The PMT Holiday Gift Guide

Hey there! Welcome to the PMT Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide! I created this resource as a one-stop shop to share my tried-and-true favorite products that make great gifts.

I wanted to make shopping for gifts more convenient, so I put all my favorites in one place along with some fresh finds.

With lots of our favorite items in one place, you can be confident that you’re giving gifts that are both great quality and that have made people’s lives better!

To quickly find this page at anytime this holiday season:

Come here to the blog (www.puttingmetogether.com)
Click the Holiday Gift Guide picture on the righthand sidebar (on a laptop) OR at the very bottom of this page (if you’re on a mobile device)

I hope this guide helps make gift-giving a less stressful and more joyful experience!

SIZING INFO: For reference, I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes. I list the size I wear for pieces in the descriptions.

Nickel & Suede Lightweight Leather Earrings – EASIEST gifts to give. SO lightweight and comfy to wear all day. So many styles, beautifully made, super great quality. Shop some of my favorites HERE. (If you shop through either of those links, you could receive $5 off your order at checkout. The code is only good for a limited-number of uses. First come first serve!)
Initial Short Pendant Necklace – My other current go-to necklace. This small addition packs a huge punch! For a lookalike that’s 1/5 the cost (!!) check HERE.
Tube Necklace – Another option is this minimalist necklace, which will add polish to outfit in a subtle way. Goes with everything!
Hoops – These go with everything and are SUPER affordable.
Lululemon Belt Bag – Makes a GREAT gift from young to old! (Think: even that teen niece who’s so hard to shop for.)
UNIQLO Round Shoulder Bag – Sporty bag that’s great for casual outfits and is a bit bigger than most slings.
Slim Wallet – Great wallet to be minimal while on-the-go. This pairs well with smaller bags like the sling and the shoulder bag above. SUPER affordable, lots of colors, and lasts! I’ve had it for 2 years, and it looks brand new.
Daniel Wellington Watch – Classic – Compliment magnet! Sooo classy and goes with everything. You can find the smaller version HERE.
Daniel Wellington Watch – Black
Black Mesh Metal Strap Watch – Sleek, sophisticated, minimalist. A PMT team member got this during a sale, and it looks good with pretty much every outfit. She has a thin wrist and the 32mm fits her well.
Barefoot Dreams Cardigan – FAN FAVORITE. Super cozy and soft for lounging around the house. Too heavy for me, but my sister and mother-in-law LOVE it. Washes extremely well — like new after years of wear.
UGG Slippers – Water-resistant fan favorites.
Koolaburra by Ugg Slippers – Cozy and not clunky!
Butter Socks – Soft, cozy, and super affordable!
Sherpa Lined Waterproof Jacket w/ Hood – REALLY good jacket, especially at this price! Cozy and warm thanks to sherpa lining, but waterproof. And it’s lightweight, not heavy or bulky given how cozy it is! 5 colors. I wear size M. See it on me HERE.
Bernardo Water Repellent Jacket – Another GREAT jacket, good for athleisure and some super casual outfits. Water resistant, removable bib, hood, zippered pockets, thumbholes, and straps to carry it on your shoulder when you get hot during hikes! Lots of colors. I wear size M.
Everyday Backpack – Lightweight, water-resistant, and quite a lot of pockets! (Including a cushioned laptop compartment and an anti-theft zippered pocket that rests against your back), sleek and attractive design, and it’s UNDER $30!!
Small Transport Tote – The perfect everyday handbag, and the genuine leather softens up soo nicely! Big enough for all your essentials, including a book or kindle! The short handles allow you to quickly grab your bag and the longer strap to carry this bag hands free.
Medium Transport Tote – This genuine leather tote is great when you need something a bit larger.
Plaid Flannel Scarf – Cozy and festive!
Water-Resistant Lug Sole Boots – I LOVE these! Water-resistant, comfortable, and they work so well with casual outfits! I wear size 8.5.
Boat and Tote Open-Top Tote – A tote is always super helpful for carrying things while traveling or for everyday transport. This one’s iconic and incredibly durable. Tested to hold 500 lbs!!! Comes in 4 sizes and lots of colors. And pretty dang affordable, considering how durable it is.
Minimalist Tote – Super clean aesthetic with lots of features: top zip closure, top carry handles, removable crossbody strap, trolley passthrough that can also zip up to become an extra pocket, interior pocket, easy-to-clean. Several colors!
3-Piece Carry On Luggage Set – I don’t own this set, but it’s really cute! And, as I’m currently writing this, it’s on MAJOR SALE–crazy deal!
Weekender Bag – Another sleek-looking but super affordable bag with lots of compartments to keep you organized. Water resistant with anti-shock protection, too!

