Every year it seems like it gets harder and harder to find just the right gift to surprise and delight the special people in your life. And that’s why I’ve put together this gift guide! Here’s where you’ll find my suggestions for fun and practical gifts for kids, Mom, Dad, and the home. I’ll be adding more gift ideas, reviews, and idea roundups as we go, so be sure to follow along to find the perfect present!
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Gift Ideas for Kids
Designed with love in Quebec, Canada, manimo has become an essential sensory friend for thousands of kids. Manimo weighted companions are scientifically proven to bring comfort and calmness in anxiety-causing situation, promote attention and concentration during learning tasks, and encourage relaxation and sleep.
Recommended by occupational therapists, special education teachers, childhood professionals, teachers, and parents, you can see benefits with only 15-20 minutes of use. Manimo companions come in cat, dog, lizard, frog, and our favourite, the turtle. The turtle’s shell can be used separately from the body for extra versatility. Recommended for ages 3 years and up.
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GraviTrax is a modular interactive track system that allows you to design and build your own vertical marble runs. Using hexagonal tiles, pillars, transparent walls, balconies, and tracks of different lengths, kids can design and build intricate paths and race marbles against each other. Their newest set, the GraviTrax PRO: Giant Set, is absolutely huge and comes with everything you need to build your own exciting, action-packed track systems. This is a gift that will encourage creativity, problem-solving, and fun all year round!
Read our full GraviTrax PRO: Giant Set review here!
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Petsies specializes in custom stuffed pet lookalikes, 100% handmade to look just like your own pet, down to the smallest of details. Each pet lookalike is made from premium polyester furs, specialty noses and eyes, and carefully finished with airbrushing. Petsies can make a keepsake of any pet from dogs and cats to horses and rats, and you can even add a voice recorder upgrade or memory pouch upgrade (for ashes or other personal items). Petsies come in 3 sizes: 10″ mini, 16″ regular , and 24″ supersize.
The creation process is surprisingly easy! All you have to do is upload photos of your pet, select your customizations, and the Petsies team will do the rest. They will even send email updates throughout the entire design and sewing process. The process does take 6-8 weeks, so order early for the holidays or consider sending a gift card so your recipient can send in their photos whenever they’re ready. Petsies also carries adorable felted ornaments, pillows, keychains, and even custom printed socks all featuring your pet’s adorable face!
Check out how Petsies created a lookalike pet plush of our own family’s dog, Kallie!
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The Our Generation Salon On Wheels is the ultimate playset for hairstyling fun with any 18-inch doll. This foldable hair salon trailer playset features a lighted mirror and a handheld blow dryer that sounds like the real thing. It’s everything your doll hairdresser could ever need in a beautiful fold-out salon scene. Start with a shampoo at the washing station – the sink hose extends to rinse off shampoo! Next, seat your doll in the chair for a trim using the cute salon cape, 3 sectioning clips, and scissors. Then dry their hair with the hooded hair dryer or handheld blow dryer.
This salon set comes with a huge assortment of even more accessories including a curling iron, hairbrush, 4 pretend nail color bottles, hair pick, comb, shears, mirror, 3 hair dye tubes, mixing bowl, dye brush, conditioner, hair mask container, oil bottle, hair developer, gel, 2 spray bottles, nail brush, towel, hair diffuser, and miniature magazine. The convenient shelves and opening drawer keep accessories tidy for a quick cleanup, and the trailer folds closed when it’s time to travel! (Dolls sold separately, but batteries are included.)
Get 20% off any Our Generation purchase with code OLIVIA20 (expires Dec 25, 2022).
Be sure to stash a few new puzzles from the puzzle experts at Ravensburger under the tree this year! Puzzles help kids develop pattern recognition, logical thinking, patience, concentration, and hand-eye coordination, all while having fun. We’ve picked these particular puzzles to relive our favourite moments from Star Wars and The Mandalorian, but Ravensburger carries a huge assortment of puzzles for every age and interest.
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Kids Crafts Kits empower girls through modern crafts themed around trailblazing women and entrepreneurs. Each kit tells the story of a wise leader, providing the opportunity for girls to learn how to step into their power. Flying through the clouds, Amelia Earhart was never afraid to SOAR. She broke world records, gender barriers, and always dreamed big. The Soar Like Amelia kit contains instructions and all the supplies needed to weave a puffy clouded sky on a beginner loom to remind your girl she can do anything she sets her mind to.
Kids Crafts also carries kits that encourage creativity and entrepreneurship. Our favourite is the Make And Sell Poppin’ Paper Clips Craft Kit that will get your child started making adorable and functional paper clips as her first business. This craft kit includes everything she needs to create 45 unique paper clips (6 sets) decorated with tassels, pom poms, and butterflies.
