Thoughtfully Curated Gift Guide and My Favorite Things

Day 3: 12 Days of Stackmas

Hello again, friend. Today for Stackmas, I’m excited to share a thoughtfully curated gift guide for everyone on your list—kids, the fellas, and more. This guide includes many of our family’s tried-and-true favorites, along with a sneak peek at a few treats that will be under our tree this year. I only recommend items we’ve personally loved, invested in, or genuinely stand behind.

Many of the featured brands are small shops, some even local to Vermont—details that matter to me. And be sure to stick around until the end, where I’ve highlighted 10 homemade or experience-based gifts—the kind that truly keep on giving. Happy gifting!

Before diving into the goodies, I want to share a bit about how we approach gift-giving, especially with four kids. Our advent calendar plays a big role in the holiday season, so for Christmas, we keep things simple but special. Each child receives two gifts from us under the tree and a bag of books on Christmas Eve (I’ll share more about that tradition soon).

We also include 1–2 shared gifts—like a family game or a set of MAGNA-TILES—something everyone can enjoy together. And Santa brings each child one gift, along with a stocking filled with small treats. It’s a balance that makes the season feel joyful without being overwhelming.

A mix of tried-and-true favorites along with some gifts our kids will be unwrapping this year…