What's actually on our kids' Christmas gift lists to Santa this year
This ultimate list of gifts was chosen by our own children, aged 4 to 9...
If you’re looking for Christmas gifting inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. Charlotte and I have been super organised this year (well, we’ve made a list at least) and have been keeping a note of all the toys and gifts that our children have loved playing with over the past year at various playdates and parties. Plus, we’ve attended press days and sorted through the hundreds of press releases to pull together this tightly curated gift guide, suitable for children aged 4 to 9 years!
While all the products in this newsletter have been independently chosen by us. If you do buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission on some of the items.
On Izzie’s gift list (age 5)…
1. Connetix Tiles 102 Rainbow Creative Pack, £85.46, The Kid Collective
Ever since playing with these at a friend’s christening party for hours on end (there were a few squabbles between some of the kids as to who had which tiles despite there being over 100, naturally), these have been hot property and very much on Izzie’s wish list. She may have to fight her little brother for them though…
2. Ooly Chromablends Pearlescent Watercolour Paints, £12, The Kid Collective
Izzie has become a big fan of whiling away weekend afternoons painting and has really got into watercolours recently. Given the amount of unicorns that get painted, I think these pastel-coloured pearlescent paints will go down a treat.
3. 3-in-1 foldable Easel, £68, Vertbaudet
As you might have gathered from present 2, Izzie adores sitting at her craft table and is constantly drawing – often when she should be putting on clothes/eating breakfast/going for a bath instead. She’s asked for an easel so she can be an artist ‘like mummy’ – what she’s kindly referring to are the offerings that I bring back from my weekly evening art class, but clearly they’ve made an impression!
4. Little Dutch Guitar in Pink, £25, The Kid Collective
Now I’m sure other parents will sympathise with me, this is the gift that I winced at when she mentioned that it was going on that all-important list to Father Christmas. I hoped she might forget about it after a while, but it’s been mentioned too many times for avoidance so I fear this one will make the cut. I should know better, after last year’s musical gift – a recorder. It’s safe to say our dachshund wasn’t a fan and I doubt he’ll love this present either.
5. Mimi & Luna Unicorn Bag, £15.50, Kidly
I mean, who doesn’t want a unicorn bag in their life? Everything Mimi & Lula make is super cute and stylish so this one I have no objection to. Izzie has been desperate for a bag of her own for ages and I suspect she’ll love taking this one to one of the MANY birthday parties we attend over the course of the year.
On Laurie’s gift list (age 3)…
1. Yoto Mini Player 2024 Edition, £59.95, The Kid Collective
Ever since his sister got one, this little box has been the source of many arguments – usually on long car journeys – as to who’s turn it is. I aim to rectify this, purely from a pretty selfish perspective if nothing else to enjoy a little peace and quiet in the car… (we can dream right?!)
2. Bigjigs Roadway Tape, £6.75, The Kid Collective
Laurie loves nothing more that to get his collection of toy buses out and run them along imaginary roads – often surfaces I’d rather he didn’t – the radiators, the coffee table, the marble worktop and so on. I think he’ll love this road tape as much as I will, hoping he sticks to the floor instead…? It’s the perfect stocking filler for mini car enthusiasts.
3. Green/Ecru Cream PAW Patrol Duvet Cover And Pillowcase Set, from £24, Next
Ever since Laurie announced that he really wanted a ‘Paw Patrol bed’ I have searched high and low for ‘tasteful’ Paw Patrol bedding, and could I find it?! Of course not. However, I feel this latest set is as good a compromise as any and at least actually goes with his bedroom scheme rather than garish primary-coloured sets I found previously.
4. Liewood Nael Walkie Talkie, £56, Kidly
Whenever we go for playdates, Laurie always manages to sniff out the walkie talkies and giggles away at chatting to friends through his ‘phone’. Plus, his sister Izzie loves a walkie talkie too, so this should keep them both entertained while I cook the Christmas lunch, or here’s hoping!
5. London Train Set, £219,95, Le Toy Van
Laurie adores trips to London on the train and seeing the buses, so a London-themed train track is THE dream. He’s train-mad at the moment and we have the classic Ringo Star Thomas The Tank Engine on loop at home, so I think this will be a big hit.
