Knowing what to buy the kids this Christmas can be really hard, especially if they haven’t asked for anything specific, or they already seem to have everything and you’re running out of unique ideas. Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for some inspiration for what to buy the kids this Christmas then check out our list of suggestions below that range from birth through to teenagers.
From birth to age 2
Bath products
If you are buying for a tiny baby, it may be better to buy something that you know the parents will use with the baby, like some luxurious bath products. Chances are babies will have already received lots of gifts due to baby showers and birth gifts. If you do want to opt for bath products, then these ones from Joone are lovely. They are high quality, eco-responsible, traceable and transparently produced parent and baby products made in France.
Their baby products include
Baby wipes
Hair and body wash
Moisturising milk
Micellar cleansing water
These items can be bought individually or as gift sets.
Bath Toys
Bath time is a super fun time with the under twos. They love to splash and experiment with water so bath toys make great gifts. This Peppa Pig one is sure to be a big hit with both the boys and the girls as it features Grandpa Pig and Peppa on board the boat. Both the characters are removable for play and both can be used as squirters too. The deck is also removable and can be used to move and sieve water and transfer it in to the moveable the steering wheel in the middle of the boat, offering lots of play and explorative options for little ones.
Art Work
Art work can be the perfect gift for a young baby as it will grow with them, doesn’t take up any floor space and will last. If you know what their nursery or bedroom is like you can choose a lovely piece to complement the décor, if not you can opt for a more neutral piece or a loving quote such as the I Love You To The Moon And Back print pictured below.
For an extra touch you could also get it framed so it is ready for the parents to hang.
If you would like to order a print from Hidden Prints then use my code TSF15 for 15% off.
Babby Carrier
Most babies under 2 love to be carried but this isn’t always easy if you need to use your hands, so a baby carrier is ideal. If the parents don’t already have one or could do with an upgrade, then I recommend the Babybjorn Harmony 3D mesh carrier which has a wide seat area and adjustable head support, and it is made of cool mesh with soft jersey details. This baby carrier is suitable from birth and can be used to carry baby in 4 different positions. It is available in 6 colours including the very cute Dusty Pink pictured below.
Muslins
Muslins are the gift that keep on giving when you have a baby. They are so versatile and are always handy too have nearby. The Etta Loves muslins were designed alongside an in-house orthoptist to ensure that they are also beneficial to baby as they support visual development. Not only are the Etta Loves muslins squares super handy for mum and beneficial for baby but they are also made from organic cotton and are lovely and soft too. They come in packs of three with a different design on each one to keep baby occupied.
Clothing
Buying clothes for under twos is guarenteed to be appreciated by the parents as this is the stage where they grow the quickest moving from one size to the next seemingly overnight but also the time when they require 3-4 outfit changes on a good day! In my opinion no under 2 can have too many clothes.
Of course, if you are buying clothes as a gift you want to make sure it is something special and for that reason you should check out Blade & Rose.
Blade & Rose are famous for their cosy stretchy knitted leggings with quirky nappy bottoms and matching tops. There is so much choice for both boys and girls with lots of unisex options too including their Xmas range pictured below.
Personalised blanket
Another option that babies will love and parents will be grateful for is a blanket and as it’s a gift why not go the extra mile and have it personalised with their name on. This will make it extra special for them and show you have really put some thought into their gift.
Bloomsbury Mill have beautiful organic cotton cellular blankets available in 6 colours that can be embellished with any name. Cellular blankets are without a doubt the best ones to use with babies as they have the breathable material and cell technology that keeps them warm in winter and cool in the summer making these a useful gift that can also become a keepsake.
Personalised book
Buying a gift for a baby or a toddler can get tricky as they often already have loads of toys. If this is the case for the child you are buying for them a personalised book from Super Personalised Books may be the perfect gift.
Personalised books are not just fun gifts that kids love but they also make wonderful educational gifts that encourage reading as well as heart warming keepsakes the child can treasure for years to come. With Super Personalised Books you can not only insert the name of the child into the story but you can also change the characteristics of the main character so that they look like the child you are buying for. This will really help to make them feel like this book is all about them.
Super Personalised Books start from £15 and they have loads of stories to choose from, from holiday themed ones like Christmas, activities like football and more imaginative tales like unicorns as well as lots more. You are sure to find the right book for you little one.
Geomag blocksÂ
The award winning Geomag brand is one most people are familiar with but usually for their building sets that are aimed at older children. They do, however, also have a range perfect for those aged 1-5, the Geomag Magicube sets. These blocks are bright, colourful, chunky and easy to build with as they are magnetic blocks. They are great for helping improve finger dexterity and hand eye coordination and they are also eco friendly as they are made from 100% recycled plastic.
