All my kids got a few books, my younger three have a Cate and Levi stuffed animal plus a game or puzzle each. My teen got a Lego botanical set, plus the Julia Rothman ocean book and puzzle. I shopped with tons of intention this year and the most minimal ever... I'm extremely excited about it 😂
I got a kids pocket knife for my 6 year old and legos per his requested. I ordered my 3 year old the Toad from your video last year bc he’s obsessed with frog and toad! Also some plastic Dinos for open ended play. My 2 year old is getting a miniland doll, play mice and blocks. I’m so glad we keep things simple now. It’s our 2nd Christmas doing less and it’s such a relief.
Looooved your ideas! Thank you ever so much! We got a 4ft dollhouse and barn for my daughter(3yrs) and a large vintage metal dumptruck and vintage sailboat for my son (1.5yrs) Stocking stuffers: Daughter: bird whistle, handmade frog and toad dolls, vitamin c lollipops, faretrade chocolate, wind-up flashlight, Schleich animals Son: train whistle, vintage diecast Mayberry poice car, vitamin c lollipops, faretrade chocolate, wind-up flashlight, Schleich animals Soooo excited! Bookmarking this video for years to come too!!
We only got him a stroller for his stuffed animal. He's also obsessed with everything that ha wheels at the moment 😅 I just feel like he will already get so many gifts from the family that we don't rellay need to get him even more. We celebrate all together, so in the end it doesn't matter who gave the gift.
I’m trying so hard to not go over it. I grew up very poor and we only got 1 gift per child. I dreamed of big christmases with lots of gifts like the ones you see on TV. My husband and I are well off and we bought our boys tons of gifts that they ended up getting bored opening. Last year we kept it to 5 gifts per kid and they had more fun than ever!
I don’t have kids but my mom once told me this story. When we were little she would buy my brother and I a ton of gifts for the Holidays and so did both sets of grandparents and my aunt. When we opened about half of it we apparently lost interest in the rest of the gifts and she quietly put the rest of it away to donate to other people.. 🥹 This just shows that there really is something like too many toys/gifts. Besides when I think of the holidays growing up, I barely remember the gifts. I think about the times we spend together with the family and the little things my parents would do to make it special. When the day comes and I’ll have kids of my own, of course they’ll get gifts but not an overwhelming amount because they really don’t need to
Yes🙏🤍 I just find it hard to communicate to grandparents since they are the "old school" giving as many gifts as possible. And on top bringing gifts to my child everytime they come, even thought we asked not to do that😮💨
Your mom was very inconsiderate donating gifts people spent money on for you and your brother. If you were tired of opening gifts which is very normal for children she could have put them away for the next day
We talked for a long time about getting our son a play kitchen this year. We even had one picked out to order on Black Friday. Then I had an epiphany. A play kitchen can only be a play kitchen. A sturdy coffee table however can be lots of things, a kitchen, a train table, a place to build legos or drive cars, it can be a craft space or even a stage. So rather than ordering a play kitchen drop shopped from across the world I’m on the hunt at local thrift stores for a coffee table to get my little guy for Christmas 😂
My thought process exactly! I ended up getting a play table that I can use as a coffee table, game night table, choo choo train table, snack table, etc etc!!
You could even get or make a little cover for the table to look like a stove and put some pots and pans on it. I’ve seen the dining table tents/play houses like this that are so awesome.
I bought my daughter a play kitchen and she always made a big mess with playdo and water. Yuck. Food and random seasoning. At first it was cute. But then i was cleaning it up too much. She didnt care for plastic food. It was next to the kitchen. I moved it upstairs in the toy area where she can not use water or playdo up there. She doesn’t miss it either.
Great thought process 🤍 We got one for our little boy this year and we know he's gonna love it, but we kept it minimal! Just wooden one with minimum appliances.. those plastic colourful ones with million things,running water etc gives me anxiety 😅
I did that when my kids were young and my parents gave them everything they asked for 😮. When it was all said and done, they remember our Christmas memories and their grandparents chaos. They are now 33,25 and 21. Thank you for a wonderful video. ❤
I LOVE these videos that you do. I have a 5 year old boy, 6 year old girl, and 9 year old boy. I totally get some ideas from you! Thanks for taking the time to share and link everything. (My daughter has that lego house and loves it) I’m sure your kids will have an amazing time opening their stockings and gifts! ❤
Such a sweet group of presents!!!! My kids are big now, but I love to remember that time when I watch your videos. Ox Cart Man is the book that I think of when you mentioned the River. I went to donate it yesterday and just couldn’t do it. Maybe another day.
