Last year I kept holiday decorating minimal. We put a fresh garland on the staircase and found a tree I really loved, plus I made a DIY Christmas wreath—but with a two-month-old in the house, I didn’t have energy for much more.
This year feels different. I have more energy and I’m excited to make the season special—especially for Hayes, who is at such a fun age. I partnered with Crate and Barrel (and their Crate and Kids line) to decorate Hayes’s nursery for Christmas and to create a comprehensive gift guide for babies and children across budgets. Crate and Kids has so many thoughtful, well-made items that fit our aesthetic and play needs.
Jeff and I have been fans of Crate and Barrel for years—the midcentury leather sofa in our living room is from them—so it was fun to browse both Crate and Barrel and Crate and Kids for pieces to decorate Hayes’s room and for gift ideas. Let’s start with the decorating.
Now that Hayes spends more time in his room and enjoys playing there, I wanted to give him his own small tree each Christmas that he can decorate with special ornaments we’ll collect or make together. He’s not old enough to pick ornaments himself yet, so I chose a set of buri ornaments that feel classic and whimsical: a red cardinal, a silver fox, a silver owl, a silver raccoon, and a silver squirrel.
I also found a rainbow basket I initially planned to use as a tree skirt, but the tree stand ended up being too large. No problem—the basket will be perfect for toy storage after the holidays. I replaced his older storage basket with a larger sisal one to hold floor pillows and extra toys beneath his bookshelf.
With the tree planned, I added a mix of traditional and playful holiday touches. Staples include a cypress wreath, bottle brush trees, and two stockings (a fair isle and a cozy ivory knit). I also layered in wood bead garlands, a cozy woven garland with a snowy texture, felt holiday light garlands (which I know Hayes will love), twinkle lights, and not one but two nutcrackers—a drummer and a prince—for a charming, festive touch.
These nutcrackers are especially beautiful—limited-edition, made for Crate and Barrel by German artisans. They felt worth the splurge for their quality and personality if you love that classic nutcracker look.
Since I enjoy DIY projects, I made a few simple additions: tiny paper Santa hats for characters in Hayes’s framed artwork (attached temporarily with rolled washi tape) and little paper houses to create a village scene on the top bookshelf. I also added a couple of metallic star pillows to his crib; they usually live on the floor as cushions and I’ll share a tutorial for them soon.
One small but delightful update was new organic crib sheets and a swaddle set from Crate and Kids. It’s not overtly holiday-themed, but fresh, soft bedding feels like a little gift—like Christmas morning—for the whole family.
Now, on to gifts. I put together three curated lists of favorite Crate and Kids items across price ranges: under $30, under $100, and $100+. Many of these are things we already own and love; others are on my wishlist. All are practical, well-designed, and great for gifting.
Holiday Gifts for Baby / Kids $30 and Under
Ideal for stocking stuffers or small-budget gifts. These items are playful, educational, and tactile—perfect for babies and toddlers.
- When I Am Big book — $17.95
- Beeswax crayons set — $12.99
- Gemstone sidewalk chalk set — $16
- Elephant pull toy (fabric & wood) — $25
- Tug boat bath toy — $15
- Night and Day pop-up activity book — $19.95
- Roxy Marj tiger lovey — $7.97 (we love their sun rattle too)
- Dollhouse furniture set — $25
- Duck pull toy — $25 (the ducks’ feet “walk” as you pull)
- Animal Parade giant floor puzzle — $18.99
Additional under-$30 favorites include: Pantone: Box of Color — $12.95; Walk This World at Christmastime book — $17.99; Little Concepts: ABC Spanish book — $12.95; Color Me: Who’s in the Rain Forest? — $12.95; Here Is the World: A Year of Jewish Holidays — $18.95 (great for sharing diverse traditions).
Holiday Gifts for Baby / Kids $100 and Under
If you have a bit more to spend, these thoughtful toys and play pieces are durable and beautifully designed.
- Mini modern house kit — $50
- Etched wooden blocks — $59 (we use these to spell Hayes’s name)
- Wooden cash register — $39
- Modern baby gym — $79
- Play Little Architect set — $50
- Raccoon doll — $69
- Kitty animal adoption set — $49
- Planetarium pop-up book — $40
- Polar bear play mat — $99
- Hand sign alphabet flash cards — $40
Holiday Gifts for Baby / Kids $100+
For big-ticket, show-stopping gifts that will have kids rushing to the tree, consider these special pieces that encourage active play and creativity.
- Ride-on walker — $129.99 (Hayes loves this for pushing, rocking, or riding)
- Large block set — $149 (one of Hayes’s big gifts—great for building)
- Wooden art easel — $149
- 3-in-1 learn-to-ride bike — $249.99 (grows with the child)
- Ride-on tiger (and other animals) — $124.97
- Wooden fire truck — $120
- Victorian dollhouse — $350
- Rainbow wall rug — $159 (muted tones that fit a neutral nursery)
- Wooden play stand for puppet shows — $179
- Rattan rocking horse — $199
That wraps up the Crate and Kids gift guides. Any of these feel like the perfect present for your little ones?
Below are a few more photos showing how we decorated the nursery. Simple, neutral touches with festive accents—stockings on a peg rail, nutcrackers on the changing table, tiny Santa hats on framed prints, bottle brush trees, and soft twinkle lights—make the room feel cozy and magical for the season.
Thanks for reading—I hope these decorating ideas and curated gift lists help make your holiday season joyful and a little easier. I’d love to hear how you decorate for the holidays and any traditions you cherish; we’re always looking for new ideas to add to our family traditions.
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This post is in partnership with Crate and Barrel. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper and Stitch running.