I have thought long and hard about what to put on my gift guide this year. I've combed through various sites, taken into account my own kids' preferences, and gone to various baby shows (that's a show featuring baby gear, not a show with babies performing, although the latter sounds more fun).
I haven't paid much attention to this year's "hot new toys", mainly because last year it was topped by the Furby (now in zigzag stripes!), which is the most annoying toy in existence. Also, who has time for such things? I don't need to drive myself crazy tracking down the hot new toy when neither me nor my child knew it existed a week ago.
This is just some of my favorite stuff. Items we own, things I want, toys I'm thinking about getting my kids and a few sponsored products that I included only because I would recommend them anyway. I just didn't know about them until someone pointed them out to me.
I've also listened to you guys. When I talked about GoldieBloks the other day and the need for more math and science focused toys for girls, you said there should also be more miniature kitchen sets and dolls made for boys. If you do a little digging, there's actually a lot more available than you think. Just not where it's really important— when your child is walking down an aisle in a toy store.
While the toy stores sort all that in-person experience stuff out, let's all give a big hand for shopping online!
The following items are my picks for this year's best holiday gifts. There are promo codes and special offers for my readers throughout, along with a bunch of great brands participating in today's giveaway.
1. Off-Broadway Puppet Theater ($39) – This is great space saver too. It's just a tie-back curtain you can hang in a doorway and then fold and put in a draw when you are done.
2. Easy Playhouse Castle ($34) – Don't waste money on a huge expensive playhouse when your child will be tired of it within a month. Get the cheaper cardboard version instead!
3. Xonex Big Art Set, 1 count (30126) ($32) – Mazzy got this as a present for her third birthday. I wanted to steal it for myself.
4. Dexton 6' Great Plains Teepee ($116) – Throw a sheepskin rug in it, take a picture and you've got a Pinterest-worthy play area!
Benbini Watches ($99) are designed to be the perfect timekeeper for moms. They've got a patented double bevel that lets you mark your time so you know exactly how long it's been since you put the baby down for a nap, gave a dose of medicine, or had your last cocktail. And it has a clever right/left slider to make life easier for nursing mothers. Maybe if I had Benbini watch when I was breastfeeding, my right boob wouldn't be so much larger than my left.
Benbini is offering %15 off if you use the code HOLIDAY1, plus free shipping until the end of the year. They are also participating in our giveaway today. See details at the bottom of this post.
1. Rosie Revere, Engineer ($10) – The rhymes are just as clever and the illustrations just as great as Mazzy's favorite Iggy Peck Architect, we're just dealing with a female heroine this time.
2. Goldie Blox and The Spinning Machine ($30) – By now you've all heard of the Stanford graduate who designed an engineering toy specifically to appeal to little girls. I'd buy it just to prove to the toy industry that these kinds of toys are in high demand.
3. Melissa & Doug Super Heroine Role Play Set ($30) – Mazzy can't be the only Pink Crusader out there.
7AM Enfant was at the Biggest Baby Shower a few weeks ago and I was super impressed with the design and quality of their winter gear for babies. Not only do they make thick cozy stroller footmuffs ($172) in multi-colored Chevron, they also make these ingenius mitts for your stroller called Warmmuffs ($38). The fingers are velcroed around the bar so you can just slip your hands in and out to tend to your baby with bare hands or fumble in your purse for your keys.
7AM Enfant is giving away one pair of Warmmuffs at the bottom of this post.
1. Wonderworld City Skyline Glow Block Set ($50) – These ridiculously cool building blocks shaped like NYC skyscrapers glow in the dark.
2. I Pretzel NY onesie ($32) – These awesome onesies designed by Alex from Piccolini (a tiny toy store in Nolita) come in toddler t-shirts and a variety of colors.
3. Daron MTA Licensed Articulated Bus ($19) – I gave this as a gift to a friend's son for his third birthday. She told me when they went on vacation, it was the one toy he insisted on taking.
Piccolini is giving away one NY onesie at the bottom of this post.
Moochie Custom Kid Calendars ($44) are customized with 12 personal photographs, a personalized cover with your kids' names, and a hand stamped bag with their initials. It is printed on beautiful thick paper and comes with a wood stand for an easy elegant display.
