Mamasaur’s Holiday Gift Guide 2023

My secret to stress-free holiday shopping? Build an Amazon Christmas Wish List!

To streamline some of the holiday hassle, I keep tabs on everyone and their interests throughout the year with a Christmas (and Birthday) Idea Wish List on Amazon. Nathan is a shared Christmas Wish List admin. It’s been emailed to my in-laws so they know how best to spoil their grandkids. So convenient!

What’s spectacularly fun about this year in particular is the fact that Orson and Nova are old enough to flip through a gift guide and tell me exactly what to add to their Christmas Wish List. To sit next to me, wiggly with excitement, as we digitally window-shop. “List! List!” Orson points something out. On the list it goes.

He and Nova are surprisingly selective, turns out. They know what they want.

Nathan and I, on the other hand…

It’s hard to know what we want. What do we add to our Christmas Wish List? What would we enjoy? We’re minimalists. We know we have a short window of time to enjoy our material possessions before we seriously downsize our lives to move onto a boat.

We’re fortunate to be able to buy things we need (and sometimes the things we want) when we need or want them. Anything we really, REALLY want and don’t buy is the stuff we’re actively saving for. So what do we tell people we want for Christmas?

And shopping for a teenager feels even more daunting. Our teenager, at least. What do you want, Coen? “I dunno.” Game stuff. Steam gift cards. Money. But what do I put on the Christmas Wish List so that he can at least have a couple fun items under the tree to unwrap?

It got me thinking…

And Mamasaur’s Holiday Gift Guide is what I’ve come up with! If you’re stuck and need some inspiration for building your own family’s Christmas Wish List, this is a great place to start.

My gift to you. Let’s start unwrapping this!

Christmas Wish List(s)

After much deliberation, I’ve put together some recommendations based on age for this Gift Guide. Orson and Nova were all too willing to offer their help, showing me what they are most excited about. And repeatedly talking about it. Making sure it’s on the list, etc.

Coen has required a bit more creative flexing. And Nathan and I sat down and intentionally brainstormed what we think would be the most appreciated gifts for our demographic. We came up with some great options:

TODDLERS/LITTLE KIDS

I recently wrote a product review for these adorable Nerdbugs plushies. I encourage you to take a minute to read more about these anatomically-correct stuffed organs. These are plushies with purpose! Great gifts for children or nerdy adults alike, these offer great opportunities for impromptu anatomy lessons or comfy cuddle-times.

They are beautiful, durable, attractively-embroidered, and squeezably well-stuffed! The colors are vibrant, and the material they are made with couldn’t possibly be softer.

There are a whopping 17 different endearing “character” organs to choose from, each with their own associated pun. Orson and Nova absolutely adore theirs! Get one, or better yet, BUNDLE THEM! “The Molar, the Merrier!”

MAGNA-TILES

I’m going to level with you here. MAGNA-TILES are hella expensive. For a couple of years now, we’ve gotten immense enjoyment from our knock-off BMAG magnet tiles. That being said, although they are more inexpensive, they’re also cheaper quality and we’ve had a few break.

The kicker is: I really like finding mutually fun activities that both the babies and I can enjoy together. Magnet tiles have provided countless hours of that win-win entertainment value for us. Even my father-in-law loves constructing elaborate tile towers for the toddlers to topple!

For that reason, when Orson was begging me to add the special dinosaur MAGNA-TILE set to his Christmas Wish List, I didn’t go looking for cheaper alternatives. I’ve recently discovered the massive appeal to the MAGNA-TILE sets compared to the knock-offs: the durability, the varied themes, the art style…

I happened to get a great Prime Day deal on the 5-piece set of dinosaurs, and I know he’ll be thrilled to open it on his birthday. The sheer size and appearance of these magnetic dinosaurs has me excited for him to open it, so we can get to play time!

FISHER PRICE Little People Collector Sets

Orson and Nova are each getting at least one of these collector sets this year. I just cannot help myself! I snagged the Inspiring Women set on deal for Nova, just thinking it would make a great stocking stuffer type of toy. Orson, however, has not let me forget about the “ghost” one he wants.

He’s brought up the Nightmare Before Christmas collector set on certainly more than one occasion. The fact that there even is a NBC set of Fisher-Price Little People toys tickled me, so I went looking. And I absolutely fell down the rabbit hole of Little People fandom. I get why people collect these!