The 3-4 year olds
For those aged between three and four you can usually start to focus on their likes and dislikes a little bit more, such as favourite cartoon characters, animals or careers. That being said lots of people will do the same and the child may well end up with duplicate gifts or something they may soon go off if they get bored of that particular theme. For that reason I have chosen a few different ideas that I think all 3-4 year olds will love.
Wooden Toys
I am a big fan of wooden toys. They are more eco-friendly than plastic ones and they also look nicer and seem a little bit more special when bought as a gift. Here are two that I particularly like for pre schoolers.
Kidoki Teeter Totter shapes
This wooden game is just adorable. The shapes and colours will really appeal to the children and the activity of getting the pieces to balance are great for developing fine motor skills and hand eye co-ordination, not to mention when everything falls down it usually results in giggles. The Teeter Totter shapes is also a relatively small game and doesn’t require much room to play which makes it a great one for taking with you when visiting friends or family or going out for a meal to keep them occupied at the table.
Animal mix up game
The animal mix up game is another brilliant wooden toy that can be taken with you on your travels. It consists of 30 pieces of animal faces, hats and tops that can be mixed and matched to create some crazy looking creatures. This game is good fun and great for the imagination but can also be used to help identify different animals and put the correct pieces together too.
Educational fun
Another way to avoid the cartoon themes and duplicate gifts is to look at educational games which, trust me, will definitely be appreciated by the parents.
Froggy Feeding Fun
One of my go to places for educational toys for my children and God children is Learning Resources, they have so much choice and the quality is brilliant. This Froggy Feeding Fun game is perfect for those aged three and over. The idea of the game is to roll the dice and then catch that number of flies, simple, yet effective. Playing this game will help your child develop their fine motor skills as they manipulate the frog in order to catch the flies, recognise the numbers on the dice and count the correct number of flies, all whilst having fun.
Playfoam shape and learnÂ
Another set of products that I love from Learning Resources are the Playfoam sets. This particular one is the shape and learn letter sounds set and it encourages children to use the mouldable play foam to copy the shape of the letter on the cards. Again, this activity has a number of benefits including finger dexterity, letter recognition and sounds and identifying the first letter of certain animals and objects all whilst having fun and being creative.
My Bedtime Story
My Bedtime Story is a really cute gift for those aged 3 and over. It comes with a torch and a projector and enables your child to watch and listed to 6 classic stories with 96 enchanting illustrations. You do not need a projector screen for this, although you can of course use one, but instead the torch will project the images onto any blank wall, great for bedtime stories.
Books
As a real book worm I think books make the perfect gift no matter the age but colourful and funny books are perfect for pre schoolers.
UH oh milo book the excited elf
The Uh Oh Molo The Excited Elf book will make a beautiful gift this Christmas with its bright colours and lovely illustrations.It tells the tale of Milo, Mary and their magical Granny as they meet a mischief making elf just before Christmas.
If you would prefer to opt for a more general story as opposed to a festive one then there are lots of books to choose from in the Uh Oh Milo range, you will be sure to find something your little one will love.
Headphones
If your three-year-old is a fan of music, youtube, or cartoons then wireless headphones can be a great gift for them and a sanity saver for the parents too. The Buddyphones wireless headphones give you the peace of mind that they can’t accidently get themselves tangled up in wires as well as reassuring you that they won’t damage their ears as they have a safe audio option. It also means that when screen time is a must, like travelling on long journeys, you don’t need to listen to Peppa pig or Cocomelon on repeat. The Buddyphones POP wireless headphones come in four different colours each one with an additional four designs that can be swapped on changed on the outside of the ear covering, so there is something for everyone from animals to DJ’s, patterns to plain colours.
Dozy Dinkum Dolls
If you are looking for a doll for a child this Christmas then the Dozy Dinkum Dolls are adorable. They are suitable from birth, light weight and made from 100% outer cotton. They come in the cutest little outfits that are fixed, so no need to worry about losing bits and having to contend with the toddler. The other great thing about the Dozy Dinkum Dolls is that they are soft and cuddly but also posable so perfect for nap time and play time alike. There are currently 16 to choose from with a range of skin tones, hair colours and outfits.
Colour your own table cloth
If you are buying for a child that likes to colour or draw then check our Eat Sleep Doodle. They have a whole range of products that your child can colour in themselves. We have previously used their pencil case and pillow cases, both a big hit in our house. This year however I am recommended the table cloth. This is perfect for using on the big days itself as it will keep everyone, not just the child, entertained between courses as they colour away at the dinner table, or for a less formal day like boxing day.
