Having a toddler for Christmas this year makes me more excited than ever, but also brings along a burden I feel to make it good. And by good, I don’t mean filled with tons of stuff & toys… Honestly, Shay is happiest pushing around our vacuum or throwing ping-pong balls around the house.
The pressure for “goodness” comes around crafting early memories, operating at a pace that’s slow enough to enjoy, and to be fully present. For this reason, Landon and I have decided to take the month of December off of social media– to show up fully where we are and just be all in. However, goodness also comes in the form of setting healthy boundaries, even with our favorite people. Travel, gifts, new foods, even lots of lights- all of these can be wildly overwhelming to babies, toddlers & kids who can’t comprehend all that the Christmas season brings. And so, I’m thinking about all of those things a lot as we creep closer to the holidays… how, as a mom, can I foster the magic of Christmas while also maintaining good boundaries?
That being said, of course, we’ll still be getting Shay a few things for Christmas and our family/friends have asked for a list too! So here is my list, with some extras thrown in you may love for your kids, that we’re looking at this year.
I also thought it would be helpful to share how we’re doing Christmas Lists for family/friends! I’m just making a Google Doc with the wishlist of items for Shay and letting them know to check off the box if they purchase an item! That way, they can set their own budgets, things can still be a surprise, they can gift what makes them excited, and we can ask for specific items/colors/sizes in a low-stress way. I think it’ll be a win for everyone!
Anything available on Amazon will be linked here!
The Practical Things:
01 / sleep & bed things
we’re right at the age that Shay is ready to start using a pillow! so this year, I’ll be investing in a few items for his bed that we can continue using as he transitions to a big kid bed (probably later in 2024!) I also somehow only have one sheet for his crib (and it’s accidentally pink, lol) so I’m going to upgrade that too! I love WildBird’s baby selection, so that’s where I’m looking for these items. Their bundle tool is great for saving money, plus you can add the code HAYDEN10 on top for additional savings!
+ CloudBlend PJs Long Sleeve / Short Sleeve / Footed
How the bundle tool works: buy any 2 items and get free shipping. buy any 3 items and get free shipping + 10% off. buy any 4 items, get free shipping + 15% off. plus HAYDEN10 for an additional 10% off!
02 / a good pair of sneakers
I’ve been on the hunt for some toddler sneakers that have flexible, barefoot-like soles, and let me tell ya- there are not many options out there. These from Reima are a good option if you like barefoot soles! I’ve also been looking at Vans, as they don’t have arch support built in. I loveee these green ones!
03 / snowsuit
thankfully in VA, we don’t get true “winter” (or snow, usually) until after the new year, so we have time to throw this one on the christmas list! here are a few snowsuit options in a variety of price ranges:
H&M Water Repellent Snowsuit / $65
Old Navy Recycled Snow Bibs / $40
The North Face Baby ThermoBall Snowsuit / $120
04 / play table & chairs
we get so much use out of this play table & chair set from Lalo! Shay eats snacks, colors, plays with blocks, and so much more- and I know it will only continue to get more use! it also comes with free extra large coloring sheets that cover the whole table, which are so handy! we keep the same coloring sheet on for a few weeks, and he just colors it as he feels like it.
05 / helper tower
this helper tower has singlehandedly been the best purchase of Shay’s toddler life thus far. He loves being involved in the kitchen, so this has been a game changer for me being able to use my hands and be productive, while also getting him involved. this one from Piccalio is the one we bought, and it comes with a free mini wooden knife. I also grabbed the safety net, just to make it even more secure!
06 / rainboots
this is another one that’s thinking ahead. we’re going be spending so much time outside & in the garden this spring, so rainboots will get such good use! Also, Shay just loves putting on everyone else’s boots, so I’m sure these will be his new favorites! I love these from Zara, but they’re a little pricey- I also linked some in the Amazon storefront that are more affordable, several cute colors, & have great reviews!
The Toys:
01 / Magnatiles
We learned at daycare that Shay loves these Magnatiles, so they’re definitely at the top of our list for him. He actually has some of another off-brand with open faces, but he hasn’t gotten into them. A few friends shared these neutral ones, and I’m excited to get them for him this year! I love that they are open-ended and he can truly use them for years to come.
02 / Mini Ring Sling
if you’re a mama with an older sibling or a babe who just loves the concept of babywearing, these mini ring slings are PRECIOUS! I can’t speak to the transition of babies becoming older siblings, but I feel like this could be so helpful for mamas navigating that transition, as they get to feel special wearing their dolls/stuffed animals as you babywear too!
03 / Surfer Balance Board
For my boy who loves adventure, climbing, and basically all things dangerous, I know he would LOVE this thing. It’s also great for teaching balance, coordination, creativity and gross motor skills, which, of course, I love in a toy!
04 / Balance Bike
Shay got this balance bike for Christmas last year and has recently been loving it! I want to get him a helmet this year so that we can take it outside to the driveway too. and for less than $50, this one makes such a great gift!
05 / Yoto Card Player
This is a screen-free audio player that allows kids to listen to stories without the potential for exposure to unwanted content. There are no ads, no cameras, and no microphones, so everything is controlled by you as the parent & the cards you play! I’ll link some additional card packs & the storage case here in the Amazon storefront for today’s gift guide too!
06 / Books – do these count as toys??
Shay is obsessed with books right now, and I pray he continues to be! He picks up so much for books and it’s my goal to foster his early learning as much as I can by introducing him to beautiful books. Here are a few I have my eyes on!
+ Big Theology For Little Hearts: this collection of six books looks so good! the books cover the Gospel, the Church, Creation, Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit.
+ Be A Maker, by Katey Howes: “How many things can you make in a day? A tower, a friend, a change?”
+ We All Play, by Julie Flett: A BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: New York Times, Washington Post, New York Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, Globe and Mail, Horn Book, and Boston Globe
+ Garden Time and Music, by Jill McDonald: early learning board books
+ Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, by Kate Messner: Nature Book for Kids, Gardening and Vegetable Planting, Outdoor Nature Book
+ Over and Under the Pond, by Kate Messner: Environment and Ecology Books for Kids, Children’s Oceanography Books
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