Christmas and New Year Gifts for Kids in India

The end of the year is a festive time in many Indian homes. Christmas lights go up in neighbourhoods, schools hold carol singing and Secret Santa games, and families gather for the winter holidays and New Year celebrations. Whether you celebrate Christmas at home or simply enjoy the holiday spirit, it's a lovely time to give children a thoughtful gift.

This guide brings together Christmas and New Year gift ideas for kids in India, organised by age and budget, plus ideas for Secret Santa, stocking fillers and gifts that help children start the new year with a good habit. The focus is on gifts that last beyond the holidays: books, creative kits, games and experiences.

Christmas in India

Christmas is celebrated across India on 25 December, by Christian families and also by many others who enjoy the festive spirit. Goa, Kerala, the North-East and cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are well known for Christmas celebrations, with church services, midnight mass, decorations, plum cake and carols. Many schools celebrate with Christmas parties, Santa visits and Secret Santa games, and the winter break often follows, running into the New Year.

Sharing the Christmas story with children

For families who celebrate, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus. In simple words, the story tells of Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem, finding no room at the inn and Jesus being born in a stable, where shepherds and, later, wise men came to visit. Many children in India also learn about Christmas at school, so it's a good chance to talk about how different communities celebrate. Our guide to festivals of India for kids explores how India's many festivals bring people together throughout the year.

Santa Claus, the jolly figure who brings gifts, is part of the fun for many children. Whether or not your family follows the Santa tradition, the spirit of the season – generosity, kindness and spending time with loved ones – is something every family can share.

What makes a good holiday gift?

Children receive many gifts around festivals and birthdays, and it's easy for toys to pile up unused. A good holiday gift is one that a child will return to again and again. Look for gifts that invite imagination and effort, like books, building sets and art supplies, rather than toys that do all the work. Think about what the child is curious about right now and choose something that feeds that interest. A gift that comes with time, like reading the first chapter together or building a model side by side, often means the most of all.

Christmas gift ideas for little ones (3 to 6 years)

• Picture books with festive or moral stories

• Activity books with colouring, tracing and puzzles

• Craft kits to make ornaments, cards or paper snowflakes

• Soft toys and puppets

• Wooden blocks and simple puzzles

• Musical toys like a small drum or xylophone

For more ideas, see our guide to educational gifts for 3 to 5 year olds.

Christmas gift ideas for school-age kids (7 to 12 years)

• Book packs: Biographies, adventure stories and non-fiction

• Science kits and model-building sets

• Board games for family game nights

• Art supplies: Sketch sets, watercolours, origami

• A diary or planner for the new year

• Sports gear for the winter holidays

Our guide to the best gifts for 8 to 10 year olds has more ideas for this age.

Secret Santa gift ideas for kids

Secret Santa is popular in Indian schools, tuition classes and housing societies. Usually there's a budget, and the gift should suit any child. Good options:

• A story book or comic

• A colouring book with crayons

• A small puzzle or card game

• A stationery set: fun pencils, erasers and a pouch

• A craft kit

• A plant or seed-growing kit

Add a short anonymous note, like "Merry Christmas from your Secret Santa! Hope you enjoy reading this."

Stocking fillers

Small surprises in a stocking or gift bag add fun:

• Bookmarks

• Stickers and sticker books

• Mini puzzles

• Fun erasers and pencils

• A small torch for reading under the blanket

• Hair accessories or keychains

• A small notebook

New Year gifts that start good habits

New Year is a natural time for fresh starts. Consider gifts that encourage a positive habit:

• A book series to read through the year

• A reading journal to record books read

• A diary or gratitude journal

• A wall calendar for planning activities

• A piggy bank for savings goals

• A hobby starter kit: gardening, music, art or cooking

If you'd like to help children build a daily reading habit, try our 30-day reading habit plan.

Gifts by budget

Under ₹500

Story books, colouring books, stationery sets, puzzles, small craft kits, card games.

₹500 to ₹1,000

Book packs, activity books, art sets, board games, science activity kits. For similar budget-friendly ideas, see our Diwali gifts for kids under ₹1,000.

Above ₹1,000

Larger book bundles, telescopes, building sets, bicycles, musical instruments, experiences.

Experience gifts for the winter holidays

• A trip to a museum, science centre or planetarium

• A picnic in the winter sun

• A day trip to a nearby hill station or beach

• Tickets to a children's play

• A baking session to make cookies or plum cake together

• A stargazing night on a clear winter evening

DIY gifts children can make

Children can make gifts too, which teaches generosity:

• Handmade Christmas cards

• Paper ornaments or star lanterns

• Decorated biscuit jars

• A drawing or painting for grandparents

• A small storybook they wrote and illustrated

Giving is as joyful as receiving. Encourage children to think about who they'd like to make something for, whether it's a grandparent, a teacher, a neighbour or the building's security guard, and help them deliver it in person. Our stories about kindness and our guide on raising kind children have ideas for nurturing a giving spirit.

Make the winter break a reading break

The winter holidays are one of the best times of the year to read. Days are slower, evenings are cool and cosy and there's no homework rush. Set up a reading corner with a blanket and a lamp, visit a library, and let children choose books they're genuinely excited about. Family reading time after dinner, where everyone reads their own book for twenty minutes, is a simple tradition that many children come to love. A book pack given at Christmas can carry this habit well into the new year.

Holiday activities for kids

• Decorate a small tree or a corner of the house.

• Read festive stories together every evening.

• Sing carols.

• Bake simple treats.

• Donate books or toys to children who need them.

• Make New Year resolution posters.

Tips for choosing Christmas gifts for kids

• Think about their interests: space, animals, art, cricket or reading.

• Choose quality over quantity.

• Avoid toys with small parts for younger children.

• Add a personal note.

• Balance screens with hands-on gifts; see our screen-free activities for kids.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good Christmas gift for kids in India?

Books, activity kits, board games, art supplies and science kits are thoughtful choices that last beyond the holidays.

What are good Secret Santa gifts for kids?

A story book, colouring set, small puzzle, stationery kit or craft kit within the agreed budget.

What New Year gifts help children build good habits?

A book series, reading journal, diary, calendar, piggy bank or a hobby starter kit.

What are good stocking fillers for kids?

Bookmarks, stickers, mini puzzles, fun stationery, a small torch and small notebooks.

Are books good Christmas gifts?

Yes. Books suit every age and budget, and winter holidays are a perfect time to read together.