What We Are Giving Our Kids for Christmas This Year {2023 edition}

Inside: Every year since 2013 (except for one!), our family has shared our tradition of giving our kids 3 gifts each Christmas.

I sometimes wonder how long we will be able to continue sharing, as our older kids now have access to the internet. So far, however, they really couldn’t care less what Mom shares on her blog.

So I’m able to, once again, share the gifts we are giving our kids for Christmas this year! This year, our girls are 15, 13, and 11, and our son is 6!

Every year, we give our kids three gifts each – something they want, something they need, and something to foster spiritual growth. 

Many people we know do something with 4 gifts: something their child wants, something their child needs, something to wear, and something to read (or a similar variation).

We started this tradition with our firstborn, way back in 2008. Some friends of ours, who had two children at the time, were pregnant with their third when I was pregnant with our first. They did this with their children, and we loved the idea so much that we adopted it to use with ours.

Our kids have never known any different, so there hasn’t been an adjustment issue. Placing a limit on the number of gifts we give our children keeps our gift giving intentional, and it helps us to not 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, so our children have never been disappointed that Santa Claus didn’t “bring them” as many toys as their friends got. They’ve always known that their gifts come from us.

We have also instituted other traditions that our children love. We use Star from Afar, celebrate celebrate Saint Nicolas 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 the last couple of years, we have put some of that money into a travel fund that we will eventually use for a vacation (like Disney World) or experiences (like a pass to a local park or a weekend at Great Wolf Lodge).

We have decided that we don’t need more “stuff” in our home. Our kids have enjoyed the trips and experiences and still talk about them all the time, including our 6 year old.

You can check out what we gave our kids the last few years here (2018 is the year we sadly didn’t share!):

• 2013 Christmas
• 2014 Christmas
• 2015 Christmas
• 2016 Christmas
• 2017 Christmas
• 2019 Christmas
• 2020 Christmas
• 2021 Christmas
• 2022 Christmas

What are we giving our kids for Christmas in 2023?

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. As well, if you do happen to know our children in person, please don’t spill the beans!)

Something they want:

At this point, since our children are now older, we ask for some suggestions for the one item that they really want. It can be anything from a toy, clothing, or other activity that interests them. 

Our girls have been in love with LEGO (on Zulily <– use code “ZUAFF05868” for an extra 10% off through 11/21/23) for years, and they are often what they ask for. They not only build with them but create entire words and stories about the characters.

Price check LEGO sets on Amazon or Zulily or Target or Walmart or Lego.com.

At one point, Will even mentioned to our oldest (age 15) that he assumed she wouldn’t want a LEGO set for Christmas this year, and she responded–very incredulously,I might add–that she didn’t know why he would assume that. In fact, she absolutely still wanted and enjoyed building the more challenging LEGO sets. She enjoys displaying these in her room after she builds them. So don’t discount the fact that your teenager may even still be interested in LEGO (ask them first, though!).

This year, our oldest daughter saw the LEGO Walt Disney Tribute Camera (price check on Zulily or Target or Walmart or LEGO.com) and loved the nostalgia. She still loves LEGO, but has gotten to the point where she wants more of a challenge.

All of our kids will play with LEGO for hours on end. Right now, I think we have enough LEGO to build our own town. Our middle daughter (age 13) asked for the LEGO Friends Community Center (price check on Zulily or Target or Walmart or LEGO.com).

LEGO, LEGO, and more LEGO…But, I really don’t mind because they provide hours of entertainment and creativity for our kids. They are also one of those things that we will keep for our own grandchildren (should we eventually have them). When our youngest daughter (age 11) saw the LEGO Friends Downtown Stores (price check on Zulily or Target or Walmart or LEGO.com), she wanted to add that to her Heartlake City township. She was disappointed when she didn’t get it for her birthday, so I can’t wait until she opens it on Christmas.

Little Man has also started to get into building blocks. I love that it promotes imaginative play, but it also helps build his motor skills. This year, he’s started to want bigger sets, and he loves exploring and playing in the tub. With that in mind, we combined all this in the LEGO City Arctic Explorer Ship (price check on Zulily or Target or Walmart or LEGO.com). He’ll need a little help, but he will enjoy it!

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. You can check out our past posts above to see what kinds of things we have given.

Our daughter mentioned a friend of hers having the Chi Spin-N-Curl Hair Curler (on Zulily <– look for 10% off on my Facebook) and that she liked using it. So when I saw this rose gold one, I grabbed it immediately because it’s her favorite color.

Our middle daughter has been asking for a pair of UGG slippers (on Zulily or Target) that are popular with her age group right now. I found these pink ones at a local second-hand shop, and they were basically brand new. I also found these “dupe” UGG slippers that look almost identical and are half the price.

Our youngest daughter is not particularly into fashion unless it involves a hoodie, but she is definitely picky about her shoe style and color. She wears them for a loooong time, so when she asks for new shoes, we tend to listen. We don’t always buy name brands, but for certain things, we do if we can because they tend to last longer. We found these Nike shoes for a great deal on Zulily (also check on Amazon or Target).

Preparing lunch for 4 kids can be time consuming and cumbersome at times, but these Bentgo boxes (also check Target or Zulily for deals) are my go-to organizer for getting lunch ready for my kids. I absolutely love these boxes and use these on a daily basis. Since we use them so much, we need to add more to our inventory, so our son is getting a couple of boxes specifically for him to use.

Something for spiritual growth:

This is perhaps the most difficult area to buy for, but it is an area that we want to foster. Sometimes it involves more practical 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 daughters’ development. We want them to grow in their relationship with God and understand who He says they are.

Sometimes the spiritual part of our 3 gifts can be difficult without repeating things. Last year, we were so excited to find these Simply Be subscription boxes. They were so much fun, and our older two girls enjoyed them. We also found a InJoyBox for Kids subscription box that our younger daughter enjoyed as well. Subscription boxes are a great gift, and there is usually something to fit any interest. We included a few in our 2021 gift guide on the non-toy page.

This year, we went with something a little more whimsical when we found these personalized name cross necklaces on Zulily for each of the girls, so they are each getting one in their preferred metal.

(Note: The finished product is so cute and very well done. I wish I could show you exactly what they look like, but I did not include a picture of the finished necklaces because I don’t use my kids’ names in posts.)

Rose Gold

Gold

Silver

Our son was a little difficult to buy for in this area because he cannot yet read, but we think that reading to him, especially Bible stories, is very important. Not only is reading aloud to him important for his developmental and educational growth, reading Bible stories aloud to him is a paramount part of his spiritual growth.

So this year, he is getting the Brick Builders Illustrated Bible with 35 stories from the Old and New Testaments, and he’s also getting a couple of books from the Very Best Bible Story Series. I also found this Tales that Tell the Truth series, and I might grab a couple of those for Three King’s Day because we also give a book that day.

For more spiritual gift ideas for your little ones, check out our post on 65+ gift ideas to foster spiritual growth. 

Our Dog

This year, we are getting our dog a subscription box as well. I love our labradoodle, and I think that she will really like this BarkBox. It is filled with toys and treats that any pet is sure to enjoy!

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 natural deodorant (Target buy 3 get $5 card), eos lip balms,fun socks, hair clips, non-toxic fingernail polisha box of bandaids, 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 could all like to do.

If you need more ideas, check out some of the gift lists in our Ultimate Gift Guide.