy), so they can’t get any mold. They float perfectly & we play with them in the bath, in the kiddie pool, on “dry land” just because they’re fun, & have even taken them to the pool!
Don’t forget about toys/plushes from your kid’s fave tv show or book! Daniel Tiger is BIG around our house. These Daniel Tiger stuffed animalsare perfect. Octonauts, Puppy Dog Pals, PJ Masks, Paw Patrol…You name it…there’s a toy.
Stretch Armstrong: The one & only. It stretches like crazy. That’s it. And yet it’s so so fun.
Goo Jit Zu: My son is a HUGE fan of these! New-age stretch armstrong-ish. They even have Marvel characters!
Mr. Potato Head: Would you believe I had forgotten about Mr. Potato Head? Not anymore. We are giving one to our kids this Christmas! *Potato Head toys have small parts so don’t spring for this until your kids are past the “putting everything in their mouth” stage.
Jumbo Rainbow Slinky: My kids have played with this for years. Literally years. I actually ended up cutting it in half so they could each have a section.
Garbage Truck: Kids are mesmerized with garbage trucks. It’s a thing. Get them their own.
Rocking Horse or Animal of Choice: Classic. For the younger kids, a must-have. My 6 year old still rides his that we gave him for his 1st Christmas. *Bonus: they have the cutest other animals…everything from swan to flamingo to dinosaur.
***If you still have your old Beanie Baby collection at your parents’ house or in storage somewhere, go get those adorable things out right this second. My old Beanies are my kids’ all-around most-used toy. Because I had every animal under the sun, so no matter what we read or watch, they can always find a Beanie Baby to go along with it. Trust me, if you still have yours somewhere, find them.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
CLOTHES, SHOES & ACCESSORIES
Rain boots: These are our fave. My fave because they are easy for the kids to put on by themselves, and are the easiest thing ever to clean after really dirty, muddy days. Either just spray off or put in the washer. You can’t mess them up. They’re my kids’ fave because of the fun colors and they are SO lightweight & comfy. Again, they can put them on by themselves because they aren’t too narrow + the handles are great, and they can run in them without tripping. I always size up in rain boots.
Toddler girl light up sneakers: WE LOVE THESE. Fit true to size. SO comfy, so cute. We’ve bought 3 pairs. Your girl will loooove them. Guaranteed.
Little/Big Boy & Girl Light Up Shoes: My 5 year old has a big foot (size 1-2 boys) so it is hard to find him “little boy” shoes sometimes. I still want velcro for him. And he was dying for some new light up shoes. I got these for his Christmas this year & OMG THEY ARE AWESOME. He totally flipped. *They have girly colors, too.
Rainbow Sequin Jacket: My daughter had a fit over this jacket when I gave it to her.
Rainbow shirt: This is one of my favorite shirts I’ve ever bought my daughter. It’s the perfect weight. So lightweight & soft. I’m adding the “Ready” one to her Christmas stash this year because I’m a sucker & it’s so cute, too.
Boys Sequin Flip Sweatshirt: IF YOU HAVE A SON BUY THIS NOW. Let me tell you, it is hardddd to find sequin flip shirts for boys. And of course boys want them, too. Because they’re awesome. This. One. Will. Be. A. Hit.
Pizza Shark Sequin Flip Shirt: I’m so glad they make “boyish” sequin flip shirts now. I swear a couple years ago there were virtually none, and my son loved them so much every time he saw one of his friends wearing them. This one is tops.
Marvel Shirt: This shirt is so handsome. Probably one of my top 5 faves on my son.
Pompom TuTu: I saw a tutu like this in Target but you had to buy a whole outfit set with it & I just wanted the tutu so I didn’t get it. I was so excited to find this one on Amazon! It’s so cute.
Slippers: Adorable & cute for boys & girls. Love that they have hard rubber bottoms so they don’t slip & they can run outside without getting feet wet.
Little Girl Undies: We have these in all the designs. Love them. Precious prints & they don’t rub.
Kids Watch: Both “Boyish” Watch & “Girly” Watch colors/designs. A classic, simple Timex analog watch. All the stuff you want in your little kid’s watch, none of the stuff you don’t (games, apps, etc.). I love having an analog watch for my son because it helps teach him to tell time & makes him practice daily. I also LOVE that this watch doesn’t have a buckle strap–it has an adjustable elastic strap & they can slide it on by themselves. The strap is also soft so it’s comfortable for them. And the price can’t be beat.
*If you want a “smart” watch for your kid, this one is a good option.
Hair bows: This is my favorite set. Every color she could want. I love the size because they’re only 3″. But, I know some of you Mamas scoff at anything under a 6″ bow. I gotcha.
*These rainbow bows are guaranteed to be a hit, too! And these sparkle bows, too! My daughter LOVES her sparkle bows.
*Don’t forget the most amazing unicorn bow holder you’ve ever seen. She will die.
Caboodle: Because old habits die hard. Your little girl will love having her own special box. Fill it up with these “necessities”–
Non-slip Headband: These are my favorite headbands for myself & this is the cutest one for kids. It won’t hurt their head, even after wearing it all day long.
Colorful Water bottle/Thermos: My kids just told me last week that these are their favorite cups ever. We have every single color. *We get the straw lid because the spout lid pours too fast for my kids. For older kids, might be fine. (I like these better than the Yeti kids because the Yetis are much heavier & the handle stays up & gets in their way when they’re trying to drink.) *I usually put one of these in their stocking each year.
Rainbow Utensils: GET THEM. They are awesome. My kids loooove them. They are a great step up from the toddler utensils. Dishwasher safe & still look awesome even after 294838 dishwasher runs, ha. We have 2 sets.
Lunch Bento Box: If they need a new lunchbox they’re guaranteed to love (and you will, too!), look no further. It’s colorful & fun. I’ve looked for a bento box style lunchbox for my kids for years & this is the first one that I’ve loved. The big sticking point for me: it fits a full sandwich with crust. My kids don’t know that removing crust is a possibility & I wasn’t about to let them find out.
Lunch Box: If they need a new one, look no further than this listing. And, it holds the bento box above!
Groot Vase/Planter: My kids love this & to be honest, so do I. They use it to hold little odds & ends.
Clock: This clock is awesome for teaching your kid to tell time. I love the time breakdowns & easy to read numbers. Also, it’s 100% silent (no ticking). Ain’t no Mama trying to disturb her kid’s sleep.
LED Lantern: Perfect lantern for kids’ rooms. They feel cool having their own & it’s easy for them to operate. My kids love turning theirs on & reading or playing at night or Quiet Time with it. Or turning off the lights & going on “missions.” No batteries to worry about, just charges with micro USB. Holds charge for a long time & has 3 brightness modes. I love that the little handle is soft so they can hang it up, too. Comes with pink or aqua accents.
Luggage: Have you ever seen kids pack their own bags? It’s the cutest thing. If they don’t have their own luggage yet, this is a guaranteed HIT. I got this Princess suitcase for my little girl & this Superhero one for my boy for Christmas this year!
Just Their Size Pillow: We got one of these for my son 3 years ago & it is still his fave pillow. And he is a large 5 year old. He loves it because it’s “just his size.” We recently gave our 2.5 year old daughter one and she is equally obsessed with hers. It comes with a pillowcase, but if you want to switch it up then these are my fave pillowcases for this pillow because it comes with 2 and they are the softest ever.
Rainbow Rose: Here’s the deal. This is a total trinket. A tchotchke, aka my husband’s worst nightmare. Something I would normally never spend money on. But I did. Why? Because I know my little girl will absolutely MELT over this. She will treasure it. She will protect it. It will make her feel so special. Worth it.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
BOOKS
Disney Audio Books: These are a MUST-HAVE for us. We have probably 20 different stories on CD/Book. We keep them in the car & listen to them all day every day. I love that these audio CDs with accompanying books keep them entertained the entire time. (Seriously, we never use a DVD player in the car except for on long road trips. I credit that fully to our audiobook collection.) Our faves are these: Princess Set, Movie Night Set, the Pixar Set & of course the Frozen 2 set. They have everything from Mulan to Lion King.
Sidenote: I got this CD case to hold all our CDs (I laughed that I spent money to buy a CD case I used to have but threw out when iPods took over the world).
Double side note: We let my 6 year old take the CDs & books in his room & listen to them on this old school boombox. He’s done this since he was 4. It’s simple enough for him to work by himself & provides another screen-free alternative for older kids during their Quiet Time. (is it obvious I am a huge advocate for QT? Mama’s sanity matters.) **I also think this open CD Player would be awesome for a kids room/playroom because it’s so easy to load & switch CDs & it can be wall-mounted.
E-Reader Sets: These are like a book/audio book hybrid. My kids love them because it allows them to “read/listen to” a story with full autonomy. They can work the reader flawlessly. It just reads right along with the books. I love anything they can do on their own/in their rooms quietly so these get an A+ from me. Plus, there are soooo many options: Frozen, Avengers, Spiderman, Puppy Dog Pals, Disney Princess, Disney Stories…
Leap Frog “Book”: This is perfect for the little littles. 18mo-2.5. They will be obsessed.
Dino Dana Field Guide: This is a grand slam gift for the dino lovers out there. (also, this show is adorable & so educational!). There is also a Field Guide: Part 2.
Stickman: Another Julia Donaldson hit. And this one has a Christmas slant! Don’t forget the Stickman stuffed toy.
I’m Not Just a Scribble: Diane Alber has some of our favorite books ever. If you don’t have any of hers, start with this one. Splatter is another personal fave of my kids.
Octonauts: If your kid loves Octonauts then this book is for them. It is an adorable story about the origins of the Vegimals. My kids eat it up.
This Little Golden Book Marvel Comic editionis awesome. My son loves the stories & the fact that the pages have shiny gold edges makes it look extra special. If you have a superhero lover, get this book. (*In general we have about 100 Little Golden Books. Big fan.)
What Should Danny Do? or What Should Darla Do?: These books are such a creative & bright way to help your child learn about the power of choice. They are “choose your own path” books, so with each prompt the reader is able to choose the “right” path or the “wrong” path–but don’t worry, it’s not a preachy holier than thou right vs wrong book. And it’s certainly not one that shames behavior either. It’s beautifully written & fun for the kids to see how the different scenarios play out.
