My merry list of ideas for infusing a little magical oomph into your family’s Christmas.
Better late than never! Busiest time of year for my Mamasaur family with back-to-back birthdays, holidays, a teenager moving out, et cetera. I just can’t help myself, though, when inspiration strikes. So, here it is: my inspired list of Christmas ideas to infuse a little extra festive fun into your yuletide celebrations.
I’ll be touching on some traditions and activities, some decor ideas, and a few gift suggestions. If you’re here for the goods, you can jump straight there.
Now, let’s get our merry on and giddy-up this jingle horse.
Magical Traditions
This list of traditional Christmas ideas is a work in progress. As it would be with two toddlers.
The older they get, the more capable Orson and Nova are at participating and taking part in festive traditions. This year, we’re carrying over some activities from last year, but also planning to incorporate more.
Christmas Eve will be the time for hanging these awesome, dye-free candy canes on our tree. Indulging on hot cocoa with luxurious homemade caramel marshmallows bathing on top. This year will be the first year that we’ll let the toddlers open one Christmas Eve present.
Don’t want to spoil anything, but it’s new toothbrushes.
Once we had Nova, I opted to horde presents in our closet, and only bring them out (and fill the stockings) after bedtime the night before Christmas morning. Seeing the looks on their awestruck faces Christmas morning is a gift I cherish every year.
Other Christmas tradition ideas that make this list?
EASY.
Every single year, during the holiday season, WITHOUT FAIL, we watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s the gift that keeps givin’ the whole year, Clark. By the way, shitter’s full.
For the past two holiday seasons, we’ve taken Orson and Nova to see the Christmas lights at San Antonio Botanical Garden. And this year, Illuminate was even better than last year’s display. More interactive, lower-stim, cohesive, and engaging. It was STUNNING.
This was my and the toddlers’ first year constructing a gingerbread house. Nathan glued it together, and we got straight to work decorating it. While eating some actually edible gingerbread cookies I baked.
Hubby and I are also in talks about seeing what we can find at a local firework store to blow it up for the New Year as a possible tradition. Hee-hee, BOOM!
In the lead up to Christmas, Nathan has been reading the story of baby Jesus from Orson and Nova’s children’s Bible. And although we’ve drawn the distinction that Santa is a mythological metaphor for the spirit of giving and generosity around Christmastime, I may have still picked up a copy of the Night Before Christmas to read Christmas Eve.
Our other ideas of Christmas traditions generally involve a list of meals we like to make. Some things are tried and true. Like my slow-cooker smashed potatoes and beer bread or Nathan’s skillet apple crisp.
Some traditions are okay to break free from, however, and while I usually make a Christmas-themed cake and eggnog-gingersnap cheesecake, I’m entering a new culinary era. I’ve got visions of merry macarons dancing in my head this year, as well as some yeasted eggnog-bavarois filled doughnuts…
Stay tuned for recipes, if they turn out well.
Now, moving on to another list of Christmas ideas. Before I get too hungry.
Deck the Halls and Hang Some Balls
So, my annual tradition of Christmas decorating the day after Halloween got delayed this year…
For good reason! I went on my first, roughin’-it camping trip ever! It was Nova’s, too. Amazing, but also horrific in many ways. (We’re coming up with a list soon of must-have products that make camping SURVIVABLE for our family.) Can’t wait to do it again!
Anyway…
Within a day or two of our return, I dove straight in to make up for lost time.
Can I just say: it is hella difficult to efficiently make holiday magic with two feral toddlers running amok, the torture that is dealing with a teenager, and a partridge in a pear tree. But I’ve made it happen, even if I had to dole said magic out incrementally.
Even that has turned into a fun version of seek-and-find for the tots, though. Daily coming out with wide-eyed amusement when they discover a new decoration on display.
Leftover, mini, shatterproof ball ornaments from my new tiny, hallway Christmas tree adorn my window garland now.
Extra Christmas wrapping paper accents my doors and kitchen cabinets. Orson and Nova jumped at the opportunity to help with “stickers”: slapping on gift-wrap bows to the cabinet doors to make them look like Christmas presents.
Wasteful?
Maybe, but no more wasteful than wrapping the presents for under the tree. I also wanted to downsize on my wrapping paper collection, so it could all fit in my vertical closet organizers. Win-win.
This year, my toddlers are also showing enough self-restraint that the wrapping paper decorations will bring joy far longer than the presentation of actual wrapped gifts even will.
So, no, not a waste. And if you’re desperate to feel festive this year, like I was, this is an instant infusion of holiday cheer when you see the result. I just really needed to be a little extra this year. And it paid off.
