Let’s face it, no baby remembers the first Christmas. Instead of copious toys for babies, we love keepsakes to celebrate the season, and those special items that lend themselves to photo ops that become keepsakes themselves.

$ custom ornament keepsake, redefined $25 at september house

$$ ho ho ho embroidered longjohns add some booties too $38 at tiny sprouts

splurge personalized baby sled now,  just hope for snow $180 from chasing fireflies

Hanukkah gifts are getting cooler by the minute. If you’re looking for something more special than plastic dreidels (or giant plastic dreidels) we love these gifts for Hanukkah revelers.

$ hanukkah silly bandz should last 8 days too $5.95 from modern tribe

$$ personalized tee try “mensch” $32 at little uni

splurge keepsake tzedakah box charity in style $129 at modern tribe

It’s wonderful encouraging kids to be their own superheroes. We adore these picks for the smallest defenders of truth, crusaders against injustice, and righters of wrongs.

$ personalized adventure story for boys or girls $29 from little wonder company

$$ personalized cape there’s bad guys to be nabbed! $45 at mahar dry goods

splurge custom superhero portrait how kids see themselves anyway $80+ at all pop art

We give in! If not to the licensed movie characters, then to the creative, imaginative play that fairy princesses inspire in our girls.

$ pink unicorn wand also in purple (of course) $11.95 at franklin goose

$$ fair maiden costume from the golden age of fairies $84 at nova natural

splurge fairy play tent truly magical $314 at moolka

What is it about those shiny red trucks and flashing lights that cause kids to go all gaga? Oh wait. That’s it.

$ fire engine baby legs 3-alarm cuteness $11.99 at kangarooboo

$$ green toys fire truck made from recycled milk containers $24 at wild dill

splurge fire truck tricycle with room for a dalmatian $299.99 at oompa

Even boys need cuddly little babies to love and nurture and carry in a sling. Grab one of these cool picks and a toy stroller, and let him play Daddy too.

$ corolle baby doll the perfect first doll $29.95 at amazon

$$ handmade waldorf doll i’m going to love him and call him george $49.99 at camden rose

splurge bamboletta boy doll restocks every fri. they go FAST $155+ at bamboletta

Not every kid needs more toys, but every kid can use more creative inspiration. Encourage a love of art with a simple box of crayons and construction paper, or one of these cool picks.

$ personalized drawing pad turn scribbles into masterpieces $25.50 at feterie

$$ pint size picasso box everything but the easel $59 and up at jade's toy box

splurge family membership to local art museum for the ultimate inspiration prices vary

For most dads, a handmade card (and maybe some pancakes) is plenty. Still, you can make the day a little more special with gifts like these. And of course, that handmade card.

$ kids' art on mini canvas ships from australia - order soon $22 from blue day designs

$$ personalized keychain funny or sentimental, your choice $48 at lisa leonard

splurge family day at the game for a special treat, don’t root against him prices vary

Clearly she’s cool if she invited you. Skip the flowers and instead grab a (good) bottle of wine or one of these special gifts guaranteed to remind her why you were on her holiday guest list in the first place.

$ origami star ornament “i wish the dishes would do themselves” $9.75 from rigamarole

$$ fleurir chocolates eat them or frame them $33 at foodzie

splurge modern cuckoo clock digital clocks are so overrated $350 from sf moma

Perfect grandma gifts are among our favorite to shop for. Find something personalized and sentimental, and honor the woman who alternates between mentor, coach, and pinch babysitter.

$ framed photo of the grandkids handmade frames worthy of the photos $24.99 at obrien schridde

$$ coffee table art book all made with your child’s art up to $59.95 from dreamsakes

splurge custom photo necklace so they're with her always $120+ from three sisters jewelry

Grandpas make the world go round - make sure he knows it any chance you get. Don’t forget a card, hand-scribbled by the kids.

$ 40 reasons i love you journal fill out the pages first $14.95 at green planet parties

$$ handmade photo keepsake box customize with a kid pic $100 from bklyn woodworker

splurge sterling photo key ring so very special $355 from jeanine payer

If you can’t get the Bon Jovi-Rolling Stones mashup out of your head, we know where you’ve been spending your Tuesday nights. Fan the obsession for your favorite Glee fan. So very 2010.

$ glee: the christmas album don’t stop believin’ $15 gift certificate at itunes

$$ rachel's necklace a star is born $48 at bleu cherub

splurge karaoke revolution for wii /glee edition warn the neighbors $57.99 at amazon + new black wii $194 at amazon

The best part about shopping for a baker--if you’re lucky, you get to eat the results.

