The holidays are upon us, mamas! The air is crisp, the twinkle lights are strung, and the question on every parent’s mind is: what magical gifts will spark joy in our little ones’ hearts?
This year, ditch the stress of endless shopping aisles and let’s create a holiday season filled with thoughtful, developmental toys and keepsakes that nurture their growing minds and wild imaginations. From the curious newborn to the energetic toddler, we’ve curated a guide that celebrates every stage of your little one’s incredible journey.
Let’s dive in!
Stocking Stuffers (also, you can find my full ‘big gift’ guide here)
- Bookscape Board Books: Christmas Cheer
- Kinetic Sand, 3.25lbs Beach Sand in Resealable Bag, Moldable Play Sand Sensory Toys, Christmas Gifts for Kids Ages 3+
- Colored Dot Stickers 1 Inch, Circle Stickers Round Color Coding Dots Markers Sticker, 1575 PCS Removeable Sticky Labels Stickers Dots for Toddlers Students Office Classroom in 7 Assorted Colors
- You’re My Little Cuddle Bug Board book
- Bob Books – Set 1: Beginning Readers Box Set | Phonics, Ages 4 and up, Kindergarten (Stage 1: Starting to Read)
- Burt’s Bees Baby Toddler Girls’ Underwear, Organic Cotton Panties, Tag-Free Comfort Briefs, Pack of 5
- Wooden Kids Knife for Cooking and Safe Cutting Veggies Fruits, Cute Fish Shape Kids Kitchen Tools, Christmas Gifts for kids, 2-5 Years Old Applicable
- Frida Baby Infant Head-Hugging Baby Hairbrush and Comb Set, Newborn and Up
- Frida Baby Training Toothbrush for Babies with Soft Silicone Bristles, Yellow
- Jack N’ Jill Kids Toothbrush – Extra Soft Bristle Toothbrush for Kids, Handle & Packaging Made from Plants (Corn), Ergonomic Handle for Little Hands – Koala Baby, Toddler, & Kids Toothbrush (1 pack)
- Piggy Paint | 100% Non-Toxic Girls Nail Polish | Safe, Cruelty-free, Vegan, & Low Odor for Kids| You Take the Cake (6 Polish Set)
- NumNum Baby Spoons Set, Pre-Spoon GOOtensils for Kids Aged 6+ Months – First Stage, Baby Led Weaning (BLW) Spoon – Self Feeding, Silicone Toddler Food Utensils – 2 Spoons, Blue/Orange
- Munchkin® Raise™ Toddler Fork and Spoon Utensil Set, Rest Keeps Tip Off Table, BPA Free, 4 Pack, Blue/Green
- ezpz Tiny Cup (Blue) – 100% Silicone Training Cup for Infants – 4 months + – Designed by a Pediatric Feeding Specialist – Baby-led Weaning Essentials & Baby Gifts
- Fiskars Training Scissors for Preschoolers Ages 3+ (3-Pack), Small Kids Safety Scissors with Training Lever, Easy to Use, Preschooler Art Supplies, Back To School, Turquoise and Red
- Welly Bandages | Adhesive Flexible Fabric Bravery Badges | Assorted Shapes for Minor Cuts, Scrapes, and Wounds | Colorful and Fun First Aid Tin | Unicorn Patterns – 48 Count
- Sarah’s Silks Rainbow Streamer – 8′ Long Ribbon Wand for Kids, Pretend Play, Dance, Baton Stick Twirling, and Gymnastics Party Favors | 100% Silk and Wood Montessori and Waldorf Toys
- Learning Resources Pretend Play 3″ Long Tape Measure – Ages 3+ Kids Measuring Tape, Measuring Tape Retractable, Educational Toys for Kids
- Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy, Blue/Green/Orange, 5 Inch x 4 Inch x 3.5 Inch
- Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy Sensory Tummy Time Toys, Soft Fabric Tag Toy For Babies, Infants
- Haakaa Silicone Teether Combo – Baby Freezer Teething Toy – Soft Cold Teether – Soothe Teething Pain & Itching Gums – Perfect Size – Palm & Ferris Wheel Shape for 3M+ Babies BPA Free – 2 pk
- Sophie la girafe | My Christmas with Sophie Gift Set | Includes Sophie la girafe, Christmas Cap & Socks | Comfort & Soothe | Awaken All 5 Senses
- Full Circle Tiny Team Mini Compact Brush & Dustpan Set, Portable Handheld Broom for Quick Cleanups, Ideal for Home, Bathroom, Kitchen Countertops. Bamboo Hand Broom & Small Crumb Sweeper, White
- LEGO Gingerbread Ornaments – Christmas Tree Ornaments Building Set for Kids, Boys & Girls, Ages 6+ – 3 Gingerbread Decorations for Tree & Home – Gift Ideas for Kids
- Annie’s Organic Variety Pack, Cheddar Bunnies, Bunny Grahams and Cheddar Squares, Stocking Stuffer, 12 Pouches, 11 oz
