The Holiday season is upon us and as Mothers, we are hustling and bustling trying to find and wrap the perfect gifts for each member of our families. If you are anything like me, you always save the stockings for last and you find yourself running around the picked over Target Dollar Spot last minute. Many times I have stuffed in items that are later discarded in a junk drawer and never used. That’s why this year I am following the ever-popular “Rule of 4” for our family’s stockings. Each member will receive at least one thing they want, one thing they need, as well as something to wear and something to read. Today I am sharing some ideas for each category for every member of the family.
Babies and Toddlers:
Something they want:
- Finger Puppets
- Bath Toys
- Oballs
Something they need:
- Pouches and Teething Snacks
- Teething Toys
Something to wear:
Something to read:
- Board books
These Finger Puppets are the perfect interactive toy for this age. Also anything for teething will be a hit!
Pre-K Kids:
Something they want:
- Card Games and Card Holder
- Lacing/ beading toys
- Play-doh
- Color Changing Crayons and Small Coloring Books
Something they need:
- Hair ties/Toothpaste/Toothbrush
Something to wear:
- Mittens
Something to read:
- Flash Cards
The card holder is genius! My daughter can never hold all her playing cards at once. Playdoh, beading and lacing are the perfect additions to help with your child’s pincer grasp while also being super fun for them! Also, how cute are these crayons?
Elementary:
Something they want:
- Small Game- Bop it/Slamwich
- Lego Minis/Hatchimals
Something they need:
- Spin Brush/Toothpaste
- pencils
Something to wear:
- Cozy Socks
Something to read:
- Chapter Book
- Madlibs
This Slamwich game is super fun and will keep them off the ipad for at least a little while! Also Madlibs will be fun for the whole family, while also tricking them into reading! Win!
Pre-teens/Teenagers:
Something they want:
- Water bottle
- Small Gift cards-gas/starbucks/food chains
- Phone case/earbuds
Something they need:
- Wallet
- Bobby pins/ chapstick / razors
Something to wear:
Something to read:
- Magazines
Small gift cards for gas or their favorite spots to hang out with friends will be a hit! Also use the stocking as a good time to STOCK up on those items they go through quickly like razors and bobby pins. (Pun Intended!)
Mom:
Something She Wants:
- Candle/ Bubble bath
- Nail Polish/ Gift certificate
- To Go Coffee mug
Something She Needs:
- Pocket Journal/Pens
- Hand Sanitizers
Something to Wear:
- Cozy Socks/Slippers
Something to Read:
- Magazine subscription
Husbands, this is for you! Mom will love these cozy slippers. The pocket journals and coffee mug are perfect for the busy mom on the go, but don’t forget to treat mom with something special like a gift certificate to get her nails done!
Dad:
Something He Wants:
- Gourmet Coffee
- Grilling Tools
- BBQ sauce or spice rubs
Something He Needs:
- Pocket Knife
- Car wash gift certificate
Something to Wear:
- Gloves
Something to Read:
- Desk Calendar
I always stick in a gift certificate for my husband to get his car washed and he loves it! Also gourmet coffee, spices or BBQ sauces are the perfect additions to Dad’s stocking!
Following this game plan should make shopping simple this year. It will also ensure that you don’t waste money on a bunch of junk never to be used. I hope that this guide makes finishing up your shopping list simple so that Mom too can enjoy the holiday season.