Clothing
Blade & Rose
If you are wanting to buy clothes for your 3-4 year old (or other ages) then again I urge you to check out Blade and Rose. Not only do they have the festive range featured above but they also have lots of everyday designs including this lovely unicorn set. Their leggings are so soft and comfy and dodnt restrict movement at all so great for thos that love to run, jump and climb all day long.
Coat
A winter coat can also make a great gift and Muddy Puddles have some wonderful ones to choose from including this EcoSplash Waterproof Jacket. This lovely coat is fleece lined making it lovely and snuggly on the inside whilst remaining waterproof on the outside. It is available in 4 different designs and in sizes from 18-24 months all the way up to 11-12 years.
The 5-8 year olds
The 5-8 year olds are our infant aged children. School is now a big part of their life and so too are their friends, so getting the right presents can sometimes be easier as they are full of tales about what their friends are asking for. But if you are still stuck for ideas here are a few suggestions.
Speaker
For those aged between 5-8 music is usually becoming a thing. They start to develop their own sense of style, likes and dislikes and you’ll often catch them repeating the lyrics to their favourite songs, so getting them a speaker for their own room makes perfect sense. This means they can sing, dance and learn the lyrics to their hearts content without taking over the family rooms.
Planet buddies is a brand we have used before and can recommend. They have Bluetooth speakers available in two designs; Olive the Owl, pictured below, and Pepper the Penguin. Both have 4 hours of play time, a 33ft wireless range and connect easily to most mobile devices. As well as creating great products Planet Buddies is also a really worthwhile company to support this Christmas as they are environmental conscious and dedicated to raising awareness of endangered animals all over the world.
Fidget Toys
Fidget toys are all the rage at the moment, especially for children in primary school. They are great at keeping children occupied and their hands busy which is perfect when you are out and about. These tangle pets by Zuru are cute and easy to use, small enough to fit in your pocket and best of all there are several to collect.
Geomag set
Geomag sets never get old, I mentioned their younger range earlier but here I would like to recommend their older sets. They are brilliant for keeping children engaged for hours at a time. Geomag have loads of sets to choose from and like lego, it doesn’t matter if they already have one set another set will still be loved and used too as they all build something different. This Geomag Mechanics Challenge strike! set is the construction platform that combines the forces of magnetism with a world of mechanical construction, i allows the child to build something that once completed they can actually continue to play with.
Boards games
Board games are another great gift idea for those aged between 5-8. Especially if you opt for games that you can enjoy as a family. Board games offer lots of benefits to kids including fun and family time but also lessons on turn taking, being a gracious winner and loosing without a tantrum! Lessons that may take a while to learn but will be worth it in the end. Here are a couple of recommendations for games this Christmas.
Eye spy
If you’re child isn’t already big on games then eye-spy by Chatwell games is a great introductory one. It is easy to play, isn’t too competitive and is great for helping children practice their phonics. The idea is to place the picture boards down on a table and then flip a letter card over and find something beginning with that later as fast as you can. It is easy in theory but hilarious how everyone forgets their letters once the clock is ticking.
Bake it happen
Bake it happen is a great family game. The idea is to collect the ingredients that you need to complete as many recipes as you can whilst also sabotaging your opponent’s and hoping they don’t sabotage you. The game comes with a real baker’s hat that can be used to crown the winner, question is will it be you?! This game is aimed at those aged 6 and over and you ideally need 3 or more players.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol Game
If you are looking fr a family festive board game then the Mickey’s Christmas Carol game is the one for you. It is suitable for those aged 4 and over and can accommodate 2-4 players. The aim of the game is to complete the puzzles before the time runs out.
Computer Games
If the child you are buying a gift for has a games console, then maybe you could buy them a new game for it. Most games are available as digital downloads or discs these days. Digital downloads are perfect for those that you won’t see over the festive period as there is no need to worry about posting it you can simply give them the code but for those you will see a disc is always nicer as it gives them something to open.
DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace
Super pets is a game for those that love animals and action. It is inspired by the film DC League of super-pets and is aimed at those between 5-9.
“The fate of Metropolis is in the paws of DC’s iconic Super–Pets Krypto and Ace as they set off on a new high-flying adventure to take on Superman’s arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. Using his vast intellect and resources, Lex has hatched a plan to capture the stray animals around the city, and it’s up to you to put a stop to him!”