Throw Blanket – EASY gift when you don’t know what to give. SUPER soft and fuzzy, and affordable. (We have 3!) Washes very well, doesn’t pill. Tons of colors.
Olive & June Nail Polish Kit – The mani and pedi systems are AWESOME! Yes, the nail polish is good too, but what got me hooked is the full kits! I used to never paint my nails because they’d chip after a day or two, and I thought it was a lot of work for nothing. The Olive & June system makes it quicker with its Polish Remover Pot (just swish your finger around a couple of times and it removes your polish!!), the clean up brush, the nail file and buffer, the cuticle serum (awesome btw!), and the patented bottle handle to help you paint with your non-dominant hand. And, YES, my polish actually lasted for more than 7 days when I prepped it right with all their tools. I also use the Quick Drying Drops add-on. You can get 20% off any polish system through my link, HERE. (And I’ll get a free polish.) You can also find individual products at Target, HERE! (My 20% off doesn’t work at Target.)
Makeup Brushes – Really, really affordable with AMAZING reviews!
Selfie Stand w/ Remote – My friend brought this out to take a group pic, and I instantly bought my own. Really lightweight but gets pretty tall. The remote is super helpful and very easy to use! And under $23 with 84,000+ reviews and 4.6 stars!
Hair Ties – The hair ties I’ve been using for nearly a couple of years. These are pricey BUT they keep your hair in place! Even my smooth, sleek hair that falls out of other hair ties.
Theracane Massager – Not a cute or pretty gift, but SO helpful! Lets you get the knots out of your own shoulders and back whenever you need! We’ve gifted these to MANY friends, and they’ve loved it.
Sugarfina Candies – Yummy, and they look beautiful! Friends always appreciate receiving them. Can buy a large multi-pack set for one person, or buy a 4-set of the same candies to divvy up as small gifts for multiple people.
Steel Straws w/ Silicone Tips – Better for the environment, and the silicone tip allows you to bite down and have some give like plastic straws do. Been using a set for a few years, but these colors are cuter than the ones I have!
Induction Cooktop Expert – Heats up SOOO FAST, effectively, and efficiently! Allows you to control temperature and time so that you have less to think about as you cook.
Tumbler – Really pretty! Keeps drinks cold for 9 hours and hot for 3!
Beautycounter Brighter Days Skincare Set – Give this to let someone treat herself and make her skin glowy and bright!
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler with Straw – This fits into a cup holder(!!) and has a flip straw. I like that you can fold down the straw and keep it in your bag.

Beautiful Boards – 50 Snack Boards for every occasion!
Korean American – Cookbook that mixes Korean and American experience into flavorful dishes. YUM!!!
Magnolia Table Cookbooks – any of these by Joanna Gaines!
Paint With Water Activity Book – Create beautiful watercolor painting – without having ANY painting skills! You just add water to the pages, and the color will appear (like those paint with water books for kids, but for adults). This is a soothing activity that lets you zone out and relax.
Minimalist Boho Art Coloring Book for Adults – Simple, calming designs to help you decompress and relax.
PMT Wardrobe Guides & Outfit Guides – Grab a gift card to the PMT Shop and give the gift of style with a PMT Outfit Guide! Help someone create a mix and match wardrobe and learn to put together outfits effortlessly.
Cultivate What Matters Powersheets Goal Setting Planner – Great gift for those who want to live intentional lives. I’m going on 7 years of using this. SO helpful for being intentional with your days, years, and LIFE!

I used to travel on average 12x per year for at least 10 years. That’s a LOT of trips, and I became a packing whiz! Some of the items below are my favorite items that have endured years of heavy travel and make traveling and packing more convenient and efficient.

Many of these are great for both women and men.

Packing Cubes – Game changers! We’ve gifted these many times, and EVERYONE reports how life-changing they are after they finally use them. Keeps your whole suitcase organized and makes traveling less stressful. Can throw these in the washing machine! This brand is also AMAZING. I’ve used the SAME SET for OVER 15 years with heavy travel, and they are still going strong!
Toiletry Bag – Not the prettiest, but I owned this for 12 years (!!!) with LOTS of use, and it totally held up until just this past year. 12 colors, 3 sizes available. I own Medium. If you’re looking for one that stands on its own, try this toiletry organizer instead.
Lululemon Belt Bag – Makes a GREAT gift from young to old! (Think: that teen niece who’s so hard to shop for.) Also great to be hands-free for travel. The Crossbody Shoulder Bag is a sporty bag that’s great for casual outfits and is a bit bigger than most slings.
Selfie Stand w/ Remote – My friend brought this out to take a group pic, and I instantly bought my own. Really lightweight but gets pretty tall. The remote is super helpful and very easy to use! And under $23 with 84,000+ reviews and 4.6 stars!
Nickel & Suede Lightweight Leather Earrings – SO lightweight and comfy to wear all day. I barely feel them, so they allow me to still feel decently put together while traveling without slowing me down! So many styles, beautifully made, super great quality. Shop some of my favorites HERE. (If you shop through either of those links, you could receive $5 off your order at checkout. The code is only good for a limited-number of uses. First come first serve!)
Clothing Steamer – Portable steamer ensures you look your best even while living out of a suitcase.
Mother Lode Luggage – Our favorite luggage when traveling with kids. Top half is soft shell, bottom half is hard cased with adjustable organization compartments.
Mother Lode Weekender Backpack – Carry-on volume backpack allows you to travel handsfree. Great reviews! Benson had one of these until we had kids and needed bigger bags. Slightly smaller version HERE.
GoToobs – BEST travel tubes. Don’t leak, easy to clean.
Waterproof Phone Pouch – Another great gift for the traveler! Keeps phone protected and with you to capture great moments during water activities.
Portable iPhone / iPad Powerbank – So practical, and anyone who is on-the-go constantly has been grateful we gifted them one of these.
Hair Ties – Hair ties? YES. Traveling requires lots of movement, especially with 3 kids, so a hair tie that keeps things out of your face is essential. The hair ties I’ve been using for nearly a couple of years. These are pricey BUT they keep your hair in place! Even my smooth, sleek hair that falls out of other hair ties.
2-Port FAST Car Charger for iPhones and iPads – We use this, and it has 2 ports and charges *quickly.* 4,600+ awesome reviews. My mom got one after using ours and it was a huge game changer. (It was painfully slow trying to charge directly from her car otherwise!)
Car Seat Gap Filler – Not an impressive-looking gift, but SO useful! Never worry about your phone or anything else falling through the cracks on the side of your front seats. This thing stops them all!
Daily Travel Backpack – Nearly 90,000 reviews and 4.7 stars! Water-resistant laptop backpack that people LOVE for travel and daily use.
Everyday Backpack – Lightweight, water-resistant, and quite a lot of pockets! (Including a cushioned laptop compartment and an anti-theft zippered pocket that rests against your back), sleek and attractive design, and it’s UNDER $30!!
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler with Straw – This fits into a cup holder(!!) and has a flip straw. I like that you can fold down the straw and keep it in your bag.
Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker – Use it to find your keys, bag, or even phone. 4.5 stars with 27,600+ ratings.
Inflatable Foot Rest – Fills the gaps on planes so you can rest your feet – or so kids can lay out and sleep!!! Deflate them to travel compactly.
Travel Pillow w/ Face Hole – Looks so funny, but lots of people like it! Allows you to sleep face down without as much strain on your neck. Inflatable, so it deflates to become very compact.
Slim Pocket Wallet – Cut the bulk and travel lighter. My husband doesn’t own this exact one, but something similar. He prefers to travel as light as possible. 1,990+ great reviews. I own THIS one, which is really affordable. I’ve had it for 2 years, and it looks brand new.
Kindle Oasis – Appreciated by any avid reader because you don’t have to lug around a ton of books while traveling.
3-Piece Carry On Luggage Set – I don’t own this set, but it’s really cute! And, as I’m currently writing this, it’s on MAJOR SALE–crazy deal!
Weekender Bag – Another sleek-looking but super affordable bag with lots of compartments to keep you organized.

