20 Best Christmas Gifts for Kids this 2020 and How to Easily Pick your Last Minute Choice

“No person was ever honored for what he received. He was honored for what he gave.” - Calvin Coolidge

Does it frustrate you to rush through the shopping malls to buy Christmas gifts and end up exhausted and undecided which one to better choose with? 

 

This is especially true when you’re already in a hurry because Christmas is coming near and you don’t even have a gift for your kid’s Christmas party, for their Christmas presents, and for your godchildren or grandchildren. 

You might have decided this a long time ago but this is not how it works at times when your Christmas bonus or 13th-month pay arrived in the middle of the month of December. 

You might have considered shopping online but even there, you can’t decide which is better. 

Now, you’re standing at the aisle of your favorite department store surrounded by numerous options, dizzy with people rushing here and there, feeling giddy with the smell of gift wrappers and brand new items… but still confused. 

Will you consider the one that amazes kids and have them drool with excitement or would you rather give them something that is long-lasting, safe, and educational? 

If you answer “Yes” to this question you are at the right blog today. 

In fact, when you finish reading this blog post you’ll be able to:

• Choose which toy is safe.
• Choose which one is educational and helpful in their improvement.
• Choose even in the midst of the Christmas rush.
• Choose from the best selling products I’ve gathered here. 

There are three kinds of products that I most recommend and I will explain why later in this blog post:

1. Toys made-up of wood.
2. Toys made-up of cloth.
3. Reading materials.

Please note that there are affiliate links in this post for products I recommend. This means, at no cost to you, I may get a commission if you make a purchase through one of them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.

#1. Toys Made-up of Wood

In the presence of harmful chemicals found on plastic toys, wooden toys can be a go-to. It has many advantages over its plastic counterpart making this the best choice to consider in choosing gifts for kids. 

Come to think about this...

The "banned chemicals found in the toys include boron, cadmium, and phthalates, which can cause both short-term health issues such as diarrhea and vomiting and serious longer-term medical problems like cancer and infertility." (Source)

As parents, we must protect our children from any injury or hazard from toys. As much as possible we must avoid buying non-branded toys, plastic toys, toys on the internet, and brightly colored toys as they contain a higher content of lead. We should also carefully read the instructions given on the toys or its manual

There's more to wooden toys other than the health issues.

Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Professor of Early Childhood Education at the Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Connecticut have this conclusion after their extensive research about the effects of individual toys on play activities : 

"We are cautious about recommending specific toys to families. This is because play interests vary greatly across cultures, children and families. However, one trend that is emerging from our studies can serve as a guide to families as they choose toys: Basic is better. The highest-scoring toys so far have been quite simple: hardwood blocks, a set of wooden vehicles and road signs, and classic wooden construction toys. These toys are relatively open-ended, so children can use them in multiple ways. Also, they have all been around for a long time. There may be a reason these toys have been enjoyed by children over the generations! Simple, classic toys would be our recommendation for families." -(Source)

I found out this list of reasons why you must consider buying wooden toys next time...

• Environmentally friendly and can be recycled. 
• Durable yielding less waste.
• Can boost children's imagination
• Low cost, high quality.
• For sensory development.
• Reduces anxiety according to research. 
• Language development.
• Promotes cooperation and sharing.
• Essential for the development of fine motor skills.
• For cognitive growth.
• Safer than plastic. 

Here are my recommended products for you: 

1. Wooden Stacking Toy - Not painted. All pieces are covered with organic linseed oil that enhances the natural beauty of the wood. It's a great toy for babies and toddlers and is designed to encourage the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It was also shaped and sanded with round edges for safe play. Your child will use problem-solving skills to learn how to arrange all the rings from smallest to largest.

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2. Yard Dice Giant Wooden Yard Game - This toy encourages sharing the fun with the family hence, bringing families together. This is great for all ages. 

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3. Ancaixin Wooden Toys -  This toy is best for preschool toddlers ages 1-3. No worries about safety because it's made of eco-friendly natural pine wood with water-based paint and
a smooth surface, non-toxic and durable. It's safer protection for your kids. While playing with this wooden toy, your little one is also developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, shape recognition, and dexterity. Perfect for training and developing personal skills.  Let them have fun sorting game.

