Every Christmas, I put together 24 days of little gifts for each of my grandchildren. It’s a tradition we’ve enjoyed for years, and one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.
I try to keep most gifts around $10, but I also mix in a few things that cost a little more. A good pair of slippers, for example, might cost $20 or more, while a pair of funny socks or a favorite treat costs much less.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the best gifts aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones. They’re the things my grandchildren actually enjoy and use.
I’ve put together some of my favorite Christmas countdown gift ideas for different ages, from toddlers to teenagers. Some are inexpensive little surprises, while others are worth spending a bit more on.
Whether you’re putting together a 24-day Christmas countdown, filling stockings, or just looking for practical gifts for your grandchildren, I hope these ideas make your holiday shopping a little easier.
Jump to Gift Ideas
Cozy and Funny Socks
Socks are one of my favorite little Christmas countdown gifts, especially for older grandchildren. I like choosing different styles depending on their personalities. Some love warm, cozy socks, while others appreciate funny Christmas designs.
Multipacks are particularly useful because I can divide the pairs among several grandchildren, making each gift more affordable.
Cozy Winter Socks — FYC Women’s Warm Winter Socks
These colorful patterned socks come in a five-pair package. They’re a nice option for older grandchildren who enjoy warm, comfortable socks.
Funny Christmas Socks — MOGGEI Novelty Socks
These come in a variety of Christmas designs, making them a fun addition to countdown bags or stockings.
My tip: Don’t overlook practical gifts. Sometimes the things grandchildren use every day are just as appreciated as toys!
I buy slippers for all my grandchildren! They’re one of those Christmas gifts I don’t mind spending a little more on. Although I try to keep most of our countdown gifts around $10, a comfortable pair of slippers is worth the extra money.
For the little ones, I like slippers with fun designs and secure closures. As the kids get older, I look for comfortable slip-on styles or cozy, fleece-lined slippers.
Here are three options for different ages:
These rocket-patterned slippers have adjustable closures and nonslip soles. They’re a fun option for little ones.
RockDove Two-Tone Memory Foam Slippers
An easy slip-on style with memory foam cushioning, particularly suitable for older grandchildren who fit adult sizes.
RockDove Nomad Closed-Back Slippers
A cozy, fleece-lined option with a closed heel for anyone who prefers warmer, more enclosed slippers.
My tip: Mix inexpensive countdown gifts with a few nicer ones. Not every gift needs to cost the same amount!
Winter Hats: Practical Gifts They’ll Actually Wear
Winter hats are another gift I like to include in our Christmas countdown. Living in New England, I know how useful a warm hat can be, and I enjoy finding different styles that suit each grandchild.
For younger children, I look for hats that cover their ears and stay in place. For teenagers, I try to choose styles they’ll actually want to wear. These are three options I’ve picked out for different ages.
Loritta Fleece-Lined Winter Beanie
A warm, cable-knit beanie with fleece lining. This is a good affordable option for older boys and teenagers, and it fits nicely into my goal of spending around $10 on most countdown gifts.
LMLALML Kids’ Earflap Winter Hat
This colorful knit hat has earflaps, a pom-pom, and fleece lining. I like this style for younger children because it provides extra coverage around their ears. Be sure to select the appropriate size.
Funky Junque Multicolor Knit Beanie
A colorful, slouchy knit beanie that’s a fun option for older grandchildren who enjoy choosing their own style.
My tip: Hats are a good example of mixing practical gifts with a little personality. Choosing a favorite color or style can make an everyday winter essential feel more special.
Bath and Shower Gifts for Different Ages
Bath and shower gifts are another fun addition to our Christmas countdown. They’re something a little different from the usual socks and winter accessories, and I like that many come in multipacks that can be divided among several grandchildren.
SWCANDY Aromatherapy Shower Steamers
These colorful shower steamers come in an eight-piece assortment. They’re a nice little self-care gift for older teens who enjoy scented bath and shower products.
Pure Athlete Sport Shower Steamers
These eucalyptus and menthol shower steamers are marketed toward athletes. I thought they’d make an interesting stocking stuffer for older grandchildren who enjoy sports.
These colorful, planet-themed bath bombs would make a fun surprise for younger grandchildren. The package contains eight, so you could divide them into several countdown gifts.
My tip: Multipacks are one of my favorite ways to stretch the Christmas countdown budget. You can buy one package and make several individual gifts from it.
Building Toys for Different Ages
LEGO DUPLO 3-in-1 Creative Cute Pets (Ages 1½+)
For the youngest grandchildren, LEGO DUPLO is a wonderful introduction to building. The larger pieces are easier for little hands to manage, and this adorable set lets them create different animals. It’s a fun little Christmas countdown gift that encourages creativity and can be enjoyed long after Christmas.
