With these gift guides, I really focused on trying to be more intentional with the gifts I am giving them. Both of my daughters have birthdays that fall right around the holiday season (October and November), so they typically tend to get a lot of presents between their birthdays, Christmas and their Valentine’s Day basket. Because of this, I really try to be more intentional for Easter and give them things they really need, want or will use! I also tailor the baskets towards their own personal interests.

Intentional Gift Giving Categories

When creating a basket for any holiday, I really try to focus on a few different categories. I typically will include something to read, something to wear, a learning activity, something they can play with outdoors, an item for everyday play and an experience! Having these categories helps me stick to a budget, buy things they really need and create a well-rounded basket that will really peak their interest! Keep reading for a breakdown of my Easter Basket Gift Guides.

Also keep in mind that my children are 1.5 and 4.5 so a lot of the stuff I show will be tailored to them. However, with the breakdown of categories, you can easily find items for older children as well!

Category 1 // Read

Regardless of what season or holiday it is, I always include something to read! Reading to children is so important and it honestly teaches them so much! We read at least 5-6 books a day in our house and are frequent library goers! There is just something so fun about opening a new book and getting lost in the characters!

This year, I chose to incorporate more spring books into my reading gift guide. You can find a few Easter bunny ones or Easter themed ones, as well as a few religious books as well, but the majority will be more season specific. I did this because we will be using some of these books in our homeschooling lessons to learn more about gardening and seasons.

I really love the Over and Under series, so I am really excited to add Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt to my older daughter’s basket! She loves plants and gardening so it will be a fun addition! I plan on using it for our homeschooling lessons too! You can ask questions like “How many invertebrates can you find? or ask your child to draw a plant above/below the dirt. You can even use playdough to make some of the animals you find in the book! Adding books is a great way to give your child something fun, while still allowing the gift to be functional!

You can shop my selection of books below!

Category 2 // Wear

Adding in something to wear is a fun and easy way to fill the basket! You can literally find something in any budget so you can really tailor everything towards your budget and your child. I typically always get my kids a pajama that goes with the holiday theme! I found some cute ones at Old Navy this year for $10! You can also get them some cute accessories for those sunny days, like these Little Grom Hats or Babiator sunnies! So many good options!

You Can Shop Some of My Pics Below!

Category 3// Learning Activity

Whenever I give a gift, I always try to find some kind of educational value in it! I know that not only will the toy provide a fun experience, but it is a way for me to sneak in some learning! It’s truly a win-win for everyone! This could also be tailored to your child, their educational level and your budget. It could be something as simple as adding in some new markers and crayons or getting them a STEM kit to help bring science, technology, engineering and math to life! I love the different boxes that jackinthebox have! They truly serve so many purposes. The kits encourage children to use their imagination, learn practical skills and build confidence, while also allowing them to play and be hands-on. We just ordered the space explorer kit and are so excited to use it! The Space box includes 6 activities – Make your own beautiful Solar System Mobile, learn about the constellations by making a streamer, make a magical kaleidoscope and see patterns in it, learn how a rocket works by doing a simple science experiment, and use Oreo cookies to lick off the cream and understand the different phases that the moon goes through during the month! So fun right?!

I also really love the Brain Quest card decks! They are perfect for travel and my kids love them so much! They have so many ages too!

And I am definitely a fan of these matching and memory games and bingo! We actually played ABC bingo to learn the alphabet and sounds so they are great to have on hand!

You Can Shop My Picks Below!

Category 4// Outdoor Activity

For this category choose an item to encourage outdoor play. Add some new chalk, gardening tools, bubbles, or a ball! If your child loves nature exploring, then get them some binoculars or a nature journal. If they play soccer, you can get them a new soccer ball or cones to practice their kicking skills! The key is to be intentional about choosing a gift based on their interests, while also being something that they play with longer than five minutes!

I love adding some garden supplies and bubbles to our outdoor play toys! They keep both my kids occupied and it helps us get closer to our 1000 hours outside! To learn more about 1000 hours outside, read this blog post here!

Shop Outdoor Toys Here!

Category 5// Experience

Have you heard of the Five Love Languages? It’s a book that has helped so many couples build relationships that last by identifying their love language. The book is seriously so good so I was so excited when I found one for children too! It’s a must read! The book helps you discover your child’s love language, use the specific love language to correct and make discipline more effective and it provides lots of tips of how to speak your child’s love language.

Anyways, after reading it, I found that my daughters primary love language is quality time and so I began to start giving her gifts of experiences where we can create quality time together. For example, we usually won’t throw big birthday parties and will instead go away to a hotel for the weekend where we can do lots of fun family activities! It’s her favorite thing!

