Christmas shopping for a toddler is kinda hard. They can’t exactly tell you what they want, so you have to make educated guesses. Obviously there are a few things you know they’d like, but you have to gauge whether or not it’s a toy they’ll actually use and enjoy, and that can be hard to do! I’ve personally found it’s best to try to balance toys and necessities. As long as they are getting to open gifts, and have a few things they can immediately start to play with, they don’t care that you used Christmas as an excuse to buy them new pants.
-New shoes. We’ll just start things off in a practical way. Toddlers are aaaalways growing, it feels like they need a new pair of shoes every few months. Whether it’s because they are growing or wearing them out. We are really trying to shop small as much as possible this holiday season, and so I got Bastian the cutest shoes from Starry Knight Design. They sell a huge selection of soft soled shoes, but you can have them add a sole to it as well, for outside wear! That’s what we did for Bastian’s shoes.
-Sensory toys. The best kind of toys are ones that really keep my toddler distracted. Something that requires focus! I got him these lacing toys from Manzanita Kids and can’t wait for him to start playing with them!
-Wooden toys. I looove wooden toys for my boys. They last a really long time(they’re basically indestructible) and they inspire a lot of imaginative toys. Bastian is obsessed with cameras, so we got him a wooden camera toy(also from Manzanita Kids!) and I just know he is going to be so excited when he opens it on Christmas!
–New pajamas. Always a hit, because pajamas seem to be more fun than normal clothes, and Christmas is the best time for new pajamas!
-Their favorite characters toys. I feel like I’m always trying to cut down on screentime. Something I’ve found that’s helped is to get toys and books that embody the characters from his favorite movies! A few years ago we got him a Trolls book(that was his favorite at the time!) and he loved it. This year I’m planning on this duplo Frozen set and some Toy Story toys.
-Play cash register. Anything with lots of buttons is a huge hit in our house lately. I had the idea to get Bastian a toy cash register for Christmas, but I’m personally not a big fan of loud and gaudy toys. However, I came across this one(from Magnolia) that is suuuper cute.
-Play kitchen. I really want to capitalize on imaginative play, and so a lot of our toddler gifts this year will be geared around that! I love this play kitchen for that. I also am loving these toy dishes to go along with it!
–Toddler backpack. Bastian looves backpacks, and it’s so helpful to have a bag of his things for HIM to carry, so I don’t have to carry as much.
What is on your toddler’s wish list this holiday season??
Don’t forget to check out my Holiday Gift Guide – For Him to make shopping for the men in your life just a little bit easier!