Other fun, favorite decorative touches and ideas for this Christmas list:
Obviously, only shatterproof and interactive ornaments for the bottom of the tree when you’ve got handsy littles in the house. And, chances are, if you’ve got littles in the house, you’ve also got Little People. Y’know the tiny, toy dolls?
There are Little People nativity sets. Super cute and a great reminder for what the season’s about.
Then, there are National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Little People sets. And I have ours proudly displayed.
Highly recommend.
I also highly recommend the cutesy, mindful, demure Miniverse Christmas collection. In truth, I never would’ve personally dove in to the make-it-mini universe, but one of my friends LOVES it. She even hosted a Christmas PJ party at which we all crafted Miniverse creations.
Because my OCPD demands extra credit, I shopped around for my own extras to bring along. I happened upon the Christmas options… AND THE COVETED RARE MOOSE MUG SET! Lucky me! If I can just find a bit of time to sit down and put it together already…
My daughter especially loves itty-bitty, petite, little things, as she is so dainty herself. So when she saw my itty-bitty, painstakingly-flocked Christmas tree that I made at the party, it was instant obsession. It’s perfectly cute and adds an adorable, festive flair.
Which is why it also makes my list of last-minute Christmas gift ideas. Oh yes, there’s myrrh. Read on!
Christmas GIFT List Ideas
Ooh yes, here are the goodies.
Just some ideas to get the inspiration flowing, but these ideas make this Christmas list for a reason. I can confidently recommend these products as legit holiday gifts. Even if they are a little last minute.
The Figgy (Pudding) Couch
See what I did there? I’d be remiss if I didn’t start straight out the gate preaching the virtues of the Figgy Couch as a fun family gift. If you need convincing, check out Indoor Fort Builds & Play Couch Ideas with Figgy and my Figgy Play Couch review.
It comes with a price tag, but is a well worthwhile expense. And it’s all the easier to justify as a joint gift for multiple kids. Think of the obstacle courses, forts, and FUN that you and your family can enjoy on a Figgy Couch Christmas morning.
If I do successfully convince you to get this couch for your kids, let me sweeten the pot with a $15 discount. You can use my affiliate link or use my coupon code FRIGGINFIGGY15 on the Figgy website to take advantage of this Mamasaur bargain.
The Hatch Rest in Heavenly Peace
This one really is a gift that keeps giving the whole year. And then some. It has its faults, but by far, the Hatch Rest is an invaluable investment for exhausted parents desperate to get their littles ones dreaming of sugar plums.
A programmable, custom-color night light. Soothing sleep sounds and an extensive library of bedtime stories to get young kids off to dreamland. This worked wonders for us, troubleshooting issues aside, and it’s an awesome gift idea for any tired parents on your Christmas list.
Check out my review of the Hatch Rest here.
The Skip Hop 3-in-1 Activity Center
One of my favorite products to hype up for new parents. We’ve used our Skip Hop 3-in-1 since my son was 4 months old in 2021. He just turned 4 years old, and this activity center is still going strong with daily use as a toddler table.
It started as a “bouncer” with darling, engaging toys. Transitioned that to a 360-degree cruising station, and now? We use it every day for snacks and activities, reading lessons, and screen-free entertainment. Can’t beat a good, ol’-fashioned coloring sesh.
This table is durable, and its color palette is inoffensively subdued. Any expecting or brand-new parents you’re shopping for this Christmas season? Add this to your list of Christmas gift ideas, for sure.
Read my Skip Hop 3-in-1 Activity Center review to find out more.
‘Tis the Season for Sensory Toys
BIG recommendation after the year we’ve personally had with our toddlers.
Especially dealing with Orson’s OCD neurodivergence. I cannot stress enough the importance of sensory activities and toys, as well as any toys that can help with emotional intelligence and regulation development.
I go into an extensive list of ideas perfect for Christmas gifting in my article Calming the Chaos with Sensory Toys. So many of the toys and tools listed there have been incredibly helpful in achieving the progressive milestones we have with him and Nova.
One of Orson’s birthday gifts was an invaluable twofer. Soft, sensory plushies WITH a book about emotions, as well as a poster of the names and faces of different feelings. It was especially nice because it was something that Orson had worked with in his counseling sessions as well.
A Little Spot of Emotion gift set has opened up new opportunities for redirection and coregulation. When he’s getting stuck, we can reach for the emotion plushies and point out on the poster the face of what we’re feeling inside.
When we know its name, we have a better idea of how to help him through it.
For anyone with young kids, definitely check out my Sensory Toy recommendation list and A Little Spot of Emotion gift set. For starters. The Spot of Emotion series is prolific, and they even have a Feelings Island Board Game appropriate for pre-readers.
