The holidays are here, and that means it's time to tackle the hardest shopping challenge of all: finding the perfect gift(s) for the children in your life. In this episode, we skip the parental guessing games and go straight to the experts!

Rosie sits down with three brutally honest critics—Dior (8), Robinson (11), and Chloe (6)—to get the definitive, unfiltered word on what kids really want this year. Listen as they enthusiastically share their current wish lists and, more importantly, evaluate a handful of Wirecutter's tried-and-true, age-appropriate recommendations.

Their hilarious, insightful, and sometimes merciless critiques will help you cut through the noise, avoid the toys that will be forgotten by New Year's, and confidently pick a gift that will be a genuine hit.

If you’d like to receive hand-picked gift recommendations right to your inbox, subscribe to Wirecutter’s gifting newsletter, The Gift!

Dior, Age 8

Items on Dior's Personal Wishlist:

A nail kit
Nike shoes
Dog toys and dog-themed toys
Reborn baby doll

Wirecutter gift guide picks discussed:

Wacom Intuos S drawing tablet
Vans Classic Slip-Ons
Cuisinart ICE-21P1 ice cream maker
Lava Lamp Original
Levain Bakery Signature Cookie Assortment
Warmies Capybara stuffy toy

Robinson, Age 11

Items on Robinson's Personal Wishlist:

Pokemon video games and cards
LEGOs
Dungeons & Dragons merch and items
Manga (specifically Shonen)
Books

Wirecutter gift guide picks discussed:

Bearaby Nappling weighted blanket
Brother CS7000X sewing machine
Lego Traditional Chess Set 40719
Arteza Acrylic Paint (Set of 24)
Planet (board game)
Lego Creator 3in1 Birdhouse 31143

Chloe, Age 6

Items on Chloe's Personal Wishlist:

Remote control snake
Sleeping bag (unicorn theme!)
Barbie doll house
Panda toy that comes with a baby bottle, toilet, and diaper

Wirecutter gift guide picks discussed:

Additional reading:

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Gift Guide 2025: Kids Tell Us What They Want

The Wirecutter Show