Kid’s Holiday Gift Guide
Growing up for me, Christmas wasn’t a huge focus holiday. We celebrated the birth of Jesus and majorly downplayed gifts. We didn’t pretend about Santa or make it the most magical season of the year.
Am I ruined because of it? Nope! Ha! I actually really appreciate that my parents went out of there way to make sure we knew why we celebrated this holiday.
My husband’s family did things differently and that’s okay! It has actually led to some awesome discussions between he and I. We have worked to make sure that our kids know why we celebrate Christmas but that it is also a great time to experience gift receiving and giving.
This is how we do gifts in our home. The kids receive a ‘Christmas Eve’ box from us the night before Christmas and we have a devotion about how Christmas is a foretaste of Jesus return. That we get to experience His power and love through His life and death, BUT He is coming back for us! And when He comes back He will make all things new and its going to be AMAZING!
Included in our Christmas Eve box is a new book and PJs. After that we usually throw in a few logic games, gum, treats, science experiments, a small set of Legos, stomp rockets, etc.
On Christmas day they get one bigger gift from us (a fort building set each, a scooter, etc). In the past it has been the same (or similar) item in different colors, but that could change with age and interest. We have also done small sibling gifts. They love going shopping in secret for each other and I don’t want to squelch that giving heart. Next, we reveal a big family date we plan to take! It could be a membership to a local zoo or museum or a night at the Great Wolfe Lodge (<<< this my people is a winner, FYI).
And that, my Friends, is it. We don’t go overboard and we allow other people’s gifts to them to be a blessing and not overshadowed. I love our Christ Eve boxes and I envision our family looking back on them with fond memories or cozy nights celebrating Christ’s SOON return together by the light of the haphazardly decorated Christmas tree.
Are you curious which books we have enjoyed and which might make great gifts for the kids in your life? Oh, thank you, I am so glad you asked because I can’t wait to share!
*This post contains affiliate links*
Christmas Book Buying Guide
+ Indescribable By Louie Giglio
We love this one so much! I homeschool my kids and we use it in our Family Books (Morning Basket). It is a book with 100 AMAZING devotions for kids. It is mostly centered around science and God’s indescribable creation! We have learned that stars make sounds, the difference between stalactites and stalagmites, and SOOOO much more!
+ I Am by Diane Stortz
This books is not only beautifully written but the illustrations are captivating! This devotional is focused on learning the names of God! Ummm, amazing right? I (ALL CAPS) need this too!! I love that my kids are learning the different names of God, as well as, the stories and meanings behind them! I pray that some day they are able to cry out to their Abba Father and know He is Jehovah Jirah, El Shaddai, and so much more!
+ Have You Considered? by Julie Von Vett and Bruce Malone
This is a book that is similar to Indescribable but would be great for a middle school age child. It is a little bit more in depth and the illustrations are actual pictures and not cartoonish. It is a year long devotional set on preaching God as Creator and sharing all of the unique and beautiful ways creation points to God’s design.
+ The Green Ember by S.D. Smith
Oh, I cannot tell you how lovely this book is! This is the first is an incredible series that follows the adventures of two unlikely rabbits who will soon become your dearest friends (or at least it feels that way). Even my 3 year old was telling me, “I wanna be like Picket!!” My 8 year old told me at one point, “I think this water in my eyes might be tears. I feel sad for them!” Yep, I had that same strange water in my eyes. But, it isn’t all sad! The victory and celebrations make you want to shout out loud! We absolutely cherished these books and I know you will too! Themes of bravery, honor, and forgiveness.
+ The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
Raise your hand if you are a Narnia fan? Many people have read Narnia and the books that follow but I am finding that few have read the prequel to The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. The Magician’s Nephew is a book based on… oh I can’t give that AWAY! It has themes of adventure, good triumphs evil, and friendship!
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
This fun novel tells a story of a robot stranded on a deserted island. It is about adapting, friendship, and not judging a robot by her cover!
I could go on and on but those are our tippy top favorites! If you want more book ideas for kids leave me a comment! I am always game for sharing books we love! Merry Christmas, y’all!! Jesus is coming back soon, don’t let the busyness of the holidays make you forget to stop and celebrate that truth!
Don’t forget to jump here and check out my suggestions for Dad!! Guys are so hard to shop for! I hope these suggestions help! –> Click Here
Need some ideas for a friends, mom, or sister? I have a great list of books for moms this year! –> Click Here
++Enjoy a LIBRARY of free memory verse postcards –Hop Over Here ++
14 Comments
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Tabatha
Great post! We celebrate Christmas very much the same way and try to minimize the gifts and focus on keeping Christ at the center. We actually bought my daughter the “Indescribable” book one year for Christmas and she still loves it!
Erin
That is so great! Did you hear there is a second book that just recently came out? We homeschool and I use it with my kids every morning as a part of school!
Deb
We do something similar on Christmas eve…always PJs and a gift…sometimes a dvd and hot chocolate. 🙂
I’m planning a Christmas traditions series for December, but never thought to include this…might have to add it!
Erin
Yes! I love hearing about family traditions!
Jennifer Goins
I LOVE your Christmas Eve box idea!! And I love how you make Jesus the center of it all.
My husband did not grow up in a Christian home and so our traditions are quite different but have meshed well, now that my husband is a believer he joins in on the Christ part of it all. Christmas Eve we bake a cake and that evening we gather around for a birthday celebration and devotional.
#keepingchristinchristmas
Erin
Aw! That is such a sweet tradition! Thank you for sharing!
DONNA MILLER
Erin, I love how you make Jesus the very center of your Christmas. You are blessed to have the parents you do. ❤
Rosie
This is great! Such wonderful ideas. Definitely sharing. Thanks Erin.
Erin
Thank you so much Rosie!
Kristal
We are also trying to teach our kids and focus more on Christ than anything else but it can be hard. I’ve been contemplating getting “Indescribable” so I think I’m going to go ahead and it get this year. We got the Jesus Calling for kids last year that we really like.
Erin
You will not be disappointed! It is sooooo good!!
Gina Mitchell
Great post. I saved it to my children’s book list.
Erin
Thank you, ma’am!!