The Barbie Movie, Star Trek, and….whaa?!!…….

NATIONAL LAMPOONS CHRISTMAS VACATION!!! Yep, they’re all on the Christmas Wish List now. Maybe less for my children’s sakes and more because I WANT THEM. The ones on our Christmas Wish List are just drops in the bucket of how many amazing sets they have. I encourage you to check out the storefront…

DISNEY Animator’s Collection Dolls

These dolls are absolutely stunning. The standard dolls are 15″ tall, so perfect “baby doll” length. What’s uniquely special about the Animator’s Collection dolls, however, is how individual each of the characters look. These dolls really capture the spirit, personality, and expressiveness of the Disney heroines.

Of course, Rapunzel is on Nova’s Christmas Wish List. She just seems such a fitting starter. My daughter also has blonde hair and green eyes. And Tangled happens to be one of my top Disney favorites. Looking at gorgeous little Lilo, Tiana, Moana, Tink, and Cinderella, though…if Rapunzel is a hit, we may have more dolls to adopt in the future…

SURPRISE POWERZ Dolls

When she saw Astro the Astronaut in the 2023 Amazon Toy Catalog, Nova’s reaction was all that I needed to know Astro was going on her Christmas Wish List. And Astro didn’t stay there long. A Prime Day deal dropped, and I snagged up our very own Surprise Powerz Astronaut doll.

I’m immensely impressed by so many characteristics of this doll and the Surprise Powerz company. With an emphasis on celebrating diversity and encouraging STEM-learning in young girls, these dolls empower little ones with self-confidence and excitement for learning.

These dolls have a unique and endearing appearance. They’re soft, yet sturdy, and are programmed with 75+ different phrases, RECORDED BY A YOUNG CHILD. A fact which I love! The voices are soft and sweet, instead of tinny, abrasive, obnoxious.

There are 4 special Surprise Powerz dolls to choose from: an astronaut, a coder, a mathmagician, and a veterinarian. I cannot wait until Nova unwraps hers for Christmas! Check out this small business (woman and minority owned) and find a sweet STEM-buddy for your little one!

DISNEY Forces of Destiny Dolls

Maybe Barbie dolls and Disney princesses aren’t really your little one’s speed. (Though, Princess Leia is technically a Disney princess now…)

Roughly the same size as a traditional Barbie doll, these are a great sci-fi alternative to more mainstream options. I really dig the idea that Nova’s first “Barbie-esque” doll will have a droid and space guns in lieu of heels and a purse, but that’s just me. Nova also happens to be deep in R2-D2 obsession right now, so it was a must-purchase for her upcoming R2-D2 2nd birthday.

Yeah, Star Wars may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we LOVE it in the Mamasaur house. These dolls would make a great gift for any tough, little rebel girl who feels the same.

And if you are looking for more Star Wars-inspired gifts, check out this list!

TEENAGERS

MOLOKAI Button-Down Shirts

What started out as just a silly clothing gift to unwrap one Christmas morning, it’s become an annual tradition. Not to mention, just a really fun Coen schtick. These shirts are amazing quality, they fit really well, and they’re super flattering. With over 60 different styles/colors to choose from, you’re sure to find one that can showcase your teenager’s fun personality.

Not only does Coen wear these shirts every week (as well as on school picture days), he loves them so much that he actually taught himself to sew a button back on when it fell off. For anyone with a teenage boy, that should tell you everything you need to know. These shirts are worth the price tag.

LOUNGEFLY Accessories

Truth be told, I definitely have a Loungefly Jurassic Park purse on my own Christmas Wish List this year. Though I can say with utmost assurance, I would have gone crazy over one of these bags as a teenage girl as well.

The number of collections and collaborations that Loungefly has is impressive. They’re widely appealing and have something for everyone: sports teams, Pokémon, Harry Potter, Marvel, Star Wars, Disney-you-name-it, Jurassic Park…even E.T. and the Gremlins! Every style imaginable. Subdued or over-the-top. Pins and flair, purses, backpacks, wallets, etc.

Loungefly has you covered for your teenage daughter. Or, if you don’t have a teenage daughter but you’re a bit of a geeky lady like yours truly, they still have you covered. Put Loungefly on your Christmas Wish List.

BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers

A fun, unconventional, stocking stuffer or gift for an artsy, doodly, creative teen! These are skin-safe, cosmetic-grade, water-resistant body art markers that I would have had a blast with as a teenager. There was more than one occasion that I’d go home from school with pen ink-defiled arms and hands after getting bored in class.

Having a set of pens specifically made for this purpose, to inspire and encourage art and creativity, while being safe on skin…I love these markers. Bonus: the sets come with tattoo stencils!

Novelty Card Games

Next up on our Christmas Wish List for teens: novelty card games. These are a great means to squeeze in some intentional holiday merriment and memory-making. If you have a teenager that chomps at the bit to get back to their fortress of solitude (speaking from personal experience), many of these card games can be played in as little as 15 minutes, start to finish.

Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition, meme games, neanderthal poetry…whatever would best strike your particular teenager’s fancy, it’s likely out there in the form of a novelty card game. Who knows? They may have so much fun that they won’t mind staying for a couple more rounds…

And isn’t more time with our teenagers on every parent’s Christmas Wish List? (Don’t answer that, just pick a card…)

ADULTS

AMAZON Holiday Gift Cards

Let’s be honest. Gift cards are an easy staple of any grown-up’s Christmas Wish List. No one will ever be disappointed in receiving money to buy whatever has been in their Save-for-Later list for months now.

I don’t really need to break down what makes Amazon gift cards so great. We all shop there. We all already know. But I do really love the holiday-specific packaging for Christmas gift cards. Some are fancy, reusable tins. Others come with cute, little Christmas tree ornaments. You really can’t go wrong with these if you’re short on gift ideas.

KINDLE E-Readers

Kindles are one of those gifts that seem like they’ve been around long enough that anyone who cares to get one will already have one. I remember being gifted one when they were first released, and honestly, they just weren’t that impressive.

They’ve come a LONG way since then.

Especially for people that are opting for a more minimalist lifestyle, Kindle e-readers are a phenomenal gift choice. In fact, with Christmas gift money I had last year, I bought my very own Kindle Paperwhite. I’d definitely have to recommend that one above the base model, given the choice. It’s actually my preferred method of book reading now.

The Paperwhite is legitimately waterproof, glare-free, and has a warm built-in light. Fantastic features for outdoor reading and traveling. My Kindle stays charged without plugging it in for months at a time. It’s perfect for me.

There are more expensive options with greater functionality, like the Kindle Scribe, that you can actually write on, but it’s not really what I need at this time. They even have versions specifically made for kids if a Kindle sounds like a good option for a young bibliophile in your family. Check them out!

STASHERS Reusable Silicone Bags

We. Are. Obsessed.

There’s not a single-use Ziploc baggie to be found in our house, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. These Stashers are insanely versatile and beautiful. They’re offered in a wide array of colors and sizes, so it’s easy to find the perfect bag or bundle for gifting.

You can use these for travel organization, for storing small children’s toys, for cosmetics. Use them for food storage or even food preparation! These are safe for use in a sous vide or microwave. They’re freezer, oven, stove-top, and even dishwasher safe!

These Stasher bags would be an easy buy for anyone trying to make environmentally-friendly choices in order to reduce waste. My personal favorite, most-used Stasher would have to be the mega stand-up option for storing bulk batches of Pumpkin Bites and Bedtime Bars. The snack size bags are perfect for tossing a few Bites in my purse for longer drives or errands.

Nathan and I geek out over these bags, and we’ve bought these as gifts for people in the past. We absolutely stand by that decision. These. Are. The. Best!

HATCH (The Gift of Sleep)

Had we not been so desperate to bite the bullet and buy these already, the Hatch Rest would have been my highest priority item on my Christmas Wish List. Hands down. For the issues and quirks that they may have (talked about in my Hatch Rest review), they have been a lifesaver. I wish we would’ve jumped on the Hatch train a year ago.

Our sleep has seen a marked improvement since getting the Hatch Rest sound machines for Orson and Nova. They love their dinosaur stories every nap and bedtime. They generally go down easier, and Nova will maybe wake only once during the night now.

I absolutely think any sleep-deprived parent would take great joy at unwrapping one of these on Christmas morning. Hatch offers different models. We’ve been satisfied (for the most part) with our Hatch Rests for the babies. They also offer units like the Hatch Restore, geared more toward the adult who needs better rest. Whether the sleep-deprivation is child-related or not…

GERBER Multi-tools

Perfect multi-tools for the awesome men in your life. Or women. I think Gerber’s product line-up is pretty awesome, actually. I just know I wouldn’t get as much use out of it as Nathan does. He recently got himself the Gerber Gear Dime multi-tool. It’s like he LOOKS for reasons to whip that bad boy out.

