Family Christmas Tradition Ideas

Note: Amazon links are affiliated

While Christmas at Disney sounds nice, and staying at a decked out 5 star hotel sounds great, the amount you spend doesn't always equate how amazing your memories are as a family. Some of my favorite memories as a kid didn't cost a dime, as we were a family with 6 children and simply couldn't afford anything grand. Today I'm sharing a few ways you can make the Christmas season feel special, but not break the bank doing so!

1. Neighborhood Christmas Lights


When I think of Christmas traditions, I think of being a little girl, getting in the van and scouring the neighborhood for Christmas lights. Now that I have children of my own, my husband and I have taken this up a notch. We set aside an evening and travel to neighborhoods we know have amazing light displays. After we look and ooooo and aaah over every blow up Santa or twinkling icicle light, we head to McDonalds. I am not too fond of McDonalds, myself, so my son sees this as an extra special treat when he gets to go! After driving through we come home to junk food and hot chocolate! We've done this for a few years now, and it really is my favorite Christmas tradition we do as a family!

2. Christmas Movie Night

This one might be cliche, but making a night of it, is half of what makes it special. And no, I don't mean you have to have a Grinch themed snack food bar with coordinating plates, napkins, and decor (although you could do that if you wanted to!). I mean setting aside a night and picking out a specific movie. Make it special by adding marshmallows to your hot cocoa, or making a picnic in the living room and eat supper and watch the movie. Make popcorn, talk about your favorite part of the movie, and you have a tradition that didn't take much money or thought, but that will be dripping with nostalgia for your children in years to come.

What's your favorite movie? With the kids it's A Muppet's Christmas Carol and Charlie Brown Christmas. For me it's It's a Wonderful Life. I've watched it every year, and I still cry like a baby at the end!

3. Baking Christmas Cookies and Candies

When I thought of my little boy growing up, I imagined us in the kitchen bonding over sugar cookies and sprinkles. What really happened were meltdowns and grouchiness! haha! What I've learned is that as my kids are still pretty young, to have a section of the baking and cooking process that is special to them to do. I make these delicious and easy coconut balls that my son does the sprinkles and that is all. I get it all ready and have his part set out and he really enjoys the task that is 'up to him'. He also helps cut out and put sprinkles on these delicious iced Gingerbread cookies!

4. Making DIY decorations

This area is not my forte, but making crafts with your kids can be a wonderful and fun way to make memories. If you suffer from Pinterest fails, you can always buy an inexpensive craft kit from Hobby Lobby or Amazon. I actually prefer this way, because everything you need comes with it, and clean up is normally easier too. These also can double as grandparent gifts, as they always love things made by their grands!

What is your favorite thing to do as a family? Let me know!

Budget Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Note: Amazon links are affiliated

After sharing non-toy gift ideas, and the few things I am getting my kids for Christmas, you may be wondering what kind of items make it to the list when it comes to stockings, since I am trying to simplify my life. Stocking stuffers are notoriously filled with 'fluff' and basically things that will get destroyed or thrown away in the first day of their being given. If you want your stockings to be less than $20 but not 20 things from the Dollar Tree, I hope you find this post helpful!

In the past I have done whatever random little toys I find on sale throughout the year, like blind bags, mini Paw Patrol figures, and while this is fun, it's also easily lost, and the fun is short lived. I've tried to transition more to fun but practical at the same time. I've started adding things like Paw Patrol socks and pjs, instead of the actual figures, and consumable arts and crafts, instead of breakable cheap toys. 

My son is 5 years old, and here are a few things he is getting in his stocking:

Paw Patrol 3 Card Game Value Pack - This is something we found for about $3 (which would make it $1 a piece) after Easter this past year. I love this because my son will enjoy both the character aspect of it, as well as something we can do as a family. He loves playing games together, and this will be something we can enjoy over and over again.

Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Grab and Go Play Packs (Pack of 12) - This is something I do recommend to get at the dollar store. They carry these grab and go play packs, that have stickers, coloring book, and some crayons. This is something that will be thrown away after one use, but my son loves these when we have long meetings, or during church. The Dollar Tree has all different characters to choose from, so these can be fun for a wide age range! ($1)

Crayola Crayons 24 ct (Pack of 2) - My kids has been so rough on his crayons this year! This would normally be a good thing to buy after school supplies go on sale, but my son has gone through those already-yikes! ( I will be buying 1 pack, so $2 max)

Earlier this year, Scholastic had a sale with $1 books. We got some Magic School Bus books, as well as some early readers. A couple of the books might be considered 'fluff' but I don't mind having a few that are fun and easy for Little Man to read. I have a book about losing teeth (Little Man has a loose tooth, so this is perfect timing!), and a simple reader. I don't have links to these, but I am adding a link to a favorite Magic School Bus book. ($2)
The Magic School Bus Lost In The Solar System

I am also adding a special hot chocolate packet and some candy (because it's Christmas, right?!). I am also buying Pajamas from Children's place for a about $10. This puts me right at $20!


Here is what Baby Girl, who just turned 1 this past week, is getting in her stocking.

Baby Touch and Feel: Baby Animals The DK touch and feel books are some of my favorites for little ones, and they are very inexpensive. I also bought this after Easter, but even on Amazon right now, they are normally around the $5 mark. (I paid about $3)

Colgate My First Baby and Toddler Toothpaste and Toothbrush This is a cliche stocking gift, but this will be Baby Girl's first 'real' toothbrush! This is perfect for a Baby's first Christmas, or even when they get a bit older, and gift it with their favorite character on it. (around $5 for set)

Baby Girl also will be getting a set of pjs ($8) and instead of candy, I will get her some puffs or other baby snack food ($2). This puts me at $18.

If you missed my past posts, click here to check out Non-Toy gifts for Babies and Toddlers.
Click here to check out Non-Toy gifts for the 3-6 age range! These include things that would make great stocking stuffers! My Amazon recommendations are some other things I think would make fun things to put in your child's stocking!

What you putting in your kid's stockings? Do you normally set a budget?

What I am Getting my Kids for Christmas

Note: Amazon links are affiliated

After reading my non-toy gift ideas for babies and toddlers, plus the one for ages 3-6, you may be wondering, what toys DO I get my kids for Christmas? Our goal was $100 per child, and to get things that would be well loved, and help fuel imagination and building and thinking skills. We will probably go over the budget amount, but hopefully only by $10-20 total. Keep reading to see what the kids are getting this year for Christmas!

First off, my kids are getting this play kitchen by Melissa and Doug. It was on sale a few weeks ago for $120 and I could kick myself that I didn't go ahead and get it then. Because it wasn't November yet, our Christmas budget for the month hadn't kicked in, and I didn't want to have to move money around to fit getting such a big item. So here I am, about to spend $20 extra-yikes! 

I feel like this is a perfect time to be getting this kitchen playset. Little Man asked for all kitchen related things for his birthday, and got several of the Melissa and Doug food sets, as well as a little chef's coat and hat. Baby Girl is already pretending to mix the play food in their little cups and bowls. I think it's the only year that they will both appreciate the same thing at the same time. Because of their 4 year gap, I know having the same interests will be few and far between. Even though Little Man may only have a couple of years of play with the kitchen, I think it will be enjoyed for many more by Baby Girl. 

Little Man is getting this Lego set we found for about $10
at Walmart on clearance, right before they set out Christmas things. He loves all things Legos and building! Do your kids love Legos? They can be so expensive, so I am happy we found this set at such a good deal! 

Baby Girl is getting this Melissa and Doug diaper bag to go with the Jenna baby doll we are getting her for her birthday (her birthday is also in December!). We found this at Atwoods on sale after Christmas last year, and I got it half off. I think I paid about $7 for it. 