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Dreamegg’s D3 Pro sound machine packs a lot into a tiny package. This sound machine offers 29 different sounds for a sound sleep including 7 types of white noise, 7 fan sounds, nature sounds (birds, sea waves, gentle surf, solid rain, thunder rain, brook, campfire, crickets, water dripping), pendulum, train, shushing, fetal tone, music box, and lullaby.
Leave the Dreamegg to play all night to drown out external noises for a restful sleep, or set it to auto shut off once your little one is asleep. The rechargeable battery can run for up to 12 hours on a single charge, so it’s perfect for naps away from home, travel, or on-the-go with kids. It’s great for light sleepers of all ages!
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This Kinetic Sand kit is the perfect sensory toy for hours of imaginative construction play. Dig, build, and crush with the working crane and two attachments. Hook the sand bucket on to dig and pile up sand. Wheel the dump truck around the site and use the truck’s 3-brick mold in the back to build brick walls, then knock everything down with the wrecking ball. When you’re finished playing, the sandbox easily folds up and fits everything inside for storage or portable play! Includes 2 pounds of Kinetic Sand.
Kids love caring for and playing with their Little Live Pets – turtles that swim and walk, birds that talk, hamsters that scurry around – with no smell or mess to clean up! The newest Little Live Pet is an interactive, light-up chameleon with 30+ sounds and emotions and so many colorful moods. This soft and squishy chameleon changes color and makes sounds to express its mood. When this vivid lizard is feeling super happy, it sings and glows with beautiful, rainbow lights!
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Gift Ideas for Mom
Letters to My Child was inspired by the first letter my father ever wrote to me. On the night I was born, my father sat in the hospital waiting room and wrote a six-page letter addressed to the child he was anxiously waiting to meet. As a parent, you have many cherished memories you’ll want to share with your own child someday, and that’s why I wrote this journal to inspire and guide you through preserving those memories in unique letters your child will treasure forever. This beautifully presented hardcover journal is a thoughtful and loving gift for any parent or parent-to-be.
Manta Sleep describes this sleep mask as the world’s comfiest. The shaped cups put zero pressure on your eyelids or lashes, and the mask is adjustable for the perfect personalized fit. Made from soft, breathable, durable materials, Manta sleep masks are machine washable and offers 100% blackout for deeper sleep, no matter the light level. This kit includes the mask, premium ear plugs, and a case/wash bag – perfect for gift-giving!
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Got a bibliophile to shop for? Sweet Reads Box was created for book lovers, by book lovers. Each box includes a great read, a decadent sweet, and carefully curated items that tie in to the novel. Give a monthly subscription for a year-long gift, send a specific box from past boxes, or choose a themed limited edition boxes designed for those who love thrillers, Young Adult books, cooking, cats, or dogs.
We love this previous book box featuring Jennifer E. Smith’s Unsinkable Greta James, a heartfelt and quirky story about a rock star daughter and her father, both struggling to find their footing after a tragedy as they attempt to untangle years of misunderstanding. The box also includes an Escape Cruise Lines Margarita Mix by Gourmet du Village, Walton Wood Farm’s Bear Droppings snack, The Call of the Wild classic book by Jack London, a Totem Spirit by Native Northwest (made from reclaimed wood and featuring art by a Haida artist), a Vintage Inside Passage Bookmark by Woodly, vibrant Greta James Solid Perfume, and a special letter from author Jennifer E. Smith exclusive to Sweet Readers.
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Etsy artisan Customjouel creates beautiful custom necklaces from your child’s drawing or handwriting. Each one-of-a-kind piece is made from your choice of sterling silver, 18k gold, rose gold, or stainless steel. Just send in an image for a deeply personal piece of jewelry that will be treasured forever.
Fusing functionality and elegance, the chic Serena tote bag by Riona has all the space any fashionista could need for daily errands or even overnight. This large, 100% vegan tote features buttery soft vegan leather and minimalist gold accents that perfectly compliment the bag. Comes in black seen here as well as a warm, neutral taupe.
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A Heart-Mind Box is the perfect gift to let a loved one know you care. Each box contains a selection of gender-neutral, ethically sourced products curated with love and designed to nurture well-being: something to encourage connection to others, something to promote self-care, and a connection to the science behind well-being. Our favourite item in the current Heart-Mind Box is a rock painting kit that will allow your recipient to create their own dot art mandala rock. The Dalai Lama Center will receive 50% of all net proceeds from every box.