LEGOs were the ONE thing my sons played with for hours as small kids through preteen ages. They did not need any other toys honestly, We did not have much else for them. love the homemade playdough! The nature toy company Imagine Childhood, I highly recommend to you!!
I’m so thankful you posted this! I’ve been suffering from holiday overwhelm and decision paralysis when it comes to gifts for my kids! This has helped tremendously
Your felt mice in the basket gave me the best idea! We have some calico critters and a dollhouse that havent been played with in a year probably. but if i stick the critters in a basket and place them in a different open-ended environment away from the dollhouse, my kids would eat that up! thanks for helping me solve that problem!
I love these videos, I look forward to them every year! Fun, simple ideas. I remember the balsa wood gliders from when we were kids. Also, Would you consider doing a homeschool rhythm ditl?
Two of my 3 kids have birthdays in December so there are more gifts in my house right now then I would like, but I always want to make sure that they get separate things for their birthdays and Christmas. I started following the 4 gift rule; something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Depending on our craft situation, sometimes I add a something to make gift. And we do consumables in their stockings, usually hygiene care, a few of their favorite treats, maybe some stickers (my 4 year old loves them) and a new set of markers and usually a small toy like a hot wheel or animal figure.
Awe my son is 22 now. I spent so many years reading him chapters of the Magic Treehouse books before bed. We had like 30 of them.. and read eaxg one 3 or 4 times.. i love tgose books! You and i are very different but i liked watching your video. i have loved being a mom.. best job in the whole world.. he was an only child and we used to play together every single day!..
I really looooved this video. Thank you for sharing. It was a perfect balance of intentional and thoughtful gift ideas that won't end up as just more clutter! I feel like my kids would be happy with any one of your suggestions for a looong time. My eldest always saves everyones apple seeds to plant so getting her seeds that she can see grow is an exciting idea that idk why I've never thought of. I am going to have to save this and watch again as I think I would definitely look into your book recommendations. Its hard for me to find age appropriate books worth getting. Thanks again! :)
Oh I LOVE the basket of mice idea! We have those mice too but I never thought to store them in a basket like that! I imagine that this would invite more play. Thanks for sharing this idea ✨😊
I’ve seen this with my 7yo. She has so much stuff that this time, I’ve gone for more educational stuff. So she’s got a keyboard with lessons (after asking for a piano) and a telescope with a book on the universe. More pricey than I’d normally go for but I think she would appreciate those more than lots of smaller inexpensive stuff.
Thank you for sharing I am so glad i fell upon this video. Was considering skipping presents this year but this inspired me since my kiddos are same ages/girl and boy. Excited for the geode kit and I decided to go for a fish brochure since we love fishing. Again thank you, I subscribed after watching this ❤
Tennessee is just like my boys (I have 3!). Rest assured, my 14 year old still plays with his plastic motorbikes/monster trucks/matchbox cars in any dirt/sand anywhere (my sister gave him tools to build tracks in the yard also), and my 18 year old still plays with his tech decks! Honestly, those gifts will never grow old in a minimalist home (although, they will definitely break!). My youngest two, 11 and 14, also still cover the floor with Lego and build anything they can imagine. You're definitely on the right track for boys best childhood memories. 🌈🩷🌻👌🏻 Oh, bubbles was the other thing we could never not have, and when they were around 8, they got their own knife for calving sticks and stuff, a bow with arrows around 9-10, and throwing knives around 11-12 (all share items). They also have a real motorbike each too, that came along at some stage during their childhood, and they’ve always had a skateboard and a bike. They love them all. 🥰 Also used the planes, and parachute men a lot at Christmas time!
Love this. So many great ideas. Wish it came out a month ago when i started shopping. Feel like i need to return and swap stuff out. Also, my 5 year old got a motorbike like that a few years back and it is very well loved around here still
I'm not one to usually make comments. In fact, I don't think I ever left a comment on a UA-cam video before. But something is different here. I came across your channel a couple of months ago and have now watched many of your videos. I was already aware of wanting/needing to simplify my life, but through watching your videos, it's like you've put an explanation to the way I've been feeling. I have so much more clarity now and, therefore, motivation to make some changes. Thank you for sharing all that you do. I would also be really interested to hear more about how you approach homeschooling with your kids. We are considering homeschooling for our children. Thank you again for the beautiful content you put together 💛.