That is it!!! They will be getting stocking stuffers (and if you were keeping up with the price, I have about $30 left, so I will be sharing budget stocking stuffers with you!) but that is really it. If you are suddenly feeling sorry for my kids and thinking they will be suffering, please don't worry. For one, their grandparents/aunts/uncles make sure that I will be scratching my head over how many toys they received and how in the world I'm going to store them all. Second, part of the Christmas morning surprise is having all the food and cooking toys that we already own, neatly organized, with everything ready for them to begin playing as soon as they wake up on Christmas morning. I have a feeling that the old toys will seem like new, when they are set out for them to see better. Thirdly, kids don't need as much as you think they do! I will let you know how my kids react, but I have a feeling they will be just fine. 

What do you think? Do you like the toys I chose? I tried to get things that promote imaginative play, and thinking skills. Down below I will be sharing toys from Amazon that my kids have that promote just that, and that have been loved and played with for a long time (the camper is the newest version. The version we have was listed for $90!! crazy!). Next week I'll be sharing budget stocking stuffers and what is going in my kids' stockings. It will be featuring some of the non toy gift ideas I shared a couple of weeks ago. 

What are you getting your kids for Christmas? Let me know!

Ringlets: A Timberdoodle Review

note: I was gifted this product in exchange for my review. Opinions are 100% my own and I am excited to share it with you! Also, Amazon links will be affiliate.

If you've followed me for very long, you know I've been trying to cut down on the 'stuff' in my life and simplify it. And of course, this would include things like toys! I love working with Timberdoodle products, because what they carry are both fun and educational. No annoying noises, or cheap plastic here! What you'll find are things that promote motor skills, critical thinking and imaginative play. 

That's why I was excited to review Ringlets! Ringlets are made from the same company that made Whirly Squigz  and the quality is no different. Made from high quality silicone, these make perfect teething toys for babies. The way the toy is shaped, it makes it easy for little hands to grasp and chew on.  The suction part sticks easily to a smooth surface, but comes off relatively easy for little hands. They come in 6 bright colors and are small enough to fit in a diaper bag or purse and carried with you. (also, they make no noise, so that is a plus for mom!)

 Baby Girl was excited to get these in the mail, but Little Man enjoyed them too! He quickly started looping them together to make a long chain and then sticking them to all the smooth surfaces he could find. This is also an opportunity for the homeschool mom to show what surfaces are smooth and why the suction will only stick to them and not other areas of the house.

I love toys that both my kids can enjoy. My son and daughter are 4 years apart, so finding things they can play with together can be a difficult task. While geared more towards my daughter, my 5 year old plays with them just as much.

While these Ringlets can be used as travel toys that easily fit into the diaper bag, high chair distraction, or teethers, my favorite way to use them so far is in the bathtub! If you've seen my non-toy list for babies, you'll know this quickly made the list of recommendations. I love that they are easy to clean, and fun for the kids to stick to the sides. Each time they get a bath, it's the first toy they go for.

I highly recommend these little Ringlets as great Christmas gifts. They can be gifted as is, or even opened and made into stocking stuffers for babies. Be sure and follow this link to find out more!

Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Ages 3-6

Note: Amazon links are affiliated

Monday I shared a list of non-toy gift ideas for babies and toddlers that you can look at here. Here I am with the next age range! Little Man is 5 years old now, and his list of toys he needs gets longer every time we walk down the toy aisle at Walmart. While he enjoys unwrapping and playing with the toys for a few days, after a while the toys have lost their newness and he starts wishing for something else.

It's been my desire to get away from so many toys and focus on the true meaning of Christmas. We still love to give gifts at Christmas, so I did want to share some non-toy gift ideas. I will also be sharing what I am getting my kids for Christmas in the next couple of weeks.

When typing these lists for you, I've worked very hard to make sure I only share what I've purchased and loved in the past. If I list anything we don't have, I will let you know. It is my goal to share things that are tried and true by my son.

As much as I hope this inspires and helps you, this Christmas, remember that you don't have to buy any of it! As someone who has really worked on my budget this year, I encourage you to stick to yours. I would much rather you have financial freedom, than get the few cents from these links. Kids desire our presence over presents(even if they don't say that)!




Art and Craft Supplies

My son loves creating with art supplies, and I'll often find him just drawing in a notebook, and coloring whatever thing he's created. He loves my journaling pens, and I think gel pens would be a great stocking stuffer for him!