Shop LEGO DUPLO Creative Cute Pets on Amazon
LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Cute Hamster with a Flower (Ages 7+)
I love including small LEGO sets in our Christmas countdown because they’re affordable, fun to build, and something the grandchildren can keep enjoying. This adorable hamster set has three different building options, making it a great little gift for school-age kids who enjoy creating things.
Shop LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Cute Hamster on Amazon
Capybara Mini Building Blocks (Ages 10+)
For older grandchildren who enjoy building, these adorable capybara mini blocks are a fun alternative to traditional LEGO sets. The tiny pieces make this a more challenging project, and the finished capybara is cute enough to display on a desk or shelf. It’s a great Christmas countdown gift for kids and teens who enjoy detailed building projects.
Shop Capybara Mini Building Blocks on Amazon
Crafts and Creative Gifts for Grandkids
JUPITEARTH Easy-Grip Paint Brushes for Toddlers (6-Pack)
These are one of my favorite simple creative activities for our 2-year-old grandchild. We use them with just water instead of paint! The chunky wooden handles are easy for little hands to hold, and there’s no need for messy paint supplies.
They’re great for water painting on outdoor surfaces, and as the children get older, you can use them with washable paints for more creative projects.
At around $10 for six brushes, they’re an affordable gift that encourages creativity and can be used over and over again.
Shop Toddler Paint Brushes on Amazon
Paper Crafts and Friendship Bracelets
Paper Airplane Kit – 32 Sheets, 16 Designs
Paper airplanes are one of those simple activities that can entertain kids for hours. This kit includes colorful paper and 16 different airplane designs. I like that grandchildren can experiment with different folds and then see which airplanes fly the farthest.
It’s also a fun activity for grandparents to do with the kids. You could even have a little paper airplane flying competition!
Shop Paper Airplane Kit on Amazon
Origami Paper Craft Kit – 100 Sheets
Origami is another inexpensive activity that encourages creativity and patience. This kit includes colorful paper, printed patterns, and instructions for making different creations.
I think this would be especially nice for school-age grandchildren who enjoy working on projects. It’s something they can do independently or with a grandparent.
Shop Origami Craft Kit on Amazon
Friendship Bracelet String – 50 Colors
Friendship bracelets are a fun creative activity for older kids and teens. This collection includes 50 colors of embroidery floss, giving them plenty of choices for making bracelets for themselves, friends, or family.
At around $6 for the whole assortment, it’s also a budget-friendly gift for anyone who already knows how to make friendship bracelets.
Shop Friendship Bracelet String on Amazon
My Christmas Countdown Tip: I love gifts that turn into activities. A paper airplane competition, an afternoon of origami, or making friendship bracelets together can be just as enjoyable as opening the gift itself.
Drawing and Sketching Gifts for Older Kids and Teens
Two of my older grandchildren love to draw, so art supplies are always on my Christmas countdown shopping list. I like giving them something that encourages a hobby they already enjoy, rather than buying something just to fill another gift bag.
PANDAFLY Drawing and Sketching Pencil Set (20 Pieces)
This is a great little gift for older kids and teenagers who enjoy drawing. The set includes graphite pencils in different grades, charcoal sticks, blending tools, and other sketching accessories.
At approximately $6, it’s an affordable way to encourage their creativity without spending a lot.
Shop PANDAFLY Drawing Pencil Set on Amazon
Soucolor Sketchbook (9 × 12 Inches, 100 Sheets)
A sketchbook is another useful gift for grandchildren who enjoy drawing. This one has 100 sheets and a spiral binding.
Shop Soucolor Sketchbook on Amazon
My Christmas Countdown Tip: If your grandchild already has plenty of sketchbooks, just give them the pencils! But if they need both, I would wrap them separately and make them two different days of gifts. That gives them two useful surprises instead of one larger present.
NBA Basketball Trading Cards for Teenagers
One of my teenage grandsons is a basketball player and a big NBA fan. Basketball trading cards are something he specifically asked for, so they’re going into his Christmas countdown this year!
I like the idea of including a pack of cards as one of the more special gifts. This 2020–21 Panini Donruss NBA Basketball Pack contains 30 cards and would be a fun surprise for a basketball fan or collector.
🏀 2020–21 Panini Donruss NBA Basketball Cards – 30-Card Pack
My Christmas Countdown Tip: Not every day’s gift needs to cost the same amount. I balance a few more expensive gifts, like basketball cards, with inexpensive treats and practical gifts on other days.