Even better, Moochie gives a discount for people ordering three or more so you can put together one calendar and then send multiple copies to friends and relatives. That takes care of both sets of grandparents!
Moochie is giving 10% off to anybody who uses the promo code MOMMYSHORTS.
1. Bitty Baby from American Girl ($80) – Nothing teaches a little girl how to help out with her little sister like having a baby of her own. Bitty Baby comes in a variety of different hair colors, eye colors and skin tones.
2. Big Sister Pillow ($30) – So much cooler than a Big Sister shirt.
3. Beco Mini Toy Doll Carrier ($29) – There is nothing cuter than walking down the street with your daughter wearing matching baby carriers. (Bear not included.)
4. Chloe, Instead ($6) – This is hands down my favorite children's book about welcoming a baby into the house. It deals with both the love and annoyance of having a little sister around.
1. Mustachifier – The Gentleman Mustache Pacifier ($10) – You've one week of Movember left; time to get started on your baby's mustache!
2. Someday I'll Grow A Mustache Onesie ($13) – Self explanatory.
3. Incog-NEATO Mustaches ($7.95 each) – It's hard to choose but I'd go with the Fu Manchu.
4. Mustache Pillow ($32) – This handknit pillow by Estella is 24" long and the perfect addition to any little hipster's room.
Casetagram's mobile phone covers ($39.95) is what I would want if I was your friend, FYI. You can buy one of their incredibly cool collection cases or you can build your own to include whatever layout of your instagram photos you wish. To make things super easy, you can create the whole thing and buy it right from your phone. Come to think of it, a custom Casetagram would also a great gift for the grandparents. If they are no longer using a rotary, obviously.
Casetagram is giving readers 10% off all purchases if you use the code MOMMY10 up until December 25, 2013. They ship for free worldwide and are giving away one custom phone case at the bottom of this post.
1. Imagine I Can Knitting Beginning Kit ($17) – A few years from now, when you are lounging around in your beautiful handknit blanket with matching hat, you'll thank me.
2. Artterro Wool Felt Wearable Kit ($20) – The cool kids create their own accessories.
3. Rainbow Loom ($20) – I've seen it. I've never tried it. I keep hearing about it.
Momma Love: How The Mother Half Lives ($45) by Ali Smith was voted the #1 Mother's Day gift by the New York Times Motherlode Blog and is definitely a great holiday gift as well. Inside are beautiful photos and stories from real mothers depicted in a way that is honest, heartbreaking and inspiring.
But don't trust me, trust Gloria Steinem…
“Ali Smith has given us a gift with Momma Love: a fresh, eye-opening, firsthand manisfestation of motherhood's contemporary realities."
Ali is selling her book for 30% off the cover price up until December 24th. She is also giving away a copy of Momma Love at the bottom of this post.
1. Mixie ($18) – This formula-mixing baby bottle invented by a dad totally blew me away at the Biggest Baby Shower. The formula compartment has a patented, airtight design so it can be filled in advance and mixed at feeding time. Somehow, the lid acts as a free-floating agitator to prevent any clumping.
2. The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance ($12) – Someone gave this book as a gift to Mike when we first had Mazzy. It was meant as a joke, but it's actually ridiculously informative and very easy to use when you have emergency questions that you are too embarrassed to call a doctor about.
3. Magnificent Baby Footie ($30) – While this looks like regular old pajamas, it's actually a high tech piece of fabric held together by magnets. Well, it's not that high tech. But it makes it much easier to change a diaper in the dark when you don't have to fumble for snaps or buttons. Especially when your baby is squirmy.
Baby Jack Blankets creates sensory ribbon tag baby blankets by hand, with vibrant colors, modern patterns and plush dimpled backings. Each blanket has a variety of textures that babies love instinctively. And falling in love with a blankie can be a miraculous thing for both parent and child— allowing for quiet car rides, easy transitions and pleasant vacations when your child must feel comfortable sleeping away from home.
Baby Jack Blankets is offering %15 off if you use the code HOLIDAY1, plus free shipping until the end of the year. They are also participating in our giveaway today.
1. Ikea Duktig Mini-kitchen ($80) – Totally gender neutral and matches any home decor.
2. Asher Doll by Groovy Girls ($12) – Next step for Groovy Girls is changing their name, I hope.
3. Little Henry Vacuum ($33) – Everything about vacuums is intriguing for little kids. Which is great, because if you train them early, you might be able to make them actually useful.