$ homemade cookie stamp you’ll always know it’s a cookie $16.95 at spoon sisters

$$ letterpress recipe cards/box turns recipes into heirlooms $46 from 1canoe2

splurge set of 3 handmade cake plates let them eat/display cake $400 from vessels and wares

If she’s into glitz, glam and all things gorgeous, hook her up with a holiday gift certificate to her favorite cosmetics counter, or one of these fabulous gifts. Package it with a vintage compact if she’s really special.

$ nigel barker’s beauty equation about beauty on the inside $13.40 on amazon

$$ chanel nail trio this season’s hottest colors $69 from chanel

splurge cosmetic gift subscription samples every month $110/12 mos from birchbox

Go ahead and remind your niece why you’re the coolest aunt on the planet. (Even if you’re also the slightly less cool responsible mom.)

$ gaga book attitude sold separately $24.95 at fred flare

$$ cheetah leggings add a day on the town with you $32 from betsey johnson

splurge private dj lessons two turntables and a microphone $150 via cloud 9 living

We believe in romance! We do, we do!

$ mr darcy mug romance is alive and caffeinated $15 at brookish

$$ vintage poetry books you’ll know one that speaks to you when you see it $32 from violets and grace

splurge one-night gourmet getaway in 6 different us regions. leave the kid at home. $369 from smartbox

Thank him for the time he had your back in the school yard, or finished your vegetables for you when your mom’s back was turned.

$ custom ornament yep, that’s him $19 from sklep

$$ personalized money clip money not included $100 at nonchalant mom

splurge ipad. hello. no way he’ll return it $499 from apple

Skip the “world’s greatest sister” mug - Nothing says I love you better than fabulous baubles carefully chosen with your sister in mind.

$ personalized snow globe ring how fun! $19.99 at glamglobes

$$ braille necklace our fave: “dream bigger” $58 from jess lc

splurge sterling/white sapphire earrings her own heirloom $225 from fine art of family

Foodie defined: When you say, “pass the olive oil,” he answers, “which kind?” If you can’t get your hands on a fresh black truffle, one of these gifts should suffice.

$ rare artisanal salts table salt? what’s that? $12.50 each or 3 for $36 at napa style

$$ foodzie gourmet tasting boxes new goodies every month $19.95/mo - sign up for 3

splurge grass-fed bison the filet mignon of filet mignons $139.99/6 at high plains bison

Not every teen is buried in a video game with earphones on. Or at least not all of the time. Acknowledge our future do-gooders of the world with a gift as thoughtful as they are.

$ do something! a handbook for young activists one page at a time $10.76 from amazon

$$ adopt a sea turtle you can give more than the minimum $25+ from the sea turtle conservancy

splurge national geographic summer expeditions a gift of a lifetime $3790 and up plus airfare from national geographic

Our ideal gift: The promise of a night out on the town together this year--sans children--and a little accessorizing to get her dolled up.

$ eco felt necklace heart felt - get it? $17 at green eyed monster

$$ hand-knit rose clutch for a bff night $65 from shokay

splurge “how much?” earrings can’t put a price on friendship $240 from sienna gallery

As writers ourselves, we beseech you not to forget our fellow scribes this holiday. Books are always welcome, or one of these cool gifts.

$ helvetica necklace only the best typeface $20 at plastique

$$ scrabble pillows big points for spelling “qa” $60 at shop dirtsa

splurge custom book necklace archival insides, vintage outsides $75-350 from the black spot books

For those amazing people in our lives who would rather give to others than get something themselves, we can’t say enough wonderful things about Heifer International which helps children and families around the world become self-reliant. Print your own gift card too.

$ a flock of chicks fresh eggs for hungry families $20 at heifer int’l

$$ a llama aka transportation, clothing, income $150 at heifer int’l

splurge joy to the world package sheep, goats, a hefer and llamas = hope $1500 at heifer int’l

Whether it’s your too cool next-door neighbor or your free-spirited cousin with the ironic facial hair, we’ve got you covered. We hope.

$ cmyk wallet that is, if you’re not too cool for cash $15 at moma store

$$ recycled vinyl bracelets recycling rocks $25 at inhabitat

splurge upcycled leather tote past life: a leather jacket $160 from poketo

What teachers don’t want for the holidays: Mugs. Tschochkes. Trinkets. Instead, grab a gift card somewhere great along with a little something from her favorite class.

$ photo pad with pic of the class add a b+n gift certificate $12.95 at pinhole press

$$ personalized book plates add a b+n gift certificate $36 at feterie

splurge nook e-reader add a download too $149-249 at barnes and noble

Mostly what sitters, nannies, and other caregivers would like is cash. As in, cash. The cash kind of cash. Still, it’s nice to add a little something thoughtful to the fat envelope and let her know how appreciated she is.

