![Photo: Getty Images](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/k/m/z/5/image.related.landscape.380x253.h1kmnc.png/1577222887435.jpg)
Top Resources
![Presents don't have to be toys to be awesome.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/d/a/i/7/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gld86k.gjzsb9.png/1478742997929.jpg)
20 non-toy holiday gift ideas for kids
Children everywhere have already begun to give serious thought to their holiday wish-list while parents everywhere have already begun to cringe with the realisation that in just a few weeks more toys will be invading their home.
![Easy ways to make your gifts presentable.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/p/o/l/z/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.glpmtm.gjzsb9.png/1511836150424.jpg)
Five gift wrapping hacks for Christmas
There are two types of people in this world, those who are amazing at wrapping Christmas presents – and the rest.
![Xmas craft](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/n/1/d/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gjn1ag.gjzsb9.png/1478742997929.jpg)
![Save that wrapping paper for some Christmas day games.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/e/6/m/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.glchr9.gjzsb9.png/1478742997929.jpg)
![Cracker jokes for kids.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/u/2/h/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.glfado.gjzsb9.png/1478742997929.jpg)
![ULTRA-COOL: Have fun opening one of these each day. Photo: Donna Bailey @ Stampin Up](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/l/f/m/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.11waau.gjzsb9.png/1478742997929.jpg)
Latest
![Photo: iStock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/k/2/w/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1k2vq.png/1575525202357.jpg)
I never liked New Year's Eve until my family started this special tradition
We've made New Year's Eve into something that suits us.
![Photo: iStock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/k/3/9/i/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1k35o.png/1575518440219.jpg)
Festive frenzy! The Christmas nightmares of every mother
A dozen festive horrors that can't be avoided at this time of year
![Photo: iStock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/k/5/2/t/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1k52e.png/1575427453054.jpg)
Confession: Santa visits my children twice every year - this is why
Confession: Santa visits my kids twice every year — and honestly, I regret ever starting this tradition. I know, I know. Your immediate response is probably to think about what spoiled brats I'm raising. I get it. Why on Earth would a parent begin a tradition where Santa comes more than once?
![Photo: iStock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/j/z/i/6/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1jzgd.png/1574902351215.jpg)
Mums called 'vulgar' and 'freaky' for putting Christmas tree up early
It's an age-old debate - but it seems a lot of people really do care when the decorations go up.
![Getty Images/iStockphoto](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/j/y/e/i/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1jyd3.png/1574822711434.jpg)
Am I being unfair? Mum questions her Christmas present plan
You have to admit it's a good idea.
![Emerson with just two of her many selections for Christmas. Photo: Kristina Watts](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/j/w/5/0/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1jw32.png/1574655649224.jpg)
![Being able to question the world around them is necessary in school and in life.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/3/2/d/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1jw4u.png/1574645208370.jpg)
Is this the age children should know the truth about Santa?
It's a tricky decision.
![Instagram/ sincerelymumsy](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/j/u/v/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1jutc.png/1574399337646.jpg)
Mum's genius Christmas tree hack is one we can all appreciate
Turn your laundry into a Christmas decoration.
![Photo: Kristen Bell / Instagram](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/j/t/6/i/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1jt5c.png/1574307350943.jpg)
'My heart sank': Kristen Bell reveals why she told her three-year-old the truth about Santa
Kristen encouraged her daughter's inquisitiveness.
![Photo: @A_Johnson412 / Twitter / Legally Blonde](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/j/q/n/2/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1jqm1.png/1574217598554.jpg)
10-year-old girl gives dad $10,000 Christmas wish list
Extravagant is one word for it.
![Photo: iStock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226064218im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/j/c/v/0/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1jcuh.png/1573169700479.jpg)
I'm ready for my kid to figure out the Santa secret. Is that wrong?
My daughter will be nine soon, and she's beginning to question a whole lot of things.
Search pagination