Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Things Patti Would Love

Yesterday, one of the bloggers I follow shared her “delusional wishlist”. TBH, this absolutely hits. I feel like everything off the top of my head that I would love as a Christmas present fall into two categories: things that just go in my bathroom and things that are way bigger and don’t necessarily fit into a present box.

To close out our gift guides and the month of November, here are the things Patti (would) love for the holidays:

Continue reading

Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Things Mary Would Love

As the holiday season approaches, my friends and family inevitably ask, “What do you want for Christmas?”
Honestly, I never know how to respond. Since I usually buy what I need or want as part of the never-ending Mom To-Do list, it’s hard to come up with thoughtful gift ideas. But this year, social media has definitely given me some inspiration. So call me influenced.

Here are the things I (would) love this holiday season:

Continue reading

Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Child(ish) Reads

We’re ending the week with books for kids 0-10. Publishing categories fairly closely match up with age groups, so we’re listing books by type this time. It also should go without saying that these should be physical books. We would hold off with eBooks until middle school, or when your kid can read on a device without it affecting their vision or attention.

Here are our book picks for 2024:

Continue reading

Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Middle Grades 8+

This category is new for us but TBH, the toys and games in this age range have upped their game in the last couple of years.

Around ages 8-12, kids make big strides in many areas of development. Their skill refinement allows for:

  • Improved attention, problem solving, and critical thinking
  • The ability to strengthen friendships and resolve conflicts more efficiently
  • Participation in skill-based activities requiring refined motor movements
  • The ability to express themselves more clearly
  • Increased independence and thought

Here are our recommendations for kids 8+:

Continue reading

Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Preschool and Early Elementary

This has got to be the largest list we’ve put together to date, but not just because we love toys.

Kids at this age are achieving key developmental milestones and improving their executive functions, allowing for better focus and memory. As they continue to refine their skills, they enjoy social play, seek friendly competition, pursue independence by testing limits, try new things, and make new friends.

Not only did we pick a ton of toys and games geared towards these age-range skills, but we also chose practical items to encourage independence, and bigger, family-friendly gifts that include your littlest.

Here are our gift picks for kids 3-7:

Continue reading