Who Would Win?: You know all those questions your kid asks you on repeat about which animal is stronger or smarter or faster or bigger? Thought so. Welp, there’s an entire amazing series about one thing: Who Would Win. There is a book about nearly every animal under the sun. My son is going to flip out over these when he opens them this year!
Kingdom of Wrenly Chapter Books: We bought this set to read to our 5 year old after our friends recommended this series, and our son was hooked in about 5 seconds. We made it through the whole set (15 books!) & he never lost interest. This is a great intro to chapter books and has given our bedtime a new dynamic to have a continuous story line. My son prefers these to the Magic Treehouse series. He already wants to re-read them and I know he’ll love them even more when he starts reading on his own. The 2 main characters are a boy & girl—best friends—& these books will be a hit with both boys & girls! *Start with this set—it comes with the first 4 books & a map of the Kingdom, which your child will love!
The Never Girls Book Series: A great book series for girls. Perfect chapter books for reading aloud to your daughter & perfect for when she begins to read on her own!
All-about-me Fill-in Journal: This is so cute & neat. I just love to hear the things kids say about their world & the people in it…including themselves. I’d say ages 6-7+.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
LEARNING TOOLS/SMART APPS/TECHNOLOGY/STEM
iPad Case + Homer Learning App in action
iPad Kid Case: I held out on getting an iPad for my kids for the longest time. I’m not sure why, but I guess I just didn’t want them to become little zombies or entitled “where’s my iPad?!” kiddos. (I mean, I am their Mama & I don’t even have one!) BUT, quarantine = desperate times call for desperate measures. I bit the bullet & got iPads for my kids and I have to admit…I love them. And so do they.
Anyways, all that to say that in true me-style, I tested out 5 different cases before picking this one. Seriously. So trust me & just get this one, it’s the best. Period.
Homer Learning App: This educational app is the specific reason I got the iPad. I swear by this app. My kids loooove doing it and it has phonics, spelling, sight words, math, reading, stories, games, you name it—but every single thing is “educational” and I love letting them play away knowing that they are really soaking in information. The app is tailored to each kid & creates a custom “pathway” with topics & skills based on their particular level. My kids constantly teach me things they learn from Homer & it definitely builds vocab. It’s a monthly subscription so this would also be a great gift from a Grand. Oh, and you can have more than one child on a membership = hooray!
***YAY! Homer gave us an awesome discount for all you C’MON MAMA followers: 2 FREE MONTHS! It’s usually $9.99 a month and worth every penny. I can’t recommend it enough. The discount will show up automatically when you click the link above & go through the pathway. Merry Christmas!
Smart Dinosaur Globe: Another one for the bigger dino lovers. Requires a tablet and is so engaging.
My First Coding & Computer Kit: This one requires no technology but uses patterns to teach the fundamentals of binary coding. If your kid is interested in computers, this is a really neat way to foster an understand of computer code. Ages 6-13ish.
Magic Coding Charm: Awesome for girls 9+. A neat & engaging way to introduce coding basics using Python. Coding is just another language and I already working to make sure my kids are fluent in that language. Items like this are a great way to get started.
Build-a-Computer Kit: Ages 8+. This product is geared towards girls BUT I have no idea why. It is definitely for both boys & girls….and it is AMAZING. When your kid is ready to learn more complexities about computers & coding, start here.
Make Your Own Lamp: 8+. This is pretty magical. They will be so proud of their work. xccGreat for both boys & girls.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
STOCKING STUFFERS
Book light: Hear me out. I know this sounds like an odd gift for a kid. But trust me, they will LOVE it. I gave this book light to my husband last year. My kids are obsessed with it. They steal it every chance they get. Not to read—just to play with. So this year I got them each one for their stockings. It will probably be one of their fave presents this year, no joke. The simple stuff. *It is rechargeable which is great because you don’t have to worry about any dangerous button batteries.
Glow Sticks: Endless fun. We love using them to make bath time extra fun. This set is so reasonable & comes with 30—so throw a bunch in their stockings & throw the rest in with other gifts to friends/nieces/nephews/cousins!
Retractable Rainbow Pens: Do you remember the multicolor retractable pens from growing up? Turns out kids still LOVE them. Perfect stocking stuffer.
Scissors: If your child is at an age that scissor-use is appropriate, get some. Kids LOVE using scissors.
Non-slip Headband: These are my favorite headbands for myself & this is the cutest one for kids. It won’t hurt their head, even after wearing it all day long.
Bounciest Ball: Three years ago my son asked for the bounciest ball ever. That was his only request from Santa. Nailed it.
Fridge/Freezer Face Decals: These are just plain adorable. It’s an easy way to make things fun. I’m not even going to lie, I love these little things.
Magic Grow Sea Creatures: Just like you remember. Kids love them. Although, sometimes mine get so obsessed with growing theirs that they let them grow forever & don’t even play with them. Go figure.
Cubebot: Perfect car toy! We keep ours in the car & my kids play with them all the time. This size is perfect for little hands.
The End.
*dusts off shoulder*
Pssst—I’ve gotcha covered for the WOMEN & the MEN, too! Making holiday shopping super easy for you…one gift guide at a time:
Coming in hot with the top Christmas Gift Ideas for Men!
Husbands, Dads, Grandads, Brothers, Uncles, Sons, Brothers-in-Law…there is something for every man in your life on this gift guide for men!
Christmas is just around the corner & if your husband is anything like mine, he is SUPER hard to buy for. Maybe because I feel like he already has everything so it’s impossible to find things to surprise him with that aren’t just novelty items. Don’t get me wrong—I love me some novelty items. At first. But months down the line I’m all “Can we get rid of this clutter we never use?”
I’m in no way a minimalist. But I do want to get them things they’ll actuallyuse.
These Christmas gift ideas for men are all the things my hubby loves—& uses. Things I’ve bought for him & things he’s bought for himself. It’s Dad approved. Husband approved. And every other man-approved.
The all-around best Christmas Gifts for Him.
Pro Tip: If you see something you want, don’t wait—Buy it Now. Especially with the crazy, scary state of the world right now. Things are going quickly, stuff is getting delayed & selling out, & shipping times are changing by the minute.
Okay, let’s do this.
This post includes affiliate links.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN
FOOD & BEVERAGE STUFF
Wine Stopper: My husband is a wino. This is the best stopper we have ever found. Truly leakproof & you can even lay a bottle on its side with no spills. Works on all different sized bottles, including champagne! We have 3 of the “old” version (haven’t tried the new one yet).
Electric Wine Opener: I enjoy opening wine now. So maybe this is a slightly selfish one. But my husband LOVES it. So maybe it’s not. Super easy, super powerful.
Meat Thermometer: If your Dad or Husband or Brother or any man in your life doesn’t have a good meat thermometer, ta-da! You’ve just found the perfect gift. And I’m not talking about a dinky one. I’m talking about a quality one. A solid meat thermometer is gold.
*And speaking of gold, the gold standard of meat thermometers (yes, it’s a thing) is the Thermapen. If he’s in big into grilling, BBQing, smoking meat, etc., he’ll likely know about the Thermapen…and want one. It’s not cheap, but it’s so legit. I bought one for my husband several years ago and—not going to lie—we had to buy a second one because I tried it one time when I was cooking chicken & it’s so easy & accurate that I never gave it back. So I had to buy him another one to keep at the grill. I used to overcook everything because I’d just guestimate. No more.
Coffee frother: If he likes coffee, he’ll love this. Sometimes we get fancy & make a latte. But mostly we use it to stir our delicious flavored creamer into my coffee. It’s easy. And weirdly fun. We use it every morning for every cup of coffee (so like 3-5 daily, ha)
Big Yeti Cup: He uses it nearly daily for his coffee. He loves this larger size.
*Add these Vinyl letters for his initials to make it personalized for like $5.
Apron: Functional & good-looking. It’s waxed canvas so it’s super durable. And I’m telling you, it’s handsome.
Pizza Screen: If he has a Big Green Egg & you’ve had trouble trying to figure out how the heck to get the pizza out of the face-melting BGE, this is for him. Trust me. We tried everything before this (cornstarch, a giant flat spatula thing, you name it). This works every time & is also so easy to make the pizza on.
Legit Steak Knives: A few years ago my husband came home from his friend’s house raving about a set of steak knives that sliced through everything like butter. I called the friend & got the lowdown (they are $$$ & really are ridiculously amazing steak knives).
In doing my research, I discovered that Wüsthof makes a Classic knife line & a Gourmet Knife Line. Both are awesome, but the Classic line is the real deal because it’s fully forged as opposed to laser stamped….it’s heavier, sharper, and a lot more expensive.
Golf Cart Cup holders: HE LOVES THESE. I LOVE THESE. THE KIDS LOVE THESE. OUR FRIENDS LOVE THESE. If you have a golf cart & you need more cup holders, GET THESE. I’m not kidding when I tell you I ordered 6 different “universal cup holders” to try on our new golf cart that is severely lacking in cup space. We narrowed it down to this one & another one. Then we put them to use. The other one fell off frequently. These don’t budge. They’re sturdy, they’re stable, & they’re not going anywhere even when you fly over bumps. Yes, they hold the big Yetis. We have 5 of these on our golf cart.
Golf Cart Storage Box/Caddy: One more thing for the golf cart. Is it obvious we recently got a new golf cart? Thought so. Well, we love it but it is seriously storage & cup holder deficient. So once again, I ordered a bunch of little storage solutions to try (to hold stuff like sunglasses, garage opener, hand sani (we have kids), chapstick, etc. and this is the hands-down winner. All the ones that mount with the “strongest velcro or adhesive ever” … just no. They lasted for one day in the humidity where we live & just fell off. The way these mount to the bars of your golf cart is brilliant. We have one on each side. (it comes with a bunch of different size mounts so you can use the size that works for yours)
Cigar Golf Cart Clip: Okay I lied. This is the last golf cart thing. But this is not just a cart thing, it’s a golf thing. My husband only smokes a cigar when he plays golf. I asked him if I should add anything to this list and he said the “stage 5 clinger is a must.” Gotta admit, love the name.
YETI Backpack Cooler: One of the best things I’ve ever bought my hubs. Originally got it because we always rode our bikes to the beach & so a backpack cooler was a no-brainer. But NOW we use the heck out of it because we have kids & already don’t have enough arms as it is. This thing is a game changer & not too heavy to carry because the backpack style distributes the weight. Winner.
