Looking for holiday gifts for kids that won't end up in a drawer? Ideas for printed jackets, hoodies and tees, plus sizing tips and when to order in time.
Picking holiday gifts for kids is fun, right up until you realise you have no idea what they'll actually use. Toys often end up at the bottom of a cupboard within a week, while a great jacket or hoodie gets worn to school for months. Whether you're a young parent, an aunt or uncle, a godparent or an older sibling, this guide shows you how to choose a clothing gift that's exciting to unwrap and genuinely gets worn. You'll find concrete ideas, sizing tips and a timeline, so the gift arrives in time for St. Nicholas on 5 December or Christmas.
Clothing has a bad reputation as a present. We all remember the obligatory socks and the jumper that never left the wardrobe. But that's almost always down to the choice, not the idea. Kids today have strong opinions about style. They want to look as good as their favourite creator or their older cousin. A print they think is cool or pretty is something they'll put on without an argument.
On top of that, parents need to buy certain things anyway. A winter coat or a warm layer for the playground: if you give it, you're helping the parents too. Just check with them first, so there aren't suddenly three coats under the tree.
Clothes get used every day, toys often only for a few weeks A standout print turns it into a gift instead of a necessity You help the parents with something they needed anyway
For kids who run outside the moment school ends, a jacket is the most useful gift you can give. The kids' colorblock monogram puffer jacket is made from lightweight polyester with a bright colorblock body and black and white monogram sleeves. It has a hood, elastic cuffs that keep the wind out at the wrists, and two side pockets for gloves or a snack. It's machine washable cold, up to 40°C, which comes in handy after an afternoon in the mud.
This is the gift parents will thank you for, and kids still love it because it looks nothing like the plain jackets everyone else is wearing.
Older kids and young teens mainly want to avoid looking childish. The youth graphic full-zip hoodie jacket has a full-length zip, so it goes on and off easily over a T-shirt or long-sleeve top. It comes in seven colours: white, yellow, green, orange, red, brown and blue.
Tip: not sure which colour to pick? Casually ask a parent which colour the child wears most, or which football club they support. A colour that fits their own style will be worn far more often.
The kids' monogram bomber jacket is lighter than a puffer, which makes it great for milder autumn and spring days. The fabric is 95% polyester and 5% spandex, so it moves with them while they play. It's black with a white geometric monogram, with a ribbed collar, cuffs and waistband, plus side pockets. Kids often find a bomber extra cool because it's a proper streetwear shape, just like the grown-up version.
In real winter cold it won't replace a warm coat, but it's a great layer for indoors, in the classroom or on days when it's around ten degrees.
Not every gift has to be big. For younger kids, the black Cyber Bear tee is a fun choice, with a colourful half-robot teddy bear, orange accents at the neckline and geometric details on the sleeves. It's made for ages 2 to 7, in sizes 2-3Y, 4-5Y and 6-7Y. It's a lightweight shirt, so in winter it works indoors or under a hoodie.
More practical, but a hit with school kids: the insulated printed lunch bag. It's polyester with a zip and a water-resistant all-over print, and keeps lunch or after-school snacks fresh.
Size is the biggest risk with a clothing gift. These tips will usually get you there:
Ask the parents for the child's height in centimetres, not just their age. Kids of the same age can be several sizes apart. The youth hoodie jacket has a size chart by height: 3XS fits 110 to 116 cm (roughly 4 to 6 years), 2XS 122 to 128 cm, XS 134 to 140 cm, S 146 to 152 cm and M 158 to 164 cm (roughly 12 to 14 years). Torn between two sizes for a jacket? Go for the bigger one. That leaves room for a sweater underneath and a bit of growing. For the jackets, always check the size information on the product page before you order.
You have 14 days to return an item, but that window doesn't wait for the holidays. If you order early, check the fit as soon as it arrives, for example by laying it next to one of the child's own jackets.
Every LauBelle item is made only after you order. Allow 3 to 5 business days for making and then 7 to 9 business days for shipping, so roughly two to three weeks in total. If you want to be sure it arrives by 5 December, order in the first half of November. Shipping is free, and if it's your first order, the code LAUBELLE10 gives you 10% off.
A clothing gift becomes special with a bit of festive effort:
Hide a jacket inside a homemade surprise, like a cardboard school bus or backpack. Write a short poem about the print. A half-robot teddy bear or a bold monogram gives you plenty to rhyme with. Pair a bigger item with something small, like the lunch bag next to a jacket, so there's more to unwrap.
Want to browse further? The full LauBelle kids collection has all the jackets, tees and dresses for children in one place.
