I’m slowly easing into the holiday spirit. I think it has something to do with the fact that I finally put the Halloween decorations in the attic yesterday.

I thought I’d post some fun nostalgic gift ideas for kids that all cost less than $20. Miss C is starting to join the “nothing less than anything that costs $100” Christmas wish list this year (damn you Nintendo Wii!) so perhaps I’m waxing nostalgic for a very practical reason…I need a pimp Santa.

For any of you with children ages 3 and under, please set the bar low the first few years at Christmas and don’t sweat spending tons of cash on gifts (that’s what grandparents are for!) because your kid will be quite happy playing with bags, boxes, and bows. You’ll thank me when they start school and want every electronic, overpriced toy known to man, like a $299 toy horse.

Any way, here are some fun gift ideas for kids that all have an old school feel to them.

This nostalgic Play-Doh canister would be a great gift and it’s only $14.99 right now at Toys R Us.

I really like the Land of Nod website and they have several great ideas for stocking stuffers like this classic kaleidoscope.

I love Raggedy Ann (this one can be found at Cracker Barrel.)

Two words…SEA MONKEYS (from Amazon.com.)

Fisher-Price has a line of retro Little People toys at Toys R Us. I love this school!

Oh sock monkey how I love thee.

My favorite chrome dome—Wooly Willy!

Remember Mad Libs? There is also a Mad Libs iPhone app, be still my heart.

My girls both love stick horses. It’s nice to see them playing with something that doesn’t make noise or require batteries.

Three words: Sock Monkey Slippers!

Both Cracker Barrel and Tractor Supply (yes, Tractor Supply) are great places to shop for classic stocking stuffers, too.

Have I left anything off the list? Do you have any fun retro gift ideas for kids that are reasonably priced?

Disclosure: These are all my own suggestions, straight from my wee little blonde head (complete with the beginning of roots). I have linked to Amazon.com on a few of these items and I do have an Amazon affiliate account which I have made a whopping zero cents from just FYI.