Cooler + Dry Pack + Zinger Bottle Opener
YETI Bottle Opener: If the men in your life have any (soft) YETI cooler, get this awesome pull bottle opener. It is SO handy.
YETI Dry Bag: My husband specifically said he needed somewhere better to keep his phone & wallet dry & safe than just loosely tossed in our giant beach bag with all the things. I found this & it’s awesome. It attaches to a soft-sided cooler (like the backpack one above) & works like a charm. Plus, one less thing to carry since it latches on.
Sunscreen Flasks: This is a fun one. Exactly what it sounds like. Flasks that look like sunscreen bottles so you won’t get in trouble at the beach/pool. Totes a novelty item but he’s here for it. Love that this set comes with a tiny funnel & seals.
Boat Dry Box: I looked for something just like this for our boat for years. Simple but perfect.
Boat erasers: Basically just Magic Erasers for the boat. Brilliant.
Corn Hole Boards: If he doesn’t have a set, get these & call it a day. My hub’s fave “lawn” game to play. Awesome easy & fun game to play with friends & even kids.
*Take it up a notch with LED board lights. Go for just the ring light or light up the whole board.
Bocce Ball: Another classic. My hub’s fave beach game. Also just a super fun game to play with others. Great for family get-togethers, etc. You need a larger space to play Bocce than corn hole, so keep that in mind.
The resin set is the classic heavy bocce ball set. This is the one we’ve always had. But, they also have a lighter rubber one that would be easier to transport & better to play with kids.
Up the ante: We also have this light-up bocce set. It’s just plain fun.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN
AROUND THE HOUSE/YARD STUFF
Bluetooth Ear Buds: My husband LOVES his. He wanted some for the gym. They work great and he just leaves them charging in his car. He regular talks about how much he loves these. A+. (Update: He loved these so much I bought myself a pair & they’re amazing. The charge lasts foreverrrrr.)
Couch Blanket Big Enough for Him: Years ago my husband said all he wanted was a blanket big enough for him on the couch. And I realized that he was so right. He’s a big guy & all our blankets were like my-size throw blankets. So I got him the 96×80″ and it’s been the entire family’s favorite blanket for 5+ years now. My husband still uses it almost nightly.
Lens Wipes: Not a sexy gift. Unless you put a “So you can see me better. Rawr.” message with it or something. But a useful gift. I bought these on a whim for my hubby for Christmas & it turned out he was so pumped about them because he wears glasses & can never get them really clean. I had no idea he’d even like them. He loved them. I’ve stolen a ton for my sunnies and they really are golden.
Rocketbook: Basically a magic notebook. Honestly, it’s just really super cool.
Hanging Toiletry Bag: Looks awesome, super high quality, great size & holds a ton. Terrific travel bag, or even to throw in his gym bag.
Porch/Patio Heater: This is the basic mushroom one you see at restaurants and it’s the best & most reliable. We’ve tried the cool looking ones with fire running up the middle & they 1) don’t put out as much heat and 2) are so finicky. This one works.
Air Compressor: My husband talks about how much he loves this thing every single time he uses it. And I have to say, it really is super useful. It comes with a bunch of adapters so you can inflate car tires, bike tires, stroller tires, sports balls, beach balls, giant swan floats, inflatable pools, etc. etc. And you can just enter the PSI you want it to inflate to & it’ll do it automatically. TBH, we use it all the time.
Putting that air compressor to good use.
Firewood Stand: Have it. Love it. Looks so much nicer than a pile on the floor + the cover keeps the wood from getting wet.
If you have a little walk from the spot you keep your wood to the fire place/pit, he’ll love this log tote.
Fire Poker/Stoker: It’s a poker. It’s a stoker. It’s cool. It seriously has a built-in air valve that you can use to stoke the fire. It also is extra long so you don’t have to get too close.
Marshmallow Roasting Sticks: These are so handy. We got them for my hubs & then when my Dad saw them he had a fit over them. So guess what he’s getting this year? *These make a great gift from the kids.
Magic Fire Starters: If you burn fires inside or bonfires outside, look no further & grab a couple boxes of these babies. They work like a charm. *Also, they’re natural & don’t emit chemical fumes like many starter logs. I never thought twice about that stuff pre-kids. I do now.
***If you want to blow his mind, skip everything else & just get this setup:
We have an epic outdoor projector setup. It’s AMAZING. So fun to do for movies, sports, you name it. It’s honestly just SO. MUCH. FUN. Our kids love it. We love it. Our friends love it.
So, if you’re looking for a killer Christmas gift for Him, this setup takes the cake.
Below is everything—and I mean everything—you need.
Projector: This projector I can promise you is unbeatable; its price is comparable with allll the others in the same echelon but it performs so much better. I’ve had zero connectivity issues & the brightness was seriously 80% better on this one than all 5 of the others. It works in broad daylight which is amazing for front projection. (We have the XGA model. It has higher resolution than the SVGA. The WXGA has the highest resolution & is widescreen formatted. I’m very happy with the XGA. I think the brightness is the same on all.)
*We use our firestick with it but you can plug in a phone or computer with HMDI adapter. The firestick is only $30 & just makes it so easy for Netflix, Disney +, Youtube, YoutubeTV (helloooo sports!), Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.
Screen: We have this screen in the 80″ 16:9 configuration. We’ve had it for 3+ years & it has been awesome. There is zero setup and I think that’s why we use it so often, it’s just so easy.
*Here are 2 other options that are more reasonable & get really great reviews that I would look at today if we didn’t have a screen already: Tripod Base Screen, 2-legged Screen
Stand: This stand is great. I always used to prop the projector on whatever I had around (ie, random boxes) but i wish i had bought the stand years ago because it’s so much easier to get the right height, etc. Plus it’s really stable. Also the way the legs adjust at 2 different spots on all 3 legs makes it so much easier to get the right angle—especially on uneven ground.
Long AUX Cable: If you want to hook up to a louder speaker(that’s what we do), you need an AUX cable. You can use a short AUX cable & put the speaker right by the projector or you can use a long one to put the speaker somewhere else further from the projector. It doesn’t have bluetooth speaker connection (none of the ones I tried did), so you need an AUX cord.
3 outlet Extension Cord: I love this one because it has the 3 outlets I need for projector, speaker, and Firestick.
Case: Love this case because we like just pulling one thing out & having everything we need. It has little areas for organizing the remotes, cords, etc.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN
CLOTHES & STUFF
Silicone Wedding Rings: True Story, my husband has lost 3 real wedding rings. The first one was engraved. I didn’t bother engraving the other 2. Thankfully, I never spent a lot on his rings. He always just wanted a basic titanium/tungsten one. BUT, I smarted up and bought him this silicone ring years ago. He loved it. Then he lost it. (In his defense, he wears his ring to work but then takes it off for surgery & puts it in his pocket. If he didn’t wear it to work this wouldn’t be a problem, so I can’t reallyyyy be upset.)
For our 8th wedding anniversary I got him the copper-colored one (copper anniversary!) For Valentine’s Day last year I bought him 3. His new favorite is the blue. This brand is comfier to him than several of the other brands we tried because the edges taper so it’s not as tight or bulky, according to him.
*Pro tip: It’s free returns on these (thanks Amazon!), so you might want to order a couple sizes to have on hand to try for him and then you can just send the extras back. Also, you can pull/stretch them some before you wear them & that helps it be extra comfy.
World’s Okayest Dad Shirt: My husband bought this for himself when I found out I was pregnant with our first. 5+ years later it’s still one of his all-time faves.
The Golf Father Shirt: For all the golfers out there. My husband & Dad both love this shirt.
That’s what She Said Shirt: I gave this to my husband for Father’s Day 2 years ago & he lovedddd it. Still wears it all the time. The way it’s written is clever.
I Just Can’t Faux Nike Shirt: This is the only thing on this entire list that doesn’t have free Prime shipping on Amazon. But I loved it too much to pass up, so I paid for shipping for I think the first time ever on Amazon. Worth it. It’s one of my Father’s Day gifts for my hubby this year & I know he’s going to love it.
Athletic Shorts: My husband has worn the same 2 pairs for 10 years. He recently commented he needed some new ones in the mix. Bingo.
Fun Boxer Briefs: You can’t go wrong. You know he’ll wear them. And he’ll love these cheeky designs.
If you want something a little less fun/funny but still great for a Christmas gift, check out these.
Goorin Bros Trucker Hat: A million designs to choose from. Some classic, some hilarious. Especially great for fishermen & hunters.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN
STOCKING STUFFERS
Giant Block of Soap: This is my go-to gift for my husband. For every holiday, birthday, etc. Yes, it’s $10 for soap, which sounds expensive until you realize it’s like the size of 8 bars. He loves it and dare I say he always looks forward to it/counts on it.
Long Phone Charger: My husband loves this 6′ phone charger. So we can charge them while we use them in bed. Sexy. #marriedlifebelike (Get this one for Android users)
Portable Charging Bank: No cords to carry around with him, everything is attached. So brilliant. So convenient. Just make sure you get the correct cord combo (it has a few options).
Book light: I gave this to my husband for Christmas last year. It has 3 brightness levels and both a warm & cool light option. Plus, the charge lasts forever (& it’s rechargeable).
“Manly” Hand Sanitizer: GET THIS. First of all, I love it & it’s the only antibacterial sani we’ve used since the pandemic began. My brother-in-law gave me a bottle & I was immediately hooked. It’s SO convenient. I love the spray top, love the size, love how quickly it dries. My husband has one in his car & one in his golf bag. (We also have one in the garage, one in the golf cart, and of course one in my car). He will get a kick out of it, too.
Rechargeable Hand Warmer: I scoffed at this when I first saw it. Like, why wouldn’t you just get a bunch of cheap Hot Hands? Then I read the reviews and promptly bought one for my husband for Christmas this year….andddd then I bought 3 more for my kids & me. The reviews are insane. I can totally see us all using this. My husband when he play golf for sure, and the rest of us on golf cart rides, stroller walks, regular walks, in our pockets at the playground, while watching sports practice, etc.
“Cigar” Pretzel Sticks: Warning. These are deliciously addictive. He will have a fit over them. They LOOK incredible & they TASTE incredible. Very manly & very fun. You could even split up the package of 12 & give a few to each man in your life! Just maybe stash a couple for yourself before putting them in his stocking, because omg YUM. (Note: You can do with or without the “Dad” labels, depending on who they’re for)
*These also make an excellent gift to mail! They come so cutely packaged & you can ship straight to the recipient. Guaranteed to be a hit!
