Toddler Gift Guide
I officially wrapped up (pun intended ;) Christmas shopping for Nell today so thought I would throw together a recap of what was on her “list” and what was on ours. As like every year prior, we try to focus on one larger gift and try to keep it focused on something she “needs” or we know will have longevity. Her first Christmas for example she got this play kitchen that she still uses daily, and another year she got this play table and chairs that are also heavily used. Nell gets SO many toys and gifts from very generous family members so we try to be really diligent about not over-doing it. As with all kids, she’d be delighted with a big bag of fruit snacks so the urge to over-gift is definitely on us!!
This year’s “big gift” is a bicycle! We were going to wait for her birthday i.e. closer to spring but it won’t make much of a difference (it’s in Feb). It’s pricier then we tend to spend on bdays as well so Christmas it is. Our basement is currently unfinished so I’m confident she will ride out plenty of cabin fever wiggles down there this winter!
After much research we decided to go with this bike in cream. It has great reviews and will last her for a while after the training wheels come off. We skipped the balance bike route as she’s almost four now and already riding bikes at school. We got her this helmet in pink. It’s dual certified for biking and skateboarding and the matte finish is… cool haha. That said we’ve also heard great things about Banwood and Nutcase helmets, too! I couldn’t resist and had to throw in this rattan basket for her stuffies, too. A bike bell will be the finishing touch but we will pick that up at a local bike shop when we bring this to be assembled (professional assembly is recommended).
For her stocking, we focused on necessary evils like socks, pajamas and undies (Gap Kids are our fave for fit and washability) as well as a few treats like new wooden food for her play kitchen and some new craft supplies for impending snow days this winter. I bought these mess-free glitter keychains for a plane ride earlier this year and they are magic! Seriously no mess, easy for Nell to do on her own, and so exciting for her to clip to her backpack. She’s also been obsessed with snow globes so I thought she’d like this make-your-own water globe kit.
The big item on Nell’s list for Santa is a “unicorn sleeping bag with rainbows” which I think Santa or Mimi will cover but I threw in a few accessories for her stocking like this night light and pillow. Slippers are always hit and I found these unicorn options still in stock. Personally I love this timeless and sturdy LLBean option!
Other contenders:
Our favorite water bottle, updated!
The perfect mauve backpack that should last a few years, if your first buy for back to school was a cheapy that’s already been tossed (like me). Also need to update her lunchbox and plan to go with this classic.
Easy dresses and joggers from new-to-me brand Starfish Kids that offer a “slim” assortment if you have a string bean like Nell!
Dance gear - love these Target leotards and classic slippers but these H&M tutu’s are a Nell Hall staple
Nell’s school plays outdoors in all weather conditions so I grabbed these cute base layers that will look just fine as a set if her clothes get wet
I will throw a new Wet brush in her stocking - Frozen themed anything makes the nightly post-bath brush-out easier
Lastly I always include some Christmas goodies like pajamas (order early, they always sell out!), Christmas bows, and seasonal books to add to our collection
