A Minimalist Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

With the holidays quickly approaching, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to find the right gifts for little ones especially if you are an aspiring minimalist or in the process of decluttering your home.  First of all it is important to remember the purpose of the holidays for your family.  For many, the holiday season is truly about gratitude and spending quality time together.  So keep your holiday mission in mind whenever you start to feel a bit overwhelmed with the idea of purchasing gifts or bringing multiple new things into your home at once.  If you do this, holiday gifts will not derail your minimalist goals, I promise. 

Another thing to remember is that it is ok if your family does the holidays a little different than others.  There will ALWAYS be someone who gets more gifts, bigger gifts, etc.  That is ok and a part of life.  In fact, more gifts and bigger gifts are most likely not the goal.  Remind yourself of your values and what you want to instill in your kids, of what is truly important. Get your mind off the comparison train; let go of any guilt or fear of missing out so that you can better embrace gratitude, especially this year. 

With all that being said, here are a few ideas of some minimalist gifts for kids- remember you can suggest these to family or send grandparents this list! 

In a typical year I would be recommending experience gift ideas like:

• Memberships (zoo, museums, botanical gardens, play places, etc.) 

• Classes (dance, sports, musical, art etc.)

• Tickets to events (concerts, movies, plays, etc.)

But this year many of these ideas are difficult or nonexistent due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing etc.  The following is a list of ideas that you can still incorporate even in this more difficult time:

Pandemic friendly experience gifts/coupons for specials days

• Spa day at home with mom or grandma (maybe include a nail polish)

• Mountain biking day with Dad (maybe include a new helmet if needed)

• Family Road trip to a National Park (maybe include a kids camera)

• Movie night with special treats (maybe include the special treat with the gift)

• Baking cookie date at home (maybe include a wooden spoon or kids apron)

Gift them something they need

While this category of gifts may not be the most exciting, there is no reason you can’t gift kids what they need!  In fact, I recommend it!  Sadly, there are so many children out there whose needs are not being met, so remember being able to meet your kids’ needs is a true gift. Consider sponsoring a family locally to help others this holiday season.  Ideas for gifts in this category include things like a new pair of boots, winter gloves, some new pants, headphones for virtual school, or even something practical like a new reusable water bottle like this one from Ecogirlshop.com (Use code: minimalistamom to get 10% off site wide- I’ll list all the coupons at the end too!)   

Give them something to read

We all want to instill the love of reading in our kids, which is why I love gifting books or magazine subscriptions.  An easy way to gift books and keep it even more eco-friendly (and easy on the wallet) is to purchase second hand books. Last year I spent about 30 minutes in a half priced used books store and left with books that even to this day my kids love to read together.  An online option is thriftbooks.com

If you are not one to know where to start when looking up books, For purpose kids is a company that has resources that aims to teach social good in younger children and they have a bi-monthly book club you can subscribe to or even a Protecting Our Environment Toolkit  which includes reading material along with other items.  (Use the code MIN15 for 15% off of all items). 

Another idea that keeps on giving is a magazine subscription.  One that is a favorite in our home is the National Geographic Kids Magazine.  

Arts and crafts

Arts and crafts are another great type of gift!  It promotes creativity and a new art supply can hold so many hours of fun. If you want a quick easy ecofriendly gift Earth Hero has an arts and craft busy box.  (use code: minimalista to get 10% off of Earth Hero).  Also, Eco girl has a box of eco-friendly crayon rocks that look beautiful and look like a lot of fun.  (Use code minimalistamom to get 10% off at Eco girl). 

Another art and craft idea that is pretty clutter free are some activity books or coloring books or even some all natural sidewalk chalk. 

The Green Kid Crafts box subscription is also great.  They send a box of creative, nature-based STEAM activities every month.  My kids have enjoyed hours of fun activities with this box and it makes me feel better to be supporting a company with an environmentally conscious mission.  

Open-ended toys

Open-ended toys are ones that can be played with in many different ways vs. toys like puzzles that can be completed once and then are essentially done.  Two favorites in our home, which have been used over and over through three kids are magnetic tiles and wooden blocks.  Our Green House has many wooden block options (Code: MINIMUM for 5% off)

If you are like me and try your best to make eco-conscious decisions when at all possible, especially right now as Americans throw away 25% more trash during the holidays than any other time of year, then why not try looking into other eco-friendly open-ended toys before purchasing more plastic toys.   Earth hero and Eco girl have great toy selections.  One example is these wooden pegs that my kids love. 

Play silks are another open-ended toy that can be used in many creative ways.  They can be a cape, a blanket, a dress, and so on. 

Green piñata is a service where you can essentially rent a box of toys every month and then mail them back and get a new box next month.  Talk about a great concept!

Embrace second hand items

Who says gifts have to be brand new?  If you have a specific gift in mind, check out different second hand outlets.  I’m a fan of Facebook Marketplace and of Mercari for second hand purchases.  I have gotten everything from Legos to bikes second hand.

Outdoor active toys

Speaking of bikes, active toys are another great option!  Hours and hours of fun can come from a new soccer ball or a scooter.  Even the gift of a fun helmet that fits can bring a smile and not contribute to clutter overwhelm.  

Something they really want

And finally have your kids been bugging you for something very specific for some time?  If it’s something they really want and you know they will play with it for hours, then it is not clutter.  Our homes are spaces for the people we love and the things that support them.  For example, my 4 year old has been asking for a tea set over and over.  So for Christmas guess what she is getting?  I will try looking for one second hand or purchase from a green-minded company.  I have found being rigid in minimalism can create the opposite effect and add more stress.  If what you want is to reduce you stress, save money, and possibly be kinder to the planet, then purchasing mindfully and intentionally is the answer.  When in doubt of where to shop, look for something second hand and then donate it or sell it to someone else when you’re done! 

I hope this gift guide has been helpful and that you enjoy a joy filled holiday season. 

Coupon Codes:

Eco Girl Shop - Use code minimalistamom to get 10% off

For Purpose Kids - Use code MIN15 for 15% off

Earth Hero - use code: MINIMALISTA to get 10% off

Our Green House – use code: MINIMUM for 5% off

Green Kid Crafts - Craft subscription box

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