Whether it’s your first or tenth go-round with Elf on the Shelf, we’ve got you covered with 10 can’t miss Elf on the Shelf Ideas to make it super easy on you.
Guest post alert! This post was written by the Magic Makers behind the amaze Scout Elf Support Team Instagram account. They’re pulling back the curtains on some of their most popular Elf on the Shelf ideas just for us!
This post contains affiliate links.
It almost feels too early to talk about it, but with all the Christmas memes already surfacing on social media, I think it’s safe to say that we are all looking forward to the warmth & merry of the holidays. For some of us, this means our little Elf on the Shelf scout elves will be returning to—or joining for the first time—our homes this holiday season.
Our family enjoys our little mischief maker so much. And while he can take a little effort (think: ensuring one or both parents don’t accidentally fall asleep & forget about the little scout elf), the joy he brings to our two small children is immeasurable.
Two years ago we launched “Scout Elf Support Team” with the goal of sharing the fun spirit of the elf & helping provide families with a stress-free way to partake in the magic! We would so often hear about parents who truly did not have the time, didn’t want the burden of nightly elf magic, or just wanted someone else to take on the creative role in this endeavor…and we listened.
Keep scrolling for some of our favorite Elf on the Shelf ideas, including 10 of our very favorite elf evenings.
Some new, some tried & true, and a few helpful links to get you off and elf-ing!
Before we jump in—pointed elf ears first, of course—here are a few tips that we love & live by. Whether you choose to use our ready-to-go Elf on the Shelf kit (more on that at the end), buy your own props, scan Pinterest, or scroll Instagram every night in a panic praying for an easy elf idea…a quick check on Amazon or trip to your local grocery or craft store can add magic to even the most simple elf evening.
Our team always has the following things on hand to make almost any Elf on the Shelf idea come to life:
Sprinkles (red and green, or Christmas themed, candy cane, there are so many options)
A few different size pom-pom craft balls (medium & large)—or the awesome faux snowballs mentioned below—and tiny plastic army people are all it takes to set up an epic snowball fight. Make sure there are obvious sides, teams, & stacked snowballs. Feel free to add some snow dust or flour to each side!
For added fun—while we use soldiers in our kits, we have used Peppa Pig characters, Paw Patrol characters, & Frozen characters in our home.
Side note: We have a huge tub of faux snowballs. You do not need the faux snowballs—not for the elf, not for any good reason—but if fake snowballs are news to you…well, nothing is more fun than snowball fights as an alternative to family game night!
2. “Tree Farm” (one of our favorites from last year)
We used little sisal trees & mini chalk boards with a chalk marker to create a cozy tree farm. It’s a simple evening but if you can sneak it in before your own tree is up, or even immediately after, it truly feels like your elf is living the holiday right alongside you.
3. “Bathtub Buddies”
You will need a “tub,” tiny marshmallows, & at least one bath buddy. Do yourself a favor & choose a night your children really need a scrub. We guarantee they will be inspired by their tiny sugar-loaded friend. Our favorite holiday rubber ducks are a fun addition around the holidays. And the bathtub can be a bowl or cup. Our kits come with a little tin tub.
4. “No Business in the Kitchen”
Part 1: You can purchase a play set for this—or you can use a real pan + spatula & set this up on the stove top. This evening is a great example of how sprinkles & flour can take an elf night from good…to GREAT!
Part 2: For fun, last year in our house we extended “No Business in the Kitchen” by 1 day. The second morning the girls woke up to an elf who had opened approximately 6 Little Debbie Christmas trees. Some were whole, some were broken, some were smashed—and a little ended up on our elf’s hands & mouth. He went from baking…to eating his masterpiece.
And he left each child a whole one in the wrapper for breakfast.
5. “Hey, All You Cool Cats and Kittens”
We couldn’t help ourselves. In the spirit of keeping with this year’s themes—and ensuring we provide some adult humor & enjoyment—here’s one for the Tiger King fans…or viewers, as I’m not sure anyone is a true fan? Ha.
A set of tigers & the aforementioned mini chalk boards & marker (mini dry erase boardswould work great, too—even an index card can be folded & used for signage). Our team recommends writing “hey, all you cool cats and kittens” but there are likely 100+ Tiger King references to amuse yourself & your tiny mini on this night.
6. “Scout Elf Snow Angels”
You will need snowflakes, flour, and snow dust. Worth mentioning…it is not easy to make an elf snow angel. Don’t worry about making it perfect. Most craft stores have packets of paper or flat craft style snowflakes—these are a huge help in creating this scene. The more the merrier.
7. “O Hey, Hygiene”
What’s more fun than waking up to find a sneaky someone causing a fuss at your bathroom sink? For a kid…not much. All this scene requires is a toothbrush & of course—a toothpaste mess! You can keep the mess small, large, or even include a mirror message in toothpaste. Be sure to get some on the counter & especially your scout elf’s face for authenticity. We love a travel set for this. Anytime you can introduce an item your kids have never seen before—the magic doubles.
8. “Watch This” Part 1: Again, we are using those infamous chalk boards! You need two (or more) raw eggs, and just as many Kinder Eggs (grocery store). On the first night of this scene, place raw eggs in bowls/small dishes/paper plates/etc. close to your elf, and write “watch this” on a chalkboard. Let your kids go the entire day being sooo curious about what their elf on the shelf may be up to. Encourage their imaginations to run wild. We love to hear what our little ones think might happen!
Part 2: The following night replace the raw eggs (toss em!) with kinder eggs! Magic! You can leave the Kinder Eggs right where the raw eggs were or at each child’s breakfast spot.
Side note: I grew up in a house where everything was always at my spot at the table. Valentines, Birthday, notes, etc.—so this makes sense to me. But I truly have no idea if this is a common practice or just something my mother did. Either way, I loved it. And we always knew what was special/meant for each of us individually.
9. “Fierce Opponent”
Is there anything more intriguing than a shark or alligator toy, a silly game, and a stumped elf? You just need a plastic predatory toy & a game (grab a couple playing cards or some dice) for them to play against one another. We love using these sharks, but an alligator or even a dinosaur would be a great fit for this, too!
Bonus night: For fun, you can reuse those sharks for a “baby shark” themed night. Give some time between fierce opponent & the next shark scene, but simply label each shark (with those chalkboards, of course) as “daddy shark,” “mommy shark,” “baby shark,” and use a tiny elf hat on your elf’s back like a fin to create “elf shark.”
10. “Tiny Travel Scout” (our favorite night, weekend, or even week!)
This allows your elf to take a weekend getaway with your tiny believer. Inside a safe container (filled with snow dust or sprinkles), your elf can travel all over—or even to visit a family member for an extended period of time. Here’s the best part: you are elf-free for however many days you (ahem, Santa) determine. These unbreakable jars are perfect for your traveling elf—& we’re positive you’ll have plenty of uses for the remaining 5 jars (they really come in handy)!
Pro tip:Do not use a glass option. One year I foolishly used a glass mason jar. Terrible. There were tears, gloved pickup of glass & beloved scout elf. It wasn’t pretty. No glass.
Well there you go—10 amazing Elf on the Shelf ideas that are easy & fun to pull off! And actually, there are 3 bonus nights in there so you’ve really got 13 magical scenes to choose from!
And not to mention that if your Elf on the Shelf takes an extended trip (sayyyy, 12-18 days or so? wink wink), you’ve got enough Elf on the Shelf ideas to last a full a month!
A few extra notes, because we think you are amazing & we’re more than willing to share:
Hosting an elf should not cost a fortune. We did our best to link items we purchase on Amazon or items like the ones we bulk buy (at the lowest cost we could find). Many of these items might be hanging around your home or playroom, too—you just need to quietly dig them out & tuck them away for the following evening.
Clean up can be super easy, but messes are a must (for us)!The real secret to making your Elf on the Shelf feel magically “over the top” is messes. Children love messes & are entirely overcome by the thought of a tiny little Christmas symbol sneaking around at night causing accidental trouble. We are here to help clean up though! The secret to a clean elf? Water. Flour, snow dust, sprinkles & many of the messes that take an elf night from good to great can be rinsed right off. By the next morning he or she should be plenty dry & mess free!
And here’s a personal thought. In our home we keep the elf for magic only. We don’t threaten with our elf or accuse him of “watching” all of the behavior from our children, causing fear around what he may tell Santa. You & your family are welcome to do whatever fits your four walls best. But for us, he is a special little symbol. A tiny little mess maker. Our children giggle over his antics & his silliness, and for us that is where he fits into our Christmas traditions. Just a thought. 2020 has been a tough year, we could all use a little magic without the fear of consequence.
One last giggle. Your elf can be a girl, a boy, or an androgynous Christmas helper. Ours happens to be a he & that’s largely because our two small children are girls, our bulldog is a girl, & our cat is …yep, a girl…so naturally my husband wanted one more boy in our house. He also convinced my tiny girl tribe to name him “Rambo.” Total dad humor & a good laugh for sure.
Now, go give our Scout Elf Support Team a follow on Facebook or Instagram!
We’ll be sharing Elf on the Shelf ideas, photos, tips, & all things Christmas—so be sure to follow along with us this holiday season!
And for those of you who want the magic to well, magically show up on your doorstep: We offer 15-night Premium Elf on the Shelf Kits. All the Elf on the Shelf ideas, all the magic, all the fun, all the creativity…with none of the effort. Our kits ship via USPS the week before Thanksgiving to help dodge the holiday mail delays! When you start your Elf on the Shelf magic is entirely up to you.
This list of Christmas Gift Ideas for Her is chock-full of great gifts for allll the LADIES in the house.
The Mamas! The Sisters! The Daughters! The Aunts! The Grandmoms! The Nieces! The Friends!
Allll the ladies.
All the perfect Christmas gift ideas for Her…whoever her is. It has all the things I love & use. It’s Mom approved. Grandmom approved. Sister, Aunt, Daughter, & Friend approved. Oh, and Wife approved, too. Of course.
So send this to your hubby, Mama.
Win win win win win. Win.
You can also combine several of the things on this list into a super thoughtful, epic care package for anyone you might not be able to see in person this year.
