What We're Shopping for in December

'Tis the season for shopping. And this month, just like many of you, we are on the hunt for gifts our kids will love. Not only that, it would be great if they loved those gifts beyond Boxing Day.

Our annual Toy Guide is a great place to find our picks for the year's top toys. Or, you could win one of two Playmobil prize packs.

Shopping for someone specific? We have a selection of gift guides for everyone, including The Best Gifts for Toddlers, Awesome Stocking Stuffers for Kids and the Best Stocking Stuffers for Moms. Find all our gift guides here.

And below you'll find an assortment of gift ideas that are a bit outside of the box. Some might make great gifts for yourself.

*While we would genuinely buy every item on this list, some were gifted. 

Gap x Paddington collection

Inspired by classic British style, this new collection from Gap is in celebration of the upcoming release of Paddington in Peru, coming to theatres in early 2025. The limited-edition capsule features embroidery of famous London landmarks and Paddington prints all in a palette of red, white and blue. Any of these pieces would make adorable gifts—ones you might be more excited about than your kids, but it's not just about them, is it?

Disney Bitzee

Although Bitzees are designed for kids from two to seven, my nine- and 12-year-olds still enjoy playing with the Bitzees they tested last year. They recently tried out the Disney version and are now playing with 30 new characters. The toy is sort of like a high-tech but screen-free Tamagotchi except you actually touch the characters while interacting with them. It's fairly affordable and is a good early gift to keep kids busy through holiday meals and while they wait to open the rest of their gifts.

No Reception Club Hideaway Carry-On Duffel

Whether you're planning a family trip in 2025 or have an avid traveller on your gift list, this bag is a great option. No Reception Club was created with parents and families in mind, but the features, like a removable packing organizer that you can hang in a closet once you reach your destination, are so versatile, that the bag has won awards from AskMen and Apartment Therapy as well as Good Housekeeping. The duffel can be worn as a backpack, carried on your arm or slung over a rolling suitcase.

The company's other bags, The Getaway Bag and The Sidekick—which I tested on a family trip to Bali—are also fantastic.

JB Skrub Skincare and Body Care for Teens

Tween and teen boys aren't often great at personal hygiene and they generally lack interest in buying products to cure what ails them. This fun line of skincare and body care products was created by Modern Family actress Julie Bowen and former magazine editor Jill Biren. It includes everything a pre- or pubescent kid could need, including a body spray made with natural fragrances and gentle acne-fighting skincare products.

Vessi Chelsea Boots

If you live somewhere it snows, the switch from sneakers or flats to major winter footwear can be a downer—especially on days when there's not quite enough snow to justify mid-calf, fleece-lined, go-with-nothing boots. That's when these 100 percent waterproof Chelsea boots come in handy. Or, if winter is more rain than snow where you live, these could be perfect and you'll likely wear them until June. I love how simple and streamlined they are. They come in styles for women, men and kids and are made with vegan materials. Tuck a pair for yourself under the tree.

Guests on Earth cleaners and soaps

Many of us will be hosting family over the holiday season. While it sounds ridiculous since there's LEGO in every room of my house—including the bathroom—when I'm tidying for guests, I often wish we had more presentable hand and dish soap. I'm not someone who buys special guest soap or towels so I was excited to try Guests on Earth. Not only are the aluminum bottles modern-looking, but even better, the formulas are climate-friendly featuring safe ingredients and essential oil blends.

Flik Flak Watches

Not ready to buy your kiddo a smartwatch? Teach them how to read an analog clock! It's a lifelong skill that will help them with math. Flik Flak watches are made in Switzerland and are part of the Swatch family. And they're tough. These kid-proof timepieces go through thorough testing. They're water-resistant and can even withstand a trip through the washing machine. The newest collection is called Time to Discover and the seven styles take inspiration from the magic of museums with the watch bands featuring gemstones, dinosaurs, balloon animals, robots, the mysteries of ancient Egypt or wonders of the natural world. Want to make your kid feel like a big kid? A watch is a great gift.