Homemade playdough is the greatest ever! My kids did not believe me! They thought I just wanted them to only have the stuff I make. So we bought some playdough and immediately they were agreeing with me that the homemade stuff is way better! 😁
We have quite the toy collection. I tried less toys for a long time but especially my audhd kiddo got so frustrated. Now we have a bin system and rotate toys and it works very well for us. And what doesn't make the cut goes (back) to the thriftstore.. we have a kind of toy rotation system with them too 😅
My kids have had them for 2 years now and play with them literally every day. Im sure they will be a hit! (we have picasso tile brand)@@shannonhauser8610
Genius! I have been feeling so uninspired this year on what to get since decluttering this season. Like just wanting nothing...haha! But some of these my kids have and adore so yeah second those and the others they will be getting. Thanks Madi! I’m usually not a gift guide person, but this one has me feeling less grinchy. 🤪
Great video on Christmas. My kids birthdays are October and November so I like to go very minimal for Christmas. Great ideas Madison! I love the books. Our son loves all things with wheels too so he's getting a toy dirt bike. And our daughter loves crafting and wants a pom pom making kit. Happy holidays to your family!
I bought my 12 & 13 year old girls each an NLT Inspire Bible. They’ve been using their early reader bibles up until now and I realized it’s time to get them a more grown up Bible. These are beautiful and have so much artwork inside for them to color. An interactive experience. I also got them the markers that won’t bleed through the pages.
This is my favorite video you do year after year; so refreshing and needed. I’m a minimalist who struggles with minimalism for our daughter. Everything I purchase is intentional and I love investing in quality pieces BUT I over buy, without a doubt , every year 😅. To the point that I have to spread it out for her birthday in March and Easter 😆. Feeling convicted.
We have a 2.5 year old and we have gone through 3 of those motorcycles! He got his first one his very first Christmas and let me tell you that toy WORKS HARD in this house
Do you have a video showing how you store the legos? Our kids love legos too, but partially because we don’t want to keep them out, and also because we have a baby, we always have to take apart these big beautiful sets my child has built. Just curious what y’all do!
We are now on the way out of toys with my 3 older kids. The only kid getting toys is my youngest our 4th child who is 3. He is getting a lion stuffed animal/puppet( his favorite animal), a slinky, and a kids camera. That’s it. Our kids love legos also.
Thank you for this!! I literally used last years video as my guide for shopping this year! Mine are each a year younger then yours so I’m just following along:)
Hope you are doing okay. Can’t help but notice you seem a little down but I could be wrong 💜 just wanted to say I love your channel and have helped me with my minimalist journey with my kids 💜
Sometimes as mums, we won our kids toys, but as they get older, the kids develop toys that they like and you might not like everything with the kids playroom or what year has been might like that is something which we have take a deep breath and go yes okay I
Im not much of a digital person and would absolutely love love love to get your magazine subscription in the mail. Any plans to make hardcopies of it? I notices you had one at the end of your video and I got giddy but Im not sure how to get one myself?
When you purchase the digital version, there is an option to also purchase the print. One day I’ll have an option for print only, but I only make money on the digital and print goes all to the print shop. Thanks for your support ❤️
Really curious for the mamas on this channel, but when the kids have too many toys and they don’t play with them, what do they do instead ? Since Mallory said when there was more they didn’t play with them, but when there was less they played with them more.
Less toys = more independent play and them getting lost in their imagination. When there is more toys, they play less and need to be entertained more, more irritable and everyone struggles to get what they need.
It’s so true. Give my kids access to 4 play options and they’ll play together for hours. Access to 20 play options and they’re bored, don’t know what to do, and need me for entertainment. Our outside space had gathered a few too many things I had noticed, so I cleaned it up last week and put some stuff for free by the curb. They had been reluctant to play outside as much and would often just come back inside. After I cleaned it up and left just a couple items, they were playing out there and I didn’t even instruct them to. It’s a phenomenon!
I love your point about how kids can sense when the gifts are to cover up something that is lacking. I remember my dad brought home a ton of gifts for us kids after winning money at a casino. He was a gambling addict and we all knew it. Each gift I opened up felt more and more ironic and hurtful. That was a sad Christmas. We were expected to smile and say thank you. I now give just 2 or 3 well thought out gifts per kid, and focus more on just being together as a family. Now Christmas feels therapeutic, like I'm healing the old Christmas wounds from childhood.
My kids are now adults. I wish I had their childhoods to do over again. I would have been much more minimalist. In reality, I gave them an excess of things, and it didn't make them happy. I just wanted them to have "everything", but I know now it was not the right way to do it.
