And Then We Had Kids

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Holiday Gift Guides

It’s hard to believe it’s already mid-November! It feels like just yesterday Sheena and I were coming back from our trip to Scotland. While I am one who doesn’t fully decorate for the holidays until after Thanksgiving, I like to get a jump start on my holiday shopping. Sheena and I put together a little gift guide for those special people on your list. I am also one who can easily get carried away with buying gifts for my kids so I like to stick to these four gift categories:

  • *Something they want

  • *Something they need

  • *Something to read

  • *Something to wear


  • Holiday Pajamas - Hannah Anderson has so many cute patterns to pick from! What’s cuter than a family photo opt in matching holiday pajamas?

  • Books - The Holidays are a great time to add to your home library! There are so many great holiday themed books out there. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Light Up Bath Toy - This bath toy will for sure add some fun to bath time!

  • Spinning Stacking Toy by Fat Brain - This toy is always a hit at our house! My son even has it in his classroom at school and all the kids are drawn to it. 

  • Baby Blanket - This blanket is incredibly soft and adorable for the holiday season. There are many prints available on the Kyte Baby website. 

  • Spinning Toys - My kids love these toys! They are great for playing with at home and wonderful for travel!

  • Stroller Bunting Bag - I always try to find time to get outside even in the winter months and these stroller bunting bags are great for keeping your little one warm! Helpful Tip: Make sure to put in and adjust the stroller straps before you put your little one in for a walk!

  • Floor Mirror for Tummy Time

  • Crinkle Book

  • Teethers - Teethers seem to magically disappear in my house so I always love having extras around and find myself gifting them to friends with little ones.

  • Artwork for Nursery - I love finding pieces to add to my little ones’ rooms. My son and daughter have pieces from both of these artists below in their room and we get many compliments. 


  • Books - The Holidays are a great time to add to your home library! There are so many great holiday themed books out there. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Tonies Box - A Tonies box is a great non-screen entertainment toy. A starter kit comes with a Tonies Box and a ‘Tonie’, a character that you can record your voice or play music. There are many character Tonies that play a story and sing a song! 

  • Winter Print Flannel Sheets - New bedding is always a hit with my kids! May not be the most exciting gift but is definitely something little ones need for the winter months. 

  • Warmies - These are super adorable stuffed animals that you can put in the microwave to soothe and warm your little one or put in the freezer for a cooling effect. Bonus is that they are scented with calming lavender. 

  • Winter Gear - It always amazes me how quickly little ones grow out of their clothes and accessories. Winter gear is a great gift for those on your list - Trust me, parents will be thrilled to have an extra hat or pair of gloves to grab as they are heading out the door! 

  • Bombas Socks - These socks are not only adorable but have a great cause. For every pair of socks purchased, Bombas donates a pair to someone in need. 

  • Stacking Farm - This farm is great for language building: farm animals, colors, numbers, basic spatial concepts (e.g., in, on, under, over, next to, between). 

  • Kitchen Play Set and Food Set - My kids love playing with their play kitchen and food sets. Great toy for interactive play!


  • Books - The Holidays are a great time to add to your home library! There are so many great holiday themed books out there. We also included some activity books for the holidays: 

  • Scooter - A scooter is a fun gift for that kiddo who never seems to run out of energy. 

  • Mini Waffle Maker and Apron - I always love finding fun holiday themed activities to do with my kids at home. We love to bake and this mini waffle maker is a great morning activity to do together. Add in the apron for the completed look. 

  • Magnatiles - I can’t say enough things about magnatiles. Kids can let their imagination run wild while playing with these. 

  • Craft Kit - Here is a cute craft kit for the little artist!

  • Monster Trucks - My son has these trucks and just loves them. They are friction powered which make them move very easily back & forth. 

  • Flannel Sheets - Again, winter sheets are a great addition to your shopping list for little ones! 

  • Winter Gear - It always amazes me how quickly little ones grow out of their clothes and accessories. Winter gear is a great gift for those on your list - Trust me, parents will be thrilled to have an extra hat or pair of gloves to grab as they are heading out the door! 

  • Nugget couch - This is the priciest gift on our list but wanted to add it because it is a huge hit in our house! On days when we cannot get outside because of the cold, my kids can get out their energy building, climbing, and bouncing on the nugget couch. 


  • Mama Sweatshirt - I love giving a “Mama” sweatshirt to any new mom friends or those who have held the honorable title for many years. A good sweatshirt is always appreciated in any mom’s wardrobe. 

  • Comfy Leggings - These leggings are incredibly soft and will be well-loved by anyone who receives them!

  • Crossbody Bag - This is a great bag for doing errands or just some well-deserved “mom time”. 

  • Personalized Necklace - I love a good personalized necklace to represent the loved ones in my life. What is great about this brand is that you can add birthstones to the necklace if your family expands in the future. 

  • Fun Glass - These glasses would be a great gift for that much needed iced coffee or other evening drinks :)

  • Gift Certificate to Aire - Sheena and I love going to AIRE for some much needed relaxation. 

  • Pair of Coupe Glasses - These glasses are a great gift for a friend or hostess. Pair with a nice bottle of Prosecco or preferred drink of choice. 

  • Lounge Set - This lounge set is actually on my wish list this year! Who doesn't love a comfy set to wear on the cold, winter days? :)


  • Coffee or Drinks - Find his favorite tipple, type of coffee, or other drink and give this as a stocking stuffer.

  • Ember Coffee Mug - This mug can keep that much needed cup of coffee set to his desired temperature. 

  • Sports Subscription - If he doesn’t already have a streaming service to watch his favorite teams, consider signing up for ESPN+ or something similar so he doesn’t miss a game. 

  • A Round of Golf - Even though he may have to wait until it’s warmer to hit the course, a paid round of golf is a great gift for the golfers on your list. Pair it with a sleeve of nice golf balls, tees, some beer, and a note of good luck. 

  • Work Attire - My husband doesn’t love shopping but does love to update his wardrobe every once in awhile. He loves these pants and polo shirts for work!

  • Anniversary or Child DOB Keepsake - Many guys won’t want something gaudy or large, but a small gift or memento with a special date inscribed is a wonderful reminder of the special day he got married or became a father. A bookmark, keychain ring, or coasters will be often-used and keep the special date within eyesight! 

  • Weekend Getaway - A weekend trip to a favorite or wanted destination is a wonderful holiday surprise!


We hope you have a great kick-off to the holiday season and find these gift guides helpful with your holiday shopping! If you have any other gift favorites, please share them with us!

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