create play travel logo
  • Home
  • Kids Activities
  • Adventures
  • Family Travel
  • Homeschool
  • Beauty Tips
  • Lifestyle

We may have received one or more of the products mentioned below free for review purposes. Our posts contain affiliate links which allow us to earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are exclusive to Create. Play. Travel.

Creative Family Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids & Adults

by Katie Wallace | Updated: November 2, 2025

The holidays are a very special season for our crew. These days are a chance to slow down, continue traditions, and enjoy some holiday magic. I especially love baking Christmas cookies with our kids and shopping for family Christmas gift ideas. I usually start holiday shopping early because choosing perfect gifts for the whole family is half the fun!

This Holiday Gift Guide is full of ideas that are fun, practical, and educational. You could discover something for everyone on your list. Kids will always light up over toys, puzzles, and hands-on activities, but I also like to gift cozy pajamas or new winter gear for sledding days. Adults are easy to delight with candles, colorful socks, or a plate of homemade treats. Grandparents especially treasure personalized gifts, like a family photo book to flip through all year long. And yes, we even included a few sweet ideas for baby’s first Christmas.

Creative Kids Gift Ideas

Vendees surprise diy dispensers themed beauty sets for kids

Vendees Beauty Kits for Kids

This first gift idea is something my kids love. Vendees Surprise DIY Dispensers are a fun gift idea for kids who like surprises. My daughters were so excited to open each section of these kits, to reveal the spa products and accessories inside. See our Vendees Surprise unboxing where we share a full product review. Each Vendees set is themed and contains a collection of supplies to make your own beauty products such as bath bombs, lip gloss, and fancy nails.

Vendees surprise diy dispensers creative gift ideas for kids

Kids Bed Tent

Next on our family holiday gift list, a bed tent makes it easy to customize a child’s bedroom and gives them a cozy sleep space. The design, which is sized for a twin bed, is easy to set up and fold up for storage.

Kids can sleep with this bed tent open, or zipped closed to create a snug sleep space. The side panel of the bed tent unzips all the way around on 3 sides and can be rolled up. Furthermore, each end of the bed tent has a window. The light-filtering material reduces daylight for bedtime and naps. Last but not least, these bed tents are a fun way to turn a kids’ bed into a fort!

kids bed tent gift ideas whole family

bear style kids wearable blanket with paws

Wearable Animal Blankets

Looking for a gift that’s both cozy and full of imagination? Wearable animal blankets are a great choice for kids who love pretend play. These plush hooded blankets come in adorable animal designs like bears, sharks, and leopards.

Each blanket features a soft animal hood and cozy paw pockets, making them ideal for snuggling on the couch or prowling around the house on an imaginative adventure. My kids love that these wearable animal blankets combine comfort and creativity for endless fun!

kids wearable animal blanket

Orb Toys Squishies

For kids who like pretend food and sensory play, Orb Toys squishies are a fun gift idea! These soft, slow-rising squishable treats look just like real desserts and snacks. Squishy styles include cupcakes, pancakes, and treats which bounce back to shape within seconds. Inspired by Japan’s popular squishy trend, these toys are a fun collectible addition to any play kitchen or tea party.

My girls love their Orb Toys squishies because they’re colorful, durable, and satisfying to squeeze and collect. With so many cute designs to choose from, kids will have a blast playing with their favorite treats.

Orb Toys squishies pancakes and treats

Cozy Paw-Inspired Mittyz

This gift idea helps keep little hands warm with fiercely cute paw mittens! These kids’ gloves are cleverly designed to keep fingers together inside one warm, insulated pocket. They slip on easily, cinch securely around the wrist, and are roomy enough for kids to freely use their hands.

Mittyz by Veyo Kids are perfect for snowy activities such as sledding, tubing, and making snowballs. The water-resistant, insulated material keeps moisture out while keeping hands warm and dry. If you’re looking for a practical yet playful winter gift, these innovative gloves are a must-have for any little explorer.

Mittyz veyo kids snow gloves gift ideas whole family

Watercolor Books: Snacks & Botanical Garden

Encourage creativity and art skills with these beautiful watercolor art books from Rocky Nook. They’re perfect for kids, teens, and adults who love to paint or want to learn!

🎨 Watercolor Snacks: Inspiring Lessons for Sketching and Painting Your Favorite Foods by Volta Voloshin-Smith is a delightful, colorful guide to painting all your favorite treats. Budding artists will enjoy learning basic watercolor techniques while painting whimsical food art such as fluffy pancake stacks, pizza slices, and delicious treats. This book is a fun and appetizing way to build painting confidence!

