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This holiday season, celebrate the families in your life with a gift that brings everyone together. Whether it’s a game night, a shared culinary adventure, or a gadget that makes everyday life more fun, the best gifts are the ones that create memories.
To help you find something truly special, we’ve gathered 10 gift ideas — nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best — that are perfect for families of all shapes and sizes. At $160 or less, these picks are designed to spark joy and connection.
Who doesn’t love indulging in a cup of homemade ice cream? With this Cuisinart device, you can make that as well as sorbet and frozen yogurt — the ideal gift for the sweet-toothed foodie family on your list.
Anyone on your gift list will absolutely love this thoughtful smart projector. Play beloved movies and shows or stream your favorite YouTube channel right on the wall for everyone to watch. Truly a great gift for all ages. Also check out their BOOM mini projector, which is easy to take on the go.
Looking to establish a new holiday ritual? With LEGO Santa’s Post Office, your entire family can get together to literally build a fun new tradition. It’s a gift that will keep on giving year after year.
This 11-inch gumball bank makes for a fun and quirky gift for kids aged 3 and older or a nostalgic present for adults who miss the days of 10-cent gumballs. It holds up to 24 ounces of your choice of candy or gumballs, features a shatter-resistant globe (so no worries if it gets knocked over), and can be customized to take coins or to simply give out candy free of charge!
Anyone who’s got the travel bug is sure to appreciate this thoughtful gift: a Scratch Off Map of the United States. Whether they’ve done a few cross-country road trips or are just getting started on their nationwide travels, it’s a great way to keep track of all the places they’ve been to.
Pickleball is everywhere these days, and if your loved one is feeling left out, why not get them this Nettie Pickleball Co. Pickleball Set? Great for newbies or anyone who would simply appreciate a new pair of paddles.
There’s no doubt cameras make for wonderful gifts, and the Polaroid Now+ Generation 3 Starter Set is no different. Get it for the budding photographer in your life (tweens and teens will totally get into it) or the former shutterbug who still remembers the Polaroids of old.
With this delightful gift pack, you and your loved ones can gather round and make s’mores no matter where you are or what time of year it is. Graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows, sticks, plus two mini “bonfires” are all you need to turn a good time into a great time.
Gather up your family photos and memories in this beautiful, easy-to-make Family Yearbook. With writing prompts and multiple templates right at your fingertips, you’ll seamlessly create what is sure to become a gorgeous family heirloom.
Know someone who loves yard games like bocce ball and cornhole? Give them the gift of a brand-new game that invokes the fun of Skee-Ball for the outdoor crowd. Groups of two to four players of all ages can compete everywhere from the beach to the BBQ.
Kyle McCarthy is co-founder of Family Travel Forum’s award-winning publications: The FamilyVacationist, MyFamilyTravels.com, and “America’s Most Popular Family Vacations.” Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, MSN, CNN and other publications. Find her on Instagram and Facebook @familytravelforum.
Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku is a Hawai‘i Island-based freelance journalist and travel writer. She has had the privilege to visit all six of the major islands in Hawai‘i and has written about them for such publications as Fodor’s Travel, Matador Network, Hawai‘i Magazine, SF Gate, Trip Advisor, Local Getaways, and others. Her writing carries with it the kuleana (responsibility) of helping to produce more educated, conscientious visitors to this culturally and ecologically sensitive place, advocating for tourism that is sustainable and ethical. Laurie’s areas of expertise include Hawai‘i hotels, family travel, luxury travel, food & beverage, Indigenous excellence, animals, sustainability, voluntourism, and nonprofits. You can read her work on her website, or follow along with her on social @hawaiitravelwriter.
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today.
Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com.
A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie’s affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal – especially during the warmer months -when she’s not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country.
She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing.
Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book.
Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.
Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility Coordinator for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, has a special interest in health and wellness, family travel, women’s solo travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
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