Dragon legends of the nine realms
Dragon Legends of the nine realms is inspired by the new TV series which is set 1,300 years after the events of How To Train Your Dragon. You can play as Night light Dragon Thunder and his friends as they adventure through the different Realms to try and save his family. This game is aimed at those aged between 7-11.
Arts and crafts
Arts and craft sets make great gifts but as the children get older the usual pots of paints don’t seem as appealing. Now is the time to introduce them to more specific sets where they have to make an item start to finish that they can then keep. This will help keep them engaged, open them up to the world of art through different techniques and teach them a new skill. The LOLA , Lots of Lovely Ary sets, are perfect for this.
Fabulous fabrics
Fabulous fabrics is just one of many LOLA boxes you can chose from. This particular box provides you with everything you need to create a number of different art projects with the main attraction being the tote bag. As well as the art materials, tote and instructions this set includes a booklet introducing the theme, with information about artists, art styles and techniques which is perfect for any budding artist who not only wants to create their own art but also wats to learn about the art world too.
Cadburys ChocolateÂ
Another popular option with the 5-8 years olds is sweet treats and Cadburys chocolates have got to be up their with the best of them. Especially when it comes to Christmas selection boxes. Cadburys have this awesome double deck selection box available which is crammed full of all the Cadburys favourites as well as an extra selection box hidden inside.
If this seems like too much chocolate (although I am not convinced that’s a thing) then they also have smaller selection boxes on offer and amazing advent calendars like the one below where your child will need to ration their intake to one a day.
The 9-11 year olds
Nine to 11 year olds, the juniors, the tweens, call them what you will they are by far the hardest age to buy for in my opinion. Too old and too cool for most toys but most likely too young for the things they actually ask for. But fear not we do have a few suggestions.
Brain bolt
Although games are becoming less of a thing now your child is in juniors the brain bolt is still bound to be a big hit. It is an addictive memory game that will have your child not only challenging themselves but also the whole family and as it is only small in size it is perfect for taking with you when travelling.
Kanoodle genius
Kanoodle Genius is a fab game for the over 9’s. It can be played solo or against others and is great for getting their brains active. It comes with over 200 2D and 3D puzzles for them to solve and will keep them busy for ages. It’s also relatively small so makes a great table gift or stocking filler.
Got itÂ
Another brilliant game that gets the brain working is Got It! The idea is to answer the questions by decoding them but can you do it quick enough? There are 960 general knowledge challenges using 8 different codes for you to crack including braille and morse code.
Deface Race
If you want a game you can all play together over the Christmas period then this is it, fast paced, easy to understand and absolutely hilarious. Deface Race is a fast-paced family game. The DEFACER scribbles on the picture card to ‘deface’ the picture into a character for their teammates to guess. The teammates have to guess as many ‘deface’ characters as they can within the 30-second timer. Next round Team 2 do the same – the team with the most guesses WINS!
Human anatomy model of the body
For those aged 9-11 toys become less interesting and presents become harder to get. Another idea is to go for something that will help make education fun and interesting, especially as they start to prepare for high school where they will have new lessons such as Biology as opposed to the more generic science they have in primary schools. Learning resources is mentioned a lot on my blog as I truly love their products and educational games and for the 9-11 year olds I recommend their anatomy sets.
There are a few to choose from but the one I really like is the human body anatomy display model which comes with 31 parts that can be removed, studied and replaced. It is brilliant for helping them learn the names of the various organs but also being able to really visualise and understand where they all fit within the body.
The high schoolers!
If you are shopping for a high schooler then I wish you the best of luck! Aside from all things electronic, gaming or make up related we have come up with a couple of other suggestions for you.
Mobile Phone
Once the kids hit high school a mobile phone is top of their list if they haven’t already got one, and to be fair now they are traveling to and from school alone, going out with their mates after school and at weekends and maybe even going to extra curriculum clubs without you to chances are they will need one for safety reasons. If you are thinking of treating your teenager to a phone then I can recommend the TLC 36O. You can purchase it on a contract or as sim only whatever works best for you.
The TLC 360 is great for teenagers as it has
- 6.52″ V-Notch screen
- 2 day battery life (usage dependant)
- Tripple rear camera
- 5MP Front camera with HDR and Auto Capture
- Face recognition
- Fingerprint sensors
Phone accessoriesÂ
If you are buying your teenager a phone this year then accessories will make for great stocking fillers, table gifts or gifts from family members.
