In theory, buying gifts for children is not difficult at all. If they are old enough to talk but not old enough to completely ignore you, they are more likely to tell you what they want. And if your kids run in the same circles as mine, they all seem to want the same things: fidget rings, slime, a Labubu keychain, a Squishmallow, a Sephora gift card, a digital pack of Robux, a hoverboard, and maybe a puppy. An adult who strives for a more personal level of gifting—or simply finding something that doesn't involve screens, mirrors, or fads—runs the risk of appearing presumptuous and pretentious. Why dare you question the wishes of another generation and not yours?
Again, with a lot of research and a little luck, you might just get it right. I spent years foisting various knitting and bracelet-making projects on a rather crafty young friend, with varying degrees of success, before I stumbled upon loom kit ($33), which paired perfectly with the warp and weft of her developing brain; she's found a dopamine delivery system that's almost as reliable as 99 Nights in the Woods, and it's the process of weaving a strong, elastic, rainbow-colored potholder. (I use all four of mine!) With the following items, I hope readers can find their own version of a rainbow potholder for each of their favorite kids this holiday season.
For architects, craftsmen and/or mechanical enthusiasts
Many schoolchildren's home (mine, in fact) is a Lego house: Lego race cars, Lego streetscapes, giant Lego birds, airships and spaceships everywhere. But the intrepid buyer can go further to meet everyone's assembly and assembly needs. Young architects can tinker with the four-in-one device eco friendly house ($170) from Arckit, an Irish company whose modern, minimalist design is the perfect complement to the colorful chaos of the Legowverse. Aspiring mechanics with Lego Technic cars on their resume may be ready for a challenging job. KaDa Supercar (from $180), which is made of more than three thousand bricks. For a lighter, fresher project, try one with camellias, lilacs and sunflowers. wooden bouquet ($40) or an assembly kit with Lovecraft-style die-cuts for poisonous blue-ringed octopus ($40). But remember, there is no shame in buying what you know. If the teenager in your life is fluent in The Simpsons references, you can make him the company's latest franchisee. Lego Krusty Burger ($210).
For scientists and/or spies
Spy Labs Master Detective Toolkit
One of the pleasures of the early years of primary school is how children learn that to be alive is to be a kind of explorer – that a walk to school or an afternoon wandering around the apartment can instantly turn into a science experiment or a spy mission, or both. My family is lucky with National Geographic geological laboratories, which are commonplace in large stores, including volcano assembly kit ($15) and equipment for growing crystals, like this glow in the dark number ($37). When my kids were in first and fourth grade, they wore it out. detective tool kit ($50), which includes fingerprint removal supplies and invisible ink, and have been trained as entry-level cryptographers using Secret codes of the spy school ($24). The extremely reliable Snap Circuits line also has spy kit ($53) with nifty gadgets including a voice changer and motion detector alarm.
For a child who understands that AI can't draw and ChatGPT can't write
“The Boy Who Became a Parrot”
Among the many doomsday scenarios that parents should consider, one is the arrival of Generation Alpha to an irreversible consensus (if it hasn't already) that AI image generators and large language models have eliminated vital creative activities – a fundamental developmental experience! – drawing and creative writing. To calm such anxiety, I buy things, and you can too. One of the most popular titles in our family library is a giant six-book-in-one folder called Draw Really Cool Things (which includes antelopes, spiders, velociraptors, and a Subaru Outback); It's no longer made, but you can easily find it used (Here for less than five bucks). For the new generation of workbooks, there's this. comic book kit ($32) and that's it anime drawing tutorial ($11). And for creative inspiration that isn't too preachy, check out two new titles from Books about the enchanted lionexcellent children's publisher from Brooklyn: “Forgotten teachers($25), a whimsical atlas of the evolution of life on Earth and my favorite children's book of 2025: “The boy who became a parrot($23), a stunningly beautiful illustrated biography of the great ornithologist and bard of Limerick, Edward Lear.
For the unicorn phase
Like the Disney princess phase, it affects us all. You can probably find used suits, but in a pinch, here's this. Great Challengers Pack ($58). The French company Omy has a kit for making 3-D unicorn head ($30) which may remind you of this video is about a beach house. Another French concern Djeco collects from Medieval tapestry with a unicorn ($28), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, home of the Unicorn Relaxing in the Garden exhibit, is offering a crystal-studded gold piece. unicorn brooch ($115).
For a cozy but stylish late December idyll
School holidays often entail at least a day or two of hanging around the house doing nothing much, and that requires the right clothes: maybe completely thick and puffy clothes. Aran sweater ($60) or so terry slippers ($52) in Dusen Dusen's trademark colorful stripes. Vacationers may want to change up their bedroom decor, which may require a crocheted lily of the valley. garlands ($35) or Cute Bear Ceramic Wall Hooks ($95). If unscheduled hours call for some budget glamour, consider Depression glass pendant ($38) or treat wish bracelet ($16); If a Sephora gift card was purchased, place it in this bold and colorful cosmetic bag ($18).
For a stocking full of critters, ice cream, and maybe a human brain.
Kikkerland Ice Cream Jump Rope
Venice Biennale of Children's Retail Hystericsa vibrant family-owned store with two locations in the Bay Area; its online shopping mall has a Montessori school feel brought to life by Oliver Jeffers or Tove Jansson. I'm especially grateful for Tantrum's confusion with stocking stuffers, a gift category that for me often falls prey to procrastination. For youth with a performative bent there is ball juggling ($12) and circus capes ($42). For those with a high disgust threshold, there is brain development kit ($14) and fossilized feces ($9). There is ice cream for the young emperors jump rope with handles in the shape of ice cream cones ($12) and Ice cream truck shaped pencil sharpener ($24). For a nocturnal baby, go to tyrannosaurus lantern ($16). If your child has a bicycle, he will need flower vase ($9). If your child has a set of keys, the keys will need keychain with fluffy mushroom ($19). And every child, of course, deserves a little glowing slime ($22). ♦