How do you recommend does put like a sheet down in Lego state on the sheet so when they get it all out it’s easier also when you making like model sets I personally recommend I could try so they get a little bit at a time in the making
If your kids like legos they will love magnetic blocks. My kids were first introduced to them at the children’s museum. They unfortunately only come in bright colors 😢. However, my kids get SO creative with them. They have built houses, tractors, roads. They love them and I love watching their minds get so creative! *Not magnetiles- magnetic blocks.
I actually watched some other families on youtube on what they bought for xmas. And my mouth dropped somewhere on the floor... I wondered if that's normal, because we don't actually celebrate christmas, but even on birthdays we usually just give 1 or 2 gifts. So I put a comment about it and got a reply saying that someone, felt very sad for my kids and worries for them. I'm in total shock, just looking at the reply... Since when is keeping life simple seen as 'sad or worrisome'? :( (if some one else is worried for my childrens wellbeing... dont. they have a small play room which is filled with toys, given by family. puzzles, books, crafts and so on. ;) they're perfectly fine and taken care of, lol)
I love these videos! Seeing how much thought you put into each gift is so lovely. I remember having some of these as a kid and yes I can just feel like finger pinches from those snakes 😂
My son got a much desired Lego set and my daughter got a kids camera. Then some stocking stuffers of toothpaste, bubble bath, bandaids, Yoto card/Tonie character, chocolate coins, and freeze dried fruit.
What are some of the things you got your kids for Christmas?
All my kids got a few books, my younger three have a Cate and Levi stuffed animal plus a game or puzzle each. My teen got a Lego botanical set, plus the Julia Rothman ocean book and puzzle. I shopped with tons of intention this year and the most minimal ever... I'm extremely excited about it 😂
I got a kids pocket knife for my 6 year old and legos per his requested. I ordered my 3 year old the Toad from your video last year bc he’s obsessed with frog and toad! Also some plastic Dinos for open ended play. My 2 year old is getting a miniland doll, play mice and blocks.
I’m so glad we keep things simple now. It’s our 2nd Christmas doing less and it’s such a relief.
My boys are 16 and 19. All they want is money so thats what they are getting. Very easy!!😂
Looooved your ideas! Thank you ever so much!
We got a 4ft dollhouse and barn for my daughter(3yrs) and a large vintage metal dumptruck and vintage sailboat for my son (1.5yrs)
Stocking stuffers:
Daughter: bird whistle, handmade frog and toad dolls, vitamin c lollipops, faretrade chocolate, wind-up flashlight, Schleich animals
Son: train whistle, vintage diecast Mayberry poice car, vitamin c lollipops, faretrade chocolate, wind-up flashlight, Schleich animals
Soooo excited!
Bookmarking this video for years to come too!!
We only got him a stroller for his stuffed animal. He's also obsessed with everything that ha wheels at the moment 😅
I just feel like he will already get so many gifts from the family that we don't rellay need to get him even more. We celebrate all together, so in the end it doesn't matter who gave the gift.
I’m trying so hard to not go over it. I grew up very poor and we only got 1 gift per child. I dreamed of big christmases with lots of gifts like the ones you see on TV. My husband and I are well off and we bought our boys tons of gifts that they ended up getting bored opening. Last year we kept it to 5 gifts per kid and they had more fun than ever!
5 is the perfect number. What helps me is I ask the, what they want and that’s exactly what they get.
I don’t have kids but my mom once told me this story. When we were little she would buy my brother and I a ton of gifts for the Holidays and so did both sets of grandparents and my aunt. When we opened about half of it we apparently lost interest in the rest of the gifts and she quietly put the rest of it away to donate to other people.. 🥹 This just shows that there really is something like too many toys/gifts. Besides when I think of the holidays growing up, I barely remember the gifts. I think about the times we spend together with the family and the little things my parents would do to make it special.
When the day comes and I’ll have kids of my own, of course they’ll get gifts but not an overwhelming amount because they really don’t need to
Yes🙏🤍 I just find it hard to communicate to grandparents since they are the "old school" giving as many gifts as possible. And on top bringing gifts to my child everytime they come, even thought we asked not to do that😮💨
Your mom was very inconsiderate donating gifts people spent money on for you and your brother. If you were tired of opening gifts which is very normal for children she could have put them away for the next day
I love this. Thanks for sharing!
Love this video. Next video should be a toy tour of all your kids toys collectively 🙏🏻💙
I second this! ❤
Yes please!
