Gifts for the family?! One of my very favorite subjects!
One of our favorite things during the holiday season is to just spend time with our families. When the kids are out of school and home from college, when everyone has some time off and can just hang out and chill together.
These are some of our favorite family gift ideas!
Gifts for the Family
No More Microwave Popcorn!
We had our Whirley Pop for 18 years (right after our daughter was born). This year I finally replaced it with a new one (exact same model). We STILL use it weekly (sometimes more in the winter)! I love this thing. I’m always a bit shocked when someone says they don’t have one. Like WHAT?! Is it weird that ours never gets put away? It’s on the back of our stovetop 24/7.
It’s so stupidly easy, too. We put in a tablespoon of coconut oil, half a cup of popcorn kernels (I buy both from Trader Joes), turn on the burner to Medium-ish and turn the handle. A few minutes later…done! Obviously you can top it with whatever you want, but we keep it simple – melted Kerrygold butter and lots of salt. My daughter likes to add a little nutritional yeast on hers. So delicious!
Flannel Pajamas (last season colorway, TTS)
I linked a couple seasoning sets that look intriguing. I once had truffle popcorn and it was simply divine. I assume it would be easy to replicate with just a little truffle oil from your pantry. Ooooh, another favorite — sprinkle in a little vinegar and fresh chopped dill, mix it up and salt liberally. It’s crazy good!
And Oh.My.Gosh…look what just popped up (no pun intended, ha!) in my mailbox. This would be a perfect Advent to do with the family – so freaking cute!!
Gifts for the Family
Board Games
These are the four games that have consistently been our family favorites for years! Ticket to Ride is a favorite when we want to sit down and play for a while. Quoridor is a great quick strategy game that can be played with 2 or 4 (it’s brilliant, honestly). And Apples to Apples is the favorite game for playing with a larger group and even with grandparents.
Yahtzee, though, is probably my all-time favorite game. I used to play with my grandmother in the summers and I can still hear her screaming out Yahtzee!
Gifts for the Family
Matching Family Pajamas
One of my favorite things of the season is having matching pajamas for the family. I personally love to pull these out at Thanksgiving so they can be enjoyed all season, and especially for movie (and popcorn) nights. But we have also done them as our Christmas Eve gifts.
When the kids were little, we always bought from Hanna Andersson (they wore them year-round, holiday version or not)!
Now I’m a big fan of Target holiday pajamas and have worn them for years. The quality is always high, and the price is right for something you don’t use year-round!
Gifts for the Family
Personalized Family Mugs
I’ve not tried these before, but I’m kind of obsessed with them. These would be a super fun gift to enjoy with kids during the holidays. I’m especially loving these to pair with a hot chocolate bar! And no drinking from the wrong mug!
Gifts for the Family
Karaoke Anyone?
Ah, sigh, here’s where I admit that I absolutely cannot carry a tune. Like not at all, haha! But I do like to listen to Karaoke…does that count?!
Gifts for the Family
When They Can’t Get Home
I remember the first Christmas when I moved to California and couldn’t make it home to Canada. That was a hard year for me. A little taste of home for those who can’t be with their loved ones mean everything! Think a gift box filled with all the favorite things that remind them of home!
Gifts for the Family
For The Backyard!
Is there anything better than a backyard fire + music, family and friends? My kids STILL love doing s’mores in the backyard, even at 18 and 15!
Gifts for the Family
The Gift of Experiences
Just a reminder that the best gifts for the family usually aren’t things. They are the times spent together, the traditions, and the making of memories. Most of my favorite memories come from these family experiences including all the holiday events (Holiday Pops Symphony, Nutcracker Ballet, even just driving around to look at holiday lights).
The best trip our family ever took was to London. It was my first time ever visiting Europe (the kids too) and I still romanticize every moment. A few special memories from that wonderful time!
As I look over this list, I see that all of these gifts for the family are surrounded with memory making, which is the best gift of all.
For all our other holiday guides, check out the special holiday section on the blog. We will be updating and adding to it all season long!
