Happy busiest shopping weekend of the year! If you’re looking for ideas for baby/kids/moms/dads, here are some things we love:

BABY/KID

Card games. This year we’ve just started getting into games with Trey and it is really fun having a family activity we can do together, especially with the rainy season just starting for us. Kids learn so much through play and games: turn taking, language and cognitive development, social skills, they really are a hidden gem for learning opportunities (and they’re fun!). Perfect stocking stuffers: this multi-pack, this, this, this (and great for teaching problem solving and empathy.)

We also have this picnic game which is a great first board game for kids, and some friends love this one (and it has amazing reviews) also this.

This scooter makes the list every year because it is such a favorite and gets so much use. $10 off here.

Bob Books Learn to Read beginning and advanced reader, both for ages 3-6. Perfect for the preschooler or kindergarten who’s interested in letters.

These piggy banks. Love the concept.

We’re just about to start feeding Blaire real food so I snagged this chair secondhand (we have another for Trey and have loved it), and will grab this baby set. Boring but needed!

Our favorite play kitchen. And along with it, the cash register.

Have heard rave reviews on this castle that you can color or paint on (and it is under $25!) and great for rainy day indoor play.

I shared this on Instagram but the coolest gift Trey got this year was a set of personalized name crayons. You can make your own so easily with a silicone alphabet mold here.

This cash register gets a lot of use with the kitchen.

Big ticket items: our trampoline (yes, very expensive) and our play set (similar), buying secondhand can save you big time on both.

Non-toys gift ideas (because we are really trying to pair down on all the stuff) - Children’s Museum pass, zoo pass, music class, basketball team, gymnastic lessons, swim lessons, an indoor trampoline pass, plane tickets for a trip.

MOM

Working out is saving my sanity this year so all I want for Christmas is new workout gear. These are my favorite leggings (and they’re on sale!) I have had one pair since they first came out (maybe 10 years ago? Is that right??) and they still haven’t stretched out and look new.

Wireless earbuds, Stockholm by Urbanista. This is one of those product that I’m just not sure how we survived life without it. Love being able to workout (or grocery shop!) while listening to music or a podcast and still be hands free.

An indestructible phone case. For the mom who juggles multiple children and her phone at the same time and needs extra protection. I’ve loved Otterbox for years, and finally upgraded from the iPhone 6 (yes, five years old) to the 10. I have this case on mine and it has saved my phone from so many drops and toddler mishaps.

For the mom who’s trying to make her wardrobe more sustainable: the best cotton v-neck white tee, ethically made and $18, here. Search “the cotton v-neck.”

Stocking stuffer idea: these hair ties are my favorite and hold my ponytail for an entire workout better than anything else I’ve tried.

DAD

Wireless earbuds. Tokyo by Urbanista. Daniel loves these for the gym.

An adult sized scooter. Daniel took this one to work and uses it to scooter around downtown when he needs to get somewhere faster than walking.

Insulated Water Bottle. These are our favorite and ethically made.

Wireless charger or phone case. For the techie dad (or busy mom!).

Slim wallet with amazing reviews and under $10. Great stocking stuffer.