Wide-Angle Selfie Lens
This little gadget is a great addition to any pone but especially one that belongs to a teenager that loves nothing more than taking the perfect selfie! The Wide-angle selfie lens clips easily on to any smart phone over the camera, it will the widen the shot automatically (no app required) allowing you to get everyone in the picture. It is perfect for Christmas, or dare I say it, teenage parties!
A phone stand
Another great gift idea for the tech savvy teenagers is a phone stand and this one from Kikkerland is perfect at only £10. It enables them to use their phone hands free, perfect for streaming or taking endless selfies, it can be adjusted up to 45 degrees, has space to connect the phone charger and an anti-slip weighted tray at the bottom for bits and pieces like their headphone case.
Futliit back pack
The Futliit back pack is a revelation! It has been designed with a group of teenagers to ensure it meets their requirements as well as having LED lights on so that it can double up as a piece of visibility equipment when walking in the dark, keeping both child and parent happy. The lights can be turned on from a button on the strap so in the light it looks like any other school bag but when it gets dark it can be turned on very quickly with no need to remove the bag to look for switches.
Games
Board games are definitely not just for little kids. We often have family games nights in our house, especially around Christmas time and as long as you make sure the games are age appropriate you are sure to find yo can coax your teenagers out of their room for an hour for the right one.
Spot the intro
One such game is Spot the intro by Cheatwell games. This game is specifically aimed at those over 14, contains music from the last 6 decades and requires a smart phone, all of which will entice the teenagers and help to ensure them that this isn’t a little kids game. It’s also a great way to have a laugh with your kids and introduce each other to music from the different eras.
Computer games
Most teenagers these days have a games console of some description so why not find out which one they have and treat them to a new game. If you are looking for a game they can play by themselves but that can also be played as two player with friends and family over the festive period then I highly recommend Goat Simulator. This game now has a third version available which is just as hilarious as the first two but with added fun and more events to enjoy. You do not need to be a seasoned gamer to understand Goat Simulator as it is easy to play, making it perfect for everyone over Christmas, even the grandparents. Simply become a goat, customise your look, and head butt, kick and lick your way around San Angora!
Goat simulator 3 is available as a Goat in a box gift set that includes the game, steelbook, 3 postcards, a double Sided Poster and a goat plushie.
Urbanista Lisbon earbuds
Most high schoolers love listening to music, gaming, watching you tube on their phone or using an ipad and therefore will be thrilled with a air of these Urbanista Lisbon ear buds that will give them that little bit more privacy. These earbuds are
and available in a range of cool colours.
Books
If your teenager likes to read, then use Christmas as a chance to encourage this as a hobby and introduce them to new genres and authors.
Jump
Jump by J G Nolan is humorous and heart-warming and all about following your dreams. It tells the tale of a boy who dreams of being a professional footballer and the only thing holding him back is his ability to break bones. After he breaks his leg for the third time it looks like his dream is really over, but is it?
Chocolate
Most kids love chocolate and those that do will probably love festive chocolate even more. But as a high schooler they are probably a little to cool for the off the shelf regular range so why not treat them to some fancy chocolates instead. These Monetzumas chocolate are a must try, if not for them then for you! They have lots of flavours the sweetest salted caramel and white chocolate balls to the strongest and darkest 100% cocoa chocolate I have ever tried. They definitely cater for all taste buds and you will be hard pushed to not find something they love.
They also have advent calendars too if you haven’t bought those yet.
Art work
Art work isn’t just for nursery’s, I am also recommending it for the teenagers too. You could opt for a nice picture, a meaningful quote or a portrait of their favourite sportsman, singer or actor. Hidden Prints have some great pieces available and don’t forget if you use code TSF15 you get 15% off.
Jewellery
Jewellery, whether for boys or girls, can also be a great gift. For the lads, or those that like more geder neutral options, I recommend Trendhim every time and for the more famine pieces I recommend Luluh Lane.
TrendhimÂ
Trendhim is one of my all-time favourite websites when shopping for men. They have everything from sunglasses to tie clips, watches to bags as well as jewellery. For teenagers I think their range of beaded bracelets are perfect.
Luluh Lane
Luluh Lane’s zodiac jewellery is perfect for teenagers. They have beautiful Zodiac sign iridescent shell necklaces with matching Zodiac sign and coloured crystal thumb rings that are fun, personal and not too expensive. They also arrive lovingly gift wrapped in cute boxes making them look a lot more expensive than they are.
Check out this gift guide for more ideas on what to buy those tricky teenagers this Christmas.
I hope this has given you some ideas for what to buy the kids this Christmas regardless of their age. But most of all I hope you all have a wonderful festive time.
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