PLUS, nearly everything is Amazon Prime. Which means you’re not late. You’re right on time. 🙂
Pro Tip: If you see something you want, don’t wait—Buy it Now. Especially with the crazy, scary state of the world right now. Things are going quickly, stuff is getting delayed & selling out, & shipping times are changing by the minute.
This post includes affiliate links.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR HER
CLOTHING & JEWELRY
C’MON MAMA Mama Bear Hat (with Baby Bear Cub!): I’m biased because these are my own C’MON MAMA hats, but they really are the BEST! And, the only Mama Bear Hat WITH a Baby Bear on it, too! Available in 2 styles—Vintage Charcoal or Denim Trucker—both with that perfect vintage look & a killer fit. You’ll never want to take it off. I might be biased, but trust me—the Mamas in your life will LOVE these hats. (the feedback from all the Mamas who have bought one is that they really ARE the best-fitting/most flattering hats ever!)
*Custom Name Bracelet: This is an A+ gift for ALL Mamas/Grandmamas. Trust me, she’ll love it. I have two—one for each kid’s name—and I love wearing them together. I also love it in gold with the white letter beads & the black letter beads. (*THIS IS A CUSTOM ITEM SO ORDER BY 11/25 FOR DELIVERY BY 12/23)
THE Pajamas: This is one of the few non-Amazon things on this list. These are a must. I have 5 pairs. They are the softest thing in the world and just so cozy. They come in a few styles, but this is my fave style because the cropped pants are perfect for all seasons & not too long or short on anyone. And they’re not sexy but yet my husband loves them on me (and my sister’s hubby feels the same about them on her!). Go figure. But I’m here for it, because they’re cozyyyy.
THE Slippers: I live in these. I have 6 pairs. (yes for real) They feel like you’re walking on clouds. And they don’t slip. They are heavenly. I think they’re equal to or even better than slippers 5x as much. They’re soft-soled, so they’re true “house” slippers, but they’re not flimsy. They’re sooooo cushy.
THE Dress: This is THE most perfect dress for spring & summer. (And, you can add a denim jacket or cardigan + tights & booties to make it fall/winter-worthy.) Sometimes I add a belt, sometimes I don’t. I get endless comments when I wear this dress. It’s so cheap & yet looks beautiful on. Super flattering. The length is great & it’s easy to “Mom” in. Did I mention it has (big) pockets?! I have it in 4 designs because I love it so much (I haven’t bought it in one of the lighter colors yet, but my faves are this striped one & this black Sunflower one). **Avoid the dresses with the tiny buttons—for whatever reason they’re lesser quality than the others.
Who knew a $30 dress could be so lovely?
The Other Dress: Second fave dress on Amazon. Own it in multiple colors (cheetah, dark green, purple). Super flattering & easy to wear. *Would be a beautiful Holiday dress!
Pocket Cardigan: Lightweight & perfect for this time of year. You can bunch it up & throw it in your purse or beach bag & it’ll still look great. Long enough, super comfy, fun…and pulls any outfit together. Did I mention it has pockets?
The famous “Amazon Jacket”: It’s famous for a reason. Warm, stylish, comes in a ton of colors. Easy to wear. If you need a super warm jacket, this is a winner.
Thou Shall Not Try Me Shirt: Every time I wear this I get a zillion compliments. Every. Single. Time. Bonus = it’s super soft & fits great. Comes in a ton of colors & both short & long sleeve options. (I have the short sleeve yellow & loooove it.)
Towel Wrap: So simple, but if she doesn’t have one, get her one. She’ll use it.
The Perfect Beanie: I own this Beanie in 8 colors. I wear one almost daily in the fall/winter/early spring. They lay on your head perfectly, you can tug on the back to make them super slouchy, they look good with hair up or down. My fave colors are the classic beige & black. But they have so many fun ones.
Shearling Sandals: A total oxymoron, I know. I thought so too. In fact I kind of made fun of these in my mind when I first saw an ad for them. But then I kind of couldn’t stop thinking about them every time I couldn’t decided if I wanted to slip on my sandals or boots to run out the door. I realized these are actually perfect. So I ordered them & now I’m drinking the koolaid. I debated between the nude & the mink, and I went with the nude. *Size up if you get the narrow style. Otherwise, TTS.
iWatch Chain Band: LOVE THIS. I love wearing my iWatch. I wear it every day. And I like the “sport” band it came with. BUT, when I’m dressed up for date night or whatever reason, I swap this band in (takes all of 2 seconds) & my watch is transformed into something really pretty that goes with all my jewelry. I always get comments about it. *I also just got this leather braided wrap iWatch band & looooove it, too.
I love this chain band. Comfy to wear & looks so elegant & cool.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR HER
BEAUTY & ACCESSORIES
Blue Light Glasses: I live in these. Because I live on the computer (well, at night & in the early mornings because I’m a Mom & my free/work time is when it’s dark outside). Do they work? Who knows, but I do think so. And, they’re stylish. I even wear them when we watch something late at night so the blue light rays don’t affect my sleep.
Wireless Ear Buds: These are amazing. Comfortable, the charge lasts forever & you can use both at once or just a single bud so you can listen to that podcast while you fold laundry & still listen out for your kids. Mom win.
Kindle Paperwhite: Give her the gift of being able to read whatever she wants without straining her eyes…and without keeping up the sleeping baby/kid/grown man next to her. My sister is an avid reader and SWEARS by hers.
Wallet: Does she need a new one? I have had this one for a couple years & love it. It’s flat so it doesn’t take up much space in my purse/diaper bag, it fits a ton, has 2 zippered cash/change compartments, & comes in a bunch of pretty/fun colors.
Full-on Cosmetic Bag: This is my go-to cosmetic organizer/travel bag. Fits everything you could possibly need & keeps it organized. It also has firm sides so it protects the contents inside.
At-Home Hair Gloss: If she has hair, she will LOVE this Olaplex gloss. It’s the same thing they use at salons, but it’s finally available for home use. Works on all colors. It’s not cheap but it lasts for months & months and makes your hair so shiny, healthy & soft.
Flowerbomb: Fave perfume 10 years & running. Enough said.
Tinted Sunscreen: This is the end-all-be-all for tinted sunscreen as far as I’m concerned. And I’ve tried a ton of different ones. I’ve even tried different Elta MD ones. This is the winner. Stays on, makes your skin look beautiful, the color isn’t orange, it doesn’t break me out, and it WORKS. My face never burns. I wear it year-round and honestly unless I’m dressing up for something, it’s the only thing I wear.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR HER
AT HOME
Willow Tree MOM Figurines: I have a million of these. I adore them. (My kids love looking at them, too.) These beautiful, sweet little statues of Mothers with their child/children have many different ages & stages so you’re guaranteed to find the right one for your family.
Hinged Flower Vase: This is the most gorgeous vase I’ve ever seen. And so unique. I saw it at a friend’s house & fell in love with it. It’s expensive. But it’s also inexplicably $100 cheaper on Amazon than in stores. I bought it for myself & am so glad I did. (There is also a smaller but equally as beautiful version.)
Digital Photo Frame: Trust me on this. This is not the tacky digital frame of yore. I adore having one in my house. Why? Because it’s HARD to update framed pictures around the house. It takes time. Which is something Mamas don’t really have. It also takes a lot of effort to pick your favorite picture when you have 395873 frame-worthy ones to choose from. This solves that problem. It’s SO easy, you can send it all your fave pics to rotate through, add any whenever you’d like, and kids & people of all ages in the house LOVE looking at them. *Aura updated its photo/privacy settings & now has an easy, streamlined app that is super user-friendly. I’m a fan.
Pro tip: This also makes a killer gift for Grandmoms!! Whether they live 10 states away or 10 minutes away, I guarantee you they’ll love it. And they don’t have to do a thing to “make it work!” We gave one to both Grandmoms as their Mother’s Day gift 2 years ago. They love it & ask us all the time to send more pics.
Capri Blue Volcano Candle: My favorite candle of all time. They have a million scents but the Volcano is the classic & also the best, imo. It’s a tin container so it won’t break in transit. 2nd place: Old school Eucalyptus Spearmint Bath & Body Works fave because old habits die hard.
Essential Oil Diffuser: You don’t have to be into essential oils to love this. I diffuse the Capri Blue Volcano oil (yes, same scent as that candle above—told ya I loved it!) all the time and my home smells so fresh and light. You can use any diffuser/essential oil. And, if you’re knowledgable about EO then by all means…put this thing to werkkk!
Toiletries Spin Tower/Organizer: Didn’t think I needed this. I thought wrong. I’m obsessed with it now. It’s like a lazy susan for your bathroom. Fits all my stuff & makes everything easily accessible but also looks elegant. I’m sold.
That sunscreen up top makes the cut, too.
Coffee Frother: If she likes coffee, she’ll love this. Sometimes I get fancy & make a latte. But mostly I just use it to stir my delicious flavored creamer into my coffee. It’s easy. And weirdly fun. *Bonus: It makes chocolate milk extra fun & bubbly for the kiddos.
Electric Tea Kettle: Stylish, functional, so practical. Anddd a perfect rating to top it off.
Electric Wine Opener: I used to always make my husband open the wine, but I actually enjoy opening it now. This thing makes it super easy. And even fun.
Wooden Utensil Set: Beautiful teak cooking utensils perfect to use with all your nonstick pans so you don’t scratch them up. Plus, they’re pretty.
Gold Mixing Bowls: These are beautiful & the lids are a game changer! Dishwasher safe & the finish stays on perfectly. So pretty she will want to leave them out on the counter. These have a ton of great reviews but it’s a new listing so the reviews got wiped. (*I have the rainbow ones because I’m extra like that since becoming a Mama.)
XL Heating Pad: Not a sexy gift, but such a functional gift. Turns out I’m an adult now and I get back pain.Boo.Carrying around a 60 & 35lb kid will do that to you.This is the LARGEST heating pad I could find.I use it every single night, even in the summer. This one is large & plush & it saves my back. If it breaks, I may or may not cry (I will), and I’ll definitely immediately reorder it. (*My sister with no kids recently bought herself one because she loved mine so much. Verdict: Not just for Moms.)