Brass garden blooms from Another Studio are decorative ornaments any plant-lover will appreciate. This garden set features a sweet little pansy, a glorious poppy, a delicate lily-of-the-valley and a bold echinacea. Stand them in your plant pots or terrarium to create a mini garden that will always be in bloom – no green thumb needed!
Gift Ideas for Dad
Located in rural Ontario, Canada, Walton Wood Farm offers more than 80 unique, consciously crafted, and thoughtfully packaged personal care products. Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and free of alcohol, SLS, paraben, and dyes. Give your guy a gift that cares for him and his beard with high-quality, natural ingredients like hemp oil, shea butter, argan oil, and jojoba seed oil to hydrate his skin and nourish his hair. We love Walton Wood Farm’s Gentleman scent – a light citrus and mahogany scent that smells divine without overpowering – in Preshave and Beard Oil, Beard Balm, and Solid Cologne.
Each purchase also helps support the Farmhouse Garden Animal Home, an animal sanctuary in Uxbridge, Ontario that gives farm animals a chance to live safe, happy lives.
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Canadian company TuxMat has perfected the ultimate car mat for drivers looking for fail-safe protection from unexpected spills, muddy shoes, slush, salt stains and more, all while complimenting the car’s interior and maintaining the core aesthetic.
TuxMat tailored car mats fit like a glove because they’re created using interior data based on the make and model with a highly precise 3D scanner capturing every detail – accurate up to 0.4 millimetres. The built-in tuxedo inspired ridges help keep feet and belongings dry even when the mats are wet from snow or rain. Easy to install and remove to clean when needed, TuxMat currently provides car mats for over 500 vehicles and continuously expands their offerings as new car models are released.
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BottleLoft is the world’s first magnetic bottle hanger. The magnetic strips peel and stick to the refrigerator ceiling to add space and make the fridge cooler! Each kit comes with two strips to hang six bottles of his favourite craft beer in midair.
KURU Footwear is a 13-year-old DTC shoe company with one mission: resolving foot pain. Every shoe KURU builds contains their patented KURUSOLE which is engineered to dynamically flex with each step to redirect impact, shield your heels from stress and eliminate foot pain. The result is comfortable footwear with incomparable cushioning and support that feels like a hug for your heels. If your guy is struggling with foot pain, KURU can help!
KIVI loafers are a comfy casual men’s slip-on with exceptional built-in arch support. Offering a relaxed fit and an attractive design, the KIVI is an eye-pleasing slip-on that’s ideal for work, travel, or just hanging out. With smooth leather uppers accented with cross-stitches on the side, the KIVI exudes a sense of style that’s understated, versatile, and timeless. Comes in 4 colours: jet black, espresso brown, chestnut brown, warmstone.
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If you’re dreaming of a green Christmas, look no further than the only carbon-neutral and fair trade-certified spirit in the world – Flor de Caña Rum. This ultra premium rum is the ideal gift for the eco-advocate on your list and anyone with distinguished taste! Masterfully aged for 12, 15, 18 and 25 years, this sustainably crafted rum will put the rum-pa-pa-pum in your holiday celebrations. Delicious neat, on the rocks, or enjoy the 12 year in a delicious Holiday Flor Fashioned with a twist of orange.
Holiday Flor Fashioned Recipe
Ingredients: 2 oz. Flor de Caña 12 Year Rum, 2 dashes Angostura Bitters, 1 oz. cranberry simple syrup, orange wedge, ice, and 3 cranberries.
Preparation: If desired, rim glass with sugar. Crush (don’t muddle) the cranberries in a glass. Add rum and simple syrup. Top with bitters and stir. Add ice. Garnish with an orange slice and more cranberries if desired.
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Give him an elegant, one of a kind wallet with a custom, engraved message he will carry with him wherever he goes. Handmade from leather and containing RFID blocking technology, Etsy shop A Dave’s Leather can add a personalized message or even reproduce your handwritten message for a one-of-a-kind gift he’ll treasure always.
With this neat little gadget, Dad will be able to remotely monitor cooking progress on the grill or in the oven from his smartphone, set desired food temperatures, customize alarms and timers, and view graphs. Bluetooth 5.0 provides a strong, effective connection to track temperatures from up to 500 feet away. Preset USDA-recommended temperatures for different types of meat will help him cook safely and to just the right temperature, and advanced algorithms can even estimate proper cooking times to help better plan meals.
Gift Ideas for the Home & Family
Vancouver-based Nest Designs creates premium, eco-friendly pieces that are meant to last. Their sleepwear, loungewear, and accessories for the whole family feature hand-drawn designs and whimsical prints. The founder of Nest Designs, Tammy Lo, draws all the designs herself!
