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In this post, I’m sharing some of the favorite gift ideas for classically minded families. This list is full of gifts that my children have received in the past or are on their wish list for this year. 😉
If you’re new to the classical world, you may appreciate this Parents’ Review article, “Our Children’s Play: Their Toys and Books” by Mrs. C. Hatchell. This article is full of super helpful ideas!
“Do we mothers sufficiently realise the importance of our children’s play, in the unconscious training and developing of certain moral qualities and powers, far more than they can be by any mere words of ours on the subject; what potent factors their games can be in teaching lessons of self-control, self-reliance, unselfishness, patience, courage and energy?”
Mrs. C. Hatchell, “Our Children’s Play: Their Toys and Books”
I put together this blog post with 60+ ideas and our personal family favorites. At the time of writing this post, I have children that range in age from 6-12.
This post is meant to be a helpful aid to inspire ideas for possible gifts coming from our classical Charlotte Mason home.
You may also like these Christmas posts:
- Advent & Christmas Read-Aloud Books + Mother Culture
- Favorite Christmas Picture Books (Catholic Family Read Alouds)
- Wholesome Christmas Movies for the Family
Most of the products that are mentioned in this post can be easily found here on my Amazon Shop page.
Christmas Gifts for the Younger Years
These items are great for the younger children: toddler — kinderleben age range.
Porcelain Tea Set for Little Girls with Pastel Picnic Basket — this has been a favorite of my youngest daughter.
Calico Critters Red Roof Cozy Cottage, Dollhouse
Calico Critters Flora Rabbit Family
This one especially is a favorite of one of my daughters: Calico Critters Adventure Treehouse Gift Set
Calico Critters Grocery Market
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Lacing Beads
Melissa & Doug Primary Lacing Beads – 30 Wooden Beads
Picnic Basket – Small Wicker Basket with Foldable Handle Lid & Removable Liner
Rattan Storage Basket with Lid – Mouse in a Box – Small Doll House
Melissa & Doug Hammer and Saw Tool Bench
Nativity Craft Kit — there are a couple of different options, but these are so well done!
Safari Animal Preschool Arts & Crafts Lacing Kit
Amber Dragon Foam Sword & Shield
“In these days, toys play an important part in the lives of our children and they are certainly valuable ‘in promoting plays as they appeal to the child’s heart, and aid his imagination,’ but it is also said that the continually increasing wealth and perfection of toys also serve to produce dullness in children, or else destructiveness as the only form of activity left to them in relation to these too-perfect toys. In contrast to these perfect toys is the wealth of love and of imagination bestowed on the most meager and unpromising objects, idealised by the child into a doll, a horse or dog, etc., and especially is this the case with the curious objects made to do duty as a doll; and far more real love is lavished on these than on the pink and white fashionable perfections bought from a shop.”
Mrs. C. Hatchell, “Our Children’s Play: Their Toys and Books”
Christmas Gifts for the Older Boys (pre-teen)
These are all items that my son has either enjoyed or has on his current wish list.
Lego Gear Bots Science/STEM Activity Kit
LEGO Chain Reactions Science/STEM Activity Kit
Lego Gravity Drop Activity Kit
Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit
LEGO How to Build Everything! Book
Plastic Roman Sword for Kids (2 pcs)
Adventure Awaits! – 2-Pack Handmade Wooden Bow and Arrow Set
Christmas Gifts for the Older Girls (pre-teen)
These are items that my older girls have loved or are on their current wish lists.
SINGER Large Premium Sewing Basket
Beginner Brother Sewing Machine
Make It Real: Say Yes! Alphabet Bead Bracelet Set – DIY Jewelry Kit
Craft Crush Bracelet Making Kit – Friendship Bracelet Kit
Bob Ross for Kids: Happy Lessons in a Box
“In choosing toys for the children, how important it is to bear certain points in mind; one special thing to consider is, to give when possible something out of which the child can make other things, or can do something more with.”
Mrs. C. Hatchell, “Our Children’s Play: Their Toys and Books”
Nature + Handicraft Gift Ideas
Insect Lore Butterfly Garden Kit
5 Pack Beginner Embroidery Kit
Professional Watercolor Pencils
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set
Lap Loom Kit, Hand Weaving for Kids
Family Tea Time
If you’re looking for ideas to elevate your tea time game, here are a few of our favorites that we use and love:
Porcelain Tea Sets British Royal Series
3 Tier Porcelain Cupcake Stand
Harney & Sons Teas of the Season
Illustrated Classic Christmas Carols — this is something new that I’m purchasing this year for us to enjoy together.
Harney & Sons Holiday Heritage Colonial Williamsburg Blend
Harney & Sons Nutcracker Blend
Yorkshire Tea, Gold — we love all of the above mentioned teas as a special treat for the holiday time (and we celebrate for the full 12 days of Christmas!), but this is our standard every day tea of choice.
Favorite Book Sets + Games
Lastly, I want to share a few of our favorite book sets and that make great gifts for the Classical Charlotte Mason home.
Crusaders Chess Set with Handmade solid wood Chess Board — This is something that has been on my wish list for quite awhile and we are finally going to purchase it this year for the entire family.
The Anne of Green Gables Collection
Little House on the Prairie Box Set
The World of Peter Rabbit (The Original Peter Rabbit, Books 1-23, Presentation Box)
Mother Culture Gift Ideas
Here are a few of my favorites that I wanted to share for other Mother-Teachers in your life.
Leather Bound Journal — this is a personal favorite of mine that I got for Christmas a couple of years ago (see image below). It is the dark brown option.
The Awakening of Miss Prim: A Novel
Most of the products that are mentioned in this post can be easily found here on my Amazon Shop page.