A toddler being able to start emotionally self-regulating is a gift EVERYONE can enjoy.
Loungefly Favorites for Everyone on Your List
I will never not be part of the Loungefly fandom. This brand represents all of the things that I love: Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Disney, etc… And represents them so fashionably well.
In my opinion, Loungefly products just can’t be beat on this list of Christmas gift ideas. The brand touts multitudinous and well-made options for women and men (check out their Collectiv line). The bags are durable, spacious, and full of personality.
Loungefly offers pins, wallets, bags, journals, clothing, et cetera. Any way you want to publicize your passionate fandom, they’ve got you covered. Even festive holiday options, if Halloween and/or Christmas (NBC, anyone?) is your absolute fave.
I have multiple Loungefly options on my Christmas list, and I’m not even sorry about it. Merry Christmas.
Peak Design is Peak Gift-Giving
Any camping fans for which you’re trying to find the perfect gift? What about frequent flyers?
Peak Design has you covered. Nathan and I upgraded our travel packs this year to the Outdoor Line 25L bags and cannot rave about these more. We’ll have to cover them in more detail another day, but I’m impressed.
Prior to that, Nathan had their 30L Everyday backpack. He’d had it for a solid 6 years, it held up exceptionally well and still looked virtually brand-new. Peak Design makes solid, incredibly well-made and durable backpacks, packing cubes, camera bags…
You can’t go wrong with Peak Design products. We certainly didn’t.
4Ks in Case, Mmkay?
Maybe we’re overthinking things here. Maybe.
HOWEVER, in this technological age, you can’t take any real comfort in movie ownership if all you have are digital copies of your favorite films and shows. Essentially, all you’re doing when you buy and download a digital copy of your favorite movie is LEASING it.
Again, maybe overthinking. But Nathan and I crave security. This past year, we made a compendium of “Movies/Shows You’d Take with You to a Deserted Island”. We had an agreed upon set limit for each of us.
If the streaming services suddenly shut down, if our digital copies are no longer supported, how do we revisit our comfort food favorites? Therefore, we’ve been checking our faves and must-haves off our lists to fill out our 4K library. Amazon frequently hosts sales on media, including 4K movies.
We’ve also added multiple 4K titles to our list of Christmas gift ideas, and we’d be happy to add them to our collection if received. Maybe whoever you’re shopping for feels that same need for insurance.
Christmas movie night, anyone?
Christmas Consumables & Self-Care Gifts
Minimalist Mamasaur here. Y’know something I love personally receiving for gifts? Stuff I can use up. Bougie hair-care products I can’t justify buying for myself. Skin-care goodies that I know that I’ll love using during my oh-so-limited, self-pampering time.
Artisanal treats. A beautiful, botanical bottle of gin. Something that reminds me to slow down, take time for myself… I’d rather that than something that requires maintenance, cleaning up, finding a place for…
I already feel like I’m constantly purging and donating things away. I personally don’t really need more stuff.
On the other hand…
Make-up replacement so that I don’t have to buy it myself. A Ross gift card so that I don’t have to dip into clothing budget but still get to pick out what works for me best. A gift certificate for a massage. A mani-pedi. Something for which I won’t likely splurge on myself anymore, but would use in a heartbeat.
Yeah, now you’re talking.
I feel like I can confidently hazard a guess that many mamas out there likely feel the same way. Just food for thought. Yeah, yummy food. That’s a great idea.
Novelty Toys for the Noel Season
Now that Orson is 4 years old, it’s been really fun exposing him to the wonderful world of old-school novelty toys. His OCD really has a field day whenever the Lite Brite comes out, let me tell you.
These are easy, budget-friendly buys to put under the tree. Their appeal stands the test of time for good reason.
Options like the previously mentioned Lite Brite. Obviously, use your best judgment here. We opted for a Lite Brite with the fewest number of itty-bitty pegs possible as a toddler starter. Orson and Nova both get into this activity with focused fervor, and it’s a Lite Brite sight to behold.
How about an Etch-a-Sketch? Introduced in 1959, this toy has stood the test of time for about 65 years now. Simple in concept, but it certainly draws you in with its invitation to creativity. Can’t beat that fine-motor skill development boost either. Good, safe, mess-free fun.
Orson’s got one going under the tree this year. Thanks, Gramma and Grampa G. I know he’ll LOVE it.
Play-Doh, dontcha know? Safe, sensory fun. Open-ended opportunities to explore new tactile experiences. Sculpt clay creations. We enjoy pulling Play-Doh out as a calming activity at the table with stamps and buttons and rolling pins, oh my.
And it is relatively cheap. Great idea for a Christmas gift shopping list. Especially for stuffing kids’ stockings.