Nike Dri-Fit Workout Tees – My husband works out 6 days a week and loves these! Lots of colors.
Cable Organizer – Small gift that makes packing up to work remotely at a coffee shop more enjoyable through organization.
Electric Kettle – Lets you boil water at specific temps and keeps water hot long after you’ve turned it on.
Back & Neck Deep Tissue Massager – If you want a heavier duty massager, try this one. Nearly 19,600 reviews!
LEGO Sets – LEGO is not just for kids! With Addie getting more and more into LEGO, Benson brought out his old childhood sets that his mom saved (crazy, I know!). He got the wave art print, and it looks really cool in his office.
Theracane Massager – SO helpful! Lets you get the knots out of your own shoulders and back whenever you need! We’ve gifted these to MANY friends, and they’ve loved it.
Packing Cubes – Game changers! We’ve gifted these many times, and EVERYONE reports how life-changing they are after they finally use them. Keeps your whole suitcase organized and makes traveling less stressful. Can throw these in the washing machine! This brand is also AMAZING. I’ve used the SAME SET for OVER 15 years with heavy travel, and they are still going strong!
Bluetooth Waterproof Wireless Speaker – comes in several colors and has 97,600+ reviews and 4.6 stars!
Slim Pocket Wallet – Cut the bulk and travel lighter. 2,200+ great reviews.
Bluetooth Wireless Speaker – 191,000+ great reviews! Compact w/ a cool design.
City Map Print – Spruce up their office with this cool custom city map print for any city!
Daily Travel Backpack – Nearly 90,000 reviews and 4.7 stars! Water-resistant laptop backpack that people LOVE for travel and daily use.
Insulated Spill-Proof Thermos – Really good quality! Keeps coffee hot for hours.
Portable iPhone / iPad Powerbank – Gifted the older version of this to a friend who is always out and about so he couldn’t charge his phone, and it changed his world.
Back and Neck Heating Massager – I don’t own this one, but it looks sooo nice to relax after a long day!
Golf Ball Retriever – Another one of Ceci’s husband’s favorite things. She said, “What does it say about my husband’s game that one of his favorite things is this tool that helps him retrieve his golf ball from water holes? 😅 Either way, maybe a golfer in your life will appreciate this handy and affordable tool!”
UNIQLO Jeans – Comfy jeans! We recently upgraded Benson’s wardrobe and he landed on these jeans. UNIQLO also offers free hemming services!
UNIQLO Color Stretch Jeans and Pants – We also got Benson a couple of these in different colors. They’re labeled as jeans but look more like pants. He says they are comfy as well. UNIQLO offers free hemming service when you buy pants.
Massage Gun – While the Theracane is helpful, Benson has been obsessed with this massage gun this year. It’s so easy to use and relieves muscle tension faster and with less work on your part. A ton of our friends reach for this when they visit our house now. I prefer to use this on my legs whereas I still find it easier to use the Theracane on my shoulders – I do not like the massage gun shaking my head when I use it on my shoulders, haha!
Comfy Long Sleeve Tee – Benson just started wearing these, and they are SO COMFY! Medium wight and super soft with a good drape. He loves them!
Layering Tee – Super practical and affordable. Layer these under tops in the winter to stay warm.
Stovetop Espresso Maker – Another one of Ceci’s husband’s favorites. She says, “Affordable and space-efficient! This thing makes really good espresso the way many Italians make it in their homes. Note: 1 cup = 1 espresso shot. We use the 6-cup size (6 espresso shots) and pour with hot water for an Americano or over ice for iced coffee drinks.”
Ugg Slippers – Cozy without the bulk. Lots of colors available.
Fellow Carter 3-in-1 Sip System – My husband loves this. Sleek and modern design with 3 sipping options.
Nike Blazer Mid Vintage Sneakers – Step up any outfit with a pair of these! Several colors available.
Nike Blazer Low Sneakers – Low top version of the pair above that will elevate outfits just the same!
Induction Cooktop – My husband loves to cook and recently got this and loves it. Heats up pans and boils water SO quickly. Heat is distributed more evenly. You can adjust the heat settings to exactly what you want them to be, and you can set a timer so that the heat turns off when you want it to – without you being there. No more burning or overcooking because you forgot about something on the stove!

