Also known as: “Why I Won’t Put Toys on My Kid’s Christmas List”

So before we get to the list of gift guides (just scroll down if that is what you are here for!) I’m going to talk about why people probably think I’m the meanest mom ever.

Every year, all of the relatives ask what my kid wants for Christmas. I’ve learned that if I don’t tell them, we might end up with crappy, plastic, singing toys that just sit in the closet. And that’s not fair to anyone. It isn’t fair to the gift-giver, who simply tried to buy something that looked like a popular toy. It isn’t fair to my kid, who wants to play with it, but gets bored soon after. And it isn’t fair to me because I feel guilty getting rid of the toy despite the fact that no one really wants it.

(Also, I’ve also written about What a Montessori Toddler Plays With and Toddler Books: What Should a Toddler Be Reading?

Now, this doesn’t mean my kid doesn’t get toys for Christmas. I’m sure she will get one or two of the type mentioned above from well-meaning relatives. But most of what she gets are things like a bead stringing set or puzzles. Those are things that I am hesitant to call a “toy” but I’m not sure what to classify them as.

So what I did was start making Christmas lists and then gift guides that didn’t have toys on them. There are still plenty of things that my kid likes without all of the uncomfortable feelings that might come with the crappy toys. Now, if my kid wanted a toy once she was older, I would definitely put it on her list. But I wouldn’t put every single things she ever sees on the television, in the toy aisle, or any of the numerous places they are inundated with advertising. It would be one or two special toys she really wants.

The List of Non-Toy Gift Guides

This list is ever-growing, so make sure to stop back and check again for more ages or categories.