Dine & Dash with Pretend Food
Was I reluctant to get my toddlers pretend food? Sure. Ideal case, it’s made of more eco-friendly materials like wood or recycled plastic. Or it’s just MORE manufactured plastic for a cheap toy that will outlive the amount of time the child will likely enjoy playing with it.
And then, what, they need a pretend kitchen for all of the pretend food to go in? Yeah, I held off a while. But then, Figgy got me.
Figgy has a new product offering called Play Panels. They cover your Figgy couch and have an adorable design that transforms the modular sofa into a pretend kitchen! It doesn’t take up any more space than the couch itself did. The fabric is washable and easily stores away.
So, yes, for the sake of the illusion, facilitating the wonderful world of pretend play for my two toddlers, pretend food has entered the chat. And I’m such a sucker for it.
The little toy sandwiches, macarons, and cups of tea that my toddlers bring me, each other, and their stuffed animals. The tea parties and s’mores roasting by the fire. Watching the little fantasy come to life for my kids makes the culinary clutter worth it.
And with a plethora of gastronomic ideas and toys on the market, pretend food is an easy-to-find gift to go on the Christmas list.
The Billy Joel Gift Basket
‘Cause somebody’s movin’ out!
I’m definitely entering my gift basket era. You get a gift basket, and you get a gift basket. Everybody’s getting gift baskets! I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have at least a little fun throwing this survival essentials gift basket together for the teenager.
The sky’s the limit with gift baskets in general, but don’t stoop to getting generic store-bought. Curate it. Get things that you KNOW the person you’re shopping for would actually use and enjoy. A little thought (theoretically) goes a long way.
For the brand-new “adult”, I got a fancy, collapsible laundry basket. Expanded it. Loaded it up and wrapped it up beautifully with cellophane. And I mean LOADED it.
ECO laundry detergent sheets to last him the next several months. Toiletry gift sets (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream, the works). New, comfy underwear. A funny novelty button-up that we traditionally get him every year. As well as the final year D&D Christmas ornament to add to his personal collection.
A few personal wrapped gifts. A cookbook/scrapbook that Nathan and I have worked on the past few years. And lots of snacks. Organic toaster pastries. Chips. A few assorted candies. Even Sleepytime Tea and Magnesium supplements. All the things so that he does HOPEFULLY take care of himself.
Make this idea your own for anyone on your list this Christmas. Anything contextually appropriate that they’d use or enjoy, throw it in. It’s fun to make and expresses thoughtfulness. Most people will receive that well.
Cha-ching!
When all else fails, you certainly know this one. GIFT CARDS.
If there is an item Nathan or myself really want, it’s usually something too expensive for which to ask. So, it’s a matter of saving. And the gift cards get us there that much faster. Some people say that gift cards aren’t thoughtful, but in this economy? You want to make sure you’re getting someone something that they really want.
Psst. It’s gift cards.
Sugar-Daddy Santa
Whoa. Somebody sat on Santa’s lap a while to get on his primo-nice list. No judgment. That’s just a little stocking stuffer for anyone who’s still reading.
If money is no object… hey, big spender… I’ve got a couple last goodies worth mentioning on this list of Christmas gift ideas. For your consideration:
Vacation. Rent an AirBnB, maybe. Who says you have to spend Christmas at home? But while you’re making merry memories elsewhere, you’ll want a legit and easily portable camera to document all of your festive adventures.
Look no further than the Pocket 3. A dream camera for vlogging, content creation, travel photography, and yuletide memory documentation.
It’s definitely on our list as a future upgrade. Check it out!
If you’re more of a homebody that enjoys virtual adventure as opposed to the hassle of holiday travel, no shame in that game. Or in VR gaming. Especially with the right hardware. We’ve written up the Meta Quest 3 before, and it holds firm as a solid recommendation. Especially as a family gift.
That being said, you may want to save playing Alien: Rogue Incursion in VR for yourself.
A much-anticipated survival-horror game brought to you by Survios (and my animator husband who worked on it). Might be a tad much for the kiddos, but go blow away some Xenos this Christmas.
No worries, though. There are endless family-friendly titles to get your kids active and moving. You can read about my personal experience with Supernatural VR here.
All in all, it’s a super idea on this list of Christmas gifts. Consider it an investment that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Wrapping Up
This is just the tip of the iceberg on Christmas list ideas, but there’s too many Ho Ho Ho’s in this house and too little time to write about all the things.
Hope it sparked some inspiration, and I hope that you and your family have the hap-hap-happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny… ‘Kay?
Merry Christmas from the Mamasaur family to yours.
And a very joyous, safe, and Happy New Year.