"Nothing says crunchy mom like a rain stick. " I LOVE that haha! Love me a rain stick lol ❤😂
We talked for a long time about getting our son a play kitchen this year. We even had one picked out to order on Black Friday. Then I had an epiphany. A play kitchen can only be a play kitchen. A sturdy coffee table however can be lots of things, a kitchen, a train table, a place to build legos or drive cars, it can be a craft space or even a stage. So rather than ordering a play kitchen drop shopped from across the world I’m on the hunt at local thrift stores for a coffee table to get my little guy for Christmas 😂
My thought process exactly! I ended up getting a play table that I can use as a coffee table, game night table, choo choo train table, snack table, etc etc!!
You could even get or make a little cover for the table to look like a stove and put some pots and pans on it. I’ve seen the dining table tents/play houses like this that are so awesome.
I bought my daughter a play kitchen and she always made a big mess with playdo and water. Yuck. Food and random seasoning. At first it was cute. But then i was cleaning it up too much. She didnt care for plastic food. It was next to the kitchen. I moved it upstairs in the toy area where she can not use water or playdo up there. She doesn’t miss it either.
Great thought process 🤍 We got one for our little boy this year and we know he's gonna love it, but we kept it minimal! Just wooden one with minimum appliances.. those plastic colourful ones with million things,running water etc gives me anxiety 😅
Excellent idea, gifting him creativity and supporting your local businesses. ❤️😊
I clicked on this so fast. ❤️❤️
Thanks for your calmness and genuiness in the world.
Love this! Do you exchange gifts with your husband? I'd be curious to see!
I did that when my kids were young and my parents gave them everything they asked for 😮. When it was all said and done, they remember our Christmas memories and their grandparents chaos. They are now 33,25 and 21. Thank you for a wonderful video. ❤
Thank you for sharing. I love that you didn’t show what was in the journal. Really appreciate that. Happy Holidays!
I LOVE these videos that you do. I have a 5 year old boy, 6 year old girl, and 9 year old boy. I totally get some ideas from you! Thanks for taking the time to share and link everything. (My daughter has that lego house and loves it) I’m sure your kids will have an amazing time opening their stockings and gifts! ❤
Such a sweet group of presents!!!! My kids are big now, but I love to remember that time when I watch your videos.
Ox Cart Man is the book that I think of when you mentioned the River. I went to donate it yesterday and just couldn’t do it. Maybe another day.
We bought our kids notebooks for christmas. They love to draw in small notebooks with a simple marker or pencil
Simple but true ❤️
You went all out
LEGOs were the ONE thing my sons played with for hours as small kids through preteen ages. They did not need any other toys honestly, We did not have much else for them. love the homemade playdough! The nature toy company Imagine Childhood, I highly recommend to you!!
❤️❤️
Watching this a year later but this has been so useful for my 2024 Christmas gift planning for my nieces and nephew. Thank you!
I’m so thankful you posted this! I’ve been suffering from holiday overwhelm and decision paralysis when it comes to gifts for my kids! This has helped tremendously
❤️❤️
🧐🧐
I look forward to this video every year! Thanks, Madi!
me too! she does it so well! 🤍
Yes me too, I was already waiting 😊
Going to buy your book recommendations for my littles❤ this is one of my favorite videos you do each year!
❤️❤️
This is one of my fav videos of the year! I love saving the ideas for my kids birthdays.
Thank you Hannah!
I'm 26 now and loved the magic tree house books as a child. So many good ideas for the kids!
Your felt mice in the basket gave me the best idea! We have some calico critters and a dollhouse that havent been played with in a year probably. but if i stick the critters in a basket and place them in a different open-ended environment away from the dollhouse, my kids would eat that up! thanks for helping me solve that problem!
❤️❤️
Please make this video again for this year! You have the best ideas!!
Hey Madison! Thanks for another great video! Can you share a how to on the play dough. It sounds silly but I am incompetent
I love these videos, I look forward to them every year! Fun, simple ideas. I remember the balsa wood gliders from when we were kids. Also, Would you consider doing a homeschool rhythm ditl?
Have you seen this one?
I'm giving my kids a boring childhood. (homeschool week in the life)
ua-cam.com/video/Dlqx0bTZhQ0/v-deo.html
Two of my 3 kids have birthdays in December so there are more gifts in my house right now then I would like, but I always want to make sure that they get separate things for their birthdays and Christmas. I started following the 4 gift rule; something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Depending on our craft situation, sometimes I add a something to make gift. And we do consumables in their stockings, usually hygiene care, a few of their favorite treats, maybe some stickers (my 4 year old loves them) and a new set of markers and usually a small toy like a hot wheel or animal figure.
Love the simplicity❤ would love to see a video with all your kids toys for inspiration!
