Each year we give our kids 3 gifts each, so these are the gifts we are giving our kids for Christmas this year. This year, they are 12, 10, 8, and 3.5 years old!
Every year, we give our kids three gifts each – something they want, something they need, and something spiritual.
A lot of people we know do something similar with something to want, something to need, something to wear, and something to read.
We started this tradition when our firstborn was a baby. Some friends of ours had 2 children at the time, and she was pregnant with her third when I was pregnant with our first. They did this with their children, and we loved the idea so much that we borrowed it.
Our kids have never known any different, and it helps us to limit the number of gifts and to keep them intentional. It it also helps us not to overspend .
Our family also explains Santa Claus in such a way that we focus on the story of who Saint Nicholas really was and what he did. We have also instituted other traditions that our children love. We use Star from Afar, celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6, and commemorate El Día de los Tres Reyes (3 Kings Day or Epiphany) on January 6.
Our kids do get more gifts from other relatives, but last year, we used some of the money to fund a trip to Disney. This year, we are taking that money and putting into a fund for a future vacation, experience, etc. We have just decided that we don’t need more “stuff” in our home, and our kids really enjoyed the trip we took last year and still talk about it all the time, including the 3 year old.
You can check out what we gave our kids the last 5 years here (for some reason we are missing 2018):
- 2013 Christmas
- 2014 Christmas
- 2015 Christmas
- 2016 Christmas
- 2017 Christmas
- 2019 Christmas
- 2021 Christmas
What are we giving our kids for Christmas in 2020?
Without further ado, check out what we are giving our kids for Christmas this year!*
(* Please keep in mind that some of the prices may be different since we purchased our items. I have noticed that some items may be currently unavailable or have inflated prices.)
Something they want:
The kids can choose one item that they really want, and it can be anything from a toy, clothing, or other activity they are interested in.
Our girls have been in love with Legos (on Amazon) for years, and they are often what they ask for.
This year, our oldest daughter has fallen in love with Paris and French culture, so she has wanted this Lego Architecture (on Amazon) Paris set ever since she saw it.
All of our kids will play with Legos for hours on end. Right now, I think we have enough Legos to build a full-size house, but our middle daughter loves hair and fashion and asked for a specific hair salon set. They actually had these at Aldi, but we found ours at Walmart.
Again with the Legos…But, I really don’t mind because they provide hours of entertainment and creativity for them. They are also one of those things that we will probably keep for our own grandchildren should we eventually have them. She wanted a Lego hospital and since the original Heartlake Hospital is no longer available, we found a smaller version that fits the bill (on Amazon).
Little man is really into superheroes, especially Hulk, right now. He also really loves cars, so we found something that combines both Hulk and cars. This radio-controlled Hulk Superhero Adventure car came from Costco, but I found it at Walmart for a little more or on Ebay.
Something they need:
Our kids truly don’t need anything at this point; however, there are a few things that could qualify. It is also important for us to nurture the interests of our children, so sometimes “needs” can take a different form in the gifts we are giving our kids for Christmas.
As with a lot of popular fashion trends, our kids are obsessed with “onsie” pajamas much like their little brother wears, except without the feet. For the feet, they needed slippers. They all pretty much asked for the same need, so they are all getting
If you have children, you know how fast they grow and go through shoes. Little man has outgrown all of his tennis shoes right now, so he needed some new ones for every day use. I also didn’t want to spend a lot since they will be outgrown quickly and will be used for playtime.
Something spiritual:
This is perhaps the most difficult area to buy for, but it is an area that we want to foster with what we are giving our kids for Christmas. Sometimes it involves more applicable items like devotionals or a new age-appropriate Bible. Other times it involves something more whimsical that can still have a little lesson to go with it.
The tween/teen years are upon us, and we know this is a delicate yet important stage in our oldest daughter’s development. We want her to grow in her relationship with God and understand who He says she is. She asked for a “real” Bible this year, so after looking at several, we decided on the Ultimate Bible for Girls by Faithgirlz (on Amazon) since it was specifically designed for tween/teen girls. They also have versions that are specific for boys as well.
She also wanted some tabs that we can add to the Bible since she really liked using her sister’s Bible.
Sometimes the spiritual part of our 3 gifts can be difficult without repeating things. This year, we were so excited to find these Godly Girlz subscription boxes. They look like so much fun, and I think our middle two girls are going to love them. Subscription boxes are a great gift, and there is usually something to fit any interest. We included a few in our 2020 gift guide on the non-toy page.
Little man already as a lot of books and children’s’ bibles, so since he’s so active (We’ve nicknamed him the Tasmanian Devil.), we decided he might enjoy a foam sword and shield. Obviously, these also carry a connection to being a warrior and the Armor of God.
For more spiritual gift ideas for your little ones, check out our post on 65+ gift ideas to foster spiritual growth.
Stocking Stuffers
In addition to the 3 gifts we are giving our kids for Christmas, we also stuff their stockings with smaller non-junk stocking stuffer items. This year, this will include fun socks, scrunchy scarf hair ties, non-toxic fingernail polish, a box of band-aids, Lexie lip balm, FRF bath bombs, candy, bubble bath, and other items from this list.
Family Gift
This year we are also thinking about finding a gift that the family could enjoy together. We haven’t made up our minds yet, but are thinking something like an idea box, board game, book series, TV/movie series, Amazon Prime Video, or other activity that we would all like to do.
If you need more ideas, check out some of the gift lists in our Ultimate Gift Guide.
April
My 10 yr is also getting a onesie, a Bluetooth karaoke microphone, cake pop maker, a rainbow high doll, 4 books from the shadow children series, and a stocking with film for her Fuji instamax camera, bath bombs, stylish reusable faces masks, and candy. I may throw in some underwear. She needs training bras but she would be mortified if I put them in her stocking. Everything was purchased with survey points I cashed in for Amazon gift cards. The only money I’ve spent out of pocket is for the onesie $11.99 and $8.99 for 5 stylish face masks.
Erin
I love what you’re getting her but love even more how you paid for it! That is amazing! Merry Christmas!
April
Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. It has been a huge blessing this year because times are hard. Our daughter tells everyone that she is blessed. I always tell her to give me a huge list and we’ll try to get 1 or 2 things off her list along with a couple of needs along with something we want her to have. She doesn’t receive any gifts ever from family so we try to make sure she has 1 or 2 wants.
lisa
In addition to the 3 gifts we are giving our kids for Christmas, we also stuff their stockings with smaller non-junk stocking stuffer items. It has been a huge blessing this year because times are hard. Our daughter tells everyone that she is blessed. She needs training bras but she would be mortified if I put them in her stocking. Everything was purchased with survey points I cashed in for Amazon gift cards.lisa