As a new mum, I had no clue how hard it would be to navigate the world of gifts for kids. Even for a toddler, there are so many options out there that it's hard to know what they will genuinely love, versus what will be discarded after a couple of days.
I'm trying to be mindful with my shopping (if you are too, shop our ethical gifts here), and avoid cheap plastic toys where possible - which I know is hard, as much as you've sworn you'll only ever buy wooden toys.
If that's not possible, I look for gifts that I know will get plenty of wear/love, beyond this festive season, and can last long enough to be re-gifted to younger siblings or friends.
If you're as confused as I have been, you'll be pleased to hear I've done all the hard work for you, hunting for the best gifts to get you to the top of the nice list with the kids in your life this Christmas. (We're not promising to make you their new favourite, but...)
Whether you're an aunt, vying for the title of the 'cool' one, or a parent excited to see the look on their little face in the bleary early hours of Christmas morning, I hope my edit will help add a touch of magic to the big day.
There's a little something for kids of all age groups, from toddlers to teenagers, that should keep them entertained for (hopefully) a very long time. I've included a mix of gifts for all budgets, from clothes to toys.
If you need inspiration for the rest of the family, be sure to check out our other gift guides: Christmas gifts for her and Christmas gifts for him.
Christmas gifts for kids
Honestly, Tonies Boxes are all my mum friends can talk about, and we've all ordered one for our babies and kids this Christmas. Every figurine you place on the box comes with its own stories and songs, and you can personalise the starter Tonie with your own messages and songs. There is loads of choice when it comes to the figurines, from Peppa Pig to Disney and more. It's expensive, but it's hours of entertainment, and you can buy them new Tonies at every birthday or Christmas.
As my 9-year-old nephew tells me, all the cool kids are drinking their water from an air up (he obviously did not use the phrase 'cool kids'). This bundle includes five flavour pods, as well as the bottle and a cleaning brush, and works out 27% cheaper than if you bought everything separately.
There's something magical about opening up a festive box of treats on Christmas eve, ideally while you watch a Christmas film. Fortnum & Mason's hamper contains a musical biscuit tin, a melt-in-your-mug chocolate reindeer and a bear soft toy you can keep forever.
Best known for their subscription Play Kits program (£80), Lovevery's toys are aimed at children aged 0-4 are are designed by child development experts and beautifully crafted from organic, sustainable materials. Every subscription Play Kit comes with research-backed toys, books and parent Play Guides based on what a child needs at each stage of their development. They also do standalone toys like this gorgeous block set which covers over 20 combinations of play.
This adorable backpack is made of recycled materials and is the perfect size to hold school essentials.
I can't see any teenager (or adult tbh) being unhappy about receiving a brand new pair of high tech noise cancelling Apple headphones, can you?
My daughter loved playing on this mat as a baby and was fascinated by the hanging mirror and animals. The brand are known for their GOTS-certified organic cotton muslin, and all products are built to last, and are non-toxic and eco-friendly.
When in doubt, gift the magic of movies. Odeon's myLIMITLESS membership gives you monthly unlimited access to all the latest releases, as well as discounts on food and drink.
Which kid doesn't like dinosaurs at some point or other? Edx Education's toys are all designed to learn through play, for example, this set helps toddlers develop their motor skills and are also useful for developping language and early maths skills such as addition and subtraction.
Bring back an iconic piece of jewellery from your childhood for a good cause. 100% of profit from this set will be donated to the Young Women's Trust, whose mission is to achieve economic justice for young women, striving to create a more equitable working world and elevate young women's incomes.
Big kids and teenagers won't be able to resist this pair of box-fresh sneakers.
