Camp Snap 2
Screen-free digital camera
We use this one. There's no screen, so you take the picture and get back to the moment instead of checking how it turned out.
Gift it to: the dad who wants more memories and less phone.
Gift guide
Christmas Gift Guide 2026
Gifts I'd actually give, because they've earned a spot in our home. Pick a person below, or shop by budget. Prices are rough guides and change often.
Heads up: these are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Shop by budget:
For dads
For the dad who wants to be present, lead his family well and maybe laugh a little more doing it.
Timex Waterbury Dive Automatic
Green dial, automatic
Emily gave me this for Father's Day a few years ago, and it's still one of my favourites. An automatic diver's watch with a green dial that looks far more expensive than it is.
Gift it to: the dad who wears a watch every day.
Timex Marlin Chronograph
Silver dial, stainless steel bracelet
I won this one when I reached the top 1% at work, so it marks a milestone I'd worked toward for years. Vintage-inspired, with a dial that dresses up or down.
Gift it to: the dad celebrating a big milestone this year.
Versace Eros Eau de Toilette
Cologne
One of my two favourite colognes.
Gift it to: the dad who wears the same cologne every day and is due for a new bottle. Tip: choose the listing sold or shipped by Amazon.
Similar option: Dior Sauvage, my other favourite.
SAXX Boxer Briefs with Fly
Men's underwear
Comfortable, built to last, and the brief with the fly is the one to get. Black goes with everything.
Gift it to: the dad who'd never buy himself nice underwear.
Double-Edge Safety Razor
Classic metal razor
The razor I use every day. A metal handle that lasts for years, and replacement blades cost pennies compared to cartridges.
Gift it to: the dad tired of paying for cartridges.
Beard and Detail Trimmer
Cordless trimmer
I use a trimmer alongside the safety razor, for the beard and the edges.
Gift it to: the dad who keeps a beard, or keeps trying to.
Oral-B Electric Toothbrush
Rechargeable
The toothbrush I use. Once you switch to electric, a manual one never feels clean again.
Gift it to: a practical gift that gets used twice a day.
Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug
Stanley
Keeps coffee hot through the drive and doesn't leak in the bag. Open it with one thumb.
Gift it to: the dad who's out the door before the sun's up.
Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Notebook
Dotted, A5
Numbered pages and an index at the front, so goals, notes and reflections are easy to find again.
Gift it to: the dad who writes down his goals, or should.
The Intentional Father
Jon Tyson
Written for dads of teenagers, but I started early and it's already shaping how I think about what I leave my kids.
Gift it to: the dad who's thinking about the legacy he leaves.
Dad Jokes: Groan-Worthy Best
Andrew Rocha
I wrote this in nine days and it became a #1 Amazon bestseller. The jokes are exactly as groan-worthy as promised, and my kids still laugh.
Gift it to: a stocking stuffer. Every dad needs new material.
LEGO Ideas Home Alone House (21330)
LEGO set for adults
One of my favourite Christmas gifts I ever bought myself. Building the McCallister house from the movie is a fun way to slow down over the holidays.
Gift it to: the dad who never got to finish his LEGO phase.
For kids
Emily's picks for screen-free play, from building and crafts to backyard adventures.
PicassoTiles 60-Piece Magnetic Tiles
Magnetic building set
Emily's pick. Clear magnetic squares and triangles that snap together into castles, towers and whatever else they dream up. Easy to build, easy to put away, and great when siblings play together.
Gift it to: little builders, ages 3 and up.
BEAVERBOT Cardboard Cutter
Kids' cardboard construction kit
Emily's pick. A kid-safe cutter that turns delivery boxes into castles, shields and animals. Every Amazon box becomes a craft project.
Gift it to: the creative kid, ages 4 and up.
Yoto Player (3rd Gen)
Screen-free audio player
Kids pop in a card for a story, music or a podcast, no screen needed. It doubles as a night light and clock.
Gift it to: kids who love stories at bedtime.
Similar option: Yoto Mini, smaller and made for car rides, with the same cards.
Kids' Instant Print Camera
Dual-lens camera that prints photos
Emily's pick. Kids snap a photo and it prints right away, with print paper and a memory card in the box. The kid version of our Camp Snap.
Gift it to: the kid who wants a camera like Mom and Dad's.
Retevis H777 Walkie-Talkies (2-Pack)
Rechargeable two-way radios
Emily's pick. Real rechargeable radios with a built-in flashlight and USB-C charging. Perfect for backyard missions and camping trips.
Gift it to: siblings who play spies, or kids at the campsite.
Atomic Power Popper 12X (2-Pack)
Hog Wild foam ball blasters
A family favourite. Pump-action blasters that fire soft foam balls, one red and one blue, so it's an instant team battle around the house.
Gift it to: siblings, or the dad who wants in on the battle.
GiiKER Super Slide
Handheld sliding puzzle, 500+ challenges
Emily's pick. A brain-teaser that tracks over 500 challenges, so it keeps going long after a normal puzzle is solved. Made for road trips.
Gift it to: the kid who loves a challenge.
GiiKER Super Decoder
Code-breaking game, 1 or 2 players
Emily's pick. A handheld code-breaking game with 600 levels. Kids can play solo or go head-to-head with a parent.
Gift it to: road trips and quiet afternoons.
