Our goal with Christmas is to make it special and memorable, but without going overboard. Over the years, I’ve settled on a simple gift-giving approach that focuses on four categories: something to use, something to read, something to play with, and something to experience. This way, each gift has meaning, purpose, and brings joy in a unique way.
1. Something to Use
This might sound funny, but practical gifts are a big win around here. We like to choose items that make their daily lives simpler, more fun, or more meaningful. Support your kiddo’s interests by gifting things like:
- New art supplies
- Sports gear
- A reading light
- A curling iron
- New shoes
Kids grow fast, so Christmas is a perfect time for new pajamas, a warm coat, or even new clothes.
2. Something to Read
Books are such a meaningful gift and can spark new interests or take our kids on magical adventures. There’s something for every age and interest—especially from my friends at PaperPie! From colorful picture books for younger kids to exciting chapter books for older ones, we love gifting books that will pull them into the world of reading.
3. Something to Play With
Even if you think they’ve outgrown toys, even teens and adults like to tinker with something over the holiday. Toys are a classic part of Christmas, and they bring so much joy. When we choose something to play with, we try to find toys or games that spark creativity or encourage cooperative play, like:
- Doll set
- An art project
- Legos
- A board game
- Cars
4. Something to Experience
Experiences are some of the most memorable gifts and often make the biggest impact. This could be something simple like a day at the zoo, movie tickets, or a family outing to a new spot in town. Some favorite experiences we still talk about from our family:
- Horse back riding lessons
- An escape room
- Go karts
- Tickets to a play
- Getting a pedicure
- Taking a cooking class
- A children’s museum
Simplifying the Season
By focusing on these four categories: something to use, something to read, something to play with, and something to experience, we make our holidays more meaningful without the pressure to buy too much. Each gift has a purpose and reflects thoughtfulness, keeping our Christmas season joyful and low-stress. It reminds us that the best gifts aren’t always things, but also the memories we make as a family. This approach has made our Christmases simpler and has given us more time to focus on what really matters: being together and sharing the joy of the season.
If you want more resources on how to simplify the Holidays, you might like these resources:
Do you do Santa as well?
Here are my thoughts on Santa! https://www.instagram.com/p/C0mtt8RuLUb/