I didn't plan on posting a gift guide so I may be a little late on this, but after being asked a few times what to get my daughter Quinn, I decided to share some of my ideas with you.
We try to be intentional about what we bring into our home because space is limited and we don't want it to be cluttered with toys, etc. My thought when we moved in was to create a "lived in" space that felt both creative and playful for Quinn while keeping in mind the overall flow of our small, shared space.
Whether you're on the giving or receiving end, the goal is to keep out the excess clutter, stick with necessities and sprinkle in some fun.
GIFT IDEAS:
1. Little Fund
Little Fund is a site where you can add experience buckets for your child and people can contribute to them. We used it for Quinn's birthday and loved it. Here's a description in their own words and I couldn't agree more:
"Clutter-Less"
Littlefund gifts help parents manage the overwhelming influx of toys and clothing in their homes that end up as the #1 waste for overcrowded landfills. Promote mindful consumption over hyper-consumption for children as they grow.
2. Experiences
Some ideas are National Parks, aquariums, museums, discovery centers and classes. This is also a great gift if people want to buy one gift for the whole family.
3. Clothes
Quinn started preschool last month and we haven't shopped for her for awhile. Now that she's growing out of most of her clothes, we are trying to choose ethical, basic necessities from places like Mini Mioche or Pact. Whether it's clothes, a backpack, school supplies, etc. look for necessities and make those a priority on your child's list.
4. Snack Packs
Creating thoughtful snack packs or care packages are both useful and fun. My sister didn't want to give Quinn just clothes because although a necessity, this two-year-old isn't excited about clothes. She decided to add a snack pack for some excitement to her gift.
5. A charity on their behalf
Pick a charity that resonates with your family. Quinn loves animals so we selected an animal shelter that's special to us.
6. Toys
For toys, we look for compact toys and/or arts and crafts that will keep her busy for several hours a day and not just a few minutes.
7. Books
As much as I love the library, the children's section at our library is somewhat limited. Unlike me, she tends to want to read the same books repeatedly so I'm ok with receiving a few books and giving away or donating ones that we aren't reading often.
8. Gift cards
As boring as it sounds, gift cards always come in handy for necessary future purchases. Some people think they are thoughtless - I think they are quite thoughtful.
TIPS:
1. Be specific - it's totally ok and even helpful to provide links to items.
2. Range of prices - be considerate of budgets and list items that range in price.
3. For groups, organize a gift exchange - each child will go home with one gift that they want or need and it makes shopping easier for everyone.
4. One in and one out - do an inventory check after the holidays and donate items that are no longer being used.
Happy gifting!
DISCLAIMER: I haven't even started on my list but I plan on keeping it simple, thoughtful and stress-free!
SOURCES: gift image via Pinterest 1. image via Littlefund 3. Mini Mioche Snug Pants 5. image via GiveWP 7. All My Treasures: A Book of Joy (Growing Hearts)
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