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My Favorite Things Family Gift Guide 2021

I hope you are rounding out a wonderful 2021!

Each year a love to share a few things that we used and loved throughout the seasons. We spent a significant amount of time camping in the Southwest USA and visiting family in the Midwest.

These are the top themes that come to mind when I think of 2021:

  • Reconnection
  • Quality Family Time
  • Outdoors
  • Cheap Thrills

Post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission.

Outdoor and Camping Items

Blackstone Griddle – Our Blackstone does not have a hood, but we use the 22″ and cook nearly all our breakfasts and dinners with this when we camp. My husband loves it, and when he originally got it, he started cooking on the card table in the garage (and burnt the table). Only use it on surfaces that can get warm 🙂

Mountain Mat – This 5×7 outdoor mat is made out of recycled plastic and it’s a veteran-owned business. Holds up really well even with lots of traction outside – a big win for me since our last outdoor mat didn’t fare so well. Comes with a convenient carrying case for easy portability.

Lands’ End Sleeping Bags – My mother-in-law got our kids these a few years ago and they still love and use them today. Comes with a pillow already attached, making it extra convenient. We even take them when we visit family. They make setting up a guest bed super easy! Just throw the bag on an air mattress or guest bedroom, and it’s all set!

Family Board and Card Games

These are the games over the past few years that we’ve played the most together and our kids seemed to prefer over others.

Cooking with kids

Making food together is a life skill that will serve your children for years to come. This is a wonderful experience gift without needing to leave your home.

Outdoor Toys for Kids

I have a HUGE list of outdoor toys for kids that’s been very popular with readers. Top items continue to be…

Collage of best outdoor toys for kids.

Open-Ended Toys for Kids

Remember – Toys are meant to be tools that serve both you and your kids! Open-ended toys offer more play opportunities and keep kids engaged for YEARS.

Not all our toys are open-ended, but we try to keep as many around as possible. Makes life so much better!

Inspire your child's imagination and creativity with these open ended toys that last for years! Open ended toys encourage problem-solving, self-regulation, creativity and more. #openendedplay #openendedtoys #creativetoys #imaginationtoys

Cozy Sleepytime Items

I’m all for making the kids’ bedrooms as inviting as possible. The cozier the better! They love being in their rooms at bedtime and that’s a win for me.

  • Fairy lights – Sets the mood for wind down and it’s simply adorable.
  • Essential oil diffusers – Diffusers have come a long way in recent years so you have lots of options to choose from. We still only use Young Living for our essential oils though.
  • Lavender weighted blankets – You’ll find them at most big box stores. We have this one from two years ago and my daughter still sleeps with it every night.

Looking for toddler gifts?

Looking for holiday activities?

Looking for military gifts or veteran-owned businesses?

About Lauren Tamm

I'm Lauren, a military spouse and Language of Listening® master parent coach. I write about my crazy parenting adventures, discovering happiness in motherhood and navigating the ups and downs of military life. I spend my days re-heating coffee while chasing my kids around the house. Hang around for a bit and join the fun!

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Love the listening course and the routine card printables and listening workbook so far. Listening has been our biggest challenge lately. My son was flat out just ignoring our voices. I started implementing the strategies yesterday and it was such smooth sailing all day long. Not only that, but the empathy statements and “turning a no into a yes” actually had my three year old saying “okay, mom” happily and complying right away without fighting or tears, by the end of the day! And it has worked wonders for my mood and frustration level when the arguing and tears are not averted. Trying to keep the 5:1 ratio has made me realize what a bad habit I’d fallen into. It becomes so easy to give commands and warnings and issue no’s, that you forget to take notice of the good! I feel so much better, as a mom, now that I’m intentionally encouraging my kid for his strengths. Thank you so much!

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