🌸 Watercolor Botanical Garden: A Modern Approach to Painting Bold Flowers, Plants, and Cacti by Rachel Eskandari teaches how to create vibrant florals and lush greenery. Step-by-step tutorials walk through blending colors and building texture while painting chrysanthemums, gerbera daisies, succulents, and more.

These watercolor books are inspiring, screen-free gifts for kids’ homeschool art classes or relaxing weekend painting sessions. The simple instructions and stunning visuals help artists of all ages learn important painting techniques, one brushstroke at a time.

Rocky Nook watercolor books snacks and botanical gift ideas kids

More Family Christmas Gift Ideas

Jelt Belt

Additionally, Jelt Belts are a clever and practical gift or stocking stuffer for both kids and adults. These sustainably designed belts are crafted from premium elastic made with recycled plastic bottles. The grippy inner gel makes them super comfortable, and the flat no-show buckle is durable yet low-profile. Whether for everyday wear, outdoor adventures, or travel days, Jelt Belts are a go-to accessory. They even come in a variety of styles for men, women, and kids!

We especially love that Jelt is a woman-owned company with a heart for giving back. Each belt is proudly made in Montana, and the company’s mission goes beyond creating a high-quality product. Jelt also aims to inspire social change and support children and families. Who on your list would enjoy this family Christmas gift idea?

Jelt belts made from recycled water bottles gift idea

Jelt Belt men and women gift idea

Society Socks

Looking for a functional gift idea for the guy or gal on your list? Society Socks is a great option! Their socks come in playful and bold patterns for both men and women, making them a gift that is both practical and unique.

Society Socks is a subscription box that also gives back. When you sign up, you receive two stylish pairs of socks in the mail each month. Furthermore, the company donates two pairs to those in need. This is such a simple way to give a gift that keeps on giving. Sizes are easy to match too, with men’s socks fitting sizes 7–13 and women’s fitting sizes 5–10.

Society Socks for men and women gift ideas

DrinkTanks Growler

One of our favorite practical gifts for adventure-loving friends and family is a DrinkTanks Growler. Its double-wall vacuum insulation keeps beverages cold for a full 24 hours or hot for 12. These growlers are perfect to take on camping trips, road adventures, and backyard BBQs. The leakproof design helps prevent spills in the car or fridge, and the colorful powder-coated finish adds a stylish touch to this rugged, durable growler. Made with high-quality stainless steel, DrinkTanks Growlers are easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and built to last. This is a practical, thoughtful gift that your friends and family will actually use and love.

DrinkTanks growler gift ideas dad

Shutterfly Photo Book

Another thoughtful gift idea for grandparents, siblings, and kids is a personalized Shutterfly photo book. Shutterfly makes it simple to choose a layout, select the number of pages, and upload your favorite photos. I love putting extra care into personalizing each page, whether it highlights a special stage of our family’s life or captures memories from a recent trip. A photo book is a beautiful way to preserve moments and share them with loved ones. Overall, Shutterfly photo books are wonderful gifts for the holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other special occasions.

Shutterfly photo book gift ideas whole family

Baby Gift Ideas

ergoPouch Sleep Suit Bag

Next, young children will feel snug on chilly nights in an ergoPouch sleep suit. The award-winning ergoPouch Sleep Suit Bag converts from a sleeping bag to a sleep suit with legs, using innovative 4-way zippers. The sleep suit is made from soft easy-care organic cotton. The stretchy sides and shoulder panels are made from organic jersey cotton. This ergoPouch sleep suit is designed for toddlers who are walking and allows little ones to feel cozy and move freely during sleep.

ergopouch sleep suit baby holiday gift idea

Although the holidays aren’t all about gifts, I think it’s very special to find thoughtful gifts for each of my loved ones! Our family has really enjoyed each of these gift ideas. Which of these gift ideas would you love to give, or unwrap this holiday season?

homeschool kids activities from katie wallace mom of 4 kids
Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I’m a homeschool mom who’s traveling the world with my husband and 4 kids. We raised our family in North Idaho and currently live in Mérida, Mexico. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I hope you enjoy our creative ideas and family adventures!

Tags

  • Product Reviews

Post navigation

Endive Appetizers with Blue Cheese & Pomegranate
Trash the Dress: A Colorful Photoshoot Without Ruining My Dress

Related posts

Holiday Baking with Natural Sprinkles
December 3, 2025
by Katie Wallace

Holiday Baking with Natural Sprinkles

Natural Nail Care for Moms & Girls
June 21, 2026
by Katie Wallace

Natural Nail Care for Moms & Girls

IPSY Travel Size Makeup Products to Pack for Your Next Trip
July 9, 2026
by Katie Wallace

IPSY Travel Size Makeup Products to Pack for Your Next Trip

Hello

Wallace Family traveling with kids

Hi, I'm Katie and we are the Wallace family! We homeschool, go on adventures, and travel internationally with our four kids. I hope you enjoy our creative ideas on Create. Play. Travel.

