Each year, I share some of the brilliant things we’ve purchased that calendar year as well as things that will be under our Christmas tree. You can see those older posts under my Gift Ideas category. Today, I am sharing a big list of things I’m wishing for and things I’ll be giving my family this year.
Disclaimer: Amazon.co.uk links are affiliate links, but I encourage you to take the info on the item and shop for it locally where you are. I get about €10/year in affiliate income because I don’t push anyone to buy from Amazon. Shops small, shop local. But Amazon is a standard website format with details on products where you can see it, read reviews, and know product specs so it’s useful to link to.
Housewarming/Hosting Gifts
Bundle all these items in a tea towel for the most practical hostess gift ever. Also ideal for housewarming or moving party:
- Duct tape*
- Gorilla tape*
- Gorilla glue, clear*
- WD40*
- Sugru Multi-Colour (Pack of 8)*
- Set of lasting cotton kitchen/tea towels*
For a creative and generous gift for a family or host, here are a few individual ideas:
The Complete Far Side Collection
LEGO Large Creative Brick Set with storage box
Electronics & Gadgets
W-King bluetooth speaker – we use this when at the beach, picnics, gardening, etc.
Projector (we’ve had three in 13 years and this is our favourite)
Battery-powered camping lights (perfect to hang in that pesky closet without a built-in light)
Tower Extension Lead, Te-Rich 12 Gang Surge Protector Multi Plug Power Strip
Kids & Baby
Green Toys tea set – ours is still going strong after seven years
Shape sorter ball – ours is Tupperware brand
The Questioneers Chapter Book Collection – the chapter book followup to Ada Twist and that series
Iggy Peck, Architect – this series is fabulous and there’s a related Netflix series called Ada Twist Scientist
The World of Peter Rabbit (The Original Peter Rabbit books 1-23) by Beatrix Potter
The Great Irish Science Book by Luke O’Neill
Interactive Cube – this replaced the one we had
Wired headset in Nintendo Switch colors – my son uses this for computer-based spelling tests at school
Brain Rules for Baby – parenting book
LEGO Large Creative Brick Set with storage box
MagFormers Magnetic Building Set
Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs BOOK + 18 Piece Dinosaurs In Tub
Rangebow Aqua Magic Water Doodle Drawing Travel Bag Mat and Magic Pens
Schwinn Trike – 36 months+, though our sons started using their one at 24 months
Wood train set – great as a gift to more than one child in this age range
Wooden Gears and Cogs Board Set
Melissa & Doug Imaginative Play Baking Set
Things We Own & Love
Plinrise Animal Desk Phone Stands
Knitter’s Pride Rainbow Knit Blockers – my go-to for DPNs
Sweater Comb and Electric Fabric Shaver
Home Appliances
Transparent Colourful Electric Kettle
Aqua Optima AUC111 Aurora Chilled & Filtered Water Dispenser, 3.8L Capacity
VAX Carpet Cleaner (if you have kids or pets, get this)
Self-Charging Robotic Floor Cleaner DEEBOT – we own two separate models that do what this one does