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4. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Pounding Bench -   I remember my kids loved this when they were young. We often find this in the play area in Houseware Plaza Mall. It's really super fun! Great gift for kids ages 2 to 4 years. Helps children practice fine motor skills. 

The action of the pegs helps children name the colors and provides an effective, hands-on, screen-free play option. The built-in pegs are non-removable, and each component is made from solid wood – for superior strength and longevity. 

For more than 30 years, Melissa & Doug has created beautifully designed imagination- and creativity-sparking products that NBC News calls “the gold standard in early childhood play.”

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5. Lewo Wooden Rainbow Stacking Game - Made up of rubberwood with non-toxic wood. Perfect for kids of any age. Best for pretend play where the child's imagination is challenged. 

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6. LIKEE Alphabet and Number Flash Cards Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle Peg Board - It is nontoxic, well crafted, and most importantly speaks of learning and fun. What you would love more is it comes with an organizing box to avoid clutter in the house.

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7. LIKEE Wooden Pattern Blocks Animals Jigsaw Puzzle Sorting and Stacking - It's educational objectives are Hand-Eye Coordination, Shape Recognition, Creative Thinking, Spatial Reasoning, Sorting Skills, Motor Skills. Again, non-toxic and well-crafted. You and your kids will enjoy hence, you are giving them the gift of experience and bonding they will never forget.  

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8. rolimate Hammering Pounding Toys Wooden Educational Toy Xylophone - This toy stimulates the development of toddler’s hearing. The shape sorter with different colors design can teach the baby to recognize various shapes and colors; The pounding colorful balls can exercise children's tactile development; The patterns and numbers on wooden blocks can inspire 1 2 3-year-old boys and girls imagination and creativity. 

Rolimate toddler toy is made of natural wood and stained with non-toxic water-based paint and has been fully tested to pass the highest standards of the US. They use the premium beech from New Zealand and adapt environmental water-based paint and transparent water-based paint which is safe and won't fade. Best choice so far because it comes with a 12-month warranty.

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You Might Also Like: 20 Best Work from Home Setup Essentials for Health and Productivity 

#2. Toys Made-up of Cloth

Another alternative to wooden toys is toys that are made-up of cloth. Health is still our primary concern here. But hey! Do you remember our love for stuffed toys and teddy bears? 

What will be developed in cloth, pushed, or stuffed toys? Here they are:

• Providing care and comfort.
• Build confidence.
• Managed emotions.
• Social Skills.
• Language skills. 
• Encourage compassion and empathy. 
• It provides comfort. 
• For role-playing.
• They learn how to express themselves.
• They learn to separate. 

Convince? Here are my Cloth Toys Recommendation

9. Basket of Babies Creative Minds Plush Dolls - Super soft for hugging, squeezing, and nurturing role play. This doll set encourages your children to be nurturing, caring, and inclusive, providing necessary skillsets for life. The hand-sewn babies and basket are designed to last and to stand up to years of play.

The embroidered eyes, nose, and mouth make sure that there are no safety concerns when little ones are playing. The fabric is surface washable so the babies will not stay dirty long for your convenience. The super-soft, texturally-inviting feel encourages interaction from even the youngest child. It's perfect for all ages. 

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10. GUND My First Dolly Stuffed Brunette - Cute and huggable. Embroidered eye & nose details ensure safe use for all ages. Machine-washable so there's no problem when it gets dirty.

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11. Handmade Hobbes Calvin and Hobbes - Hobbes is the cute tiger in Calvin and Hobbes series, by Mr. Bill Waterson. Crocheted by high quality super soft milk cotton yarn, then filled with high-quality poly. I do love crocheted items because I know how to create one. This was my hobby when I was pregnant. Handmade feel made this product a unique and special gift to anyone who loves Calvin and Hobbes. Really safe toy even for a baby.

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12. Prextex High Plush Dinosaurs - These Dinosaurs are high quality and made of washable materials. Designed with realistic details. See, I don't miss out on our little boys who love Dino.  

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13. GUND Philbin Teddy Bear - Who wouldn't love this? One special person gave me a Teddy Bear like this when I was 17. Truly memorable. And what about those kids who love We Bare Bears? This is made from a soft, huggable material. This plush toy features surface-washable construction for easy cleaning. Appropriate for ages 1 & up.