Follow Us!

  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Search

Popular Tags

  • Camping
  • DIY
  • Easy Crafts
  • Europe
  • France
  • Kids Science
  • Mexico
  • Pacific Northwest
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Snacks
  • Teens
  • Travel Tips
  • United Kingdom
  • Worldschooling

Adventure Highlights

  • meow wolf dallas texas family travel guideMeow Wolf The Real Unreal in Grapevine, Texas: Family Travel Guide
  • kids activities merida mexico dzibilchaltun30 Days in Mérida, Mexico Kids Activities & Tips
  • Wallace family Chichen Itza maya temple best activities Merida MexicoBest Family Activities in Merida, Mexico
  • my experience having a baby in merida, mexicoHaving a Baby in Mexico | Things We Learned
  • exploring Tourrettes-sur-Loup with kids travel guideExploring Tourrettes-sur-Loup Medieval Village | Travel Guide
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

createplaytravel

🌎Traveling the world with 4 kids 📚Homeschooling
💛Family adventures, tips & inspiration
✝️Saved by grace ⬇️Follow us!

Love this trend! 🩵😊 but actually, we are so blesse Love this trend! 🩵😊 but actually, we are so blessed. God has given us many special opportunities every step of our parenting journey!

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschooling, exploring Mexico, worldschooling
Big cats, parrots, & monkeys! 🐒🦜📍Merida, MX - we’v Big cats, parrots, & monkeys! 🐒🦜📍Merida, MX - we’ve loved discovering sooo many free activities to do with our kids!

Parque Zoológico del Centenario is just one place that’s so much fun to explore! Outings like this make homeschool afternoons an adventure!

🖐️Who else likes going to the zoo with your kids?

Hi, we’re the Wallace family! 😀 Follow along to see highlights of our family adventures in Mexico! ➡️ @createplaytravel

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschooling, exploring Mexico, worldschooling
She already loves flowers 😊💜 Follow for fun famil She already loves flowers 😊💜

Follow for fun family ideas! 🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel
Squishies and bearista cups or college? 💲😀 🌟 Insp Squishies and bearista cups or college? 💲😀

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵
Such a special night with our 2 year old! 🌟🩰 Thi Such a special night with our 2 year old! 🌟🩰 

This recital of a local Merida youth ballet studio was so well done! The costumes and talent were magical and the Disney Princesses so much fun to watch ✨

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschooling, exploring Mexico, Disney ballet show, worldschooling, Disney princesses, Mexico ballet
🌟Our kids quickly discovered that the world is big 🌟Our kids quickly discovered that the world is bigger than their own yard, town, or state. 

Every new adventure teaches them they can do hard things!

Travel also teaches kids flexibility, resilience, and resourcefulness in real life. 

Already, our kids can confidently order lunch in another language, navigate a new city, and start planning our next adventure themselves. 🌍

We’ve experienced that travel isn’t just about seeing new places. It’s about raising curious, confident kids who are ready for the world!

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵

traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschooling, exploring Europe, worldschooling
So easy! My kids love these homemade ice pops with So easy! My kids love these homemade ice pops with lemon lime soda and gummy bears! 

Definitely try making these with your kids! ☀️🍋‍🟩

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵
Turns out iPhones and saltwater don’t mix. 💦 A qui Turns out iPhones and saltwater don’t mix. 💦 A quick dip (a splash really) completely destroyed my phone’s screen and any media that wasn’t backed up to iCloud. 

Not a huge deal though. 😌 I was without a phone for a week and I realized it was refreshing. So when I got a new iPhone $1000 later, I made some big changes. I didn’t reinstall half my apps. No Signal or Facebook. I continue to not have X, Snapchat, or TikTok. Because I’m so busy with family life and being a mom (and pregnant), these apps are just so distracting and overstimulating for me. 

Good news! I have a working phone and you can find me on Instagram, text on iMessage, and occasionally see photos on Facebook when I post from my computer. 

💬 Is anyone else completely overstimulated by all the distracting apps?? 😄🤯

Hi! We’re the Wallace family. 👋😀 We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. ➡️ follow along! @createplaytravel 

🌟 Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! 🌎🩵
Follow on Instagram
  • Elara Pro by LyraThemes.com
  • Copyright © Create. Play. Travel. • Privacy Policy