With holiday shopping officially underway, we’re tapping into the people, like family-focused creator and kid-approved essentials and practical-meets-cute shopping maven Lindsey Jungwirth, who influence our carts the most—TikTok creators. From Canadian-made beauty and lifestyle finds to the restaurants and products that defined their year, this Q&A series spotlights the gifts they’re giving, the brands they’re backing, and the standout moments that earned a spot on their personal “2025 wrapped.” Consider this your shortcut to what’s actually worth buying right now. —Noa Nichol
Holiday gifting for kids can feel overwhelming—what makes a gift truly special and useful for families with multiple ages, like yours?
For me, a truly special gift is one that’s timeless—something that doesn’t rely on batteries and actually invites imagination. We’ve had our fair share of “one-and-done” toys, and it’s always disappointing to see something abandoned just weeks later. I try to choose gifts that spark creative play, encourage kids to build or create, or are flexible enough that everyone can enjoy them together. If a gift gets kids thinking, imagining, and coming back to it again and again, that’s always a win in our house.
On my TikTok page, I share a lot of DIY crafts, activities and recipes, so open-ended supplies to stock up our craft room, or kid-friendly gadgets (like the mini donut maker we gifted my daughter!) that let the kids join me in the kitchen are also very welcome in our home.
You love brands like Kombi and Whistle & Flute. What do those companies get right when it comes to durability, design, and kid-appeal?
These brands—along with a few of my other favourite apparel companies—never feel overwhelming. Their colours and designs are very intentional and feel true to the brand. With Whistle & Flute, the cartoon characters all follow a similar aesthetic, which I love—it’s playful without being overly flashy, but still colourful enough that my kids are excited to wear it.
Durability is huge for me as a mom, and both brands really deliver. Everything washes well and actually holds up, which matters when clothes are being worn hard and passed down. In fact, I’ve been able to pass the same classic Kawaii cloud shirt from Whistle & Flute through all three of my kids.
And Kombi? There’s honestly some kind of magic in their gloves. If my 1.5-year-old wants to wear them—and keeps them on—that’s a huge win.
What are your top tips for finding gifts that kids will actually use instead of abandoning after a week?
My best tip is to observe my kids in real-life settings—at a friend’s house, in a church playroom, or anywhere they’re playing naturally. When you’re shopping, everything is bright, flashy, and designed to grab attention in a moment. A toy might seem exciting there, but it’s hard to know whether that excitement will last once it’s home.
But when I see my kids genuinely engaged with a toy in a real environment—coming back to it, using it creatively, or playing for an extended period—I know there’s a good chance that interest will carry over at home. Those moments tell you far more than a quick “wow” in a store aisle.
Matching or heirloom-style items are trending for families—what secondhand or indie brands have pieces you’d want to pass down between your three kids?
Whistle & Flute tops have already been passed down between all three of my kids, as have a few of my favourite Rags rompers. But my absolute favourite heirloom piece has to be our Padraig Cottage wool slippers. I love them so much that I made sure to buy the exact same pair in multiple sizes—and I’ve kept them stored in a special bin with the intention of passing them down not just to my kids, but someday to their kids as well.
There’s something really special about items that hold both quality and memory—they become more than just clothing; they become part of your family story.
What’s one heart-melting holiday moment you’ve had thanks to a thoughtful kids’ gift, whether thrifted, handmade, or brand-new?
One of the most meaningful gifts in our home is the handmade puppet theatre and play store my husband and I built for our kids when they were two and four. One side had a chalkboard where they could write the title of their puppet show, complete with curtains and a little stage. The other side had shelves and a counter so it could double as a store or kitchen.
Six years later, it’s still a prominent piece in our playroom. While my older two—now eight and ten—don’t use it as often, I have a feeling that before long they’ll be happily pulled back into it, begged by their baby brother to put on puppet shows or play store with him. It’s a reminder that the most special gifts aren’t always the biggest or flashiest (and certainly not the most expensive)—they’re the ones that grow with your family and carry memories through every stage.
Top gift picks:
- Kombi Mittens (@kombicanada): One item that comes to mind right away is Kombi mittens, especially from the ‘Imaginary Friend’ line. The playful design is key to keeping my kid interested and wearing them for more than five minutes!
- Whistle and Flute (@whistleandflute): Their designs are SO much fun, and are adorable for babies, and are loved all the way up to my preteen! Their kawaii cloud design has been worn by all three kids at one point or another!
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