Turkish Towel: I love these. So thin & absorbent & doubles as a cute wrap for the beach/pool! Perfect to wrap kids up in, too. We have like 8 because these are the only towels we use for the beach & pool, etc. anymore. They take up zero space & aren’t heavy at all. You can even use it as a lightweight little throw blanket.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR HER
ON THE GO
Giant Tote: For groceries, for all the stuff Mamas have to lug around in the back of their car…you name it. Love mine. It folds flat so it takes up no space when not in use. *Depending on what other Christmas gifts you get her, you could use this as a giant gift bag to make it extra fun.
Laptop Bag: I ordered 4 before deciding on this one. Love it. Love the look, love the padding to protect my computer, love the pockets. *Comes in various colors & sizes to accommodate all laptops/tablets.
Swell Bottle: I have 3 of these & I use them all the time. To carry water, to carry refills for my kids, to carry coffee (because #momlife), to put my “grown up” beverages in at the drinks & pool, you name it… They keep liquid super hot or super cold for an entire day, but my very fave part is they do not leak. Like ever. So you can throw them in your purse or diaper bag & never think twice. I have two of the 17oz size & one 25oz bottle because it holds an entire bottle of wine. Not that I use it for that. Often.
YETI Cup: It doesn’t matter if you have one that she uses. Get her her own. There is a reason YETI is still tops. Their cups work and their cups last. If she doesn’t have one of her own, get her one. Mama’s coffee is alwayssss cold. Help a Mama out.
*Pro tip: Slap on the Mama + Baby Bear vinyl decal you get with my C’MON MAMA hats! It will stay on through allll the washes & make the cup a customized gift!
***The following few things are safety items because Mamas think about everyone but themselves—so we need to think about them…
Personal Alert Siren: I love having one of these with me. Super loud, easy to use. Can deter both people and animals. Whereas you have to be close to use pepper spray and tasers, the great thing about personal sirens is they are effective without having to be close to an attacker. If she feels threatened in any way, she can sound the alarm before being put in danger. *This makes a great stocking stuffer.
If you have several people in your life that could use one of these, buy this set. (I bought this for my mom/sisters/me.)
Stun Gun: I’ve carried one of these with me since I was 18.
Jumper Cables: Does she have her own set to keep in her car? No? Fix that now.
Car Escape Tool: I’ve had nightmares about getting knocked off a bridge (I live around water) & stuck under water in my car with my kids. This tool breaks the window glass & has a seat belt/car seat cutter blade. Honestly, even in a non-water emergency, I think the seat belt cutter tool is important to have—especially as tight/tricky as car seat harnesses can be.
Car Safety Kit: OR skip the separate jumper cables & car escape tool and just get this whole set. Easy, compact, has it all.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR HER
STOCKING STUFFERS
Best Chapstick ever: This is one of my most Holy Grail things ever. I own 7 at any given time. Hey, you know we gotta have the house chapstick, the purse chapstick, the car chapstick, the diaper bag chapstick…(I also have the stroller chapstick, the bike chapstick, the golf cart chapstick…See? 7. Told ya.)
For neutral color & something a little more heavy duty for chapping, this one is my go-to. This is the only kind of lip color/thing I use. It’s smooth, it works, & both have a beautiful light tint. Everyone always wants to know what I wear on my lips & it’s these. (*great stocking stuffer!)
Long Phone Charger: My husband & I love these 6′ phone chargers. So we can charge them while we use them in bed. Sexy I know. But #marriedlifebelike that sometimes. *My husband prefers the 10′ now, because of course he does. Size matters? Length matters? Boys will be boys. (Get this one for Android users)
Book light: I gave this to my husband for Christmas last year. It has 3 brightness levels and both a warm & cool light option. Plus, the charge lasts forever (& it’s rechargeable).
Gum: Always a good little stocking stuffer. This is my fave kind. (and hubby’s faves, too)
YUMMIEST Pretzel Sticks: Warning. These are deliciously addictive. She will have a fit over them. They LOOK incredible & they TASTE incredible. The sweet & salty = perfection. You could even split up the package of 12 & give a few to each woman in your life! Just maybe stash a couple for yourself before putting them in her stocking, because omg YUM.
*These also make an excellent gift to mail! They come so cutely packaged & you can ship straight to the recipient. Guaranteed to be a hit!
Wet Brush: She probably already has one of these. Anddd she probably needs a new one. If she’s anything like me she’s still using her original one from 8 years ago. I recently bought this fresh cute one & I have to say it felt so good to replace my worn out one.
Softest Washcloths: These are my FAVE face wash cloths. So soft, large, perfect. (Would be perfect for your body, too. I just still use loofahs because old habits die hard.)
Lovehandle: With 2 kids, I couldn’t do without it.It frees up my hands to hold my babies & groceries & diaper bag, etc….which is important because we only have 2 hands (even though everyone seems to think Moms have 50).This little strap keeps me from dropping my phone approximately 243 times a day & it doesn’t stretch out or fall off.And it keeps your hand from getting fatigued. It’s a must-have. And better than the little knob thing.Or the loop. *Also available for XL phones.
O Key Ring: I LOVE MINE. Have had it for years. It’s always easy to find my keys in my bag. It’s easy to ditch the purse & carry by itself. It fits great on my arm or in my back pocket (or the waistband of my leggings, because lbh.)
#MOMLIFE Headband: That’s what I like to think of these as. I wore them pre-Momlife, but I love them more than ever now. They are great for working out, yoga, running…and running after kids. They don’t give you a headache even if you wear them for 12 hours (how is this possible?!), and they don’t slip. The come in endless cute designs. My fave are the 1″ ones.
XL Barrette Clips: These are the perfect size clips! They hold your hair back so well & look so sleek at the same time. They can be both sporty & stylish & come in colors that blend in with your hair or colors that pop—take your pick. I love these & wear them almost daily since discovering them. The regular sized ones never could hold my hair back with just one, and the giant heavy ones were too much. These take the cake.
Bluetooth Speaker Soft Headband: I got this for my Mom this year, and I’m about to order myself one, too. It’s a soft headband with built-in bluetooth speakers…and a mic! Some people use it for sleeping but I got it for my Mom for when she goes on walks. An easy way to keep your hair back & listen to your fave tunes without worrying about wires or ear buds falling out. Also, I appreciate that it is not noise-blocking as that can be dangerous when walking/running/biking on a road. You need to be able to hear & this allows you to hear both your jams and surroundings.
Exercise Bands: I love these. They’re fabric instead of rubber so they stay on where you put them and they don’t roll or dig in. They come as a set of 3, with three different resistance levels. If she ever uses bands in her workout routine, get these babies.
Wool Dryer Balls: I used to love dryer sheets before I made the switch to dryer balls. I’m never going back. I don’t miss the dryer sheets and I feel so much better about not having all that extra stuff on my kids’ skin.
There you have it. My ultimate Christmas Gift Ideas for Her. Now get to shopping!
Pssst—I’ve got you covered for the KIDS & the MEN, too! Talk about making holiday shopping easy for you…check them out:
I’ve been right where you are. Scouring the internet for all the baby gear I will need. Or think I will need. The truth is, when I was pregnant with my first I didn’t know where the heck to even start. So I did what any resourceful person who wants to be informed does: I googled “baby gear.”
I’d say being an avid “researcher” is one of my strengths and weaknesses. A strength because I make really informed decisions. And a weakness because I do not make a decision quickly. I spent hours upon hours reading up on things & researching the “best baby gear.” It turns out there are about a million “baby gear lists” out there. And I’m about to throw you one more. I did all the research so you don’t have to.
With two children and 5+ years into Motherhood, I can definitely say that my greatest resource on everything related to baby gear & baby registry & babies & kids & Momming is…other Mamas. Why? Because we’re living it all day every day. We know stuff. And we keep it real.
So here is me being that fellow Mama to you.
This list isn’t to overwhelm you. This list is to hopefully make it easy on you by putting every single thing you need in ONE place.
This post includes affiliate links.
And, I can’t recommend doing your baby registry through Amazon highly enough. It’s the easiest way to register for all the things you love & want–easy for you & easy for your friends & family (& baby shower guests) to get you what you want! Amazon has everythinggg, you get 90 day returns on baby registry items, you can add things to your registry via the mobile app, & the best part is after your baby shower you can just click & buy every single thing you still need on your registry list…at a 15% completion discount! (10% if you don’t have Amazon Prime…which you’re gonna need as a new Mom. Trust me.) I did my registry through Amazon a few years ago & my currently pregnant sister just did hers through Amazon, too! Amazon FTW, yet again. Click here to start your own Amazon Baby Registry!
Without further adieu, my Baby Gear Must-Haves…that you won’t find on every other list.
(Of course, some of it’s on other lists, because there are universal no-brainer baby gear items that I can’t leave off). But a lot of baby gear items on this list are things I never saw on any list but learned about from my fellow Mamas or my own trial & error.
All the things you need for that precious new babe.
Baby Gear: Sleeping + Napping + Lounging
Netflix & Chill
Boppy Lounger: Both babies hung out on this every single day for the first 4 months, starting on Day 1. We loved it. You can wash it in a regular washer (insert praise hands emoji here). Anything you can use daily for 4 months straight with a newborn is a W-I-N. See below for another version.
Pello: This is similar to the Boppy lounger. It’s basically a more $$$ version but it lasts longer age-wise. When they get older they can still fit in this and lounge to drink their bottles, watch shows, etc.
Swing: Some babies love them, some babies hate them. The swing gave both my babies 4 hour naps for months on end so this Mama is Team Swing.
Playmat: Babies love these. And when they’re teeny tiny, they can still lay on it & just look…and doze off.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”My Momming Philosophy from the get-go—especially in those earliest days—is to take it one day at a time and if something works right now, don’t question it—just roll with it. And maybe rejoice. ” quote=”My Momming Philosophy from the get-go—especially in those earliest days—is to take it one day at a time and if something works right now, don’t question it—just roll with it. And maybe rejoice. ” theme=”style6″]
Crib: Go ahead and spring for the convertible rails. It will make it a breeze when you need to convert. Plus, you will be wishing you had gotten them from the start when you go to the buy them because you need them & they’re discontinued (this has happened to many Mamas I know). We have this one & have loved it. We converted it to a full bed for my son’s “big boy” bed. Also, I LOVE this one & would get it if I were having another baby!
