The staff of Scary Mommy has, collectively, 16 kids. Suffice it to say, we know what kids like. So we asked each other what were the gifts that literally kept on giving year after year. From pretty much anything Melissa & Doug to an assortment of Magna-tiles and the like, here are the presents we gave our kids that have stood the test of time and lasted their fare share of use by multiple kids.

I know what you’re probably thinking: She’s bringing this up now?! And, sure, we’re smack dab in the middle of the biggest consumer season of the year. But if you want to run a little counterprogramming in your kids, check out this helpful, chockful-of-tips article by Bethann Mayer.