Can you believe it’s time to start thinking about Christmas gifts? Gift baskets are great options for kids, who love feeling like they received a bunch of presents rather than just one.
Gift baskets work especially well for kids you don’t see very often, such as far-flung nieces and nephews for whom you want to buy gifts, even though you don’t know their tastes or what they might already have.
For gift baskets, I try to start with items that I’ve gathered throughout the year that are appropriate for the recipient and come up with a theme. Then, I add more items in keeping with the theme.
Here are a few gift ideas for kids’ baskets, along with items you could include in a gift basket with that theme.
“Frozen” theme. Disney Frozen costumes were reportedly the most popular Halloween outfits by far this year. Kids can’t seem to get enough of Elsa, Anna and Olaf, and here are some ideas for putting together a “Frozen” themed gift basket.
- Disney Frozen Sparkle Princess Elsa Doll
- Disney Frozen Sparkle Anna of Arendelle Doll
- Frozen Little Golden Book
- Frozen (DVD or Blu-Ray)
- The Tin Box Company Disney Frozen Scoop Carry All Tin
- Frozen Read-Along Storybook and CD
- Disney Frozen Sisters Giftset
Minecraft theme. Many kids love playing Minecraft, whose parent company Microsoft recently purchased. Kids (and grown-ups, for that matter) learn to play Minecraft by watching others play it, so Minecraft has spawned thousands of YouTube videos and even a wide array of child-friendly YouTube channels. A complex game that turns educational as it hones spacial and design skills, Minecraft attracts fans of all ages.
Minecraft’s popularity assured its merchandising prowess, as kids long to play with live action versions of Minecraft characters and wear Minecraft T-shirts. Here are a few items you can include in a Minecraft gift basket.
- Minecraft Think Geek Wall Torch by Think Geek
- Minecraft Core Player Survival Pack Action Figure
- Minecraft Baby Pig 7″ Plush
- Minecraft Baby Mooshroom Plush” Minecraft Animal Plush Series
- Minecraft Squid Plush
- Minecraft Enderman 7″ Plush
- Minecraft Animal Toy (6-Pack)
- Minecraft Iron Golem Action Figure
- Minecraft Core Zombie Action Figure with Accessory
Bath toys theme (for younger children). Looking for a gift basket for a younger child, one that still enjoys splashing around in the tub with toys? Here’s a list of possible items to include in a bath toy themed gift basket.
- Sassy Bathtime Pals Squirt and Float Toys
- Munchkin Ten Squirtin Sea Buddies
- Nuby 5 Count Splish Splash Stacking Bath Cups
- Green Toys Submarine, Yellow
Winter theme. A lot of kids won’t think much of receiving hats, gloves and mittens as Christmas gifts, but they’d delight in receiving snow toys, especially if they live in an area that can count on a snowy winter. Consider these items when putting together a winter wonderland gift basket for a child.
- Toysmith Dress a Snowman Kit
Flexible Flyer Snow Block Maker
- Flexible Flyer Snowball Maker
- Ideal Sno-Brick Maker for Building Winter Snow Walls, Igloos and Castles
How to Build an Igloo: And Other Snow Shelters (book) - Garant Kids Poly Snow Shovel 0-3/8″ Plastic
Beach or pool theme. Kids who live in a warmer climate, visit indoor pools or plan regular vacations to the beach may appreciate a basket full of toys and accessories for playing in the water or sand.
- Aquatic Dive Balls
- Swimways Toypedo Bandits
- Underwater Pool Sticks
- Shark Riding Pool Toy
- King Kool Lounge 63″ x 33.5″
- Hape – Sand & Sun – Beach Basics – Bucket, Sifter, Rake and Shovel
- Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Undersea Treasure Hunt
- Intex Recreation Corp Giant Gator Ride-On
- Beach Set in Bag (sand toys)