Little Tikes Jump 'n Slide Bounce House
Inflatable with heavy-duty blower
Emily's pick. A backyard bounce house with a slide and its own heavy-duty blower. It burns off a lot of energy.
Gift it to: the family with energetic kids and a backyard.
Yupik Rainbow Sprinkles, 1 kg
Baking sprinkles
Emily's pick. Our kids add sprinkles to so many random things, and it brings joy every single time. This 1 kg bag lasts a while.
Gift it to: the kid who thinks everything is better with sprinkles.
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook
Kevin DeYoung, illustrated by Don Clark
The full storybook Bible from the team behind The Biggest Story, with 104 stories for ages 6 to 12. One of Emily's favourites.
Gift it to: bedtime reading together, ages 6 to 12.
For the whole family
The things that keep our busy house running and help us remember it.
Skylight Calendar, 15-inch
Touchscreen family calendar
We use it. Everyone's calendar, the chore chart and the meal plan in one place on the wall, so nobody has to ask what's happening this week.
Gift it to: the busy family that runs on a group text.
Camp Snap 2
Screen-free digital camera
We use this one. There's no screen, so you take the picture and get back to the moment instead of checking how it turned out.
Gift it to: the family that wants to look back on this year.
For parents and grandparents
For the people who'd rather have time with you than more stuff.
WE Games Deluxe Cribbage Set
Solid walnut, 3 tracks
A solid walnut board built to last for decades, with a three-track board so three people can play.
Gift it to: the grandpa who taught everyone to count fifteen-two.
Similar option: Regal Games Wooden Cribbage Set, the everyday board for under $30, with pegs and cards included.
Ravensburger 1,000-Piece Puzzle
Jigsaw puzzle
The puzzle brand puzzle people trust. Pieces fit snugly and the picture doesn't glare.
Gift it to: the grandparents who always have one on the go over the holidays.
For the host
For the friend whose house everyone ends up at.
Acacia Charcuterie Board with Cheese Knives
Board and knife set
A board and the knives to go with it, so it's a complete gift right out of the box.
Gift it to: the friend who always has snacks out when you arrive.
Wood-Wick Soy Candle
Candle
It crackles like a little fireplace while it burns.
Gift it to: a thank-you for hosting Christmas dinner.
Rook
Card game
A classic trick-taking card game played in partners. Easy to learn, and it brings out the competitive side in everyone.
Gift it to: the game you bring to dinner.
For couples
For a night in that's better than another show.
Exit: The Game, The Sunken Treasure
Escape-room game
An escape room in a box. You work through a shipwreck treasure hunt together. It's played once, so pass it on after.
Gift it to: a date night at home.
Azul: Queen's Garden
Ages 10 and up
The best version of Azul, especially with two players. Beautiful pieces and more strategy than the original.
Gift it to: the couple that's competitive about game night.
Family game night, easiest to hardest
Start at the top with little ones and work your way down as everyone grows into bigger games.
Catan Junior
Ages 6 and up
The kid version of Catan. Build hideouts and trade with pirates. The perfect first strategy game.
Gift it to: families with young kids.
Rook
Card game
A classic trick-taking card game played in partners. Easy to learn, and it brings out the competitive side in everyone.
Gift it to: the family that grew up playing cards around the kitchen table.
Carcassonne
Ages 7 and up
Lay tiles to build a countryside of cities, roads and fields. Simple turns with plenty of room for strategy.
Gift it to: the family ready for its first real board game.
Azul: Queen's Garden
Ages 10 and up
The best version of Azul, especially with two players. Beautiful pieces and more strategy than the original.
Gift it to: anyone who likes puzzles and pretty things.
Wingspan
Ages 14 and up
Collect birds that build off each other turn after turn. One of the most beautiful games on our shelf.
Gift it to: the family that's ready for a step up.
Everdell
Ages 13 and up
Build a city of woodland critters over four seasons. The most involved game on this list, and worth it.
Gift it to: the family that's played everything else.
Stocking stuffers under $25
Small gifts that get used long after Christmas morning.
Bananagrams
Word game
A fast word game that packs into a banana-shaped pouch. Great for older kids and grandparents.
Gift it to: the wordsmith in the family.
Yupik Rainbow Sprinkles, 1 kg
Baking sprinkles
Emily's pick. Our kids add sprinkles to so many random things, and it brings joy every single time. This 1 kg bag lasts a while.
Gift it to: the kid who thinks everything is better with sprinkles.
Spot It!
Card game
Fast, loud and small enough to throw in a bag. Little kids can beat the adults, which is the best part.
Gift it to: a stocking stuffer the whole family will play.
Rook
Card game
A classic trick-taking card game played in partners. Easy to learn, and it brings out the competitive side in everyone.
Gift it to: the family that loves cards.
Exit: The Game, The Sunken Treasure
Escape-room game
An escape room in a box. You work through a shipwreck treasure hunt together. It's played once, so pass it on after.
Gift it to: a date night in a box.
Dad Jokes: Groan-Worthy Best
Andrew Rocha
I wrote this in nine days and it became a #1 Amazon bestseller. The jokes are exactly as groan-worthy as promised, and my kids still laugh.
Gift it to: a stocking stuffer. Every dad needs new material.
Looking for more? Everything I recommend is on the recommendations page.