Crib Sheets: Man oh man I love these! Zip the top part on & off in 5 seconds! Crib mattresses fit very snugly into the crib so this makes changing the sheets a breeze! Get 1 or 2 extra top sheets & you’re good to go—or get one of these sets with extra top sheets included. I’ve used these for 5+ years. They hold up.
Crib Mattress: I love this crib mattress with built-in water resistance. The reviews speak loudly.
Blankets: I do love muslin blankets, especially the bamboo muslin ones. Aden & Anais and Little Unicorn are my faves—they both have super soft ones with great designs. They’re breathable (read: safer) and my son still slept with those blankets at 4 years old. *These doubled as my nursing cover-ups.
Dohm Sound Machine: We have one in every single room in the house now, along with this portable one for travel. Babies really do like white noise. And what babies like, babies get…because that’s ultimately good for Mama & her sleep + sanity. I love the simplicity of the Dohm machines. Baby gear must-have for sure.
Baby Monitor: I finally have found a non-WiFI baby monitor that I can RAVE about!!!!! It only took me 5+ years to find one that I could wholeheartedly recommend! We’ve used a Motorola for the past 5 years & it totally got the job done, but the screen was small, the battery ran out constantly, & the resolution wasn’t great. Still though, it did the job.
BUT I have finally upgraded our monitor sitch and am THRILLED with my choice! This VAVA monitor is amazing — killer range, great battery life, toggles between 2 (or more) cameras, and has the BIGGEST screen with such amazing clarity! Hooray!
For a long time I’ve thought about switching to a WiFi one so we could see our babies & what’s going on when we’re out or away. I’ve spent hours reading reviews & researching them. But, our internet connection is often very spotty. And also, I’m a little freaked out by the whole “are those WiFi waves safe being that directly around my baby all night long” debate. Yes, we have WiFi running through our whole house so those EMF waves are already there. But, they’re not pointing straight at my baby’s precious brain while she sleeps. Or maybe they are. I have no idea. If I were to get a WIFI monitor, ArloBaby, Nanit, & iBaby all get great reviews.
Night Lights: This one is adorable, soft & just the right brightness for those nighttime diaper changes. And as they get older they love to play with it. And, both my kids LOVE this one (my 5 year old still does!) that comes in a turtle & a bunch of other cute designs. It’s not enough light for diaper changes—it’s more something they love to look at because it projects stars on the ceiling.
Loveys become sweet little sidekicks
Blackout curtains/shades: Wait for the first Daylight Savings Time to hit and you’ll be sorry (as I was). You’ll love having a consistently dark room for naptime & bedtime…and your baby will, too. When DST hits and it doesn’t get dark until 9:00pm, you’ll be desperately trying to drape towels & blankets over all the windows (spoiler: that doesn’t work). I tried about 17 different blackout options (thank gosh for Bed Bath & Beyond & their easy returns!). I had 2 requirements when picking some: 1) that they actually do blackout the room (weirdly most don’t) and 2) no strings or cords (strangulation hazard). These shades and these curtains are hallelujah-worthy. They look great & are effective.
Loveys: A friend gave us an Angel Dear lovey for our son’s birth and told us it was their daughter’s favorite style lovey ever. This was the first thing we ever let him sleep with and he adored it. It definitely brought him comfort, and the same has held true for our daughter. These loveys are perfect & one of my fave baby gear items. The way children adore their loveys is about the sweetest thing. (Side note: We didn’t put anything—and I mean anything—in the crib with our children until they were a year old, not even this lovey. I’m only putting it in this “littlest baby gear” section because they are fun to pick out and have in the nursery for when they are born.)
Swaddle: If your baby needs a swaddle, MiracleBlanket worked wonders for us with our son. Our daughter didn’t like to be swaddled. They come into this world with their own little personalities, just you wait and see.
Nursing/Breastfeeding Pump: Check with your insurance. With mine, insurance covered it 100%. I believe it was a piece of legislation passed during the Obama era. I’m not sure if it’s still in place or not, but check on it. I got to get a pimp pump: The Medela Pump in Style. I picked the tote one & it lasted me through 2 babies & a combined almost 3 years of pumping. BUT, if I could do it over again I’d get the backpack style because I can see how that would be so handy. Oh, and definitely get this pumping bra.
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow: I loved this thing so much, especially with my first. Tried both this one & the Boppy one but the fact that this one buckles around you is a game changer. You can walk around with it on & if baby falls asleep you have arm support. It’s amaze. My hubby even used to wear it to give the babies their bottles when they were little because it helped support their delicate heads…and his big Daddy arms.
Bottle & Pump Sterilizing: Get the microwave sterilizer bags. Hallelujah for the the easiness of these things!
Bottles: Every baby likes different bottles. Hold off on getting a ton until you see what works for your baby. Then load up. (Mine loved the Playtex VentAire bottles with the Naturalatch nipple since I was breastfeeding. They come in clear, pink & blue + 2 different sizes.)
Drying Rack: Love it, still use it 5+ years later for sippy cups (& wine glasses if I’m being honest). These little trees are perfect for drying bottle & pump parts…and later for sippy cup parts.
Burp cloths: These burp cloths are cute & absorbent = exactly what you need.
I used the muslin swaddle blankets as a cover up when nursing in public because I always had them with me anyways.
Baby Gear: Diapers & Diaper Changes
Backpack Diaper Bag: When I was registering for my first, I asked my Mama if she thought a backpack or regular diaper bag would be better. She said backpack because it would free up my hands & be so easy to throw on. I didn’t listen. (When will I learn?) I quickly realized how much better a backpack diaper bag would be when I was trying to juggle all the things in my arms—includinga living being. So I researched (of course). Having a diaper bag backpack is awesome. I love to wear it. My husband loves to wear it. It is SO easy. Tons of storage & zipper pockets, plus comfortable to wear & free hands = AMEN to that.
Here are my 3 fave diaper backpacks: This smart one(love the wide top), this multi-pocket one (I’m a total sucker for all the compartments/pockets), & this quilted one (love that it can smush down/be crammed in the stroller).
Diaper Rash Cream: Triple Paste FTW! Recommended by our Pediatrician & man oh man does this stuff work wonders! GET IT. 2nd kind we use is Aquaphor. Aquaphor is awesome for creating a barrier so the poop doesn’t just sit right on that delicate skin. If your baby always poops during the night or nap, Aquaphor before bed is great. Triple paste for when they are red from the poop. Both of these work wonders. My kids actually request “clear” or “white” whenever they feel irritated. (If you ever get a crazy terrible diaper rash going—and this can happen (I had no idea how bad it could really be)—comment below & I’ll send you the big guns we used to get it under control!
Diaper Pail: Ubbi is amaze. Keeps the stink in in a big way. Hits you in the face when you open it, but I’m cool with it since it keeps it so contained. Uses regular trash bags = one less extra thing to buy + way cheaper. (I have 3 of these so I obviously think they work)
My fave diapers for Newborns/Babies are Pampers Swaddlers. My fave wipes that I still use for everything under the sun to this day are these Huggies ones.
This soft diaper caddy is amazing for the car or home. I keep mine in my car (I have 2!) but it’d work great at home for having your diaper change supplies easy to move from room to room. (Bonus: when your kids outgrow diapers, it makes a wonderful car caddy for books & snacks, toys, etc.!)
Disposable Changing Pads: These are so handy to keep in the diaper bag & the car…and even around your house. You just toss these so you never have to worry about the blowout getting on anything you have to wash.
Baby Gear: On the Move
Car Seat: We had the Chicco Keyfit 30 & loved it. Super easy. There are a million different options, though, and you really can’t go wrong. (Now when it comes time for convertible toddler seats, that’s a different story. Hint: get a Britax Clicktight seat.)
*Don’t use a seat protector under your car seat (unless explicitly approved by the car seat manufacturer). It can compromise the safety of your seat and child.
Strollers: For infants, get a caddy stroller like this universal one or one of these Chicco caddy strollers (if you’re going with a Chicco infant seat): KeyFit Caddy or Shuttle Frame. Trust me on this. A caddy stroller is holy grail baby gear status for me. It’s basically a frame stroller that your infant seat pops in & out of. Talk about easy breezy. Lightweight, fits easily in your car, if baby is asleep you don’t have to wake him or her up to use the stroller; you just snap the infant car seat in & out.
Daddy on Duty (with the KeyFit Caddy Stroller)
And when they outgrow their infant seat, there are a million choices. I wore mine a lot (see below) so after they outgrew their infant seat I actually didn’t use a stroller a ton when I was out & about. But, at home I had the BOB and wouldn’t want to do without it. If you live anywhere that you can go on a walk, get the BOB, get the infant seat adapter for your car seat, & enjoy that fresh air. When they’re older get the snack tray.
The BOB is $$$ upfront, no question. But it’s so well-made, can endure tremendous wear & tear, & the re-sale value is great (just look on your local Facebook Mom Swap). Like I said, I kept mine at home, but I have lots of friends who keep theirs in the car. (*I loved my BOB so much that when I had my second child one of the first—and biggest—purchases I made was the Double BOB. Love it just as much.)
Stroller Organizer: Love this one because it has a lot more space than some yet isn’t too bulky.
Universal Stroller Cup Holder: GET THIS NOW. It will fit any stroller, is super sturdy, & won’t spill your drink like the soft organizer above does. Also, the cup holders that come most strollers are shallow & your drink wobbles/spills the whole time.
Stroller fan: Love this one, holds up well in all weather.
Carriers: I L-O-V-E wearing my babies!!! LOVE. Do it while you can. Because before you’re ready they will be too big and you won’t be able to anymore. For the teeny tiny newborns: this is so easy. For when they get a little bigger, loved my Tula. Not going to lie, mainly got it for the design options. You can’t wear your baby facing out with this one. But truth be told I never wanted to do that—I wanted to hold them close to me. They have the rest of their lives to face out and see the world, I wanted to wear them facing me like a hug.
*NOTE: My son has been off the charts in height & weight since he was about a month. So he has always outgrown things by size very quickly. When he outgrew the Tula I was crushed but I found this LILLEBaby for toddlers that I’m obsessed with. It’s actually the most comfortable thing ever because it has killer lumbar support (turns out I need that now. But I’m still young & cool, right? Right.). My son is over 4 feet & 50lbs and I wear him super duper comfortably. And he still loves when I do. It goes up to 65 lbs & you can do backpack carry which is fun when they’re a little older. Now that I know how comfy the LILLEBaby is with that awesome lumbar support,if I had to do it again I think I’d get this LilleBaby carrier over my Tula. Because back pain is real, Mama.
