I'm already thinking about Christmas. Truth be told, I have been thinking about it since October 1. I'm doing homemade gifts again this year, after a brief hiatus.
More about this year's list
This year is all about caramel sauce. But I'm mixing it up a bit and adding new flavors.
That'll be fun for December, having little gifts to give teachers (with gift cards too, of course) and whoever else we see who needs a bit of cheer.
I'm also trying to be more mindful this year. I say this (and mean it) every year, but I really want to get organized and make sure I'm not just buying things in order to have more things.
I put a bunch of links in the Notes app, which actually wasn't helpful AT ALL as a place to reference things.
So, I decided to put them here.
If for some reason someone other than my husband stumbles upon this post, I have two girls in elementary school, ages 7 and 10.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon links in this guide are affiliate links. Other shop links are ordinary links.
Stocking stuffers
This is usually the most thoughtless part of the holiday. "What's in the seasonal aisle at Walgreens?" is the theme, year after year.
But not this year. This year, I'm listening to the little hints and suggestions I'm hearing.
And here's what's going in the stockings.
Hand sanitizer
I have no idea why my kids like hand sanitizer. But they do. And they really like the rectangular kind. And they fit in a stocking.
View at Amazon
Eye masks
Just the other night, my seven-year-old came out of her room for the third time to ask, "When are you getting me an eye mask?"
I don't know, diva. Maybe I'll leave this one to the big man.
View at Amazon
NeeDoh cubes
How old am I?
So old that I do not (DO NOT) understand the obsession with squishy things.
But I do not need to understand.
I just need to supply.
View at Amazon
Rainbow popsicle loofahs
Found these bad boys at Albertsons, which means hopefully they're stored in a place where I will:
a) remember them, and
b) find them and put them in their stockings.
Because rainbow. And popsicles.
View at Amazon
The miniatures at Sweeties
There's an amazing store in Chandler the size of a Trader Joe's, and all it has inside is candy and soda. They also have a toy section with miniature toys. I'm thinking Simon and Bop It (aka '90s Simon).
Browse Sweeties toysNow for the things that go under the tree
I really like the idea floating around that says "something they want/something they need/something to wear/something to read" (Oh hey, when you look at it like this, it's a rhyme, and just in time!)
But that feels too limiting at their ages.
So while I haven't settled on much, here's what I'm thinking.
Something to play with
We love games in our house. Well, most of us do anyway. The ten-year-old doesn't like following rules.
So here are my thoughts about things to play with.
Kanoodle Gravity
This looks really fun. I loved Tetris as a kid, and this looks like physical Tetris.
View at Amazon
Morf rainbow fidget worm
Fidgets are another category of "things I don't understand but don't need to." So because it's both a fidget and a rainbow, it's on my list.
View at Amazon
Razor Crazy Cart Shuffle
I will probably not get this one. But dang, does my inner kid want it.
View at AmazonSomething to make
Craft kits are all the rage in the elementary school birthday party circuit. (Don't tell anyone, but once I regifted a paint-your-own unicorn that was the second of its kind given to my youngest.)
There's something lovely about taking a box off a shelf, spending two or more great hours with it, and getting something out of it at the end.
That's what winter break was made for, after all.
Here's what I'm considering.
Glitter pen set
My oldest saw this kit at Costco and lit up. "Maybe put it on your list," I told her.
View at Amazon
Pink Picasso “Pick Me Up” paint-by-numbers kit
Considering. A floral paint-by-numbers project with a canvas, paints, and brushes.
View at Amazon
Klutz Whipped Clay Froyo Shop
Considering. A book and activity kit for making little clay frozen-yogurt creations.
View at Amazon
Something to wear. Something to read.
Press-on nails
On the list. KISS imPRESS Mini “Dream Big” nails come in kids’ sizes with peel-and-stick adhesive. No separate glue needed.
View at Amazon
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight
On the list. Book 21 in the series, published October 20, 2026.
View at AmazonA few gifts for younger kids
Panda Brothers screwdriver board
On the list. A wooden board with screws and tools for a child who wants to build.
View at Amazon
Welcome to the Symphony
Considering. A music book with sound buttons for hearing the orchestra.
View at Amazon
Learning Resources Snap-n-Learn Counting Cows
Considering. A set of little cows to match, count, and sort.
View at WalmartShared gifts and family things
And my own wish list
Since I am making a list anyway.
Escapade Gourmande Grand Cru
A few years ago, I had Escapade Gourmande and loved it. I've heard the hype about this one and would be willing to get a full bottle since it's not exactly a blind buy. But perhaps a sample would be a better idea.
View at Luckyscent
Check each listing for the current price, size, age range, and stock.