We've often given him art supplies for Easter and Christmas, and here are my favorite supplies. You'll notice they are not top quality, because my son isn't as careful  with his things as he needs to be yet. I still stay away from Rose Art and other knock off brands, but Crayola works just fine with us.



Crayola Washable Watercolors, 16 Count (Pack of 2) Total 32 Count (I love that this is a 2 pack! My son is bad about mixing the colors.)
Crayola Big Paint Brushes (4 Count Round), Great for Kids

Gel Pens 30 Colors Gel Marker Set Colored Pen with 40% More Ink for Adult Coloring Books Drawing Doodling Crafts Scrapbooks Bullet Journaling (these pens are similar to what I was gifted for my journaling)
Sargent Art Premium Coloring Pencils, Pack of 50 Assorted Colors, 22-7251

Art kits are also a fun and consumable gift. I like things that we can create, then throw away (or give away) when we are done. Less to store, am I right?!

This is a boy version, but there are all kinds to choose from. We haven't done this exact kit, but have done something similar.


Click here for an art kit my son loved! I love the quality of the Melissa and Doug brand.








Clothing
Clothing begins to get 'boring' at this age, but you can still make it as fun as possible! I do this by giving things with their favorite character on them. My son loves his Spider-Man toboggan (or winter hat for you non-southerners) and Paw Patrol socks! I am linking what my son has and enjoyed receiving.

Nickelodeon Boys' Little Paw Patrol 5 Pack No Show, Bright Big Face, Fits Sock Size 6-8.5; Fits Shoe Size 7.5-3.5 (These have been on a favorites list before, but it's worth re-sharing, as they have really stood up to the wear and tare of a 4 and 5 year old little boy!)
Spiderman Cuff Beanie & Mitten Set Red/Black
We've also given character pajamas, as well. I have to say the quality is normally not that great, but my son still loves to get them. I normally pick up an inexpensive set during a Black Friday sale.

Outdoor 
Technically, some of these are toys, but since they get stored outside, maybe they don't quite count?! HA! Oh well, I want to mention my favorite outside 'toys' my son has enjoyed.


My son got a balance bike this past year from his grandparents and he has absolutely loved it! It has traveled with us to the park, my parents house, as well as being ridden all over our front yard. I couldn't find the exact model my son has, but this one is similar. This is a great transition toy to a real bike. It has helped my son ride the spider-man bike we gave him last year for Christmas.







Other outdoor favorites:
Bubbles
Chalk
Bubble Mower (Y'all, we realized the other day that my son has had this for 4 years and still plays with it all the time!)- I am linking the one we own, however, it has a lot of negative reviews. We have enjoyed ours though!


Books

Books are a favorite non-toy item to gift, however, I believe we are running out of room to store them as much as toys. I like to say I need more bookshelves, not that I have too many books! Here are some of my son's favorites.

My mom gifted this book to my son, and he absolutely loves it! Not only does it have easy, around the house items to do science experiments with, but my son just loves looking at the pictures. They have bright colored illustrations and great step by step pictures.








Some other favorite books:

The Magic School Bus Lost In The Solar System (my son loves all the Magic Schoolbus books!)

Richard Scarry's Bedtime Stories (Pictureback(R)) (I am linking my son's favorite of the Richard Scarry books)
My son also enjoys the Usborne Shine a light books, many of the classics (Go Dogs Go, Green Eggs and Ham, etc.), and anything search and find!

Games and Activities

A while back I did a post on my favorite games and activities that you can check out here.
I also recommend Smart Farmers from Timberdoodle. You can click on my link and check out other games and activities on their website that are fun and educational!

Below as part of my Amazon recommendations, are a few things that are on my wishlist, but we haven't tried yet! Let me know, what are your favorite non-toy gifts for this age range?

Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

Note: links are affiliated. I get a small commission on any qualifying purchase you make

No matter what, Christmas brings with it SO MANY TOYS! You don't have to be a minimalist to want to cut down on the shear amount of toys your children get, so it's not so overwhelming when it's time to find a place for all the new things. Today I will be sharing gifts in the 0-2 age range that aren't toys. I do love imaginative play, but I will be sharing what I got my kids for Christmas later, so you can see what toys I do buy.

