These are the gifts we are giving our 3 girls for Christmas this year. This year, they are 3, 5, and 7 years old!
By Will and Erin Odom
In our family, we have decided to give 3 gifts to each of our daughters.
As the image indicates, this includes something they want, an item that they need, and a gift that encourages spiritual growth.
We started this tradition when our firstborn was a baby, so they have never known any different. This helps us to keep the gifts intentional, and it also helps us not overspend (although we are spending a bit more this year than in years past–only because we have a larger budget).
Our girls do get more gifts from other relatives, but we have begun putting most grandparent money toward their education funds.
We have also begun discussing how to politely ask them to limit their gift giving as well.
You can check out what we gave our girls for Christmas in 2014 and 2013.
So for this year, they are receiving*…
(* Please keep in mind that some of the prices may be different since we purchased our items. I have noticed that some items are currently unavailable on Amazon, so the prices are inflated.)
Want
Our oldest girl has really gotten into Legos over the past few months, and we love all the educational value they add to play time. Plus, they are just fun.
She really loves anything Lego, including my hubby’s childhood Legos that he brought back to North Carolina from his home in Mississippi.
However, she is particularly interested in the Lego Friends collection.
For whatever reason, our middle girl has been asking for a birdie in a cage. At first we thought she was referencing a live bird, but to our relief, she later clarified by pointing out the Little Live Pet Cleverkeet.
Of course, we can’t have a house full of girls and not have at least one Frozen present under the tree. Our youngest still loves Frozen. She actually picked this Anna doll out a few months ago because Anna has red hair like her.
Need
Our girls truly don’t need anything at this point; however, it is important for us to nurture the interests of our children, so sometimes “needs” can take a different form.
Last year, our oldest began expressing an interest in sewing, so she received a little sewing kit and a toy sewing machine. We didn’t want to invest a lot in this area since she was just exploring it.
However, over the year, she has continued to show an interest, so this year we decided to get her a real sewing machine.
Our neighbor, more of a friend and grandmother-figure to our girls, is going to teach her to sew.
Our middle has been begging for an umbrella of her own and a purse to carry.
When we saw the Alex Color-A-Funbrella and the Alex Color-A-Purse, we knew these would fit her perfectly since she could give them her own personal touch and explore the fashionista that she is.
(*These will be opened as a pair together since we also try and keep the dollar amount the same among the girls.)
While our youngest does not necessarily need any clothes, much of what she has is handed down from her older siblings and are pretty worn by the time they get to her, so we do like to buy her a few new things from time to time.
She’ll get two new outfits for her wardrobe.
Spiritual
While this often one of the most difficult gifts to find, it is also one of the most important gifts for us since our children’s spiritual development is of utmost priority.
Our girls love getting stuff in the mail, and now that our oldest is reading, we thought a magazine subscription would be perfect.
Clubhouse is a magazine for ages 8-12 that is similar to Highlights. It reinforces traditional values and promotes family closeness with hands-on activities, challenging puzzles and exciting stories.
And for our middle child, we decided on Clubhouse Jr., for ages 3-7.
For the youngest who can’t read yet, we decided on a Gigi, God’s Little Princess DVD as well as Color Wonder Princess Joy’s Birthday Blessing.
For more spiritual gift ideas for your little ones, check out Will’s post on 65+ gift ideas to foster spiritual growth.
Stocking Stuffers
In addition to their 3 gifts, we also stuff their stockings with smaller items. This year, this will include socks, hair accessories, band-aids, organic candy, toothbrushes, bubbles, and a couple of small doll accessories.
Sarah
Just curious- are these wrapped under the tree from you guys, and then you do Santa presents too? Always curious how that works with people who do the 3 gift system. Thanks!!
Erin
Sarah,
They will open these on Christmas morning from us. We don’t really “do” Santa traditionally. Our kids know that St. Nicholas was a Christ-follower and a very generous man who gave to many. We have fun with Santa, and they take pictures, etc., but they know their gifts come from us. Hope that helps a little!
Sarah
Thanks Erin! Makes sense. Have a wonderful holiday!
lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
Love that you’re giving your oldest a sewing machine! I’ve taught kids sewing lessons before. There’s a lot they can do even with basic skills! I wish I learned earlier, but I’m glad I can get my kids started early.
Have a great Christmas Erin!
Lorena
Never heard of Clubhouse/Clubhouse Jr. before, but will definitely be looking at subscribing once my oldest daughter is in the appropriate age category. She gets Highlights Hello right now and LOVES the fact that something comes for her in the mail. I remember being excited about getting letters and magazines when I was her age, so I’m glad that this is still alive in our digital culture. Now when/if I can get her interested in letter-writing, we’ll be in business. 😉
Lizzy
I bought a set of books from my friend Nikki Rogers, an author I’ve met and interviewed on my blog. She has such a beautiful set of books about how you have a garden in your heart and sewing and reaping explained for little ones, love languages for children, what a real princess is made of, what makes a boy a hero, how God provides for us etc. I bought the set and then split them up for my little sisters who are 3 & 6, and then gave the other two to the cousins. The author is Australian but she has her books for sale in America also. My toddler is 2, so I’ve just got her a sticker book this time.