Awe my son is 22 now. I spent so many years reading him chapters of the Magic Treehouse books before bed. We had like 30 of them.. and read eaxg one 3 or 4 times.. i love tgose books!
You and i are very different but i liked watching your video. i have loved being a mom.. best job in the whole world.. he was an only child and we used to play together every single day!..
great video! i would love to see more videos about your kids and homeschool ditl!!
I really looooved this video. Thank you for sharing. It was a perfect balance of intentional and thoughtful gift ideas that won't end up as just more clutter! I feel like my kids would be happy with any one of your suggestions for a looong time. My eldest always saves everyones apple seeds to plant so getting her seeds that she can see grow is an exciting idea that idk why I've never thought of. I am going to have to save this and watch again as I think I would definitely look into your book recommendations. Its hard for me to find age appropriate books worth getting. Thanks again! :)
Seed gift is my favorite ❤️
Oh I LOVE the basket of mice idea! We have those mice too but I never thought to store them in a basket like that! I imagine that this would invite more play. Thanks for sharing this idea ✨😊
Mine are really really into LOL dolls 😅. We got some second hand on market place and a little camper van. Also a sensory fabric swing.
I’ve seen this with my 7yo. She has so much stuff that this time, I’ve gone for more educational stuff. So she’s got a keyboard with lessons (after asking for a piano) and a telescope with a book on the universe. More pricey than I’d normally go for but I think she would appreciate those more than lots of smaller inexpensive stuff.
I so enjoyed this video! It was very thorough and gave me great ideas. Thank you so much for making!
Thank you for this vid! Very smart gifts adjusted to your lifestyle and kids hobbys. It inspired me and calmed down in this Christmas rush ❤️
Our family loves ticket to ride! Our 3 year old plays with either my hubby or I as a “team” so it can totally be a family game.
oh so good to hear!
I love these videos! Just good ideas for inspo for simple Christmas gifts for young kids
Thank you for sharing I am so glad i fell upon this video. Was considering skipping presents this year but this inspired me since my kiddos are same ages/girl and boy. Excited for the geode kit and I decided to go for a fish brochure since we love fishing. Again thank you, I subscribed after watching this ❤
3-5 gifts is a perfect amount personally my gifts will not necessarily be natural but they are more meaningful
Tennessee is just like my boys (I have 3!). Rest assured, my 14 year old still plays with his plastic motorbikes/monster trucks/matchbox cars in any dirt/sand anywhere (my sister gave him tools to build tracks in the yard also), and my 18 year old still plays with his tech decks! Honestly, those gifts will never grow old in a minimalist home (although, they will definitely break!). My youngest two, 11 and 14, also still cover the floor with Lego and build anything they can imagine. You're definitely on the right track for boys best childhood memories. 🌈🩷🌻👌🏻 Oh, bubbles was the other thing we could never not have, and when they were around 8, they got their own knife for calving sticks and stuff, a bow with arrows around 9-10, and throwing knives around 11-12 (all share items). They also have a real motorbike each too, that came along at some stage during their childhood, and they’ve always had a skateboard and a bike. They love them all. 🥰 Also used the planes, and parachute men a lot at Christmas time!
I love these videos so much! My kids are preteens now and I can say that less has been more. They appreciate their things so much more!
No they grow into that it happens to most children. Has nothing to do with you giving them less
Love this. So many great ideas.
Wish it came out a month ago when i started shopping. Feel like i need to return and swap stuff out.
Also, my 5 year old got a motorbike like that a few years back and it is very well loved around here still
❤️❤️
I'm not one to usually make comments. In fact, I don't think I ever left a comment on a UA-cam video before. But something is different here. I came across your channel a couple of months ago and have now watched many of your videos. I was already aware of wanting/needing to simplify my life, but through watching your videos, it's like you've put an explanation to the way I've been feeling. I have so much more clarity now and, therefore, motivation to make some changes. Thank you for sharing all that you do.
I would also be really interested to hear more about how you approach homeschooling with your kids. We are considering homeschooling for our children.
Thank you again for the beautiful content you put together 💛.
wow this made me tear up! thank you so much!
@MadisunGray you're most welcome! You deserve to know the positive impact you're leaving 😊.
Looking forward to your next video x
2024 and I need an update on what you’re gonna get this year and what you’re gonna get for your baby ❤ taking notes 📝
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing :) love hearing your kids' all time fav toys!
Gathered so many ideas and inspiration from this video!
