As the holiday season approaches, I wanted to share some of our family's favorite gifts that have stood the test of time. These items have provided countless hours of joy and have become staples in our household. I hope these suggestions inspire your gift-giving this year!

I also wanted to make a special note of some of my favorite gifts that I've received or treated myself to below. These are all items that I have personally used, and some of these have been favorites of mine for YEARS. It can be hard for Mom to think about herself this time of year, but I want to encourage you to share a list of gifts you would love and appreciate with your family so that they can treat you extra special this time of year (because we must remember that they aren't mind-readers!).

Gift Ideas for Boys (Ages 6 to 10)

These eight gifts are items that we have had for several years that have been revisited time and time again and have held up for endless hours of play and learning!

1. Ninja Obstacle Course- Our boys have transformed our backyard into a ninja training ground with this obstacle course. It's been a fantastic way for them to burn off energy and challenge themselves.

2. Sum Swamp (more for ages 4-6)- This engaging math game has made learning fun. We've played it countless times, and it's always a hit during family game nights.

3. Math Slam- Math practice becomes a game with Math Slam. It's been a wonderful tool for reinforcing math skills in an interactive way. We have the addition one now, but we are ordering the multiplication one soon!

4. Bananagrams for Kids- A delightful twist on the classic game, this version is perfect for younger players. It's been a great way to build vocabulary and spelling skills.

5. Catan Junior- Our introduction to strategy games began with Catan Junior. It's simplified for younger players but still offers depth and excitement. This is a family favorite with a much shorter playing window (around 30 minutes).

6. Hexbug BattleBots- These miniature battling robots have provided endless entertainment. The boys love designing their own battles and tournaments. The Battlebot arena brings it all together!

7. Faux Bow Longbow- This safe and fun archery set has been a backyard favorite. It's durable and offers a great introduction to archery. It’s very similar to a “real” bow and arrow set without the danger!

8. Gravity Maze- A captivating logic game that challenges spatial reasoning. It's been rewarding to see the boys solve increasingly complex puzzles.

Gift Ideas for Moms

I have love and enjoyed every one of these items below, and I think you would be delighted to receive any of them this year!

1. Embroidery Kit- Taking up embroidery has been a relaxing and creative outlet. This kit comes with everything needed to get started. It's a great size, and provides you with just enough guidance without being overwhelming.

2. Journaling Bible- This Bible has been a cherished companion for reflection and note-taking during study. The pages are nice and thick and allow you to use non bleed markers without any issues of bleed-through for Bible journaling. I also just love them because the one-page layout allows me to take ample notes!

3. Noise-Canceling Headphones- A game-changer for finding moments of peace and focus amidst the daily hustle. These are super comfy, and I have a very particular ears. The noise canceling feature works really well, and we have found them comparable to our actual Beats headphones. I left to throw these on and listen to podcasts or audiobooks while doing housework to drown out a little bit of the background noise and chaos around me.

4. Wool Socks- These cozy socks have been a treat for my feet, especially during colder months. I'm a total weirdo about socks. I pretty much wear wool socks all year long, and I want the socks to not have an intrusive seam or strangle my calf. These are my very favorite socks right now!

5. Leggings- Comfortable and versatile, these leggings have become a wardrobe staple. These are nice and high-waisted, but they have a really wide waistband so they don't cut into me and create a muffin top. I'm 5'7 and between 160-170 lbs, and I wear a large.

6. Hair Clips- Stylish and practical, these clips have been perfect for quick and easy hairstyles. Since I've grown out my hair longer than I've ever had it before, I've actually started to play around with different styles. I like a traditional claw clip, but those can kind of stick out really far on the back of your head. These sideways clips give the same effect and look a little bit more stylish and are a little bit more comfortable to wear.

7. SodaStream Machine- Making our own sparkling water has been both fun and economical. I'm a total soda junkie and have had a SodaStream machine for over a decade now. The first one I bought years ago when they first came out, and my husband recently replaced it for me with this new model. This new model is much easier and more pleasant to use. I love the SodaStream flavors because even the non-diet ones are split between sucralose and sugar. Now, I know that soda and sucralose are not the healthiest things in the world. But, I do try to avoid aspartame, and sucralose is a little bit better than aspartame. So this is my version of a diet soda. I love the Pepsi flavor and this is a daily staple in our home.

I hope these suggestions help you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Wishing you a joyful and blessed Christmas season!

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