I love looking through gift guides. In case you do too, here’s what I threw together between checking algebra and changing diapers, because that’s how homeschool rolls.
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Whole Family Gift
Universal Yum continues to be a homerun! Each month a box of snacks from a different country arrives at our door. (I pick up a few books from that country at the library, and it’s an instant unit study.) Definitely recommend. Through Nov. 20 their subscriptions are 12% off! Use our referral link for $5 off.
For the Girls/Tweens/Ladies
Sweet Little Ones on Etsy is one of my favorite shops! We’ve ordered cards, shirts, and stickers from Jessica, the Catholic-mom-creative-businesswoman behind Sweet Little Ones multiple times. The girls in our house all have the Our Lady of Lourdes shirt, and this year we’re adding in the Our Lady of Guadalupe shirts pictured above. They have washed up well after many wearings.
Boring Things for Adults
You know you’re of a certain age when all the sudden waterbottle storage becomes a pain spot prime for gifting. We have this stand, and it works great. There are other smaller versions for normal-sized households.
I was skeptical about the leather flyswatter “trend” but was tired of breaking plastic ones.
This guy works so well! There’s some heft to it, and it has a very satisfying slap sound. The only downside is that you can see the bug guts on it. Someone who cares more might clean it off, but I don’t. It still works.
If I was giving it to a person as a gift, I might make it a weird basket with some local raw honey and some artisanal vinegar and include the note “They say you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Either way, this fly swatter is pretty great.”
Games
Our favorites include Risk (ages 10+), Monopoly Deal (way faster than the original), Hoot Owl Hoot (for preschoolers), and PicWits (for the whole family!)
Some new ones we’re going to try and can’t vouch for
Mom Ideas
Liturgical Living Boxes I don’t currently have a subscription, but I have gotten a few boxes and thought they were so lovely.
Mother & Home Shop Everything from this shop is gorgeous. Includes Catholic decor, clothes, jewelry, books, and more.
For the People with Kitchens This cookbook stand is solid and beautiful.
For Parents and Grandparents:
Storyworth might just be the best gift you give someone you love that turns into a gift for you. (Sneaky!) Your recipient gets questions emailed to them, which they reply and answer. Then the answers are compiled into a hardbound book. Forever.
Preschoolers
Preschool Liturgical Living Activity Box
This is marketed as a curriculum, but I think it should be spun as subscription box. (Except it comes as a big envelope in real life, not a box.) It’s pretty close to open-and-go with weekly activities based on the liturgical year. WAY economical compared to other subscriptions, but still lots of saint coloring pages and crafts delivered to your door every month. Just choose Preschool Ready-to-Use Home Lessons for your order. All the kids in a family receive activities at no extra charge, just make sure to note the # of kiddos on your order. (There is an option for older students, but we love it at the preschool level.)
This is an example of our lesson this week. For the feast of Christ the King we’ve got crowns to decorate and a mobile to make. (Blue-striped toddler shirt on the floor not included.)
Ultimately most kids don’t need more stuff, thy need more time with the adults who love them. So gifts like this which facilitate that interaction are awesome.
And on that unpopular note, happy shopping!
For more inspiration: Homeschool-themed gift ideas, Random ideas, List from 2020