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There may not be any last-minute box decorating or handmade class valentines this year, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t do something sweet. I mean, is it really that sad?

I typically get all three girls variations of the same things. It keeps things a lot simpler even though they aren’t the same ages.

This year I mostly felt inspired by colors and that sweet Kipling purse. All three girls love purses, wallets, and a place to stash their money. I can’t wait for them to see the iconic fuzzy monkey “leash tag”–their sweet name for keychains.

1 – Kipling Crossbody | 2 – The Invisible String, Dork Diaries, Where is Baby’s Valentine? | 3 – Jellycat Poodle | 4 – Sensory Dough Kit | 5 – Pretend Make Up | 6 – Caboodle |

I try my best to strike a balance between fun surprises and practical items. I have been known to overspend by adding unnecessary trinkets to gifts, but I have found planning ahead and having somewhat of a theme helps eliminate the impulsive junk.

I don’t think you can go wrong with books, pretend play, and, in their opinion, stuffed animals! We already have that make-up set and Caboodle, and both little girls love it.

I really do try hard to stick to some basics that I know my kids will love but won’t end up feeling like added clutter.

While stuffed animals and blankets might not be on everyone’s practicality list, I would argue that they make kids feel cozy and loved, and then they have a friend to build a fort with! I get the best blankets at either Costco or the Marshalls, TJMaxx, HomeGoods trio. Oh, and the Squishmallows can be found there, Walgreens, or even Five Below.

During COVID we have also acquired quite a collection of games and puzzles, and Gamewright Games are typically a crowd favorite. This isn’t Gamewright, but it’s our recent pick. We order most of our games off of Amazon along with books and craft supplies.

And lastly, Mae-Mae is my box and bag lady. The collection is growing, but they honestly help her keep her room organized and tidy. All the girls love anything organizational. I find that the boxes at Marshalls, TJMaxx, and HomeGoods are reasonably priced and usually have kid-friendly designs. We typically find our backpacks, purses, and wallets from Target, J.Crew, or Gap.

Whatever you end up doing, I hope you find the perfect surprise, and may you have the power to avoid the little bags of erasers in the Target dollar section!