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I just bought a bunch of items from Ooly, one of my go-to brands for gifting, while 25% off (not sure if promo will still be live when this post publishes!), including a few varieties of these activity cards (my daughter will love the joke decoder), these note card sets, and some new markers for my children (these and these). I figure I’ll use these as Advent calendar surprises or stocking stuffers, or just to give away to little friends. This drew me down a rabbit hole and I filled multiple carts with cute stocking stuffers / small gifts —
WORD SEARCH PUZZLES // HARIBO REINDEER CANDY // PENS // MAGIC 8 BALL // ETCH A SKETCH // WOODEN YO YO
01. These paintbrush-tipped pens were a rec from a pen loving friend — my daughter would adore!
02. Astronaut erasers! (Come in other shapes, like macarons, too.)
03. Cat’s Cradle set. I owned and loved this exact Klutz set when I was maybe eight or nine. Can’t wait to introduce my daughter!
04. Word search puzzles.
05. My daughter has loved these Usborne sticker books since she was three. She’s very into ice skating right now and I know this particular set will go over well.
06. Lego mini figure packs. We recently went to the Lego store at Tyson’s and they have this cute little stand where you can create your own lego mini figure — pick pants/bottom, top, head, hair, and an accessory. My kids LOVED it.
08. Magic 8 ball — a very popular gift (according to Magpie readers!) between the ages of 8-10.
09. Etch a Sketch. A classic for a reason, and great for travel.
10. A great detangling brush for your little lady. I like to mix in utility-type gifts in the stocking. My mom always gave us scotch tape and glue sticks!
11. Crocs shoe charms — my son would flip over the Mario motif.
13. Koosh balls. I didn’t even know they still made these! Iconic.
14. Personalized bookmarks. These were a go-to gift of mine, along with a bundle of books, for awhile!
15. My kids are absolutely obsessed with their book lamps, and they stay charged forever. Anything that encourages reading is OK in my book, even if it means staying up a little late.
16. Slinky!
17. Color your own sticker set.
18. Puffy 3D sticker playhouse.
19. Wooden yo-yo.
20. Bombas socks.
21. Tennis grips for your little racquets lady.
22. Squish-a-long set.
23. Beanie-boos. (My local Safeway often sells these for like $6 or $7 each — check there first!)
24. Rainbow shoe laces.
25. Potion play!
26. Fill in the blank thank you notes.
P.S. Will be sharing what we’re buying for our kids in an upcoming post, but some good shopping starting points here and here.
P.P.S. The Nutcracker and holiday tradition. A bit ironic because this year, we are actually not going to see the Nutcracker! We had one of those scenarios where we were trying to thread too many needles at once — coordinating with other family members, trying to pick a showing in which one of mini’s friends was performing, and wedging it into an increasingly busy holiday season. We had gone through three or four rounds of trying to coordinate this and finally I said to Mr. Magpie, “or maybe we just don’t go this year,” and we both felt it was the right thing. Sometimes doing one less thing also makes space for more room to breathe and enjoy! I am feeling two ways about it though…
P.P.P.S. Some great bedtime books for kids.