It doesn’t take up any more room in his pockets than a key fob would. It. is. COMPACT. But it still has like every tool he finds himself frequently using. A screwdriving tool, pliers, a package opener, a pocket knife, scissors, etc. TWELVE tools in a neat, little package.

If the man you’re gift-shopping for isn’t in the market for a good multi-tool, I still encourage you to check out the Gerber storefront. Tools for camping. Tools for hunting. For fishing. For everyday use or survival. Tactical pens. Compact hatchets. Camping cutlery and utility knives. Plenty of giftable or perfectly-sized, stocking stuffer options.

PEAK DESIGN Everyday and Travel Bags

These bags are unrivaled. Nathan owns the 20L everyday backpack and has since before I met him. His bag is at least FIVE YEARS OLD and still looks brand new. He’s used it as a compact personal item carry-on for travel. He uses it as a camera case for family outings and adventures. It’s rugged and durable. Perfect for a multitude of purposes.

These bags are flawlessly suited for travel, but would also work well for any college student. Not only are the backpacks, totes, pouches, duffels (etc.) an investment, Peak Design products are guaranteed for LIFE.

Peak Design’s mission emphasizes making the best products possible, making their customers happy, and reducing environmental impact. Which stands to reason. These bags last forever. Fewer broken-down, trashed out, cheap backpacks ending up in landfills…

That being said, if the giftee loves their new backpack, don’t fret about not having the option of backpack replacement next year. Peak Design’s peak-quality line-up of accessories has you covered then, too.

APPHOME Headphone Mounts

This category is really just a jumping off point for gift ideas. Particularly for those people who want a place for everything and want everything in its place (guilty). Nathan recently got one of these headphone mounts for his work desk and loves it. It’s always nice getting a gift that you know you’ll get great use from everyday.

You may not think that organization tools like this would make an exciting gift, but for the right person, they absolutely would. Any way to save space and have a tidy, stress-free game or work zone can be a hugely practical and appreciated gift. I look at items like this and recognize how the little things really can add beneficial boosts to everyday quality of life.

Especially if you (or the person you’re buying this gift for) loathe clutter. Don’t completely rule out practical in lieu of fun. Practical gifts like this can be immensely thoughtful.

XBOX Controllers + Accessories

You may be thinking that game controllers would be more suited for the teenager Christmas Wish List. Hey, if you have a teenager in your life that would love these controllers or associated accessories as a gift, knock yourselves out!

I happen to have these on our adult Christmas Wish List because Nathan and I are more into the XBOX than our teenager is. Nathan loves his Elite Series 2 controller and charging base. I’ve got to admit, I do love the feel and weight of his Elite, but he gifted me my very own Starfield Limited Edition controller for my birthday this year. And I’m head over heels for it.

Don’t limit yourselves to the options this guide offers. Check out the storefront to see the countless controller designs, games, and/or headsets available for the XBOX. Or, if you’re a Playstation family, think outside the (X)box, and check out that storefront here. Be inspired.

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

META Quest 3 + Accessories

If you’re looking for a high-value gift that the entire family can enjoy, perhaps a joint gift for all of your kids, look no further. You can read our in-depth review here to see why the Meta Quest 3 should be on your Christmas Wish List this year.

There are fitness apps; virtual art and yoga studios; LEGO-building, action, adventure, fighting, and simulation games. The sky is the limit with VR. And everyone will love it! Great for gaming and exercise with mixed reality capabilities, the biggest issue you’ll have with this family gift is making sure to take turns.

Got the Christmas Wish List Gifts…
Let’s Wrap This Up!

Here’s hoping something on Mamasaur’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide inspired you! If there’s something you saw that was a must-buy (either as a gift or for yourself–hey, treat yo self), let me know what it was! If there’s something you want to buy from the list, but want to wait and watch for a sale, BOOKMARK THIS PAGE and swing back by!

What’s your method of building up and sharing a Christmas Wish List? Is there anything widely-appealing that you think should be on this Christmas Wish List? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to comment, email, or reach out on my socials! Merry Christmas Shopping!