If you are wanting your family to stick to a more 'non-toy' list for your kids, be sure and share this post. Maybe they will get the hint 😉

Bath Toys

But I thought you said no toys?! Yes, but they won't be ending up in the toy room, and I tried to pick things that build thinking skills and promote imaginative play.

These adorable animal buckets from Skip Hop are a favorite for both my 11 month old, and my 5 year old. Originally purchased for my baby's first Christmas, last year, they are still in great shape! I hate those toys that get mold and are hard to clean-not these! They've gone outside during the summer, and helped in some sensory projects, and they are still going strong!

I will be doing a full review on these next Monday, but I wanted to give you a sneak peak of what has been a go to for my kids during bath time! These Ringlets can suction just about anywhere, but do especially well in the bathtub. Both my son and 11 month old daughter enjoy making long rings, or watching it suction to the wall of the bathtub. These are also easy to clean, store, and just super fun to play with! I will share a link once these go live on the Timberdoodle website.






My mom gave these magnetic boats to my son about 2 years ago, and they are still being played with today! While definitely more in the 'toy' category, they are nice in that they are also easy to clean! I don't know if you noticed, but none of those squirt toys made the list. I really do not enjoy trying to make sure there's no mold build up, and it's always a sad day when I decide they have squirted their last squirt. The three things I am recommending are things are as much for the mom as they are for the kids!






Before I end the bath category, I want to mention these hooded towels. I bought this elephant one for my Baby girl last year, and they are such good quality, and large enough to last several years! I've bought character hooded towels for my son in the past, but none are this good of quality!







Books

This is often a no-brainer when it comes to non toy gifts for babies and toddlers. So many times, however, books can be a burden for parents to read 100 times or to listen to the annoying sounds they can make.  Books like Go Dogs Go, Cat in the Hat, and other classics are wonderful for any little one, here are more books geared towards babies and toddlers that you wont hate reading to your kids!

These 'That's Not My... Series by Usborne are not just adorable, but are well made. Both of my kids have loved these books as babies, and they make great diaper bag books, to keep little hands busy, but without as much noise. Babies love the touchy-feely aspect of them. My son's favorite was the dinosaur one, and my daughter has loved the princess one.







Normally I wouldn't recommend books with sound, but this book has been a beloved favorite of my little ones. The sounds made are real animal sounds, so for some reason it isn't as annoying as some sound books can be.









I can't say enough good things about this precious book! Well made, beautiful illustrations, and a story that is fun for all ages! My 5 year old still enjoys getting this book out and having me read it. If you get 1 book from my recommendations, let this be the one!









Clothing Gifts
Clothing might start to get boring for older kids, but it is especially fun for the itty bittys! I always get my kids some pajamas, but socks, underwear, and outfits have also been known to appear in their stocking or gifts. Here are some of my favorite pajamas!

These Burts Bees pajamas are soft and perfect for babies and toddlers. Anything that zips up with feet are wonderful for this age and the never ending diaper changes! Be sure to size up with this brand though, as they can be a bit snug. I try to buy big enough for it to last the rest of the winter season.









Other great gifts for babies and toddlers:
Baby Puffs, or other snack item
Sippy Cups (I know there are cons to these style sippy cups. My kids don't use sippy cups for very long, and since they breastfeed, they don't use them often either. This is my favorite style sippy cup, but it can be different for everyone). I think we will be transitioning Baby Girl to this sippy cup:
Tommee Tippee Easiflow 360° Spill-Proof Toddler Cup with Travel Lid, Elephant & Bear, 12+ Months, 8 ounces
Baby girl Bows (last year I gave my 3 week old a 3 month subscription to Little Poppy Co. Bows!)
Chunky Puzzles (linked is my list of favorite puzzles!)

What are your favorite non-toy gifts for babies and toddlers? Watch out for my preschool-elementary aged list!