Every year it's the same story: in December grandma asks what your child wants, you name something you've just seen, and two weeks later two of the exact same boxes are under the tree. You can prevent this with a Christmas wish list that everyone can see. And if the group gets too big to buy something for everyone, drawing names is the easiest solution. In this blog post you'll read how to arrange both and which gifts fit well on a list.

Why a Christmas wish list for your child is useful

Children often know exactly what they want, except they change their minds every week. So make the list together, preferably a few weeks before the holidays. That gives family members time to choose, and gives you time to order something if it happens to be sold out somewhere.

An online Christmas wish list on Happy Giftlist works much better than a note on the fridge. You paste the link of a product, the name, photo, and price are added automatically, and you send a single link to the family, for instance via WhatsApp. Whoever picks an item reserves it. That way, nobody buys the same gift.

How to make a good Christmas wish list with your child

Include different price ranges

Not every aunt or uncle wants to spend the same amount. So put a few small gifts on the list alongside something larger. That way everyone finds something that fits their budget.

Look at what your child currently enjoys

Don't just ask what your child wants, but also look at what they are busy with. Does your child draw all day? Do they prefer building things? That's often where the best gift is, even if it's not in the toy catalogue.

Check the age recommendation on the box

A gift that is too difficult ends up staying in the closet. You can add the recommended age when sharing the list, so family members don't have to search for it.

Let family members join forces for a larger gift

If there's one larger gift on the list, people can contribute together. That's often nicer than five small gifts, and your child will enjoy it for longer.

Drawing names with family or the classroom

For a large family, a sports team, or a group of friends, drawing names is ideal. Everyone buys one gift, so you can spend a bit more attention on it. With paper slips, everyone has to be present at the same time, and you might draw your own name.

Online name drawing solves that. You fill in the names, set a budget, and everyone gets their assigned name by email or link. You can configure partners so they won't draw each other. Participants can also add a wish list, so you don't have to guess what someone likes.

Agree on these points beforehand

• The budget, so no one feels uncomfortable.
• The date you will open gifts.
• Whether children have their own name drawing round, or join the adults.

Gift ideas by budget

Looking for something for a creative child? Here are ideas for the wish list or for the name drawing gift.

Up to 15 euros

A DIY craft set is a small gift that your child can build themselves. If your child already has a 3D pen, the stencil book XXL with tracing sheet is a great addition.

Up to 30 euros

With the LCD drawing tablet your child can draw without paper. The maze puzzle with 118 challenges is a great choice for kids who love solving puzzles themselves.

A larger gift to give together

The 3D Pen Starter Kit Wireless is designed for children aged 6 and up. The pen uses low-temperature PCL filament and is wireless, so there's no cable in the way. With the video course, your child gets started step by step. They can draw figures that they can actually hold in their hands. This makes a great gift for the whole family to contribute to.

Starting early saves stress

Make the list in November and forward the link as soon as it's ready. That way everyone can take their time choosing and the gifts will be under the tree on time. Looking for more ideas? Also read our blog post about gifts for a 6-year-old child.