Clothes Steamer – Forget ironing! Steaming clothes is way more fun and honestly a game changer!
Fabric Defuzzer – Not an impressive-looking gift, but my family members who are extremely utilitarian love this. Makes sweaters look like new!
Instant Camera – Always fun to bust out at parties!
Throw Blanket – EASY gift when you don’t know what to give. SUPER soft and fuzzy, and affordable. We have 3! Wash very well, don’t pill. Tons of colors.
Electric Kettle – Lets you boil water at specific temps, and keeps water hot long after you’ve turned it on.
Induction Cooktop Expert – Heats up SOOO FAST, effectively, and efficiently! Allows you to control temperature and time so that you have less to think about as you cook.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven – This does it ALL–toast, bake, air fry, etc., and has a fairly large capacity! We hardly use our real oven anymore because this thing takes care of most of our needs. We bake pizzas, banana bread, and brownies in it, air fry chicken, and of course toast all the things.
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler with Straw – This fits into a cup holder and has a flip straw. I like that you can fold down the straw and keep it in your bag.
Corkcicle Tumbler – Keeps coffee hot for hours!
Tumbler – Really pretty! Keeps drinks cold for 9 hours and hot for 3!
Dyson Vacuum – Cordless makes life so much easier!
Theracane Massager – SO helpful! Lets you get the knots out of your own shoulders and back whenever you need! We’ve gifted these to MANY friends, and they’ve loved it.
Roborock Robot Vacuum – We LOVE THIS! Vacuums in beautiful straight lines (unlike others that are sporadic and miss spots). This also has a mopping feature to tidy up floors a bit better. It also uses sensor instead of cameras, so it can vacuum in the dark. It is pricey, but it is so, so, SO good.
Ninja Air Fryer – My mom LOVES hers! She cooks amazing fried chicken in it, and it’s so juicy but deliciously crispy—and healthier!
Selfie Stand w/ Remote – My friend brought this out to take a group pic, and I instantly bought my own. Really lightweight but gets pretty tall. The remote is super helpful and very easy to use! And under $23 with 84,000+ reviews and 4.6 stars!
Steel Straws w/ Silicone Tips – Better for the environment, and the silicone tip allows you to bite down and have some give like plastic straws do. Been using a set for a few years, but these colors are cuter than the ones I have!
Sonos Move Smart Speaker – Our kids love to move this around the entire house to play music. Portable and easy to use!
Essential Oil Diffuser & Humidifier – Holds 500mL of water and lasts up to 10 hours! Has lots of light options.
Charcuterie Board
City Map Print – Cool custom city map print for any city! Makes a meaningful gift for someone who recently moved, or it simply adds really cool art to an office space.
Bluetooth Wireless Speaker – So affordable with fantastic reviews.
Back and Neck Heating Massager – I don’t own this one, but it looks sooo nice to relax after a long day!
Shave Ice Maker – Ummm yes, please! Plus, it’s cute!
Voluspa Candles – These smell SOOO good! They come in beautiful large glass jars and sets of smaller tins (that are easy to break up into multiple gifts).
Massage Gun – While the Theracane is helpful, Benson has been obsessed with this massage gun this year. It’s so easy to use and relieves muscle tension faster and with less work on your part. A ton of our friends reach for this when they visit our house now. I prefer to use this on my legs whereas I still find it easier to use the Theracane on my shoulders – I do not like the massage gun shaking my head when I use it on my shoulders, haha!
Ooni Pizza Oven – Several of our friends have this, and it’s awesome!
Quick Dry Ribbed Bath Towels – These are supposedly best-sellers!

Personalized Photo Calendars – SO good for parents who are hard to shop for. And you can do this every year! We create a calendar for them with pics of all their kids and grandkids.
Personalized Photo Collages – If you don’t want to go the calendar route, your parents will appreciate a photo collage too!
Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker – Help parents keep track of their keys, bag, or even phone. 4.5 stars with 27,600+ ratings.
Barefoot Dreams Cardigan – FAN FAVORITE. Super cozy and soft for lounging around the house. Too heavy for me, but my sister and mother-in-law LOVE it. Washes extremely well—like new after years.
Roborock Robot Vacuum – We LOVE THIS! Vacuums in beautiful straight lines (unlike others that are sporadic and miss spots). This also has a mopping feature to tidy up floors a bit better. It also uses sensor instead of cameras, so it can vacuum in the dark. It is pricey, but it is so, so, SO good.
Theracane Massager – SO helpful! Lets you get the knots out of your own shoulders and back whenever you need! We’ve gifted these to MANY friends, and they’ve loved it.
Massage Gun – While the Theracane is helpful, Benson has been obsessed with this massage gun this year. It’s so easy to use and relieves muscle tension faster and with less work on your part. A ton of our friends reach for this when they visit our house now. I prefer to use this on my legs whereas I still find it easier to use the Theracane on my shoulders–I do not like the massage gun shaking my head when I use it on my shoulders, haha!
Essential Oil Diffuser & Humidifier – Holds 500mL of water and lasts up to 10 hours! Has lots of light options.
Electric Kettle – Our favorite for boiling water at diff temps. Keeps water hot at temp until you shut it off.
UGG Blanket – Really nice fan favorite blanket!
Packing Cubes – Game changers! We’ve gifted these many times, and EVERYONE reports how life-changing they are after they finally use them. Keeps your whole suitcase organized and makes traveling less stressful. Can throw these in the washing machine! This brand is also AMAZING. I’ve used the SAME SET for OVER 15 years with heavy travel, and they are still going strong!
Back and Neck Heating Massager – I don’t own this one, but it looks sooo nice to relax after a long day!
Back & Neck Deep Tissue Massager – If you want a heavier duty massager, try this one. Has 19,600+ reviews!
Paint With Water Activity Book – Create beautiful watercolor painting – without having ANY painting skills! You just add water to the pages, and the color will appear (like those paint with water books for kids, but for adults). This is a soothing activity that lets you zone out and relax.
Induction Cooktop Expert – Heats up SOOO FAST, effectively, and efficiently! Allows you to control temperature and time so that you have less to think about as you cook.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven – This does it ALL–toast, bake, air fry, etc., and has a fairly large capacity! We hardly use our real oven anymore because this thing takes care of most of our needs. We bake pizzas, banana bread, and brownies in it, air fry chicken, and of course toast all the things.
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler with Straw – This fits into a cup holder and has a flip straw. I like that you can fold down the straw and keep it in your bag.
Corkcicle Tumbler – Keeps coffee hot for hours!
Tumbler – Really pretty! Keeps drinks cold for 9 hours and hot for 3!

