This year’s gift guide is different because it is focusing on the five gift rule: something you want, something you wear, something you read, something to do (an experience) and something you need. The idea is to minimize excessive spending on gifts and reduce clutter. The five gift rule also helps make it easier to buy gifts that will be used often and hopefully throughout the year. Since the “something you need” gift is so specific to each parent; I left that out and instead added a wish list item. I made a conscious effort to choose gifts that are less than $40 for this guide (with the exception of wish list gifts). The five gift rule guide is broken down by interests and age…feel free to click on the links below to skip over and get to where applies best to you! 
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Babies
Play
Musical Piano Mat: My kids had one of these when they were little and loved it! They played with it for years.
Musical Instrument Set: This is a great set and I love that it isn’t painted.
Wear
Cozy Snow Suit: These are so warm and always go on sale, so wait until a promotion.
Sleep & Play Set: My kids lived in these in the colder months.
Read
Baby Animals Touch and Feel Book: We would read these Priddy touch-and-feel books over and over again!
Do
Little Tikes Basketball Set: Love that this grows with them!
Music Together Gift Card: We did these classes in person with both kids. They are offering online classes as well.
Toddlers
Play
Wooden Montessori Counting Puzzle/Sorter
Camera: We bought this instant camera for the kids when they were younger. They always bring it on trips with them for their journals. It is over $40 but one of our favorites. This digital one has great reviews too and is under $40.
Marker set: I love this set as the case can be used as something sturdy to draw on when travelling.
LEGO DUPLO building plate: Make your own lego table using these plates, a $10 LACK side table from IKEA and Velcro to hold the baseplates down.
Wear
Slippers: These monster ones are a big hit over here.
Robe: With all the time we are spending at home my kids love spending the weekend mornings with their robes on. This Llamacorn one is so cute as is this Dino one
Read
Do
Kiwi Co: Love their crates and they have them designed for all different ages. The Koala Crate is a great sub box for the toddler group.
Zoo Membership
Gift cards to online music/movement classes like Music Together or Gymboree
Wish List
Block Set: My kids are 6 and 8 and they will still pull out the old black set and build.
Scooter: This one is our personal favorite. Pricey but such a smooth ride.
Plasma Car: We have had these for 5 years and while they are beat up from the elements, the kids still love them!
Boys 6-10
Play
Binoculars: My son in obsessed with bird watching. These look to be sturdy and are waterproof too!
Laser Tag: My mom got the 4-player set last year for the kids and we all play as a family. So fun!
Wear
Santa Cruz Screaming Hand clothing items are a favorite here with my son who has started skateboarding this year.
Vans checkerboard shoes are a hit with girls and boys this age.
Read
Dear Boy (buying this for my son. My daughter has Dear Girl and she loves it!)
What Should Danny Do? This is my favorite book for younger kids. It is a choose your own adventure book with a lesson on how our actions have consequences.
Do
My son is getting this grocery air-dry clay set. We have the bakeshop one and both kids loved it.
Dinosaur soap-making set: Boys and girls who love dinosaurs will love to make dino shaped soap using this set!
National Geographic Fossil Dig Kit
Wish List
Electric Scooter: We bought this for my daughter two years ago and she still loves it! Even my husband wants one.
Santa Cruz Skateboard: My husband invested in a quality board for both kids last year. Don’t forget the elbow and knee pads!
Girls 6-10
Play
Secret Crush Sundae Swirl Doll
Barbie Skipper Babysitters Inc Playset: My daughter has been obsessed with babysitting since she watched the Babysitters Club. These sets are on her list.
Love this Barbie You Can Be Anything Doctor playset
Polly Pocket Mega Mall: Santa brought this last year and it is still played with over here. Personally I wish we got this one instead because it is smaller: Polly Pocket’s house.
Wear
Bubble Umbrella (bought this two years ago for my daughter and it is still intact!)
Glitter Rainboot my daughter also likes this one because it looks like it’s for older girls
Vans checkerboard shoes are a hit with girls and boys this age.
Read
I love this classic set of Puffin Books. The floral-themed books are gorgeous to display on a bookcase and classics they will hold onto.
Dear Girl: My friend gifted this book for us and it is beautiful!
Do
Love this sewing craft kit! So cute!
My kids love this air-dry clay bakeshop. The make the cutest creations and we bought extra clay so they could create all year!
