Edition #2 | Gifts that Spark Joy

Hello friends,

Welcome back to hili recommended! This week we're diving into something that hits close to home for so many of you: finding gifts that actually excite kids without defaulting to whatever's trending on TikTok or another piece of plastic destined for the donation pile. The best gift ideas come from other parents, teachers, friends who know firsthand what makes a child’s face light up or will keep them interested long after they unwrap it. That’s what this week’s edition is all about.

What’s inside:

✨ Top Gift Recs for Kids (& Kids at Heart) The finds that sparked genuine excitement, from toddlers to adults who refuse to grow up completely

💬 Community Asks Your questions, our collective wisdom

💜 Karli Loves What's earning permanent spots in my recommendations this week

Let's find some magic.
-Karli

You know that feeling when you give a gift and it becomes the thing they won't put down? Our community shared what's been hitting that mark lately with gift recs that don't just get a polite “thank you” but become part of the daily rotation.

Yoto Mini | $80
“A neat screen-free audio player for kids. Our friend’s son loves his so much. He rotates between the Beatles, Raffi, Queen, and Spanish cards while he walks around dancing, listening to it (rather than staring at a screen)”

Wooden ice cream set and counter | $40
“Probably my girls all-time favorite toy. Great quality and everyone loves it!”

Hazardous Tales 3-Book Box Set by Nathan Hale | $34
“Moments in history told via graphic novel. My boys have read every book in the Hazardous Tales collection multiple times.”

Build Your Own Robot Hack Pack | $67
“Such a great subscription box.”

Montessori Color Puzzle with Challenge Cards | $40
“Wooden toys and games are always so nice and my boys liked the challenge cards to keep them engaged. They loved working on this!”

These are the questions our community asked this week, and chances are, you've got the perfect answer for at least one of them so jump in!

Here's what I’m loving this week:

🛍️ I stumbled across this children’s retail store, Tantrum, a mom-and-pop shop with two locations in the Bay area and an online emporium advertising “happiness for sale”! These 3-D masks will spark all kinds of imaginary fun.

🎨 I lost so many hours perusing this archive of advertising illustrations from 1950-1975. Long live print!

🌲 Now that it’s December it’s finally time to put a holiday scent simmer pot on the stove and start making it festive as hell at my house. You can make it, too, with some orange slices, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and a sprig of rosemary or even pine from your yard.

The magic of hili is that it gets better when you share what you know with the people that matter. That obscure brand that makes indestructible kids' shoes? The activity book that kept your niece entertained on a 6-hour flight? Those recommendations are gold to someone else.

Invite your friends to hili so they can build their own collection trusted recommendations and share their best finds with you.

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