I once took a poll asking teachers what their favorite gifts to receive were. Hundreds of teachers responded, and an overwhelming 95% of them said GIFT CARDS! To Target, Starbucks, and Amazon, specifically. Movies and restaurants are great too.

A handwritten note or homemade card from the student was also very popular. Many said, “Please, no treats!” while a handful of others welcomed chocolate, coffee, and wine. 😄

In case you want to include a gift with a gift card and a note from your child, here are a few ideas:

Nickel & Suede Lightweight Leather Earrings – EASY gifts to give to teachers! SO lightweight and comfy to wear all day. So many styles, beautifully made, super great quality. Shop some of my favorites HERE. (If you shop through either of those links, you could receive $5 off your order at checkout. The code is only good for a limited-number of uses. First come first serve!)
Nice Hand Soap
Cute Succulent Pots (3-pack, could split up between teachers)
L’Occitane Hand Lotion (can split packs between teachers)
Olive & June Nail Polish – Combining a set like this with a gift card or anything else listed above adds a nice little touch.
Selfie Stand w/ Remote – Teachers can use this to take pics of them with their class easily. (Often teachers take pics of our kids but may seldom have pics of themselves with the kids.) Really lightweight but gets pretty tall. The remote is super helpful and very easy to use! And under $23 with 84,000+ reviews and 4.6 stars!

Gift Cards

Target Gift Card
Amazon Gift Card
Specialty Gift Cards (Starbucks, Food, Movies, etc)
Nordstrom Gift Card

There are thousands of toys and gifts for kids, and what kids are interested in varies so much by age. But in case you need a place to start, I’ll just share a few of what my kids have loved.

For reference, I have three kids. My daughters are 9 years old (Addie) and 5.5 years old (Ella), and my son is 3.5 years old (Aiden).

1.5 TO 3 YEARS OLD

Duplos – This set or any other. Great for kids 4 y/o and under. Specifically, Aiden loves this motorcycle set and fire truck set. He would also love this excavator set and Mickey Mouse camper set. Our other kids love these Town Life Daycare set and this camping set.
Magna-Tiles or Picasso Tiles – These never get old, and kids can use them at nearly any age. We own the Picasso Tiles which are less expensive. They’re great!
Kinetic Sand – All of our kids LOVE this. We didn’t get this exact set, but something similar. This sand acts like wet sand, but it’s not wet at all. It’s magnetic! And, reusable! It’s supposed to NOT stick to your hands, but Ella has sweaty little hands, so it sticks to her anyway. We use baby powder to get it off. It doesn’t stick to anyone else’s hands in our family. Ella can play with this on her own without any assistance, unlike Play-Doh where she needs help rolling things out.
Smart Board – All of our kids love this at all ages. It was even great for Aiden at 2 years old. He loves writing on it and erasing!
Microphone – Seems better for older kids, but all of our kids loved this at age 2+. Kids love hearing their own voices booming loudly!
Skip Hop Backpack – Fan favorite. Great for preschoolers.
Camper RV – They pretend they’re driving somewhere all the time in this.
T-Ball Set – So fun!
Little Tikes Basketball Set – Aiden loves this. FYI, you MUST install the net correctly for it to stay on. We had issues with it always falling off until we realized we installed it incorrectly. Now it’s NEVER a problem.
Micro Scooter – Aiden has been a scootering WHIZ since he was 1.5 years old (!!), and this one is awesome.
Tool Kit – All three of our kids LOVE THIS! I’m VERY impressed by it. The drill looks realistic and can change speeds and drill in reverse. (Realistic is key because my kids will ALWAYS ignore the toy and try to go for the real deal.) All the pieces just look so good! Aiden plays with it all, but he especially loves the drill, hammer, and tape measure. This is the best price I’ve seen for it, besides at Costco.
Doctor Kit – All three of our kids love this!
Cash Register – They all love this, too. It allows them to play store, restaurant, etc. As younger kids, they just love to press the buttons.
Squishmallow Stuffies – Soooo soft and cuddly. Our kids love these at all ages.
Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart – Very fun and adorable! Our kids and their cousins played with this for hours when it first arrived. See it in pink HERE.
Lift-the-Flap Books – Our kids loved these at young ages. These are Aiden’s favorites right now: Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?, Toes, Ears, & Nose!, Merry Christmas, Daniel Tiger!
Waterproof Name Labels – We don’t own this exact set but have something similar. Someone gave them to us as a gift, and they’ve been so helpful to label our kids’ water bottles, reusable snack bags, and other things we bring to daycare.
Color With Water Reusable Coloring Books – Mess-free coloring w/ water paintbrush. Great for kids 3 y/o and under. There’s also this set with Mickey, Thomas the Train, and Paw Patrol. Another option is this set with cute desserts!
Rain Boots – Kids outgrow them constantly, so it’s always helpful to get these as gifts!
Pillow Pets – Really cute if the kid is into a certain animal!
Plush Animal Pillows – Also very cute and are more like a stuffed animal that you can lay your head on compared to the pillow pets above. Addie has the penguin one and LOVES it!
Umbrellas for Kids – Kids LOVE umbrellas! My favorite are the see-through ones, so they can still see while holding it way too close to their faces. 😂
Paint-Your-Own Wood Sets – This is better for kids 2-3 years and older. Our kids really love to paint things. Aiden gets VERY excited about the dinosaur set, vehicle set, and rocket ship set. He’s perfectly happy painting a butterfly too, but they don’t call to him like dinos and vehicles do!
Bandaids – Why do kids love bandaids so much? We don’t like it when our kids use bandaids for no reason, so they are ecstatic to receive a pack of bandaids with their favorite characters! When it’s their gift, we let them use the bandaids whenever and however they want to! This is a ridiculously good gift for kids under 5!
Backpacks w/ Stuffed Animal – A stuffed animal AND a backpack all in one? Amazing! Grandma gave this T-Rex one to Aiden and since he’s into T-Rexes, he loves it! Then, we got a unicorn version with a sparkly backpack for his friend, and apparently she loves it too! See ALL the animals available HERE – scroll down to see them all.
Remote Control Cars – Grandma gave Aiden this set, and all of our kids play with them!
Toddler Blanket – Perfect size for little ones–and for daycare! Got this for Aiden and he’s obsessed with it.

