Kids Holiday Gift Book Activity & Printable

This fun kids holiday gift book turns all those toy and gift catalogues you’re receiving in the mail into something purposeful and creative!

For weeks we have been getting catalogues for toys and holiday gifts in the mail. I have lots of great memories of flipping through the Sears Toy Catalogue every holiday season with my brothers, so I don’t begrudge my kids the fun of looking at all the catalogues.

But…too much “window shopping” can lead to a bad case of the gimmies (as the Berenstain Bears would say), so after a few days, I usually discretely get rid of the catalogues.

This year, though, I saw a wonderful idea on Instagram for how one family was using their toy catalogues to make their own lists, and then also to make lists of gifts to give to others and gifts they could donate.

I took this idea and ran with it, creating a holiday gift book for my kids to record first what they are thankful for, then their own wishlists, gift ideas for loved ones, gifts that they can make themselves, and also ideas for items to donate, ways to earn money, and other ways to serve this holiday season.

(It’s something that can be completed in an afternoon, worked on over a few days, or even picked up to complete over a few weeks.)

Kids Holiday Gift Book Activity

We completed two-thirds of the book in one sitting, while we listened to Christmas music and sipped on hot chocolate. It was a great start to the holiday season, and a good way to intentionally start by talking about what we already have and how we can also think of others.

I sat with the kids and took the time to work on my own holiday planner. I loved hearing all of their toy ideas and seeing their enthusiasm in talking about what kinds of things their friends would enjoy and how they could earn money to buy gifts for loved ones.

I had been saving these chocolate marshmallow stirring spoons from Trader Joe’s for a special occasion, and this seemed like a good time to break them out. I used the hot chocolate mix I already had prepared– this is a great DIY mix that lasts well in the cabinet!

Keep scrolling to print your own kids holiday gift book, as well as to see some other fun holiday activities to do with your kids. If you use this book with your kids, I’d love to see! Send me a picture or tag me (@thispilgrimlife) when you share on social media!