Baby Boy in the Tula & Big Boy in the LILLEbaby
Baby Gear: Miscellaneous Accessories & Hygiene
Nothing to see here but smiles
NoseFrida: Get it. Looks weird. Sounds weird. Actually is a little weird. But it’s crazy effective. It works. I mean like really, really, really works. Didn’t get it with my first. Thought I didn’t need it. I thought wrong. Loved having it with my second.
Nail Clippers: I didn’t use any when my babies were really little. Because their nails are so flimsy & you can easily just bite them off. Yep, I said it. And I did it. It works. BUT, when they’re a little older, you need a good nail clipper. I tried a few ones that were just crap. Sucked it up & paid more for this one and it’s the bomb.com. Some of the cheaper ones don’t cut the nail all the way & it gets kind of stuck & then you pull it trying to get it & it goes too deep & your baby cries & then they’re traumatized & clipping their nails becomes a huge hassle. But this pair works so well, so easily, that you’re done before they even really realize you started. WIN. I use it on my 2 & 5 year old.
Thermometer: This ear & forehead thermometer makes it a breeze. Similar to what they use in the doctor’s office.
Baby Qtips: These are amazing & have a larger but tapered end so they can’t go too far in the ear.
Hangers: I love these little basic plastic ones. I bought the velvet ones first because I love those in my own closet, but it was hard to get all the little baby clothes off the hangers because the neck holes are so small. So I switched to the plastic ones & never looked back.
Baby Laundry Detergent: Dreft has that dreamy baby smell + safe for their super delicate skin! (*Also, I’d recommend dropping the dryer sheets & switching to these wool dryer balls. Gotta protect those babes when we can.)
Baby Gear: Bath
Infant Bathtub: Looooved this one. Nowhere for mold to grow = added bonus! For when they can sit up, get this adorable duck one! Bonus: the duck tub makes for the cutest photo-ops ever.
I LOVE this bath caddy/toy holder! (Bonus: it doubles as a sibling separator later when you have 2 kids & they both want to be by the toys!)
BABY GEAR FOR SLIGHTLY BIGGER BABIES & TODDLERS (once they can hold their heads up and/or eat, etc.)
Your baby is growing up, Mama. Hold on tight. It’s going to be a beautifully bumpy ride.
Baby Gear: Eating
IKEA FTW.
High Chair: This one. Love it. Would get it a million times over. Funny story—for whatever reason, my mother in law was very eager for me to pick out a high chair so she could get it for us. She had seen her niece’s daughter sit in her high chair and eat cheerios while watching Sesame Street once and that vision just really stuck with her. So when I picked this one she was so disappointed. “But there’s no cushion and it’s not even soft.” I said “I know, that’s exactly why I want it!” No cushions to keep clean, no crevices to try to reach = perfection! We didn’t see it the same way, ha. I got a second one for my daughter because my (giant) son sat in his until he was 3.5.
Also, these are SO cute to decorate for birthdays. Just saying.
Portable High Chair:The Inglesina fast chair. One of my favorite baby gear items EVER. EVERRRR. Seriously, buy it now. Babies can sit up far before they really fit in the restaurant high chairs. The problem is that while they can sit up in those, they are so low down that it’s too easy for them to bang their mouth or chin on the table. This chair is super portable, super easy, works on almost all tables, & puts the baby up at the right level. We’ve used ours for over 4 years & through two children. We don’t leave the house without it. (Side note: also easy to take with you or keep at Grandmom’s house if they don’t want/need a permanent high chair out.) I’d say this one is a baby gear must.
Bibs: These are lightweight & so easy to wear & clean. Win win win. (I keep a couple in my diaper bag still to this day for when we eat messy stuff while out & about…and my kids are 2.5 & 5.)
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Baby Food: When it’s time for solids, embrace the pouches. Long live baby food pouches! They make things so easy! Ain’t no shame in the pouch game.” quote=”Baby Food: When it’s time for solids, embrace the pouches. Long live baby food pouches! They make things so easy! Ain’t no shame in the pouch game.” theme=”style6″]
The picnic table in action.
Cups: These are the only truly spill proof/leakproof cups I’ve found. All of them claim to be. But they are not. Many of them may not leak with the most gentle use ever, but we’re talking about toddlers. And little kids. Traditionally not the most gentle beings. Their cups drop (or, ahem, are thrown) like 20x a day. Cups that can go through that & not leak are few & far between. Plus they have a bunch of different sizes as they grow. (Also, all these cups fit so well in car seat cupholders & diaper bag side pockets.) My 5 year old still uses these.
If you want a sippy spout, then I love these. But we don’t take these in the car because they don’t fit in the cupholders & aren’t leakproof. These are our “at home” cups.
*For babies/kiddies going to daycare/preschool, these InchBug labels are awesome. I use the adhesive ones & they stay on in the dishwasher (yay!). People love the band ones, too.
Place mats: For eating out, these place mats qualify as holy grail baby gear. Forget the silicone ones you have to wash. We’re trying to make less work for you, Mama. (Just recycle some extra stuff and you won’t feel bad about using these.) They’re amaze and keep your baby eating on a clean surface at a restaurant. Because tables are dirtyyy, yall. I used to be a server. I know.
(*And while we’re talking babies & food & safety, check out this article about my child choking on a peanut M&M. It was the scariest moment of my life.)
Baby Gear: Confinement. Sometimes you just need your kids to be confined. Embrace it.
This only happened once but it was the most hilarious & amazing nap
Jumperoo: Babies love these. And so does this Mama because it keeps my baby entertained and safe. Starting around 6 months. I put both mine in it until they were 18 months old when I need them to be contained. Embrace it. Embrace the color and the baby-ness of it. Yall know how I feel about baby-looking baby things. (Hint: I’m down with them.)
GoPod: Awesome to have for outdoor hanging, beach, vacations, picnics, etc. Or just so you can take a shower. Super portable, keeps them confined which is often times exactly what you need.
Swing: the older baby/toddler version. Great for a porch or tree. Kids LOVE to swing. (my 1st kid used to nap sitting up in this swing for a few hours, no lie)
Pack ‘n Play: One of the famous baby gear items. I debated whether to put this at the very top in the “Newborn Sleep” section or here, because it’s perfect for both. A Pack ‘n Play is essentially a travel crib. I never used it as a crib in my home but many of my Mama friends used it as a second crib for naps, etc. or when baby is in their room (I used a Rock ‘n Play when they slept in my room). We used it as a playpen/place to confine our babies whether it be laying there or playing in there as they got older. And when you travel to a hotel or the Grands’ house, this thing is key (or they can have one of their own at their house in lieu of a crib).
BUT, for true sleeping, I recommend adding this mattress & this padded sheet to make it not feel like baby is sleeping on a flat rock. (Hack: put this soft mattress on top of the hard mattress it comes with & then put the padded fitted sheet around the whole thing. Super secure that way. And I wouldn’t do this for newborns, only for older babies (too soft for newbies)).
Play Yard/Play Pen: Back in the day, they used to be called playpens. You probably spent some time in one just like I did. This is the most similar to what used to be around; it has a built-in floor/bottom & mesh sides. This is what I have and it works great over our own floor/rug/mat (it comes in multicolor & tan). There are benefits to both types. The former gives you a solid/clean bottom (especially good for outside). The latter gives more space to play (and can get rained on outside). Take your pick, but just know that once baby starts moving, you may will want a safe area to confine her to. So you can bathe. And eat. And pee. Mobility is a game-changer.
A Kitchen Tower/Stool: These things are so cool. They provide the perfect place to let your toddler/kid stand & be part of the action. They can help cook, eat at the counter with you (if you’re like me & usually eat standing up while unloading & loading the dishwasher), color & paint, drum on the counter, play in the sink, watch you cook, etc. And it keeps them safe & confined the whole time. I have the Little Helper FunPod which is currently unavailable, but my runner up fave is easily this one.
These little towers are a great way to let your little one be part of the daily stuff with you. Also, my 5 year old 50lb son still loves to get in ours to cook. My 2.5 year daughter loves to snack & hang out in it when I’m in the kitchen. And I put her in it when we paint at the easel, because lbh, a 2 year old is not the best at self-control…especially when it comes to paint.
Bike Seat: We’ve loved this one (& we tried 3 different ones before settling on this one). Loved it so much that when our kid outgrew it we got him the larger one. Only downside is I wish it had a 5 point harness because sometimes the straps slip down, but overall love these seats! We didn’t use this until 10 months. (*Helmets are life. Don’t forget that.)
Bike Trailer: This one is wonderful if you plan on having two children at any point. Or even if you don’t (one child can ride it in, too.) It has the biggest weight capacity we could find, which is important when your 5 year old weighs 53 lbs! In other words, you’ll be able to use this for a looong time. We’re obsessed with it. Also, it’s super easy to take on & off your bike.
Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair: Worth the hype. They’re adorable, so comfortable, the kids think it’s the coolest thing to have their own chair. And it’s so cute to see them sitting in them & chilling like the precious little villains they are. Get the standard size. The “my first” one is tiny and though I’ve never seen the oversized one in person, my son is enormous for his age and the standard one has been perfect. We got them at around a year old for both kids.
Kid Picnic Table: This could be in the food or activity category because this thing is awesome. So easy to clean. Folds up in a breeze (though we leave ours out 24/7). Perfect table for tea parties (or coffee parties if you live in my house), coloring, play-doh, and actual eating. Weatherproof, too, so you can keep it outside. We’ve had it for several years and use it every day. It’s not often you find an item with a nearly perfect 5 Star rating on Amazon.
Sometimes TV is just what the Mama ordered
Baby Gear: Baby-Proofing
This goes beyond Baby Gear. Baby-proofing is totally it’s own thing. I have a whole post about it. But here’s a preview: I’m not “less is more” on the baby-proofing. I’m “more is more.” Because the more secure & safe my house is the less I have to worry and the more I can let my kids play freely, which helps Mama have a minute to sit down. Win win win win win. (If you’re dying for some C’MON MAMA approved baby-proofing gear, go to my Baby-Proofing list.)
There you have it. C’MON MAMA’s Baby Gear Must-Haves. Congrats, Mama. You’ve done all the legwork. Now, enjoy the ride.