4 to 6 YEARS OLD

Magna-Tiles or Picasso Tiles – Favorite for years, and still going! We own the Picasso Tiles, which are less expensive, and they are great!
Kinetic Sand – All of our kids LOVE this. We didn’t get this exact set, but something similar. This sand acts like wet sand, but it’s not wet at all. It’s magnetic! And, reusable! It’s supposed to NOT stick to your hands, but Ella has sweaty little hands, so it sticks to her anyway. We use baby powder to get it off. It doesn’t stick to anyone else’s hands in our family. Ella can play with this on her own without any assistance, unlike Play-Doh where she needs help rolling things out.
Microphone – Kids love hearing their own voices booming loudly. 😉
Diamond Painting Sticker Sets – These have kept our kids busy for so long. They come in all sorts of sets, like Disney Princesses or Super Heroes.
Sequence for Kids – Addie was addicted!
Rain Boots – Kids outgrow them constantly, so it’s always helpful to get these as gifts!
Digital Camera – Durable for kids
Modeling Magic Clay – Our kids LOVED and STILL LOVE these. Even Aiden at 3 years old can use it. It feels like lightweight foamy “clay,” similar to a lighter weight Play-Doh, but it air dries hard, so you can sculpt small creations like jewelry, animals, and other cute collectibles. This set comes with tons of colors and additional hardware to make jewelry.
Squishmallow Stuffies – Soooo soft and cuddly. Our kids love these at all ages.
Books – Sooooo many, but some favorites that provide broader representation are Julie Black Belt – the Kung Fu Chronicles, Julie Black Belt – the Belt of Fire, Katie Woo books, Sofia Martinez books, The Questioneers Books, Shark Lady
Waterproof Name Labels – We don’t own this exact set but have something similar. Someone gave them to us as a gift, and they’ve been so helpful to label our kids’ water bottles, reusable snack bags, and other things we bring to daycare.
Pillow Pets – Really cute if the kid is into a certain animal!
Plush Animal Pillows – Also very cute and are more like a stuffed animal that you can lay your head on compared to the pillow pets above. Addie has the penguin one and LOVES it!
Polka Dot Wall Stickers & Other Wall Stickers – I bought these for our girls, and they were soooo excited to add this cuteness to their room! Was VERY easy to do, also. They’ve stayed on our wall for about a year now with no issues unless Aiden rips them off. 🙄 LOTS of cool wall stickers HERE. Aiden would love this vehicles set.
Umbrellas for Kids – Kids LOVE umbrellas! My favorite are the see-through ones so they can still see while holding it way too close to their faces. 😂
Aquabeads – You can create the cutest little creations with these – no ironing needed. You spray water on them instead! Our kids have been loving these since a young age.
Fuse Beads – Their newest obsession is melting beads. They have created some really cool things and given them as gifts to friends and teachers.
Friends Lego Sets – Our girls love Classic LEGO, but they adore the LEGO Friends sets! The colors and intricate details of the pieces are right up their alley. Addie’s favorites when she was younger were Andrea’s House. Ella would love this Cupcake Cafe.
Nail Polish – This is non-toxic, dries quickly, and peels off. Our kids love this set! They also love the Piggy Paint brand.
Gabby’s Dollhouse LEGO Set – Every Gabby’s Dollhouse lover’s dream!