On Ada’s gift list (age 9)…
1. 16” Leaf Learner Unicycle, £77, unicycle.com
I think Ada loves choosing gifts to test her Dad’s patience. High on this year’s wish list is a unicycle, having tried one at a friend’s house during the school summer holidays. I’m not sure how impressed Charlie is going to be with this one!
2. A Series of Unfortunate Events Book Collection, £7.99 per book, Waterstones
Ada and all her school friends have formed a gang for “The Series of Unfortunate Events” enthusiasts! She’s currently at book 3 and to get to the top tier in the club, she needs to get to book 5 or above. I wouldn’t usually condone a gang, but this one encourages book reading, so I’m all for it! If your child hasn’t read these yet, I would highly recommend them. The series follows a trio of very unlucky siblings whose lives are filled with misery and woe, which sounds depressing but it’s actually an absurdly funny read.
3. Lavender Dreams Felt Applique Pouch Project, £26.95, Craftiosity
Our family loves the hassle-free craftiosity kits. Each set comes with all the tools, materials and clear step-by-step illustrated instructions, plus you can either buy a single kit or a 3- or 6-month subscription. I’m going to get Ada the applique kit as she’s recently started sewing and I’m hoping having the relaxing lavender scent in her bedroom will help her relax at night – maybe even help her sleep for a solid 8 hours, rather than the current 3 hours we’re currently getting?
4. Lego Harry Potter Collection Nintendo Switch Game, £15.99, very.co.uk
While I don’t like Ada having too much screen time, I don’t mind if she takes herself off to her bedroom for a little peace and quiet away from her very energetic younger sister every now and again! We’ve already asked her Aunty to get this game for her as she loves Lego and she loves Harry Potter!
5. Peachybbies Slime, £13, peachybbies.com
I didn’t realise there was such a thing as branded slime but apparently there is and, according to Ada, no other slime will do. Each pot comes with accessories such as a sprinkle mix to add texture to the slime, as well as stickers, a wristband and a pen! But hurry, the pots sell out fast. Although they tend to restock fairly quickly, so I’m not sure if that’s just a clever marketing technique?
On Lily’s gift list (age 4)…
1. Galt Jungle Craft Kit, £13.99, Amazon
Lily has already completed both the Nature Craft and Oceans Craft Galt kits. They were brilliant and kept her entertained for hours. Full of fun-filled age-appropriate activities, the sets uses STEAM learning techniques to help teach children about the subject itself. For the Jungle kit, Lily will get to create a snapping crocodile, cast a jaguar’s teeth, build scratch art bugs, make a wiggly snake and build an interactive jungle canopy, all while learning more about jungle habitats and animals.
2. HB Personalised Pencil Set, £13.50 for box of 15, Etsy
Having started reception in September, Lily is excited to practice phonics and handwriting at home but, can we ever find a pencil when she needs one? NO! I’m hoping a personalised set will help encourage her love of writing, as well as help her keep better care of her belongings. Here’s hoping!
3. Classic World Pizza Oven, £44.95, Hippychick
Lily is still big into role-play and LOVES pizza, so this cute pizza play set is perfect for her. It’s made out of wood, so it’s also sustainable, too!
4. Kid’s Classic Blitzen IV Clog, £49.99, Crocs
We saw something similar at a garden centre recently and Lily had a full-on tantrum when I said ‘no’. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want fur-lined crocs when they’d just get really wet, damp and smelly when used poolside. However, when I was the last parent standing outside the gymnastics club on a freezing cold winter’s night waiting for Lily to put on her socks and trainers, I saw the appeal. Come January, she’ll be the first one out the door after simply sliding the cosy footwear onto her bare feet! It’s a gift for me as much as her!
5. Waters & Noble Mushroom A5 Fluffy Notebook, £5, Dunelm
To further encourage Lily’s new-found love of writing, as well as to help keep her little mitts off of my beautiful notebooks, I think a super cute pad, like this fluffy one from Dunelm, will be making an appearance under the tree!
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And don’t miss next week’s newsletter, where Charlotte and I will be sharing what we want for Christmas!