Whether your family is the nuclear unit you come home to every night, the far-flung loved ones you see only a few times a year, or the chosen group you’re so grateful to have found, the right gift can spark fun and foster chances to connect. Child development and behavior specialist Betsy Brown Braun said the best gifts are “memory makers”—items that are a delight to open and that act as a catalyst for spending more time together. To help you create meaningful rituals for many years to come, we’ve found great gifts for family, no matter how it’s defined.
1- Breaking bread
Whether your loved ones are aspiring contestants of Junior Bake Off. Or dedicated bingers of The Great British Bake Off, this ingenious silicone vessel from Lekue yields a great loaf of bread, every time. What’s more, because the whole process—mixing, rising, baking—happens in this single bowl, you don’t create a giant mess. Usually, we recommend a Dutch oven for making bread, but for the price, size, and weight, this is an excellent option for family kitchens.
Lékué Bread Baker ($30 at the time of publication)
2- Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wired
Even if they don’t know it, most families could benefit from and enjoy a smart doorbell camera like our top pick from Arlo. The Arlo detects guests, packages, animals, and cars. And it accurately distinguishes among those occurrences so your phone doesn’t get flooded with errant alerts. Its wide, 180-degree field of view and square aspect ratio reduces blind spots. So, the Arlo provides the most comprehensive image of all the models we tested. It would be an especially thoughtful gift for parents who want to keep an eye on the comings and goings of their teenage roommates.
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wired (about $100 at the time of publication)
4- Hanna Andersson Matching Pajamas
Is it a little corny? Absolutely. But there’s no denying that lounging about in matching pajamas is excellent for photo ops and morale. Hanna Andersson pajamas aren’t cheap, but they are some of our favorites from testing, year after year. The various cuts and styles of slim long-john pants, roomy nightgowns, and footies for babies. And button-up tops—are constructed either from soft and durable cotton knit or flannel. Give a holiday-themed pair, or go with something evergreen, like stripes. Editor Hannah Morrill reports that her 5-year-old daughter was so delighted with their family’s holiday plaid set that they all wore them through April. And she reports that even after years of being washed and worn, they’ve held up fine, with no pilling, stretching, or discoloration.
5- Kites
There’s a real fast-paced, nailbiting crunch to Kites, which our games writer James Austin first encountered at a tabletop games convention this summer. The idea is relatively simple—and pleasingly analog. Cards allow one to flip sand timers, or kites before they run out. There’s also a teamwork element in which players can match colors to prevent kites from crashing together. So, it’s especially fun for families with younger members. And because a game can be played with as few as two. With as many as six players, it’s great for any crew that happens to be home and ready for a game.
Kites ($20 at the time of publication)
6- Throw Throw Burrito Game
Part card game, part low-stakes dodgeball tournament, Throw Throw Burrito is a quirky hybrid that our adult and child testers all love. The goal is to swap cards until one of two things happens: Cards either match or one plays “burrito card.” Of course, that’s the best outcome. The loaded tortilla bundles prompt duels, aka an all-out battle. Players pummel one another other with squishy burrito toys. For rowdy, energetic families, the game is a slam dunk, and it’s a great way to work up an appetite for the real thing.
Throw Throw Burrito Game ($16 at the time of publication)
7- Mr. Food Face Plate
One needn’t be under 4 feet tall to get a real kick out of these face plates, which let creative consumers make 3D food portraits, fry by fry. Give one plate, and family members can trade off nights of artistry. Or you could nab each of the four Mr. and Miss Food designs. Since the plates are ceramic, they’re best for recipients who have graduated from the butter-fingers stage. Buttered noodles, however, will make fetching curls, and once the strands are devoured, the dishwasher-safe plates clean up nicely.
Mr. Food Face Plate (from $16 at the time of publication)
8- The Nugget Play Couch
Editor Signe Brewster invested in this adaptable couch when her daughter was 11 months old. And she reports it’s been indispensable through the crawling, cruising, climbing, and body-slamming-Mom-and-Dad phases. The couch is cleverly constructed from four foam pieces—two foldable rectangles and two triangles. And in the hands of an older child, it becomes a fort, a pirate ship, and a throne. As a bonus for the adults in the family, the microsuede covers can be stripped off. And washed, and when the couch is laid out, it’s actually big enough for a grown-up nap. As Signe will tell you from experience, though, she doesn’t recommend going in for a full night’s rest.
The Nugget Play Couch ($230 at the time of publication)