LEGO Airplane for Aviation Fans
One of my teenage grandsons loves basketball and anything related to aviation. Although he’s not interested in collecting model airplanes, LEGO airplanes are a different story!
The LEGO Technic Bush Plane has 333 pieces, a spinning propeller, and working engine pistons. It’s a fun option for older kids and teenagers who enjoy building.
✈️ LEGO Technic Bush Plane – 42198
My Christmas Countdown Tip: LEGO sets can be expensive, so I save gifts like this for one of the special days and balance the cost with less expensive gifts throughout the countdown.
Dungeons & Dragons Dice for Teenagers
One of my teenage grandsons loves playing Dungeons & Dragons, so I’m always looking for small gifts related to his interests.
This Haxtec 7-Piece Polyhedral Dice Set caught my attention because of its iridescent design. It includes the seven dice used in D&D and comes with a velvet storage pouch.
At around $10, it’s a nice option for one day of a Christmas countdown, especially for a teenager who already enjoys tabletop role-playing games.
🎲 Haxtec D&D Polyhedral Dice Set – 7 Pieces
My Christmas Countdown Tip: For older grandchildren, I try to choose gifts that reflect their individual interests. Even a small gift feels more thoughtful when it’s something they’re genuinely interested in.
Running Socks for Active Teenagers
One of my teenage grandsons runs track, so practical athletic gifts are always worth considering for his Christmas countdown.
These KEMISANT Cushioned Athletic Running Socks come in a six-pack and feature arch support, cushioned soles, and moisture-wicking fabric. They’re designed for running and other athletic activities.
At around $10 for six pairs, they’re an affordable option for an active teenager.
🏃 KEMISANT Men’s Cushioned Running Socks – 6-Pack
My Christmas Countdown Tip: A multipack of socks can be especially useful when you’re preparing countdown gifts for several grandchildren. Depending on the sizes and preferences, you could divide the pairs between different gift days or give the entire package as one gift.
Basketball Accessories for Tween Girls
One of my granddaughters is a very talented basketball player, but she also enjoys some girly things. I love finding gifts that combine both sides of her personality!
Basketball Headband
This black and neon pink basketball headband from MadSportsStuff caught my eye. It’s designed to stay in place during sports and has moisture-wicking fabric, making it a fun and practical accessory for basketball practice or games.
🏀 MadSportsStuff Girls Basketball Headband
Basketball Scrunchies
These basketball-themed scrunchies from Happie Hare come in a pack of four, with different colors and basketball prints. They’re a cute option for a girl who loves basketball and enjoys hair accessories.
💕 Happie Hare Basketball Scrunchies – 4-Pack
My Christmas Countdown Tip: Multipacks are a great way to stretch your budget. You can divide four scrunchies into separate countdown gifts or combine one with another small treat. It’s an easy way to make the countdown more affordable without sacrificing the fun.
Lip Balm and a Mini Tote for Tween Girls
One of my granddaughters is approaching her teenage years and enjoys some girly things along with her love of basketball. I like finding little gifts that are fun without being too expensive.
This Lip Smacker Holiday Getaway Lip Balm comes in a chocolate mint flavor and includes an adorable miniature pink tote keychain. It’s a cute combination of something practical and a little accessory.
At around $5, it’s an affordable choice for one day of a Christmas countdown.
💕 Lip Smacker Holiday Getaway Lip Balm + Mini Tote Keychain
My Christmas Countdown Tip: Small gifts don’t have to feel like fillers. Something inexpensive but thoughtfully chosen can be just as exciting as a more expensive gift.
Making Christmas Countdown Gifts Personal
After years of putting together Christmas countdown gifts for my grandchildren, I’ve learned that the best surprises aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones.
Some days it’s a pair of socks, a favorite treat, or something useful. Other days it’s a LEGO set, art supplies, or a little gift chosen especially for that grandchild’s interests.
I try to keep most gifts around $10, but I don’t worry if a few cost more. Mixing inexpensive surprises with occasional splurges makes the tradition more manageable.
What matters most to me is that each grandchild has something to look forward to every day leading up to Christmas.
And that’s what makes this tradition so special!
How Our 24 Days of Christmas Tradition Started
This gift guide grew out of a Christmas tradition I’ve shared with my grandchildren for years. What began with little surprises for a two-year-old has grown into something we still enjoy as the grandchildren become teenagers.
If you’re thinking about starting your own countdown, I’ve shared how our tradition works, how I organize the gifts, and how I’ve adapted it for different ages.
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