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14.  Aurora - Tubbie Wubbie - Remember Disney's, Lion King? Here's a gift to remind them of. So realistic in style. A really "Wow!" moment for the kids as they open their gifts. 

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15. Franco Kids Bedding Super Soft Plush Cuddle Pillow Buddy, One Size, Disney Frozen 2 Elsa - Your little one would love to snuggle up with their favorite character by their side. Made of super soft plush material for a comfortable feel perfect to snuggle in your sleep or a great playtime accessory. A great travel accessory for use in home, car, camping, and sleepovers for napping and cuddling. I highly recommend this one for other use. 

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Here some of my recommended products but as you follow the link, you'll be presented with enormous designs to choose from. Choose only which one is suitable. 

And don't worry, if you're in the Philippines, products can be shipped here. 

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Now, we'll go for my next recommendations...

#3. Children's Book 

Studies have shown that being read to as a child and having books in the home are the two most important indicators of future academic success. 

The study Children’s Access to Print Materials and Education-Related Outcomes (2010) was commissioned by Reading Is Fundamental, the largest children’s literacy nonprofit in the United States, and the findings show that providing children access to print materials accomplishes the following:

• Improves reading performance. Among the studies reviewed, kindergarten students showed the biggest increase.
• Is instrumental in helping children learn the basics of reading, such as letter and word identification, phonemic awareness, and completion of sentences.
• Prompts them to read more frequently and for greater amounts of time.
• Improves their attitudes toward reading and learning. - (Source)

 

How about babies? Can we give them reading books at early as this stage? 

The research said "Yes". 

The frequency of reading to children at a young age has a direct causal effect on their schooling outcomes regardless of their family background and home environment. (Source)

 So, there's no reason not to give Children's Books. 

I developed my reading habits when I noticed how voracious a reader my father was. He read volumes of books about technical stuff. In fact, he graduated from International Correspondence School, a school for those who self-study at home.

The very first book I received was a Tagalog English Dictionary from my grandmother. I cherished that first book and have learned about 90% of my English vocabulary from there.

Now, for my recommendations:

16. Junie B. Jones's First Boxed Set Ever! (Books 1-4) -  #1 New York Times bestselling chapter book series about the world’s funniest kindergartner!

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17. First Little Readers Parent Pack - Most pages of these full-color storybooks feature just one line of simple, repetitive text to help children learn to read with ease and confidence. Includes a tip-filled parent guide.

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18. Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Collection - Originally created by Dr. Seuss himself, Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read. This unjacketed hardcover early readers encourage children to read all on their own, using simple words and illustrations. These portable packages are perfect for practicing readers ages 3-7—and lucky parents too!

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 19. Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-4: Dinosaurs Before Dark, The Knight at Dawn, Mummies in the Morning, and Pirates Past Noon - Meet Jack and Annie! Jack and his younger sister, Annie, are just regular kids. But when they discover a treehouse in the woods, something magical happens. Jack and Annie are whisked back in time to the Age of Dinosaurs, a medieval castle, ancient pyramids, and treasure-seeking pirates. The Magic Tree House series has been a classroom favorite for over 25 years and is sure to inspire a love of reading—and adventure—in every child who joins Jack and Annie!

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20.  Never Let a Unicorn Scribble! - This story is about a little girl who keeps hearing, "Never let a unicorn scribble!" But in her heart believes that people just don't understand how beautiful scribbling can be. She keeps trying to teach her unicorn to scribble but soon realizes this is more difficult than she anticipated. But instead of giving up, she uses her imagination to come up with a creative way to get her unicorn to scribble, at first it looks like it was a complete disaster but ends up being truly magical! Really interesting eh. 

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As a bonus for those who would like to impart Christianity to their kids, here's my all-time favorite storybook: The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories

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Anyone could just pick the gift they want or what their kids want but considering its wide implications in the future, this is not how you should choose your gift if you truly care enough. 

My recommendations are so traditional and maybe old at this point in time but still, they stand the test of time and proven to become the best gift ever for our children.

Proofs and research findings back-up its benefits so I am convinced this is enough to ease away all your doubts. Besides, when you click on the links of the products I recommend here, you will find how attractively awesome they are. 

Your kids will love and enjoy them just the same.  

P.S.

Now it’s up to you to choose from my product recommendations. Click any one of them, read reviews, check their suitability with the child’s age, and find out for yourself why these are the BEST SELLERS.