7-8 YEARS OLD

LEGO Friends Advent Calendar – Pre-Christmas gift, but so good. Addie LOVEDDDDD last year’s and has been itching for this one. There’s a Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar, and lotssssss more sets HERE.
Classic LEGO Set – Addie could play with LEGOs for hours. Honestly as a parent, though, I dislike the LEGO sets that have you build ONE thing, like a castle or ship or Star Wars ship or something. It keeps Addie busy for hours, but then she almost never plays with it or builds it again. I prefer the Classic LEGO Set with pieces that are more versatile!
Modeling Magic Clay – Feels like lightweight foamy “clay,” similar to a lighter weight Play-Doh, but it air dries hard, so you can sculpt small creations like jewelry, animals, and other cute collectibles. This set comes with tons of colors and additional hardware to make jewelry.
Squishmallow Stuffies – Soooo soft and cuddly. Our kids love these at all ages.
Scooter – Took a short time to get used to it, but now it’s super easy to ride. Benson and I also ride on it!
Games – Current favorites are Sushi Go, Skip Bo, Mancala, and Uno
Pillow Pets – Really cute if the kid is into a certain animal!
Plush Animal Pillows – Also very cute and are more like a stuffed animal that you can lay your head on compared to the pillow pets above. Addie has the penguin one and LOVES it!
Sherpa Bed Rest Pillow – Addie loves to relax and read. (She’s a bookworm.)
Fuse Beads – Addie learned about these from a friend. He makes really cool superhero and cartoon character designs. Addie makes cute animals and food items like boba. She has made a bunch of animals for her friends.
Light Up Terrariums – Fun to build and to grow.
DIY Vending Machine – STEM gift for the builder and little mechanical engineer
Space Station Rocket Launch Toy – Another fun STEM gift building an electrical circuit
Solar Vehicle Set – People love this one! Build a variety of robots that are powered by the sun. They especially like that you don’t just build ONE robot, but you can build many with the same pieces, so there’s plenty to do with this set.

9-11 YEARS OLD

Here are some of my 9 year old daughter’s favorite items, along with other gift ideas for kids 9-11 years old.

Paint Set – Great starter kit with paint, brushes, canvases, acrylic paper, a palette, and an apron!
Paint With Water Activity Book – Create beautiful watercolor paintings – without having ANY painting skills! You just add water to the pages, and the color will appear (like those paint with water books for kids, but for adults). This is a soothing activity that lets you zone out and relax.
Sanrio T-Shirt – Anyone else’s kids obsessed with Sanrio? We got our kids into them, so Addie was really excited to get this t-shirt. They have adult and youth sizes, so make sure you’re ordering from the right size grouping!
Board Games – Some of her recent favorites are Set, Scattergories, and Ticket to Ride.
Fuse Beads – She learned about these from a friend. He makes really cool superhero and cartoon character designs. Addie makes cute animals and food items like boba. She has made a bunch of animals for her friends.
Puzzles – Always great options for kids!
Metallic Paint Pens – This set comes with sooo many and is SO affordable! (We bought this set and split it up as party favors for Addie’s 9th birthday. Her friends were ELATED to get them!)
Cute Sticker Sets of their favorite characters
DIY Wall Collage – To decorate their room with inspirational quotes
Glow in the Dark Game Controller Blanket – For the young gamer
Magnetic Marble Run – Fun STEM gift!
Guess in 10 Animal Planet – My daughter plays this at school and says it’s really, really fun.
Space Station Rocket Launch Toy – Another fun STEM gift building an electrical circuit
Solar Vehicle Set – People love this one! Build a variety of robots that are powered by the sun. They especially like that you don’t just build ONE robot, but you can build many with the same pieces, so there’s plenty to do with this set.
Rubik’s Cube – My daughter is a whiz at this and loves it!
Speed Cube Set – After my daughter got really good at the standard Rubik’s cube, she wanted to branch out to other options. She likes this set also.
Retro Handheld Game – This has TONS of the old school games that we used to play as kids to keep your child entertained! We gave this to a 10 year old boy, and his mom says he won’t stop playing with–AND she and he fight over who gets to use it. 😂 It’s great for anytime kids are waiting around, like at soccer tournaments and doctor’s appointments.

Micro Scooter – Aiden is a scootering WHIZ, and this one is awesome. This one is for younger kids but it comes in 3 different sizes, so if you have bigger kids, look for the larger ones.
Scooter for Older Kids – Addie has this one. Took a short time to get used to it, and now it’s super easy to ride. Benson also rides on it!
Balance Bike – Helps kids learn to ride bikes w/o needing training wheels. Several colors. It helped Addie transition to a two-wheeler SEAMLESSLY. It was shocking how easy riding a two-wheeler was for her after using this, honestly.
Big LEGO sets and LEGO Friends Sets – These can get pricey, but Addie really loves the big sets, like I mentioned earlier.
Grocery Store Checkout – Our kids WISH they could have this!
Play Kitchen – Our kids really like the fake ice & ice dispenser!
Nintendo Switch – Can be used as a handheld or a console. Seems to have more family-oriented games than other consoles.
Karaoke Singing Machine – We don’t own this because we already have the mic I mentioned above, but this is cool! 2 mics and ability to record.
Fujifilm Instax Camera – Someone gave one of these to our family, and our kids love using it.
Inflatable Bounce House – There are some for younger kids and some for bigger kids. Some have slides and other features, too! Someone gave THIS ONE to us as a gift. It can handle bigger kids, and it’s been awesome.

Teens can sometimes be challenging to buy for, so PMT Team Member, Crystal, who has four teens, compiled this list of gift ideas based on items her children have or want to have!