$ lavender sachets + cash a sweet scent-iment (heh) $20 at raven + lily

$$ hand embroidered tote + cash featuring art by the kids $75 from wicked stitches

splurge luxury spa day + cash give her the paid day off, too prices vary from spaweek

Plaid is back with a vengeance and we’re loving it on kids, especially in festive holiday reds and greens. Just uh, don’t put it all together, all at once.

boy's necktie there’s matching dad ties too $24 at apple & ivy	plaid pants so hip! $48 at little dudes only	winter plaid coat gorgeous well past the holidays $116 at velvet & tweed
plaid flannel body suit oh the cuteness $19.50 at gap	plaid skull vest holidays meet hip $44 at little dudes only	plaid pjs christmas morning perfection $29.50 at gap
cashmere muffler if you’re fancy $195 at burberry	holiday socks just not with plaid pants $6.99/2 at janie and jack	monster republic shorts for holidays in la $35+ at arte bebe

While you don’t want your little girl opening gifts in a bad bridesmaid dress, a few strategically-placed ruffles in her holiday party wear will make her feel as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.

robeez mini shoez for baby’s first holiday $29.95 at stride rite	cord ruffle dress picture perfect $52 at velvet and tweed	ruffle diaper cover keeping bums under wrap 2/$12 at polarn o. pyret
plaid silk top just enough ruffle $20.99 on sale at janie + jack	ruffle tights pattern for the diy-ers $4.50 from dreamspunkids	saurette sweater dress be still our hearts! $84 at arte bebe
wrap cardigan over a leotard or her holiday finest $34.99 on sale at janie and jack	plaid ruffle skirt handmade by ses petite mains $52.99 at moxie kids	mary janes in black or red also available in little kids sizes $50 at see kai run

Of course it’s the thought that counts, and those thoughts don’t have to cost a fortune. Wrap them gorgeously, present with love, and you’re done.

gourmet lollipops flavors from peppermint to eggnog latte $10/6 from mihow	what would audrey do? first, she’d buy this book $12.99 at mod cloth	ceramic ornaments from kids art make it a tradition; one each year $9.95 (plus scan) from dreamsakes
photo book one for each grandparent $12.99 at shutterfly	wood necklace yes, that’s the real price $11 from elk accessories	lavender oatmeal soap also cedarwoood for the menfolk $10 at pink olive
anna sui fabric journal for literary fashionistas $14.95 (before discount) from chronicle books	loose tea system the prettiest way to brew your own $15 at tea forte	hand carved rubber stamp for the one you lurve $9 at cupcaketree
hearts for haiti river stones to support haitian artisans $10 at amenity home	reusable underwater camera for the beach. not the bathtub $15 at photojojo	fleur de sel caramels buy lots $14 from petite bouchee
block print tea towels featuring brooklyn buildings. so hip. $15 from lifefrombklyn	3 bambu nesting bowls handwoven, fair trade, and awesome $14 at olive and myrtle	70's or 80's retro candy mix groovy and rad $11.99 at perpetual kid
nyc in a bag the 42nd next best thing to being there. $15 at moma store	handmade iphone case a good excuse to put it away more $15 at shibang designs	awkward family photos makes your family seem normal $10.20 at amazon

Kids and kids-at-heart know stocking stuffers are often the best part. Here are a few that we’d love to find dangling from our mantles this year. And poke around at the shops listed here - lots of them have plenty more affordable gift ideas.

personalized magnet or mirror here’s looking at you, kid $8, 9 at olliegraphic	felt butterfly ring not just for kids $7 from mixho	soy crayon rocks creativity comes naturally $6.75 at wild dill
make your own ballerina kit sign our girls up! $8 at kate’s paperie	indie rock coloring book you’re never too young for the shins $9.99 at mod cloth	deer necklace better than bambi $9 from em+sprout
christmas sticker book 70 stickers buys you some eggnog time $6 at stubby pencil studio	owl rubber stamp craftalicious $5 at shana logic	brain quest write/erase set for future smarties 2-5 $8.95 from amazon
ice cream rattle even babies need stocking love $8 at darlybird	color your own toy from spaceships to dinosaurs to a princess carriage $7.99 from creative toyshop	anamalz eco-friendly and so much fun $6.99 at oompa
blank board books imagine the scribbly possibliities $3.50, 5 at romp	gingerbread girl hair clip nom nom nom $10 at chloe in style	harmonica for other kids, not your own. ha. $6.95 from stubby pencil studio