When my kids were younger, I worried that the holidays would not be as much fun as they got older and I’m happy to admit that I was wrong! My daughter will be 9 (almost 10) and my son will be 8 this Christmas and they are so excited about the holidays and I still think they’re so much fun to buy for! I know 9-10 can be a bit of a transitional year for girls and I’ll preface this gift guide with saying mine is still very much into Barbies and dolls but we plan to gift a lot less of those things this year anyway (we just have SO much!). I love LEGOs for any age; it’s a family activity in our house and the dining room table is usually covered in the for the week between Christmas and New Year’s! And, yes, we do Elf on the Shelf but there’s no shenanigans involved (he only moves) and he doesn’t bring presents, really (kudos to the parents whose elf is more fun!)!

I know there are so many things to choose from and that holiday shopping can feel overwhelming so here’s how I break it down to keep it fun (please note, I don’t & will NOT buy ALL or even most of these things; I just find them helpful to think about when making my lists and I hope you do, too!):

1. I start making my lists early and because I have two kids, I like to write them out side by side so that I can keep it as even as possible. I also keep a mini notebook where I record everything I buy AND the price! It really helps keep me organized and on budget. I keep everything in a large plastic tub for each kid in the basement which also helps me visualize what will be under the tree!
2. I choose one “big” gift each… I like it to be big in size but I imagine as they get older, it will be big in price instead… this year, they’re each getting a cozy bean bag chair (good for smaller kids, less expensive here) for their rooms!
3. As I said earlier, LEGOs are big here (& expensive) so I pick out their largest LEGO first (Amelia is getting the LEGO Friends shopping mall & Joseph is getting a Ninjago LEGO). Then, if there’s room in the budget, I’ll get a few smaller ones. 
4. Board games & art supplies are always a huge hit! I try to get a couple board games to either stack in their piles or go in the middle. Same with art supplies. This year, they’ll each get a new journal, gel pens, and a sketch book. 
5. Sports! I like to think about what each kid likes and get something specific to that sport/hobby/etc. Bonus points if you can pick up supplies they’ll need anyway for a winter or spring sport and put it under the tree!
6. Something cozy! My guys LOVE anything warm & cozy… I always put socks in their stockings and this year they need new robes so they’ll be under the tree, too. 
7. I try to think about if we have any upcoming travel plans or needs or what would have been helpful to have on a previous trip. I love the idea of luggage or of personalizing a toiletry bag for a special touch.
8. Toiletries, etc… Amelia loves makeup so I’ll be getting her a few of her own “real” makeup products so she stops taking mine (I love this shimmery lip balm)! And I’ll get Joseph some eye black for lacrosse & a few extra sports-related items to make up the difference.  
9. Books! I always get them books according to their interests and I like to get one special one and write a little note in it. 
10. Finally, anything that feels like a “need” or a necessary item but it can wait until Christmas. For me, this looks like new water bottles (my kids want a Yeti), socks, boots (they don’t need them this year but I’ve given them their Hunter Boots in past years), snow gear, gloves and hats, helmets, toothbrushes, new bedding, etc.