2. Colorku: Like Soduku, but instead of using numbers to solve the puzzles, Colorku uses brightly colored wooden balls. Bonus: it looks nice when (inevitably) left out on the table. (Also at Uncommon Goods)
4. Know someone who is just starting to write his or her own stories? Gift them a blank Comic Book. (Graphic novels like Dogman and Captain Underpants are all the rage in our house right now, and could pair well.)
6. There’s good reason why the magician’s shop is still open at Disneyland: kids love to surprise and perform. This magic kit is well-suited to beginners. (Here’s one for older kids.)
7. My favorite thing is discovering new games that the kids are excited to play. Zingo is Skyler’s current favorite (she can play it with her friends). For older kids, try Perfection (a pick from my childhood) or Rush Hour (an absolute classic), or Catan—the junior edition!
8. How cute is this Dyson Vacuum for Kids? It has the popping balls they love, but it really works!
9. These Body Magnets them see how they’re put together. All of the anatomy is labeled in 9 different languages. (P.S. This company, Janod, makes lots of great Magnet toys.)
10. Fort Magic is a 354 Piece Fort Building & Construction Toy Kit with endless possibilities. It’s a bit of an investment, but the reviews are glowing!
11. If your kids are enticed by Chewing Gum, give them a lesson in making their own: The Chewing Gum Lab.
12. I’ve sung their praises before: Brio Pull Along Toys are so well made and young children love them! (The Dachsund is classic, and I can vouch for its staying upright at nearly all speeds, but there’s also a bee, a duck, a helicopter… )
13. Door Pong: Like Ping Pong without the table. The best part? You can play it alone, too.
14. The Balance Bike really does make learning to ride a bike a breeze. However, it can be hard to find cute ones that are still appropriately lightweight at a good value. This one fits the bill!
15. Folkmanis Puppets are made in the Bay Area and are the best quality plush puppets! Skyler would love that fluffy cat or the snowy owl.
16. We’ve been getting into clay recently. Hey Clay would be a great starter set. And if you want to try making a stop-action movie with it, there’s an app for that!
19. Nailpolish for little ones: super-gentle, water-based formulas that don’t need removers— just use hot water and soap, or take them off right in the bath!
20. Looking for Dress-up supplies that aren’t tied to specific character? This set has accessories for a Princess, Unicorn, Superhero, Mermaid and an Angel.
21. Magnatiles continue to be one of my top gift suggestions, year after year. They’re an investment, but totally worth it. Love these cheerful, opaque ones.
22. Our friends have this mini Air Hockey Table and all of our children (from a pre-K to a Junior high kid) play together on it.
24. They’ll look more delicious than ever! An Ice Cream Sundae or Bacon and Eggs sweater from Crewcuts. (Sorry, Sold Out.)
What are the children in your life asking for this year?
The best children’s gifts are timeless enough to please year after year. If these ideas aren’t working, take a look at these gift guide from the past few years: 2017—I carry a couple of those multi-color crayons in my purse at all times; 2016—Hudson took that camera all over Italy this summer; 2015—I bet the kids would enjoy that little fairy door!
P.S. Previously: This year’s Gift Guides for Her and for Him; Coming up: Gift Guide for Everyone Else
2. New York’s Essa Bagel is, sadly, 2,800 miles away from Davis. If your fellow is also missing the taste and chew of real East Coast bagels, there’s good news. Goldbelly will deliver.
4. Chic, wide-stripe pajamas. They could read Wes-Anderson-inspired on a younger man or totally classic on a grandpa. Pair with the Sunday crossword. (Update: Similar or Similar)
5. Our friends gave Aron a Yeti Rambler Mug, and it really is a good design: Dishwasher safe, double-walled… “It will keep [his] drinks as cold (or hot) as science allows.”
6. Epicurian Cutting Boards are amazing. We have one in the thin black and it’s awesome because it covers all the bases (it won’t dull your knives; is easy to clean; doesn’t harbor bacteria; is heat-resistant up to 350°F; and is dishwasher safe), but it looks good, too. These handled ones, however, look even better—I want one!
12.He’s trying to ditch the plastic wrap. All the better for the cheese. Help him out with a Cheese Vault. (Also at Amazon, in different colors.)
13. For a nice, classic dress shirt (trusted quality, good value, and wrinkle-free), check out the Nordstrom’s Smartware line. It comes in the updated Trim Fit and traditional.
14. The Nintendo NES Classic will take him back—only its smaller, sleeker, and pre-loaded with 30 games for only $60. (Or, for a bit less nostalgia, consider the new Switch.)
If none of these ideas is just right for him, look to experiences—perhaps a spa day or a concert together. Or a gift card to one of his favorite stores: one for Nordstrom to use at their January men’s half-yearly sale would be nice.
More inspiration…
I’ve been putting together gift guides for many years and I often find myself going back to past guides for gift-giving inspiration even now. Just in case you’d like to do the same, check out these previous Gift Guides for Him.
Yesterday: Gifts for her. Coming up next: Gift guides for the kiddos and for everyone else.
2. Surprise her with an overnight getaway and a Lipault Spinner. So light and collapsible—we have two, and like that they are easy for the kids to maneuver. Comes in black or bright colors.
3. Personalized stationery—choices range from the serious to the whimsical. This watercolor set, shown in jade green, is lovely! Add a book of Forever stamps.
4. The most current take on the ankle boot trend goes further up the leg. She can try it out with this suede pair from & Other Stories. (For a similar look, Dolce Vita makes one in animal print, Bay Area-based Freda Salvador has a more luxe take in embossed croc, and Anthro has them in rust brown.)
6. Every mom I know could honestly sport this Professional Enthusiast sweatshirt! (Update: Of A Kind closed in October of 2019—sorry if you had your heart set on this!)
16. A bottle of Himalayan Salt Polish and Rose Oil. Add in a salon appointment or block off some time for an at-home spa day.
17. A discovery set of cult-favorite Le Labo fragrances, with the most popular formulations, made from ingredients like rose petals and grass or fresh, clean Bergamot is sure to please.
18. Can one really have too many pairs of sunglasses? (Tip: If you’re not sure what shape will best suit her, you could gift a Warby Parker gift card with the Home Try-on service.)
19. A cross-body leather tote she can take anywhere. I love the Madewell Medium Transport Tote. Or, if you’re going for heirloom level, the Hulme excursion bag is a classic (handmade in Minnesota since 1905, it comes with a lifetime guarantee).
21. She’ll love the delicate look of this organic-shaped hoop earring—and not having to worry about it falling out.
If none of these ideas is just right for her, look to experiences—even just a night out for dinner and a movie—or perhaps a gift card to one of her favorite stores. Anthropologie and Madewell are two of my top picks.
P.S. On More inspiration… I’ve been putting together gift guides for many years and I often find myself going back to past guides for gift-giving inspiration even now. Just in case you’d like to do the same…
2017: That nailpolish is a weekly mainstay. | 2016: Reminds me, I still need to watch the Freaks & Geeks documentary! | 2015: I’d forgotten about that rose parfum. Stand by all of it. | 2014: Aw, Friday Night Lights. I miss you. Also, I still need to read that Nora Ephron book. |2013: I finally got that robe off my wishlist… last year! Also, six other items that I still use on a weekly basis. | And a few guides made specifically with mothers in mind. This and this. (I still make those little photo books every year, and that cake… oh my.)