Wireless Earbuds – Our teens (and my husband) love these! They’re a fraction of the cost of name brand earbuds, and they’ve held up extremely well with lots of use. My husband has used his for a couple of years now with no issues whatsoever. They’re a great budget-friendly gift option. I just bought these protective cases in four different colors so we can more easily tell them apart when we’re in a rush to get out the door!
Lego Architecture Sets – Legos aren’t just for kids! These sets are designed for older children and adults since they require a higher level of building skill. My son has collected a lot of these and enjoys the challenge of putting them together as well as the finished product!
Micro Blocks Building Sets – We have several of these as there are lots of different options available – from famous landmarks to household pets!
Telescope – My son bought this beginner telescope when he first started being interested in astronomy. It’s economical, easy to use, and recommended for anyone who wants to start studying the sky.
Gel Pens – My daughter LOVES pens, especially these and these! She doodles, colors, does homework, takes notes – whatever the task, it’s more fun with colored ink. 🙂 Both of these brands are long-lasting and smooth-writing. Great stocking stuffers! Or, pair them with a fun notebook or journal for an easy gift.
Board Games – All of our teens enjoy playing board games and these are some of their favorites: Apples to Apples, Risk, Blurt, Catch Phrase, Ticket to Ride, and Scattergories. Monopoly is a long-time family favorite (we may or may not have several different editions in the game closet like Avengers and National Parks).
Sports & Recreation Equipment – We have several athletes in our household, which means that sporting equipment is always a great gift idea! Although he already has several, our oldest loves basketball and always has a new basketball on his gift list. Our youngest enjoys running and recently got these adjustable wrist and ankle weights.
Clothes – Clothing items always make the gift list as they’re both practical and useful!
1. Men’s Jacket – A great value! This lightweight men’s jacket fits true to size and looks nice! It works well for the cooler temps of spring or fall, and we’ve been impressed with the quality.
2. Women’s Jacket – I snagged this jacket on sale for our daughter earlier this fall. She has already gotten so much use out of it! It’s a great lightweight coat for spring and fall (or winter if you live in an area with mild winter temps), and it fits nicely!
3. Spyder Wear – Our boys love this clothing line, especially these pullovers, which come in several colors and are nice and thick. They’re well-made, and the boys like how they fit and look.
4. KanCan Jeans – These are my daughter’s favorite jeans. They can be a little on the spendy side, but we’ve found at least half of the pairs she owns on sale. They have a little stretch, which makes them fit well and fit comfortably. They also come in a variety of styles and washes.
5. Under Armour Athletic Wear – All of our teen athletes prefer this brand for workout wear – from shorts to tees to shirts to pants to pullovers, this brand holds up well and fits comfortably in general.
Sling Bag Purse – Our daughter has this crossbody, and she uses it all the time. It’s held up very well, and it’s compact while still having adequate space for whatever you need to carry. The shoulder strap is soft and wide making it comfortable to wear. It comes in lots of colors, too!
Tangle Teezer Hair Brush – This might seem like a boring gift, but it’s seriously the best detangling hairbrush we’ve found. It does what it says, and it’s been a lifesaver for our 13-year-old. It’s reasonably priced and makes a great stocking stuffer along with these hair ties!
Drone – Our 16-year-old researches everything before he purchases it or adds it to his wish list, and these two drones (here and here) made the list!
Rubik’s Cube – This is one of our 16-year-old’s favorite items. He’s had it a couple of years, has solved it many times, and can still spend a good chunk of time playing with it. It’s small and compact making it easy to toss in a backpack or carry-on when traveling.
Light Up Alarm Clock – We don’t own this exact model, but we have a similar one. This one has good reviews and customers say it’s easy to use. It’s such a fun gift!
Birkenstock Sandals – Great quality and very comfortable! My daughter and I (as well as my SIL and niece) all have this exact style, and we love them!
Deep Steep Body Butter – Thick and creamy, this body butter leaves your skin soft and smooth. It comes in lots of scents, which are more subtle and not overwhelming.

We don’t own all of these, but I wanted to offer a few suggestions to get your ideas going. Anything that brings together families and that multiple people can do all at once is a winner! Some of these are for the entire family while others are group gifts for the kids.

S’mores Maker – Give as is or add a board game or movie.
Popcorn Kit – Make your own! Our kids have been addicted to popcorn. For a gift, add this bag of kernels, this butter flavor oil, and a popcorn popper like this one or this one. Or, use the one below!
Hot Air Popcorn Maker – Our kids would absolutely want this! Besides loving popcorn, they’d also have fun watching it all pop! Give as is or add a board game or movie.
Cornhole – Great for all ages!
Foosball & Air Hockey Table Top Set – Nice that it doesn’t take up more floorspace.
Board games like Jenga, Rummikub, Sequence, Codenames, Catan, Mahjong, Uno, Ticket to Ride etc.
Street Hockey Set
Karaoke Singing Machine – 2 mics and ability to record
Nintendo Switch – Can be used as a handheld or a console. Seems to have more family-oriented games than other consoles.
Kids Bowling Set – Affordable and looks fun!
Toss & Catch Set – Easy for younger kids but also great for older kids to play with.
Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark – From a PMT teammate: I admit this is pricey, but it’s the BEST peppermint bark ever! With its cute tin, it makes a great gift for a boss, coworker, dinner host, or anyone who loves good chocolate (and may not spring for this for themselves). My personal favorite is the dark chocolate, but you can’t go wrong with original or the sampler!
Ooni Pizza Oven – Several of our friends have this, and it’s awesome!

Fresh Finds

Added December 6th

3-Piece Carry On Luggage Set – I don’t own this set, but it’s really cute! And, as I’m currently writing this, it’s on MAJOR SALE–crazy deal!
Rubik’s Cube – My daughter is a whiz at this and loves it!
Speed Cube Set – After my daughter got really good at the standard Rubik’s cube, she wanted to branch out to other options. She likes this set also.
Toddler Blanket – Perfect size for little ones–and for daycare! Got this for Aiden and he’s obsessed with it.
Retro Handheld Game – This has TONS of the old school games that we used to play as kids to keep your child entertained! We gave this to a 10 year old boy, and his mom says he won’t stop playing with–AND she and he fight over who gets to use it. 😂 It’s great for anytime kids are waiting around, like at soccer tournaments and doctor’s appointments.
Popcorn Kit – Make your own! Our kids have been addicted to popcorn. For a gift, add this bag of seeds, this butter flavor oil, and a popcorn popper like this one or this one.
Weekender Bag – Another sleek-looking but super affordable bag with lots of compartments to keep you organized. Water resistant with anti-shock protection, too!