Holiday Gift Guide 2021 - Ideas for babies, kids + parents
The 2021 holiday season is upon us! I polled you guys on Instagram the other day and asked if you were feeling excited or overwhelmed about the upcoming holidays and it was about a 50-50 split =) I think both feelings can co-exist, am I right? The beauty of parenthood is that often times there are multiple feelings at once. Anyways, this gift guide is designed to give you some fresh, new ideas this holiday season, if you’re looking for some - without breaking the bank! All of these products are things that I personally love and use with my own family and/or families I have worked with over the years.
Happy shopping!
(*Some of these links are affiliate links, where I earn a small commission from your purchase - thank you SO much in advance for supporting me and my small business!)
For BABY
Some of my favorite baby products and toys for babies (so let’s be honest, for you!).
Teetherpop Fillable Teether $ - A great teether tool for when your baby starts the teething process. Fill it with breast milk, formula, or even water and freeze for a few hours. Your baby will love holding it themselves and sucking on the top - it soothes the gums AND helps promote tongue movement for improved feeding skills when it’s time to introduce solids.
A to Z Adventure Mat $$- A multi-purpose play mat that has SO many uses *and* packs up super small - woohoo! This mat serves as a place to put baby down outside, when at a friend’s house, or during pit stops when traveling (we’ve used it for feedings and changing diapers during longer car rides). It also acts as a great sun shade for the car window to make it darker for car naps - just roll your windows down a bit, place the top edge of the mat in the opening, then roll the window back up. Plus, the company is female and family-owned… I always try to support these types of small businesses! Use code ‘RR15’ for 15% off your order.
Evenflo Play Space $$ - When your baby begins to crawl, I always recommend creating a “yes space” where they can freely move around and engage in independent play without you having to be right next to them for safety. This is my favorite play pen - it folds up easily and can act as an enclosed space or an extended gate. Plus, it’s sturdy enough for your baby to pull up to stand without it tipping over. Placing your baby in this space with a few toys as part of their morning routine can be a great way to encourage independent play each day.
Lovevery Play Kit $$$ - Trust me when I say that your baby doesn’t need any other toys besides the ones that come in these play kits - for real! These toys are organic, non-toxic, and designed to stimulate your baby’s developing brain. They inspire open-ended and creative play at each stage and are GREAT for letting your baby play independently each day.
For TODDLERS + KIDS
A few of my favorite products and toys for toddlers and kids that are purposeful in promoting age-appropriate development or assisting you in having their routines run smoothly.
Teeth Are Not For Biting book $ - This book (and series) are great ways to begin to teach your toddler about safe and unsafe behaviors that often arise in the toddler years. These behaviors are normal and teaching your child what they *can* do with that particular body part is a great way to re-direct them when they are engaging in the unsafe behavior.
Honeysticks Crayons $ - 100% pure beeswax crayons that make a great first introduction to coloring for your toddler. Plus, they are safe to put in their mouth (which they will!) since there are no added fillers or chemicals.
Rewardums $$ - A black, female-owned small business that makes my favorite routine chart on the market. They are reusable stickers, so you can easily change the order around if and when your routines change. Just decide the order in which you want the routine to go, peel and stick your stickers somewhere visible (they stick to any clean surface and do not leave any residue, I promise!), and direct your kids’ attention there whenever they ask what’s coming next. Their motto is “tell your kids what to do without saying a word” - genius, right?! The Starter Kit is a great starting place for your child’s morning routine, bedtime, or daily tasks. Use code ‘JESSICA10’ for 10% off your purchase!
Jool Baby Real Feel Potty $$ - This is my favorite first potty for introducing a younger toddler to the potty process. It looks like a real toilet which helps promote your child’s understanding and increases the chance that they want to sit on it, since they often want to copy what they see you doing! I suggest putting this in the bathroom and having your toddler sit on it before bath time, as part of the evening routine. No pressure or expectation to pee or poop - just get in that practice of sitting, to start.
For PARENTS
Some ideas for the moms, dads, and everything in-between in your life : )
Custom Name Bracelet $ - A custom, handmade bracelet made by a mama-daughter duo in Texas. You can get your child’s initials, name, or whatever you want and customize color, style, etc. Plus, they donate 10% of proceeds to a different charity each month!
Tubby Todd Mama Gift Set $$ - An organic and non-toxic skincare set that includes a hand cream, nipple balm, and belly oil. Perfect for the pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum mama in your life. 10% discount automatically applied at checkout with this link!
Lackto Breastmilk Jewelry Kit $$ - If you know a breastfeeding mom, this is a great way to help her feel valued and proud of the work she’s put in. These DIY jewelry kits allow you to create your own piece of breastmilk jewelry from scratch at home (you only need a tiny bit of frozen or fresh milk).
Hope this list is helpful in your search for the perfect holidays gifts for friends and family. Feel free to forward this list on to grandma or whoever else you want to buy you NECESSARY gifts this holiday season… cheers!