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Our family and friends are some of the most important things we have. This Holiday Gift Guide for Family Gifts is full of ideas to promote family togetherness and help create memories throughout the year. Whether you are getting something for your own family to enjoy, or picking out something for another family, these ideas are sure to bring fun and laughter to any family time.
Some of the products in this post were sent to me for free from Erin Condren Design. I choose to use Erin Condren products because I love them and they have been helpful to me in organizing my life.
What a crazy couple of years it has been! This has been a time that we were definitely not expecting. And it felt like it took forever to just get a grip on how to navigate life. (Have we actually even reached that point yet?)
But we’ve learned a few things through the process.
First, we learned that we don’t know what next year will hold. For awhile it seemed like we thought everything would just change as we got into a new year. But 2021 taught us that that isn’t how it worked. So instead of planning for a different reality that what we are currently living in, let’s plan to embrace life for what it is. And really focus on the things that are most important to us.
Second, it is crucially important to value our relationships with the people we care about. So many of us were separated in one way or another from people we love for much longer than we wanted to be. Let’s spend the next year (and the one after that too) giving more time to our family and friends.
3 Reasons to Shop Early
I know we always say that we are going to get our Holiday shopping done early each year. So here are three reasons why you really should get your shopping done ASAP!
1. The supply chain issues are crazy right now! You never know what’s going to go out of stock tomorrow. And if it does, chances are good that it won’t be able to be restocked until January or later.
2. Can’t you just picture how much calmer it will be to have your holiday shopping done way ahead of time? You will be free to enjoy the season without stressing about the last minute gifts that haven’t been purchased yet! In fact, stock up on a few generic gifts, like this ____ or gift cards, and then they will be ready to go for those unexpected gift needs that always come up at the last minute.
3. It gives you more time to come up with the best gift for each person. When you are scrambling around at the last minute, sometimes you have to settle for whatever works. If you start to shop now, you can make sure that you are getting that perfect thing that you just know they will love.
Best Family Gift Ideas
You might be looking for something to enjoy with your own family, or you might want to find something to gift to another family. This gift guide is full of ideas to help you find ideas for the best family gift.
You might also enjoy:
Recipe Book
One of my favorite treasures is my collection of recipes that are specific and particular to my family. I love to include recipes from my Grandparents, who all have their favorites too. It makes my recipe book special and sentimental, while also being so very practical (we’ve all gotta eat, right?).
Which is why I believe the Erin Condren Recipe Book would make such a great family gift idea! Give someone (or your own family) the opportunity to create their own collection of treasured family recipes.
PAIR IT WITH:
Your own favorite recipes. Let them start their collection with one or two of your own tried and true family favorites. Or if the gift is for family, maybe include one of grandma’s recipes that the whole family loves.
500 Piece Puzzle
The past couple of years my Mom and I have loved putting together puzzles! It gives us a chance to spend time together, talk, laugh, and sometimes even listen to audio books.
Puzzles are a great way to spend time together as a family. It’s something that anyone can participate in (although I’d recommend keeping smaller pieces away from those likely to put them in their mouth), and it is so fun to watch the image come together.
Erin Condren offers a few different 500 piece puzzles (so it’s totally do-able even for elementary aged kids with parents or older kids help). The pieces are sturdy quality and fit together nicely. I love the quality of these puzzles and hope they come out with more in the future.
PAIR IT WITH:
This Indoor Electric S’Mores set. But you may also want to include some wet wipes to clean the gooey marshmallow off everyone’s hands before puzzle pieces are sticking where their not supposed to go. 😛 Maybe not the most practical, but would still be a yummy addition to their puzzle night!
Sherpa Throw
The Erin Condren Sherpa Throws are one of the best family gift ideas in my opinion. There are many different designs and they can be customized for a single person, or include the family name on it.
Sherpa throws are warm and cozy. They are perfect for snuggling up during the winter, and having the option to personalize it just makes it an extra special gift idea!
PAIR IT WITH:
A movie (like Peanuts Holiday Collection or this classic set) and hot chocolate mix (this stuff is the BEST!). Give them the gift of a cozy holiday movie night together.
Playing Cards
I love the bright colors of the Erin Condren Playing Cards! The game ideas are endless, and can be adapted for any family or group. This is a perfect idea for a family gift and is a great idea for creating a family game night.
PAIR IT WITH:
Popcorn and popcorn seasoning (these ones are soooo good!!). You could even get a whole popcorn kit. It’s a quick and easy snack for those cozy puzzle nights. And I know this from experience. 😉 Another great pair option is the Sherpa Throw mentioned earlier. I love snuggling under a warm blanket while doing a puzzle.
Tangram
I love the Tangram puzzle because it is perfect as an individual activity or could easily be adapted to be a family activity.
PAIR IT WITH:
More brain puzzles. Let everyone work out those mental muscles! I don’t know about you, but the engineers (and mini engineers) in my life would be obsessed with this gifting pair!
Parent Planner
This Parent Planner is perfect for families with school aged children. There is space for tracking everything from school schedules and chores, to contacts and personal information for each family member.
There are different cover options to choose from, but I love that this one lets you choose the photos on the front to make it even more personal.
PAIR IT WITH:
Dual Tip Markers. With enough colors to color code for each family member or area of life. Or to just add a pop of color to the pages. I love that these markers have the thin tip and thicker marker tip, and they write so well on the thick EC paper!
Erin Condren LifePlanner
Family life can get a little chaotic sometimes. That’s why every family needs a planner to keep everyone’s schedule on track and organized. I love that the Erin Condren LifePlanner gives you different layout options, so there’s sure to be something to work for every family.
PAIR IT WITH:
A snap-in dashboard and wet erase markers. I love these ones in the pretty Flora design and Mid-Century Circles pattern. The days of the week on the back are the perfect place to add in the weekly meal plan or major events of the week.
Custom Photo Acrylic Block
Create a truly personal gift by taking a favorite family photo for this Custom Acrylic Photo Block. Of course they also have other designs, but I love that this can truly become a special keepsake by making it personal with their own photo.
PAIR IT WITH:
A photo album to save more of their favorite family photos.
Mid-Century Circles Umbrella
Encourage a family to get out and play in the rain with this super cute umbrella. Whether it’s going on an outdoor adventure (anything outdoors in the rain is an adventure), or going to grab donuts and fast food for a cozy night in, this colorful umbrella can make any rainy outing more fun!
PAIR IT WITH:
This Winnie the Pooh Rainy Day Keychain and a Rainy Day Fund Box to collect spare change & dollars so they can have a fun treat next time it rains. Even rainy (or snowy) days are the perfect time to create new family memories.
Focused Weekly Stand-up Padfolio
I love this Weekly Stand-up Padfolio as a family gift idea because it can be on display so each family member knows what’s going on. From planning the basics likes school and work, to new adventures and vacations together, this is a great place to track all the family activities.
PAIR IT WITH:
This Acrylic Desk Set to keep all their pens, sticky notes, and other supplies nearby and ready to plan with.
Family Gifts are the Best!
I love giving family gifts because they give the family a chance to interact and spend time together doing something fun. Any of these family gift ideas would be perfect for your own family, or another. And honestly, they could even be given to individuals and still be a fun gift.
What was the best family gift you’ve given or received? Let me know in the comments!