❤️❤️
Maddie, if your kids can’t do regular shoes try the Keens. My boys love them. My oldest has wide feet and every pair we buy is a win. Love the video💗
This was great!!! Loved all the book references as well!
Carry-on suitcases lol hours of fun during travel :)
My parents don’t buy our kids presents -- so I find I overcompensate for that. Appreciate your suggestions
I’ve been watching your other videos the last couple of days, anticipating this video! Thanks girly ❤
❤️❤️
Can you make a video giving gift ideas for adults?
Same holds true: less is more.
Homemade playdough is the greatest ever! My kids did not believe me! They thought I just wanted them to only have the stuff I make. So we bought some playdough and immediately they were agreeing with me that the homemade stuff is way better! 😁
😂
As someone with a three-year-old that needs gift ideas this was very helpful! ❤
woahhhh! the part about people buying presents as a distraction from other issues is so real!
It’s so true
We have quite the toy collection. I tried less toys for a long time but especially my audhd kiddo got so frustrated. Now we have a bin system and rotate toys and it works very well for us. And what doesn't make the cut goes (back) to the thriftstore.. we have a kind of toy rotation system with them too 😅
I have been looking forward to this video. You did not disappoint!
aw thank you!
I loved this video and your approach to simplifying their life and putting quality and activity over consumption and just staring at another screen ❤😘
My kids love play mice too! It’s probably one of our most played with toys along with magnatiles
Glad to read your comment, because I asked my mom if she could get my son some magnatiles :)
My kids have had them for 2 years now and play with them literally every day. Im sure they will be a hit!
(we have picasso tile brand)@@shannonhauser8610
Genius! I have been feeling so uninspired this year on what to get since decluttering this season. Like just wanting nothing...haha! But some of these my kids have and adore so yeah second those and the others they will be getting.
Thanks Madi! I’m usually not a gift guide person, but this one has me feeling less grinchy. 🤪
😂
Great video on Christmas. My kids birthdays are October and November so I like to go very minimal for Christmas. Great ideas Madison! I love the books. Our son loves all things with wheels too so he's getting a toy dirt bike. And our daughter loves crafting and wants a pom pom making kit.
Happy holidays to your family!
I love that ❤️
I bought my 12 & 13 year old girls each an NLT Inspire Bible. They’ve been using their early reader bibles up until now and I realized it’s time to get them a more grown up Bible. These are beautiful and have so much artwork inside for them to color. An interactive experience. I also got them the markers that won’t bleed through the pages.
Hopefully you got them other things also
@@katemiller7874 why would you say that?
This is my favorite video you do year after year; so refreshing and needed. I’m a minimalist who struggles with minimalism for our daughter. Everything I purchase is intentional and I love investing in quality pieces BUT I over buy, without a doubt , every year 😅. To the point that I have to spread it out for her birthday in March and Easter 😆. Feeling convicted.
You are not a minimalist. You are a maximalist. No shame in that
We have a 2.5 year old and we have gone through 3 of those motorcycles! He got his first one his very first Christmas and let me tell you that toy WORKS HARD in this house
I’m actually so excited to see him play with it ❤️
Great ideas, thank you!
Great gifts for kiddos!you did great!
❤️❤️
I love everything on this video. I have 3 boys 4 and under and they would love every thing you mentioned.
❤️❤️
I think a book you would like for winter is Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed ❤ it feels vintage but is newer and so beautiful
always love your book recs
Just so happy whenever you post a video!!🥰🫶🏻
aw thank you!
Love to see the Ken Roczen dirt bike!! 😍😍
Do you have a video showing how you store the legos? Our kids love legos too, but partially because we don’t want to keep them out, and also because we have a baby, we always have to take apart these big beautiful sets my child has built. Just curious what y’all do!
We are now on the way out of toys with my 3 older kids. The only kid getting toys is my youngest our 4th child who is 3. He is getting a lion stuffed animal/puppet( his favorite animal), a slinky, and a kids camera. That’s it. Our kids love legos also.
Thank you for linking!!
Great to see you’re back ❤ love the ideas - we don’t have kids although great ideas for our nieces and nephews 😊
aw love that! thanks for watching!
Thank you for this!! I literally used last years video as my guide for shopping this year! Mine are each a year younger then yours so I’m just following along:)
So sweet. Thank you ❤️
also Tennessee just being such a classic little grom bb 🥹
he kills me
Wonderful gifts!🎁 ❤ I I've them all!
