The Holiday Collection
The short answer: Stuck on Christmas list ideas? A great Christmas list is specific, balanced and easy for other people to shop from.
Our picks for christmas list ideas
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Below are 75 ideas for kids, teens and adults, a simple way to organize your list, and tips for choosing between a Christmas list app, a list maker or a printable list.
Keep everyone's lists, budgets and "already bought" notes in one place with the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, or plan gifts plus meals and events with the Holiday Season Bundle.
Christmas list ideas for adults
- Cozy slippers or a robe
- A weighted blanket
- Noise-canceling headphones
- A new cookbook
- A coffee or tea sampler
- A cast iron pan
- Concert or theater tickets
- A cooking or pottery class
- A streaming or audiobook subscription
- A nice water bottle
- A planner for next year (gifts for planner lovers)
- A houseplant
- A massage or spa gift card
- Wireless phone charger
- A puzzle or board game
- A new wallet or bag
- Running shoes or gym gear
- A digital photo frame
- A cozy sweater
- A donation to a favorite charity
Christmas list ideas for teens
- Earbuds
- A portable speaker
- LED strip lights
- A hoodie from a favorite brand
- A gift card to a favorite store
- Skincare set
- A book series
- Instant camera and film
- Video game or gaming gift card
- Driving lessons or a car kit
- Concert tickets
- Phone accessories
- Journal and nice pens
- Sneakers
- A class, like art, music or coding
Christmas list ideas for kids
- LEGO or building sets
- Art supplies
- A scooter or bike
- Dress-up clothes
- Board games
- Picture books or chapter books
- Stuffed animals
- Science kit
- Play kitchen food
- Outdoor toys like a sled
- Puzzles
- Craft kits
- A tent or play fort
- Sports gear
- A zoo or museum pass
Experience and practical Christmas list ideas
- Family membership to a museum
- Cooking class for two
- Weekend trip fund
- Sports game tickets
- Movie night kit
- Restaurant gift card
- A subscription box
- Car detailing
- House cleaning service
- Meal kit delivery
- New sheets or towels
- A tool set
- A good umbrella
- Winter gloves and hat
- A backpack
- Kitchen gadgets
- Storage bins and organizers
- A new pillow
- Phone repair or upgrade fund
- Hobby supplies
- A cheese, snack or tea club
- A personalized item
- Photo book of the year
- Money toward a big goal (creative ways to give money)
- Time together, like a planned day out
More inspiration: experience gifts and practical Christmas gifts.
How to share your Christmas list
A list only helps if people can find it and use it. Put your Christmas list in one place and send the link or a photo, then add a few details.
| Add to your list | Why |
|---|---|
| A price range, such as under $25 or under $50 | People can pick something that fits their budget |
| Size, color or brand | Fewer returns and wrong gifts |
| "Used or secondhand is fine" | Opens up lower-cost options |
| Experiences and consumables | Gifts that do not need storage |
For small extras, add a few from our stocking stuffer list or gifts under $10.
The want, need, wear, read rule
| Category | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Something you want | A fun item just for joy | A video game or LEGO set |
| Something you need | A useful item | A new backpack or winter boots |
| Something to wear | Clothing or accessories | Pajamas or a hoodie |
| Something to read | A book or magazine | A new chapter book |
Many families add a fifth item, "something to do," for an experience.
Christmas list app vs list maker vs printable
A Christmas list app is handy if family lives far away, because everyone can see updates and mark gifts as bought. A Christmas list maker or spreadsheet is good if you want to track budgets and prices. A printable list works best for kids, who like to write and draw on paper, and for anyone who wants a list on the fridge. Whatever you choose, keep one master list so gifts are not doubled up. Our Christmas gift list shows how to track who you are buying for.
How to write a Christmas list people can actually use
- Add sizes, colors and models.
- Include a range of price points.
- Put a star by your top three items.
- Share it by early December so shoppers have time.
- Keep the list updated when you get something early.
The Emily Post Institute's gifting advice notes that a thoughtful gift does not have to be expensive, and that it is fine to tell family what you would like when they ask. A clear list also lowers stress. The American Psychological Association lists money and gift pressure among the most common sources of holiday stress, so giving shoppers good options helps everyone. Setting a budget? Try our Christmas budget planner.
The Holiday Collection
Give every person a limit and watch what's left
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner adds up every list for you: a budget for each person, a log of each purchase and the amount left to spend, plus printable gift, card, menu and to-do pages.
- Spreadsheet for Excel and Google Sheets
- 11 printable pages, US Letter + A4
- Instant download, 14-day fix-or-refund promise
Planning the whole season? See the holiday sets from $7, with early prices through Cyber Monday
Frequently asked questions
What should I put on my Christmas list? Good Christmas list ideas mix things you need with things you would enjoy. Include a few practical items, like slippers or a water bottle, a few fun items, like a book series or a game, and one or two experiences, like concert tickets or a class. Add sizes, colors and links so the people shopping for you can get it right.
How many items should be on a Christmas list? Most families find that 5 to 15 items on a Christmas list works well. That gives shoppers enough choice without overwhelming them. List items at a few different price points so relatives with different budgets can all find something, and put a star next to the two or three things you want most.
What is a good Christmas list app or maker? A Christmas list app or Christmas list maker can be any tool that lets you add items, share the list and mark gifts as bought. Many people use a shared note, a spreadsheet or a store wish list. Others prefer a printable list on the fridge. Pick one place for the whole family so nobody buys the same gift twice.
How do I make a Christmas list for kids? To make a Christmas list for kids, let them cut pictures from catalogs or draw what they want, then help them pick their top items. Many families use the want, need, wear, read rule to keep things balanced. Keep a private copy for parents with sizes and notes, and share it with grandparents early in December.
How do you write a Christmas list people can use? To write a Christmas list people can use, group ideas by price, add size, color or brand details, and include a few small, medium and larger options. Say whether secondhand is fine, and share it as a link or photo a few weeks before gift shopping starts.
Free printable
Get the free Holiday Budget Starter Kit
A one-page holiday budget, a gift list with a spending limit for every person, and a 6-week countdown so December stays calm and paid for. You'll also get our weekly HomeBase email with simple holiday planning, budgeting and hosting tips.
