“12 Days of Christmas” Gifts for Kids — 12+ Fun and Unique Gift Ideas
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How to Celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas With (or Without) Gifts
If you’re on the hunt for some fun “12 Days of Christmas” gifts for your kids, you landed in the right place!
Christmas is such an exciting time of year — especially for the little ones — and celebrating for twelve days straight will only make it better.
In today’s article, I’m going to share twelve different gift ideas for your 12 Days of Christmas celebration. These things are perfect for small children, but the entire family will surely enjoy them!
But first, what (and when) are the 12 Days of Christmas?
What and When Are the 12 Days of Christmas?
Traditionally, the “12 Days of Christmas” is a Christian celebration symbolizing the first twelve days of Jesus Christ’s life, beginning on December 25 and ending January 5.
However, many families celebrate during the twelve days leading up to Christmas, ending the celebration on December 25.
Alternatively, you could start a day earlier and end with presenting the last gift on Christmas Eve.
Some families even celebrate during the entire 24 days leading up to Christmas, either by giving gifts, opening an Advent calendar, or simply by doing some fun traditional Christmas activities together each day.
12 Days of Christmas Gifts for Kids
Consider these twelve fun “12 Days of Christmas” gift ideas for the kiddos.
1. Box of Pears
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…a partridge in a pear tree.
Naturally, no kid’s going to want a bird sitting in a fruit tree, but if you want to stick with the theme, you could get a box of pears or a real pear tree to be planted outside in the spring.
Additional ideas for the first day of Christmas:
- Partridge Family CD
- Partridge in a Pear Tree Christmas tree ornament
- 1-year calendar
2. Dove Chocolates
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…two turtle doves.
Chocolate is always a winner! You could either give each of the kids two Dove chocolates, or buy two bags of them for the whole family to share.
Additional ideas for the second day of Christmas:
- Snacks that come in twin packs
- Dove brand personal care products
- Two Turtle Doves Christmas tree ornament
3. Book or Movie Trilogy
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…three French hens.
While you could always give a few cans of chicken noodle soup, I seriously doubt the kids will find that very exciting. Instead, consider a book or movie series that comes in a set of three!
Additional ideas for the third day of Christmas:
- Three French Hens Christmas tree ornament
- Three-month subscription box (see ideas below)
- Three Blind Mice book
Our favorite subscription boxes for kids:
4. Bird Feeder & Birdseed
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…four calling birds.
Grab a window bird feeder and some birdseed to attract birds that you can enjoy watching from the indoors. You might even want to order a bird book so you can all work together to identify each of the species.
Additional ideas for the fourth day of Christmas:
- A pet bird (if you’re up to it)
- Anything with the image of a bird (or four)
- Four Calling Birds Christmas tree ornament
5. Ring Toss Game
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…five gold rings.
If five gold rings is out of the budget, a ring toss game set is a gift that the whole family can enjoy!
Additional ideas for the fifth day of Christmas:
- Ring pops
- Anything Lord of the Rings
- Five Gold Rings Christmas tree ornament
6. The Serious Goose Book
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…six geese a-laying.
The Serious Goose book by Jimmy Kimmel is sure to delight young readers. Otherwise…
Additional ideas for the sixth day of Christmas:
- Chocolate eggs
- Six Geese a-Laying Christmas tree ornament
- Goose down filled pillows
7. The Ugly Duckling Children’s Book
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…seven swans a-swimming.
The Ugly Duckling is a story about a duckling who is ridiculed and shunned by his family because he looks different. He’s sad and lonely, but ends up growing into a beautiful swan.
Additional ideas for the seventh day of Christmas:
- Seven days of the week underwear
- Seven Swans a-Swimming Christmas tree ornament
- Anything with a swan image
8. Milk Chocolate
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…eight maids a-milking.
I had to throw chocolate into the mix one more time because, well, who doesn’t love chocolate?!
Additional ideas for the eighth day of Christmas:
- Milk hot chocolate
- Honey Maid graham crackers
- Eight Maids a-Milking Christmas tree ornament
9. Dance Classes
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…nine ladies dancing.
Kiddos who are interested in dancing might enjoy a certificate for dance classes, or even a dancing game, music CD, etc.
Additional ideas for the ninth day of Christmas:
- Nine Ladies Dancing Christmas tree ornament
- Tickets to a ballet performance
- Ballet slippers
10. Jump Rope
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…ten lords a-leaping.
Anything that signifies “leaping” like a jump rope or even a small indoor trampoline would be great gifts for small children with lots of energy to burn!
Additional ideas for the tenth day of Christmas:
- Anything Lord of the Rings
- Ten Lords a Leaping Christmas tree ornament
- Anything that comes in a set of ten
11. Anything That’s “Piping Hot”
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…eleven pipers piping.
Obviously, you don’t want young children to drink something that’s going to scald them, but the idea is that you give something “piping hot” like hot chocolate, apple cider, etc.
Additional ideas for the eleventh day of Christmas:
- Eleven Pipers Piping Christmas tree ornament
- Piping bag and tips for cake decorating
- A bagpipe CD
12. Toy Drums
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…twelve drummers drumming.
Finally! On the last day, present the recipient with a toy drum set or finger drums, or anything drum-related.
Additional ideas for the twelfth day of Christmas:
- Twelve Drummers Drumming Christmas tree ornament
- Drum-shaped tin with baked goods inside
- The Little Drummer Boy children’s book
Do You Give Gifts for the 12 Days of Christmas?
Giving gifts for 12 days is a French tradition, but you don’t necessarily have to give gifts in order to celebrate.
How to Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas
Here are some fun ways the whole family can celebrate, either during the days leading up to December 25 OR during the twelve days leading up to January 5. (Or both, if you really love this time of year!)
- Make your own ornaments to decorate the tree.
- Bake holiday treats and deliver them to the neighbors.
- Decorate Christmas cookies.
- Make gingerbread houses.
- Build a hot chocolate bar (and leave it up for the whole season!).
- Watch Christmas movies.
- Go Christmas caroling.
- Play board games together.
- Host a holiday party.
(Find more 12 Days of Christmas activities here!)
Now that you have all those ideas swirling about your head, what are your favorite 12 Days of Christmas gifts for kids?
Read More:
Useful Gifts to Put in a Christmas Eve Box for Your 1 Year Old
17 Delightful Christmas Eve Box Ideas for the Family
How to Decorate Mason Jars for Christmas Gifts (or Any Occasion!)