Love your gift videos❤
Hope you are doing okay. Can’t help but notice you seem a little down but I could be wrong 💜 just wanted to say I love your channel and have helped me with my minimalist journey with my kids 💜
Sometimes as mums, we won our kids toys, but as they get older, the kids develop toys that they like and you might not like everything with the kids playroom or what year has been might like that is something which we have take a deep breath and go yes okay I
Im not much of a digital person and would absolutely love love love to get your magazine subscription in the mail. Any plans to make hardcopies of it? I notices you had one at the end of your video and I got giddy but Im not sure how to get one myself?
When you purchase the digital version, there is an option to also purchase the print. One day I’ll have an option for print only, but I only make money on the digital and print goes all to the print shop. Thanks for your support ❤️
@@MadisunGray Thank you so much Madi! 🥰 I totally understand. I'd love to be able to support you; Youve given us so much incredible free content!
Really curious for the mamas on this channel, but when the kids have too many toys and they don’t play with them, what do they do instead ? Since Mallory said when there was more they didn’t play with them, but when there was less they played with them more.
Less toys = more independent play and them getting lost in their imagination. When there is more toys, they play less and need to be entertained more, more irritable and everyone struggles to get what they need.
@@MadisunGrayI've witnessed this with my kids... 100 percent... They have more focus and play longer with more intention, with less.
It’s so true. Give my kids access to 4 play options and they’ll play together for hours. Access to 20 play options and they’re bored, don’t know what to do, and need me for entertainment. Our outside space had gathered a few too many things I had noticed, so I cleaned it up last week and put some stuff for free by the curb. They had been reluctant to play outside as much and would often just come back inside. After I cleaned it up and left just a couple items, they were playing out there and I didn’t even instruct them to. It’s a phenomenon!
I love your point about how kids can sense when the gifts are to cover up something that is lacking. I remember my dad brought home a ton of gifts for us kids after winning money at a casino. He was a gambling addict and we all knew it. Each gift I opened up felt more and more ironic and hurtful. That was a sad Christmas. We were expected to smile and say thank you. I now give just 2 or 3 well thought out gifts per kid, and focus more on just being together as a family. Now Christmas feels therapeutic, like I'm healing the old Christmas wounds from childhood.
My kids are now adults. I wish I had their childhoods to do over again. I would have been much more minimalist. In reality, I gave them an excess of things, and it didn't make them happy. I just wanted them to have "everything", but I know now it was not the right way to do it.
Love this!!
Not at all related 😬 but do you remember the name of the paint color you went with on that wall behind you? It’s lovely.
Nice ideas!!
How do you recommend does put like a sheet down in Lego state on the sheet so when they get it all out it’s easier also when you making like model sets I personally recommend I could try so they get a little bit at a time in the making
If your kids like legos they will love magnetic blocks. My kids were first introduced to them at the children’s museum. They unfortunately only come in bright colors 😢. However, my kids get SO creative with them. They have built houses, tractors, roads. They love them and I love watching their minds get so creative!
*Not magnetiles- magnetic blocks.
Thanks so awesome! Your great mom. Do you have your recipe for play dough?
Do you still put together an advent calendar? I go back and fourth on if I should keep it up each year. Thank you!
Yes! It will be in my winter journal. Focus on experiences
I actually watched some other families on youtube on what they bought for xmas. And my mouth dropped somewhere on the floor... I wondered if that's normal, because we don't actually celebrate christmas, but even on birthdays we usually just give 1 or 2 gifts. So I put a comment about it and got a reply saying that someone, felt very sad for my kids and worries for them.
I'm in total shock, just looking at the reply... Since when is keeping life simple seen as 'sad or worrisome'? :(
(if some one else is worried for my childrens wellbeing... dont. they have a small play room which is filled with toys, given by family. puzzles, books, crafts and so on. ;) they're perfectly fine and taken care of, lol)
I love these videos! Seeing how much thought you put into each gift is so lovely. I remember having some of these as a kid and yes I can just feel like finger pinches from those snakes 😂
Thank you ❤️
Did they get ALL the things during one day of Christmas?
Nice ideas though!❤
Where did you find
The mice family that is such a good idea!!
okay also the Lego guides on the iPad - so you can toss the booklets
Needed this!❤
I love the bird nesting kit idea but the link doesn't seem to be working.
Hello! What’s the shampoo and conditioner you talked about?
Great ideas! ❤
❤️
Could someone help me with finding the playdoh recipe!? The link takes me to something different.
Just wondering what to use to make it brown 👀
My son got a much desired Lego set and my daughter got a kids camera. Then some stocking stuffers of toothpaste, bubble bath, bandaids, Yoto card/Tonie character, chocolate coins, and freeze dried fruit.