So try adding in a fun experience into your basket! It could be a handmade coupon for an ice cream date, allowing them to choose a favorite hike or simply having a picnic at the park!

Category 6// Experience

For the last category, just try to add something that your child is interested in that will be something they can play with daily. If your child loves Legos, get them a new set to add to their collection. Or if they love dolls, you can find some new accessories to add! There are so many ways you can tailor your gifts to their interests and your budget!

I love the Petit Collage Magnet Scenes and so do my girls! They can use their imagination and they will often bring them in the car if we have a longer trip planned! It keeps them entertained and away from screens! If you have younger babies, the Tegu magnetic blocks are super fun!

You Can Shop My Favorite Everyday Play Toys Below!

If you need even more gift suggestions, you can check out our Valentines Day basket post for some more super cool gift ideas! We hope these Easter Gift Guides help you find ideas to get intentional meaningful gifts! It’s so easy to accumulate tons of toys so being intentional really helps keep your home more minimal and clutter free! That’s always the goal for me!

Thanks for following along and I hope you are all having a great week!!

xoxoxo

Kari

p.s. by purchasing form the links above we do make a small commission! So thank you for your support!

The post Easter Gift Guides appeared first on sunkissed & grateful.

We put a lot of thought into each of these holiday gift guides and all of the products are items we either own, have purchased as gifts or come highly recommended. Some of these items might even be on our own personal wish list (wink..wink)!!

We hope you enjoy!

Holiday Gift Guide: Bestie Edition

1. Blush Travel Jewelry Case from Darling Co. Shop // Love this super cute faux-leather jewelry case. It’s cute and compact, but perfect for keeping your accessories safe while traveling!
2. Ponytail Scarf by Free People // I love a good hair accessory. Whether it’s a headband, hair scarf or a hat, you can easily add some chicness to your outfit! Wrap it around a bun, a top knot or a low pony and you are ready to go! They also have it in a super cute leopard/rose color!
3. Chunky Knit Beanie from Abercrombie and Fitch // I have this beanie and wear it all the time when the weather gets colder! I love the chunky yarn and the classic neutral color!
4. Bala Bangles Wearable 1lb Weights // I love these one size fits all wearable weights! You can easily put them on during any workout, from yoga to running, to add an extra boost to your workout routine. Plus they have them in a ton of different colors!
5. 52 Lists for Calm Journal // I am a big fan of these journals and think they would be such a great gift for your bestie! The journal includes 52 prompts that allow for you to self-reflect while asking thought-provoking questions! It’s great for becoming mindful and reducing anxiety! There is also a 52 Lists for Happiness journal, and a 52 Lists for Togetherness Journal, as well as a few others!
6. Baggu Leopard Pouch Set // I’ve been using Baggu bags forever now and I love them. With three different sizes, you can keep everything neat and organized, a major must for moms! I keep some in my diaper bag, but they would be perfect for holding makeup, school supplies or anything else you may need on the go! And for $38 for all three, it’s definitely a budget-friendly gift!!
7. Ride or Die Bracelet from Little Words Project // This is an amazing gift for that ride or die lady in your life! I actually bought my bestie some a few weeks ago and she loved them! They are stretchy and only $20!! They also come in so many different colors and sayings! You can also register your bracelet on the Little Words Project website and be inducted into the Nice Girl Gang, a community of women dedicated to building each other up! Talk about women empowerment!
8. Osea Salts of the Earth Scrub // Give your bestie this luxurious salt scrub to keep her body smooth all winter long! It’s literally the greatest addition to my self-care routine right now! It smells heavenly and keeps the winter roughness away!
9. Madewell x Welly 18-Ounce Traveler Reusable Water Bottle // Love this water bottle! It’s super cute, keeps your water cold and keeps your skin hydrated! It’s made of renewable bamboo and premium stainless steel, and 1% of the sales go to clean water projects worldwide!

