Type A Mom's Gift Giving List

Written by Amanda Brown

October 22, 2024

Hello! In an effort to streamline the work of gift giving, I have come up with two ideas that have greatly helped me spend less time thinking about and planning giving gifts to kids at birthday parties and holiday events:

1. I have complied a list of high-quality birthday party gifts that my kids have either loved receiving or have loved giving. This list is organized by age and it helps me quickly buy a gift the birthday kid will love (and that will last) without having to think too much about it! Also, none of these are cheap plastic throwaway gifts - instead I focused on well-made interactive and entertaining gifts for kids.

2. I have a "gift shelf" that has standard gifts that kids universally love so that when we need to give a gift I simply grab one from the "gift shelf" and wrap it! I usually have a few options for each of the ages my kids are turning that school year so I can always be ready when there is a gift giving occasion.

Quick tip for last minute gift purchases! If you forgot to get a gift and realize the party is that day or the next day (and you don’t have anything on your "gift shelf", or time to get a gift, and you don’t want to give a gift certificate) - consider giving a subscription gift! A subscription is a great interactive gift that you can order online and it will email the gift notice to the party hosts right away. I’ve listed subscription gifts at the bottom of each age category as another great option!

Below is the list I use when purchasing gifts for kids and when stocking my "gift shelf" - hope this helps you streamline your kid gift giving too!