- Carrots Shapes Sorting and Matching Game Wooden Toys, Fine Motor Skill Early Learning Preschool Educational Toys Gifts for 1 2 3 Year Old Boys Girls
- Indestructibles: Hello, Farm!: Chew Proof · Rip Proof · Nontoxic · 100% Washable (Book for Babies, Newborn Books, Safe to Chew)
- Spray Bottles (12 Oz) Water Spray Bottle for Hair, Plants, Cleaning Solutions, Cooking, BBQ, Squirt Bottle for Cats – Empty Spray Bottles – BPA-Free – Multicolor (Pink, 1 Pack)
- MadeGood Mixed Berry Granola Minis, USDA Certified Organic, Gluten Free & Non-GMO, 3.5 Oz (Pack of 6)
- The New Primal Snack Mates Chicken & Maple Sticks, Gluten Free Healthy Snacks for Kids, Low Sugar High Protein Back to School Snacks, Mini Paleo Jerky Meat Stick, 7g Protein, 50 Calories, 40 Pack
- Evereden Baby Lip Balm, 0.13 oz | Clean Baby Care | Non-toxic and Fragrance Free Baby Skincare
- Evereden Kids Fantasy Face Crayon Trio: Non Toxic Kids Makeup & Multi-Purpose Face, Eye, & Lip Crayon – Creamy Clean Makeup for Kids – Vegan & Clean Makeup for Kids – Safe for Sensitive Skin
- Evereden Kids Tinted Non Toxic Lip Gloss: Sheer Red – Non Toxic Kids Makeup – Vegan Clean Makeup for Kids – Soothing & Hydrating Kid Lip Gloss – Cherry, Peach, & Cranberry Oils Girls Makeup
- 8 Piece Tegu Pocket Pouch Magnetic Wooden Block Set, Sunset
- Educational Insights GeoSafari® Jr. Rocknoculars™ – Rock Microscope for Kids Ages 4+, Educational Science Kits for Toddlers
- Melissa & Doug Wooden Stamp Set: Dinosaurs – 8 Stamps, 5 Colored Pencils, 2-Color Stamp Pad – FSC Certified
- HABA My Very First Games – First Orchard Toddler Game – My First Orchard Game, Cooperative Toddler Board Games for 2 Year Olds – Made in Germany
- Hape White Wooden Pop-Up Toaster Set Pretend Play Breakfast Accessories for Preschoolers
- Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Itsy-Bitsy Spider 8-Page Soft Activity Book for Babies and Toddlers
- Munchkin® Bath Beats™ Bath Toy, Musical Set Includes Xylophone, Bath Drum & Shakers, Fun for Babies, Toddlers and Kids
- Honeysticks Triangle Bath Crayons Non Toxic (10 Pk) for Toddlers 1-3 and Kids 4-8, Natural Beeswax Crayons, Food-Grade Colors, Fragrance Free, Easy Grip Triangular Shape, Bath Toys for Bathtub, Shower
- Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Safari 2 Pack Animal Toy Set Age 3+
- Sarah’s Silks Mini Playmap | Under The Sea | 21″ x 21″ Silk
Lastly – More is Less, aka The Cosmic Way:
- Minimalism: When choosing gifts, focus on quality over quantity. Look for timeless toys that can be enjoyed for years to come, and avoid items that are likely to be used only once or twice.
- Make it meaningful: Instead of buying your child a bunch of small trinkets, focus on a few larger items that will spark their imagination and curiosity.
- Sourcing secondhand (or free!): There are many great places to find secondhand toys and other items for children. I love sourcing great educational toy deals on Poshmark (Code SAMIA_KHAN for $10 off). Also consider checking out your local Facebook Marketplace, community sales, thrift stores, or Buy Nothing groups. You may even be able to find some items for free!
- Experiences: Kid-friendly art and science museums, botanical gardens, aquariums all offer annual memberships that are great for gifting to family and friends and your own family. Our local East Bay favorite is the Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery in Walnut Creek, which also offers free reciprocal admission to over 345 participating AHS botanical gardens throughout North America, including the University of California Botanical Garden, Gardens of Golden Gate Park, and San Diego Botanical Garden.
Remember, mamas, the greatest gifts are often the simplest ones. Unstructured playtime, snuggles on the couch, and a warm, loving presence are treasures beyond compare.
P.S. Here at Cosmic Motherhood we never forget about mom. Recently postpartum? Read our blog on all about how to care for Mom (and goodies she’ll appreciate). We offer holistic services and tools to support, inspire, and empower your journey through motherhood.
Happy Holidays, mamas!










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