Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Babies and Kids

If you’re anything like me, your house is jam-packed full of toys. Overflowing with toys. Toys your kids love, toys your kids won’t even look at, toys you step on constantly and put away begrudgingly. This Christmas, if your kids just don’t need any more toys, there are still thoughtful and generous ways to celebrate the season. So, when your distant aunt texts you, “what do the kids want for Christmas?”, you can just direct her to this link. Here are my favorite non-toy gifts for babies, toddlers, and kids:

Savings & Investments

Talk to the parents before embarking on this idea. This is a wonderful annual gift with compounding opportunities for interest and gratitude.

• College Fund: 529 plans allow you to save and invest for K-12 tuition and higher education in a tax free way (check your state’s rules, many are flexible!)
• Custodial brokerage accounts can be used for general investing purposes. Choose something you or the family is interested in, or a child-friendly investment (like Disney).

Christmas Collections

Start a collection you can add to each year, another great thing to discuss with the family first – try to make sure the collection is purposeful. For example:

• Ornaments – I love Waterford’s Christmas collection and Swarovsky’s yearly snowflake. Or personal ornaments based on what they’re into each year. They’ll have a stunning tree by the time they’re adults.
• Snow globes – these are so magical, and a stunning collectible they’ll have forever.
• Books – you can never have too many books! Starting a collection of Christmas books will be meaningful every year (and something they can pass to their own kids).

Annual Passes/Experience Gifts

Help the family have more fun together throughout the year by gifting an experience, membership, class, or annual pass.

• Annual pass to a local zoo, aquarium, or museum.
• Tickets for a show or activity (Bluey’s Big Play is touring!)
• Pay for a class (dance, music, tumbling – ask the parent first!)
• Really go all out and send them on a trip to Beaches Turks & Caicos (with Sesame Street Characters) or a Disney Cruise.

Necessities

Growing babies, toddlers, and kids have growing needs. While they may not be the most fun things to open under the tree, they are necessities that will be used daily. Talk to the parents to see if any of these fit their needs:

• A new carseat (convertible or booster) – I love Safe in the Seat’s recommendations.
• A new stroller or wagon (I love this stroller brand, this wagon and this wagon).
• A new high chair, booster seat, or portable chair.
• Toddler dishes, sippy cups, big kid cups, toddler silverware, etc.

Their Own Furniture

This is a big help to families and usually a lasting gift for kids – win, win!

• Learning Tower
  • The greatest thing to happen to toddlers. We love this Kitchen Step Stool with a small footprint and this award-winning and attractive toddler tower.
• Beds & Mattresses
  • Are they graduating to a big kid bed? We love the Casita Floor Bed and the Jenny Lind Toddler Bed. You can’t go wrong with a Casper Mattress and this affordable option gets rave reviews.
• Table and Chairs
  • Their own space to create, snack, and enjoy. We love this set that considers storage, this classic option, this whimsical option, and this sibling-friendly option.

Their Own Useful Tools

I love the Montessori philosophy of kids having tools their own size to do actual work. Here are some we love in our home:

• Kitchen Tools
  • Grape Cutter
  • Apple Slicer
  • Crinkle Cutter
  • Baking Set
  • Pair kitchen tools with a Kid’s Cookbook
• Gardening Tools
  • Watering Can
  • Gardening Tool Set

Their Own Useful Organization Systems

I’m saving the best for last – another Montessori philosophy I love and fully embrace, kid-sized organizational systems that give them freedom, choice, and independence.

• Toy Storage
  • The Montessori Play Shelf
  • The IKEA System
• Entryway Cubby
  • The Cubbies we Own
  • The Grey Cubbies
• Wardrobe
  • The Affordable Wardrobe Option
  • The Best of the Best Wardrobe Option

If you just can’t pass up throwing a toy or two into the mix, who could blame you? I’ve got you covered with full gift guides for babies, toddlers, and little kids.

I’d love to know what you’re gifting your kids this year – Let me know in the comments below!