Less Toys, More Play (And Why I Struggled With This Year's Holiday Gift Guide)

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I wasn't planning to launch a gift guide this year...

When I launched my first guide back in 2018, I felt like I was doing a service for my community. Gift guides were not nearly as popular as they are today, and it was really helpful for parents and grandparents to have a trusty list of curated items by age and stage. I was spending a lot of time sending individual links and screenshots to my friends and followers, so I decided to create the first TWFC Gift Guide.

Fast forward to 2024: I can't even open my social apps without feeling like I need to buy this that or the other thing. I am constantly deleting my Amazon app off my phone and then reinstalling it for one quick item which, then turns into many.

I posted a reel the other day about how $27 per day adds up to 10k per year and if parents are spending that on toys, I want NO PART of it. The truth is, the fewer toys you have the more likely your child is to play.

Don't believe me? The University of Toledo published a study in Infant Behavior and Development: The 2018 study by Dauch et al. titled "The influence of the number of toys present on toddlers' play" found that when toddlers had fewer toys available (4 vs 16 toys), they:

  • Played for longer periods with each toy

  • Were more creative in their play

  • Found more ways to use each toy

  • Had higher quality play experiences overall 

    Herein lies my problem: While my core mission is supporting parents and caregivers in fostering PLAY for their littles, affiliate links help me keep most of my content free.

    What's an affiliate link? It's a tracked link that earns me a small kickback when you shop (at no cost to you).  As you can tell from the chaotic rhythm of this email, I feel conflicted about "selling" toys to you. I don't want you to overbuy. I don't want to contribute to the overconsumption of toys, especially when I know deep down that too many toys will STOP your child from playing productively, completely defeating the purpose of my work.

    So here's what I decided to do...

    I've created a 2024 Holiday Shop, but instead of a massive list of every toy on the market, I've carefully curated items that:

    • Grow with your child

    • Encourage open-ended play

    • Can be used in multiple ways

    • Are built to last (both physically and developmentally)

    • The exception is the Big Kids and Teen guides because they are hard and not my area of expertise. I asked my own big kids to help me create those lists.

    Remember - the goal isn't to fill your home with toys. The goal is meaningful play.

If you’d like to shop the twfc holiday shop, click the button below.

No pressure - as always, the best toy is often the one your child actually plays with.

I’m looking forward to supporting you this holiday season, thanks for being here.

x Lizzie