Holiday Gift Guide: Toddler Edition (ages 12-24months)

1. Melissa and Doug Farm Animal Sorting Barn // This is a fun toy that my both my daughters love to play with! The pieces are extra thick so it makes it easy to hang on to, and it helps promote matching and sorting, as well as perfects fine motor skills!
2. Mommy and Baby Whale Rolling Toy // I love the quality of this toy! You can keep them together or take them apart and have two toys! It’s a great toy for imaginative play!
3. L’OVEDBABY Organic Cotton Thermal Footie // These are some of my favorite sleepers! They are so soft and warm, are made from organic cotton and they have gripped soles so babies won’t slip when walking in them!
4. Soft Stacking Blocks // These blocks are a huge hit in our household! I love the color palette of them and that they are BPA free and non-toxic, so I don’t have to worry when my baby puts them in her mouth!
5. Petit Collage Nesting and Stacking Blocks Playset with 3 Wooden Characters // Petit Collage is one of my all time favorite brands for toys! Not only is this a fun stacking toy, but my daughter’s love to play with the characters that come with it! It’s definitely a hit!
6. Brown and Pink Bear by Creative Co-Op // You can never go wrong with a cute stuffed animal! This one is high-quality, affordable and chic!
7. London Littles Rain Boots // We always get the girls a pair of rain boots for Christmas. It doesn’t rain that often in Carlsbad, but when it does, you better believe we are out and jumping in puddles! These boots are well-made, come in the cutest patterns and are super easy to clean!
8. Musical Llama Wooden Instrument // This is so cute and thoughtfully made! I love that it leaves room for lots of imagination and can easily grow with your child. It features a 5-bar xylophone, a maraca tail, 2 clacking saddle blankets, wooden mallets and more!
9. Honey Stick Crayons // These crayons are handmade using 100% pure New Zealand beeswax and Food Grade Pigments for Color. They are safe for infants, kids and children of all ages, and they smell good. And the chubby shape makes them easier for small hands to hold!
10. Let’s Find Momo Board Book // This is like a Where’s Waldo book, but instead you find Momo the dog in the different pictures. It has been a favorite book in our house for so many years and I can’t wait to get the newest edition coming soon!

Holiday Gift Guide: Small Shop Edition

1. Promptly Journals Gratitude Journal // I first discovered Promptly Journals when I had my oldest daughter and bought their Childhood Journal (a baby book you write in from pregnancy to their 18th birthday). I loved the idea that they would one day get a book with all of these special memories written in it. They recently came out with a gratitude journal and I love all fo the prompts and daily reflections! This would make a great gift for so many different people.
2. Wiley Baby Everywhere Oil // I am obsessed with this oil! It is my daily go to for both me and my babies! It is non-greasy and leaves your skin feeling so soft and hydrated! I honestly always have a bottle on hand! This truly is the perfect gift!
3. Wylder Designs Digital Art // Such a great gift idea! I’ve had one made for my best friend and her husband as a wedding gift and Melissa and I also used Wylder Designs to create our blog photo! She is super fast, very talented and affordable! Check out @wylderdesigns on instagram!
4. The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in Mexico Book // I love this travel book series for kids! Not only does it have fun characters and magical adventures, but it has a great underlying message to reach for the sky! It shows kids the beauty and diversity of the world, sparks their imaginations and gives them a brave female role model to look up too! I seriously love this series!
5. Jays and Jewels Rae Necklace // This necklace is so beautiful and can be gifted to so many different people in your life! It features a hand drawn sun and rainbow on a small circle disc, symbolizing kindness, hope, faith and love! It truly is the cutest!
6. Chalkfulloflove Rainbow Mug // This is the perfect mug for 2020. You known the saying that “after every storm comes a rainbow?” Well this super cute ceramic mug symbolizes hope, while providing the perfect cup for your morning coffee!
7. Slumberkins Bigfoot Stuffie and Book // We have quite a few of these at our house! These stuffies were created by a therapist and educator to help children master different social emotional skills. Each book contains a story with positive affirmations and a heart-warming story.
8. Kendra Beshk Tassel with Tag Keychain // These make the best gifts. The tassels come in so many colors and you can customize the hardware tags to say anything you want! I’ve given them to my husband, my besties and numerous family members! Love this small shop!
9. White Palm + Pampas Grass Small Bud Vase Arrangement // Currently obsessed with dried floral arrangements! I love when they have pampas grass and neutral colors and use them year-round in our house. They also last waaaaaaayyyy longer than regular floral arrangements! Such a versatile gift idea!

Hope these holiday gift guides help! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with questions! We are here to help!

And remember, you never have to purchase gifts if your personal situation doesn’t allow for it! We love a good handmade gift, some quality time or even a well-thought out spotify playlist dedicated to that individual!

xoxoxox,

Kari

p.s. we do make a very small amount of money if you click on our links and purchase within 24 hours! Just a little disclaimer!!

The post Holiday Gift Guides: Round Two! Bestie, Small Shop & Toddler Editions! appeared first on sunkissed & grateful.