With winter on the way, give a gift the whole family can use to cozy up and stay warm. This winter-weight quilted bamboo blanket is 3.2 TOG rated and filled with Sorona, a very soft, plant-based, fully biodegradable filling that insulates and gives each blanket a light, plushy softness. It’s perfect as an oversized throw blanket on the couch or as a coverlet on a queen bed. We love this minimalist and gender-neutral Hide N Hoot print!
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These clever DIY craft kits from Molfar contain everything you need to create gorgeous heirloom ornaments for your tree, as well as cherished family memories of time spent together. Each kit includes 5 sturdy, handmade glass balls, paint, beautiful decorative elements, ribbons to hang your ornaments, and even a mini dropcloth to protect your table. Don’t worry about shipping, the boxes come well-packaged to ensure safe delivery and avoid disappointment. And with all kits currently 40% off, now’s a great time to order yours!
This holiday season, Asmodee Games has everyone covered with the best titles in board games for family, kids, and parties. Now from the folks behind the cooperative classic Pandemic game is a new standalone game for the whole family, set during the time of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Players take on the roles of heroic Jedi, each with powerful and unique abilities, to battle the Separatist forces. Play through 4 different scenarios, each featuring its own main villain. This game includes a large-sized board, illustrated cards, and striking miniatures, including legendary Jedi, iconic villains, and swarms of battle droids and blockade ships.
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This set of 3 LED candles from IKEA are a safe alternative for homes with small children and pets. They give off a cozy, flickering light like a real candle, but without the risk of fire. The built-in timer can be set to automatically turn on the candle at the same time every day and shine for up to 6 hours. Or move your hand above them to turn them on and off. When the batteries need charging, there’s a micro-USB port on the underside.
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This theatre-style popcorn machine makes up to 4 quarts of fresh popped popcorn for your next family movie night. The motorized stirring rod allows more pops per batch, and the removable, nonstick popping kettle tilts for easy popcorn removal. What a cool gift the whole family will enjoy for years!
While a vacuum cleaner may not be the first choice as a romantic gift for your significant other, every home needs a cordless stick vacuum for quick, daily clean-ups. The LG A9 CordZero is our pick for its powerful motor, maneuverability, sleek charging stand, and TWO rechargeable batteries so you’re never caught without power!
Stocking Stuffers
Little Live Pets’ first collectible range is here. Squirkies are fidget pets full of fun! These cute, collectible, fidget-sized pets come to life in the coolest ways. Each Squirkie comes with 2 or more fidget points – kids can pop, twirl, click, flip, twist, tangle, and more!
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Walton Wood Farms’ hand creams and lip balms are perfect as stocking stuffers for the whole family. Our favourites include their “Me” Time hand rescue balm, a moisturizing yet never greasy blend of cocoa butter, shea butter, and green tea. Pair a tin of hand balm with one of their deliciously scented all-natural lip balms made with organic sunflower, olive, and hemp seed oils. All are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and free of SLK, parabens, phthalates, and dyes.
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Keep these 5 crazy words in mind: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. This is the addictive, social card game that will change game night forever. It’s a power-packed, quick, and simple party game. Race against each other to slap a match between a card and the spoken word. But watch out! Your mind will play tricks on you. Suitable for all ages, this portable game can be played anywhere. It takes only a minute to learn and 10-15 minutes to play.
Soppycid’s reusable, silicone water balloons are a unique new water toy! They fill automatically when immersed in water, self-seal with magnets (no more tying knots!), and pop open easily without stinging when they make impact. Best of all, they don’t leave little pieces of broken latex that can end up inside pets, wild animals, or curious toddlers.
But these aren’t just for water balloon fights! Reusable water balloons make great tub toys year-round and are perfect as larger Easter egg alternatives for your annual Easter hunt. You can fill and freeze them as reusable, colourful, no-mess “ice cubes” for the cooler or to chill drinks at your next holiday party. Or snap them over indoor or outdoor string lights to create large, illuminated balls that will make your parties more colourful.
Speed cubes are the next iteration of the classic Rubik’s cube. No stickers means nothing to scratch or peel off, and these turn and spin smoothly in all directions allowing you to solve this classic puzzle quicker and easier.
Turn their bedroom into a nighttime wonderland! This kit comes with 200 glow in the dark stars, a reference star constellation map, and installation putty to stick stars to the walls and ceiling.
These colourful Crayola washable markers draw on any glass surface, plus mylar, frames, mirrors, and more. Add seasonal decorations to windows, doodle on car windows during long drives, or leave messages on the bathroom mirror. Vibrant colours make designs pop but wash easily from skin and most clothing.