I'm not going to lie, I am really, really excited about Christmas. Maybe it's because my children are at the age where they are really starting to get excited about things. They look forward to the lights, the parties, the events and of course, the most important: learning about Jesus.

My oldest son and my niece are now four so they both fall firmly in the preschool age. I wanted to share some gift ideas. But, it's really important to me to have learning-based gifts. I am not against toys, but I want the toys to serve many purposes, both entertainment and engagement.

Everything on this list is $20 or less (although prices are ALWAYS subject to change).

1. Super Hero Dress Up Doll - This is much like paper dolls, but wooden children can dress up the "hero" in various costumes.

2. Band in a Box - My kids have these instruments and they are a big deal. These are perfect for learning rhythm and rhyme. And they are great for a rainy day.

3. Stamps - We love these wooden stamps. They are great for learning eye hand coordination and art is always fun!

4. Highlights Magazine - What child doesn't love mail? And I loved this magazine as a kid. Highlights is filled with games, stories and colorful images.

5. Playfood - Food play is a childhood favorite. Kids will have fun cutting food and pretending to cook and eat.

6. Otis books - Otis is a sweet little tractor who loves to play. And the books are very entertaining for children and adults alike.

7. Washable finger paint - Do your kids love to paint? Both my boys love, love, love paint. And these washable finger paints are easy to clean off little hands, clothes and furniture.

8. Airfork One fork - Make meal times fun for little fingers with Airfork One, a plane shaped fork!

1. Hailey and Hannah Dress-Up - Mix and match outfits and go on adventures with friends Hailey and Hannah. These are wooden dolls and the cloths snap on using magnets.

2. Do a Dot Markers - Do a Dot markers are great for coloring, painting and learning games. We love our dot markers and have incorporated them in our preschool at home activities.

3. Ladybug Magazine - Stories, poems and vivid illustrations are sent monthly to little ones. This magazine is beautiful.

4. How to Wash Your Woolly Mammoth - I love this book. It's funny, silly, whimsical and my son and I both giggled while I read it.

5. Puppets - These hand puppets are great for story telling, both by you and your child.

6. Ready, Set, Cut - This is a fun way to learn scissors skills. Preschoolers love scissors and these are safe for little hands.