Wish List
KidKraft Disney Princess Dance and Dream Dollhouse we were gifted this item to test it out and loved the magical touches (music and sound effects!). The Disney Princess touches are beautiful.
We also have this dollhouse and have totally decked out the interior. How cute is this special three story dollhouse?
Loves Princesses
Play
This Polly Pocket Set is not specifically a princess set but I love these nostalgic sets!
Wear
Disney Princess Dress-up Trunk
Disney Animators Pajamas for girls and doll if you don’t like the satin option check out this doll-and-me set
Read
Never Let a Princess Paint with Her Unicorn
Do
Giant Disney Princess Sticker Activity Set
Fairy/Princess/Mermaid Puffy Sticker bundle
A gift card from Outschool is a great option as they have princess dance classes, etc.
Wish List
KidKraft Disney Princess Dance and Dream Dollhouse This dollhouse is pure magic- the dolls can spin around up top to music! KidKraft items are always solid and sturdy to withstand play. The kids received this as a gift from KidKraft. This piece will be played with for years.
Disney Princess Classic Doll Collection
Star Wars Fans
Play
Star Wars LEGO advent calendar: Also check out the Holiday LEGO special on Disney+ where the pieces from this calendar are featured!
The Child doll: This is so cute and even I try to cuddle it.
Princess Leia Plush: Love the handmade feel of this plush.
Wear
Toddler Lounge Set
Baby Yoda Sweatshirt: A friend bought this for my son for his birthday and it is his favorite sweatshirt ever!
Read
This is the Way Little Golden book
Star Wars A Jedi You Will Be (Ages 5-8)
The Galaxy Needs You (Ages 5-8)
5-Minute Star Wars Stories: We love these short and adventurous stories.
Where’s The Wookie: This is like the classic Where’s Waldo books. There are detailed scenes where kids (and adults) search for Chewie.
Star Wars: Choose your Destiny: My husband and I grew up with choose your own adventure books. These are just like those where you can change the story every time you read.
Do
Mandalorian Paint a Vinyl Child
Crochet Star Wars Characters
Star Wars Perler Bead Set: My kids love Perler Bead sets and we have created our own template (like this popular The Child template)
Wish List
Super Heroes
Play
Playskool Heroes Marvel Spiderman Action Set
Hulk Toy Smash Fists
Playskool Heroes Marvel Action Figure Set
Remote Control Batmobile
Wear
Batman Cubcoat or this Spiderman Cubcoat from Nordstrom Rack
Boy’s Marvel Robe
Spiderman Boot slippers
Toddler Light up Spiderman Slipper
Read
Marvel Library and Electronic reader: We had the Star Wars Version of this and loved it for a long time.
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days
Even Superheroes Make Mistakes
Do
Grow a Groot with this Chia Pet Planter
Make your own Superhero Comic Book
Wish List
Marvel Avengers LEGO Tower Battle Set
Disney fans
Play
Holiday Bubble Wand is sure to bring some Disney Parks magic home! My kids still get excited over bubble wands.
Disney Animators Advent Calendar
Minnie Mouse Holiday Fashion Set
These Storybook Playsets are so cute! We bought some at Disneyland because they reminded my daughter of Polly Pockets
Wear
Stitch Bodysuit Fleece Pajamas for kids: Love these cozy union suits!
Love this Mickey Toddler Robe
I bought this Minnie Mouse Umbrella in the parks and it is so fun!
Read
This is an awesome book for when Disneyland opens up. My daughter had this Hidden Mickey book and would search for them throughout the park.
Disney Maps: A Magical Atlas of Movies We Love
This Disney Eats cookbook is on my wishlist of Disney Inspired meals and treats to make with the kids!
Do
Disney Ink and Paint Watercoloring Book
We bought this puzzle to complete as a family
If your gift recipient has an Osmo Base this is a fun learning game for littles.
Mickey and Friends Cookie Baking Set
Wish List
Mickey and Friends Holiday Train Set
This Lego Disney Train Set and the Disney LEGO Castle Playset is on the kids’ ultimate wish list they hope to get one day (probably when they are much older and don’t break the sets).
This Mickey Waffle maker makes the Disney resort style waffles at home. You can make six waffles at a time. Perfect for the Disney fan who is missing the parks.
Does your family use the five gift rule? Hope that you found this guide helpful!
With love,
Shahla
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