You’ll Want to Copy This Mom’s Viral Christmas Shopping List for Her Kids

What if I told you there is a not-so-secret formula to get your holiday shopping done this season? This list would make it easy to pick gifts without breaking the bank, and it would help you be intentional with your gift-giving this year. November is almost over. As December 25 nears, the last thing I want for myself or any other mom is the overwhelming feeling Christmas shopping can bring. While you’re making your list and checking it twice, how do you narrow down Christmas list ideas when it comes to your toddler—or, you know—the tough-to-shop-for guy in your life?

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Maryn Lindley, @marlindley, recently posted a viral TikTok video laying out her Christmas shopping formula. These nine categories not only help her narrow down gifts, but they also help her remember what’s most important to her—being intentional and focusing on her family. Her video has over 9,000 likes, and thousands of people have saved her video, including me.

I love Christmas and picking out all the gifts, but I think this might be the first year where I’ll get through the holiday season unscathed and with my head on straight with this formula in my back pocket. Even TikTok user @leahs_late said, “This is really a fantastic list to go by!!!” If you’re a parent needing ideas or help narrowing down your Christmas list ideas—here is how Lindley broke hers down.

The Christmas List Formula

Lindley breaks down her Christmas list ideas into nine categories that will have you “winning” Christmas just like her. I’m guilty of serial clicking during Christmas shopping and adding all the things to my shopping cart. When it’s time to checkout, it’s not out of the ordinary for me to sit there for an hour or two trying to narrow down what’s best. I think some of us can relate to @courtlelliott, who commented, “Christmas gets out of hand sometimes 🥰.” However, Lindley seems to have mastered the process.

Lindley started this formula last year to keep her on track with her own shopping. While I wish I had this list sooner, I’m glad I found it right in time for holiday shopping. She says it has helped her save so much money—I bet time, too—and it’s definitely wanting me to give this a try. One TikTok user, @modernmotherhoodof2, shared, “this is perfect, my goal is to have a total of 10 gifts for each of my kids, doesn’t need to go be sooo much.”

Gift They ‘Want’

Lindley starts off by saying the “want” category is pretty self-explanatory. “This is a gift that your kid really wants.” Her own son is into Buzz Light Year right now, and she plans on getting him a Buzz Light Year action figure. Before hitting the store aisles or hitting the “purchase” button online, talk to your kids about what made their Christmas wishlist or what their current interests are to get the ideas rolling. This year was the first year my toddler and I browsed the Amazon toy list and sifted through the “Kids Gift Book.” I made an activity out of it, and he circled all the things he wanted. It was so cute to hear his commentary on why he loved each toy. He even pointed out toys he thought his cousins would like. How sweet is that?

Gift They ‘Need’

Is there something you or your kids are really needing this year? Lindley gives the example that her kids need new bedding. She says, “It’s something fun they can open, and it’s actually something that will benefit them [and] that they need.” I’d like to add that you can’t forget to give yourself a gift this holiday season, too.

Gift to ‘Wear’

If you’re like Lindley, you may also like getting your kids new outfits for the holidays. She says, depending on your budget, “You don’t have to get a whole outfit. It could be shoes. It could be socks. Literally anything.” Lindley says, “The fun part is coming up with a whole ensemble.”

Gift to ‘Read’

Get a book for each person in your family. From your favorite holiday books for kids to the best books to read at bedtime, gifts geared toward reading are an easy favorite. Lindley mentions that you can also think outside the box and get a Tonies Toniebox this year. She is obsessed with the Toniebox and states, “If you don’t know what a Toniebox is, you absolutely should get one for your little kid.” Another option is a Yoto Player. Mom and TikTok user @beauty.by.baii asked, “I’ve considered getting my 18 month old a Tonies box but is she too young?” If you’re trying to decide whether a Toniebox or a Yoto Player is suitable for your child, our editors gave an honest review of the audio players to help you choose.

Gift They Can ‘Experience’

An experience gift is something new that Lindley is adding this year. If you want to give your family something to look forward to and a family gift everyone will enjoy, an experience gift is something to consider. She is purchasing ski passes, which can be pricey, but emphasizes that this gift “does not have to be expensive either.” TikTok user @katiestantonblog stated, “Need more experience and share gift ideas for us out here on a budget with big families.” If you’re trying to decide what experience gift is appropriate for your family and reasonably within your budget, your children’s ages are something to keep in mind. From movie passes to zoo memberships, gifts don’t always have to be wrapped up in a box.

Gift They Can ‘Do’

These gifts are ones that your child can ‘do.’ Lindley says to “Think of something like an activity.” Her oldest is into Legos, and a Lego set is something her son can ‘do’ and put together—my favorite gift for a bigger kid. For her youngest, she plans on getting Magna-Tiles. As a mom to a toddler, I can attest Magna-Tiles are worth it for kids 3 years and up. I enjoy ‘doing’ this gift alongside my son, too!

Gift to Help Them ‘Learn’

The next category Lindley mentions is something that is “interactive” and “will help them in their learning.” While she says she’s still unsure of what to get for her boys, if you need gifts for babies who are learning all the time, there are plenty of toys that teach fine motor skills and more! For older children, a musical instrument or STEM toy could be a good option.

Gift to ‘Snuggle’ With

Lindley’s boys love Jellycat stuffed animals (and so do our editors—you’ll see them throughout this year’s holiday gift guide). She buys them a new one for Christmas to snuggle with. However, if your kids are not interested in stuffed animals or out of the stuffed animal phase, she recommends something soft like a blanket or holiday pajamas work, too.

Gift to ‘Share’

The last category in Lindley’s gift shopping formula is something to ‘share.’ She says this is a gift everyone in the family will enjoy—“that you all can open together Christmas morning.” Lindley states she caved, and she is purchasing a Nintendo Switch for her family. A gift to share can be as simple as a board game, or it can be a splurge like a trampoline. Gifts that your family can share are ones that hold the most memories. I’m all for nostalgia as a mom.

Final Thoughts on This Christmas List Formula

I love that Lindley shared her Christmas list ideas and shared it as a formula—it’s giving Santa’s elf vibes. I think it’s truly a mom’s wish come true for this holiday season. Not only is it helpful, but it will ensure that everything “Santa” brings this year will be specific to each person’s own likes and needs. The first four categories: want, need, wear, and read aren’t a new concept, but @kaci.wingo pointed out, “I love this! I never felt like the traditional ‘want, wear, read, need’ was enough or overlapped sometimes. I’m definitely using your formula this year.”

I also noted that there were multiple comments asking how Lindley differentiates whether gifts come from “Santa” or from her. TikTok user @sheridan_scho asked, “How do you determine which gifts are from Mom & Dad vs Santa?” Another user, @jacikitty, replied, “Santa only does stocking & a share gift for the family. The rest is from mom & dad. Love this idea of intentional buying!” You may want to sit down and decide which gifts are “from Santa” and which gifts are from you. Doing this before solidifying a purchase can help determine how much you’re willing to spend on a gift.

This formula isn’t just exclusive to your family. These Christmas list ideas work for gifts for grandparents or your mom friends, too. Plus, when there’s a possibility to save money and time, count me in. Like @aaalexispaige noted, “christmas shopping is so overwhelming so this is genius!” I agree.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patty Schepel, Editorial Intern

As the editorial intern, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.

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