Baby Jives made this beautiful handmade mobile ($50) for Harlow before she was born and it remains one of my favorite things in her room. Her mobiles come in other varieties like hearts, boats and birds and are the perfect addition to a modern nursery.
Baby Jives is giving away a $50 credit today.
And finally, since I'm Jewish and Chanukah is starting next week, I thought I'd throw in one last thing…
1. Mensch on the Bench ($36) – As the Jewish version of the popular Elf on the Shelf, Moshe the Mench is here to add one more tradition to Chanukah. However, he's currently sold out. But you can pre-order one for 2014!
2. Chanukah House Do-It-Yourself Kit ($20) – With all the strutural cookie pieces, icing to hold it together and decoration you need to make it truly festive inside the box, making a Chanukah House with Mazzy was actually my very first time making a gingerbread house. That's a tradition I am happy to adopt going foward.
GIVEAWAY
Today I am giving away one Benbini watch, one $50 Baby Jives gift card, one Casetagram mobile phone case, one I Pretzel NY onesie, one pair of 7AM Enfant Warmmuffs, one copy of Momma Love, and one Baby Jack Blanket.
There will be a different winner for each item.
1) To enter, you must be a Mommy Shorts facebook fan. Then, simply leave a comment below saying what you want for the holidays this year. Not your kids, not your spouse, not your mother. WHAT YOU WANT.
2) If you would like a second entry, follow Mommy Shorts on pinterest and pin the giveaway graphic with #mommyshorts_holidaygiveaway.
Seven winners will be announced on Friday December 6th.
Good luck!!!
UPDATE: This giveaway is over. To see the winners, click here.
Pinned. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/215891375860726876/
A spa for our backyard.
A membership to a gym with great childcare
I want to sleep in. Like til 10. Without worrying about whether or not my 14-month-old and husband are destroying the house.
I want the new photo shop.. I am stuck in ancient days of CS2 and would be ecstatic to get “in the times”, ha! working on photos and what not at midnight is my only get-a-way from the busy daily bustle of working full time & taking care of 3 kiddos.
Warm fuzzy slippers!
Jewellery baby! I’d love a necklace or earrings!
PS I’m from Canada so if I’m not eligible, that’s okay!
I want an ipad & a shopping spree for myself!
I just want some new PJ’s that aren’t stained with breastmilk or baby puke and ratty. Plus mine are all stretched out in the boob area from midnight nursing sessions.
Would love a day of clothes shopping by myself (have not done this since first kid was born over 9 years ago)…a NO GUILT from husband for watching the kids while I shopped.
I would love a day at the spa. Massage, facial, nails, toes, & a nice steam shower…maybe even a nap in the loung room too. 😉
I want someone to come clean my floors and my dishes once a week. I know it sounds boring, but that would give me so much more time in the week to use on other, more important stuff.
Ideally? A house larger than 500 SF. In reality, just a pair of real (comfy) PJ’s (currently, I’m working with old t-shirts, and these old pants made out of who knows what fabric), and some super comfy slippers! That’s all I want.
Oh, and maybe a Keurig.
I want a bath. By myself.
I want a wine fridge!!
i want a fancy camera, to capture all my non-fancy day to day moments with my littles.
I’d LOVE a very warm & sunny family vacation!
I want a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. I hear/saw it takes great pics of kids with that nice blurred background and I love to take pictures of my boys.
I want a baby! We’re a combined family with a 12 and 8 year old. I’d love to have just one more with my husband, my soul mate.
For Christmas, I would really like some clothes to fit my post-partum body. I have lost almost all of the baby weight, but sadly my clothes just don’t fit me like I used to, and you can only wear baggy jeans and hooded sweatshirts on very limited occasions, so I’m struggling with my wardrobe.
I would love for someone to take all my photos and videos from the last 7 years (oldest is 7, twins are 3) and organize them into fabulous books and dvds so on Christmas morning I can unwrap them and relive all my lovely memories with my family.
New bras that actually fit. I just finished nursing my daughter for a yearand I’m done with nursing bras.
I want a new (bigger) car to house the 34985029481098 toys my girls insist on bringing in but refuse to bring out for every trip!
the thing I want most for Christmas this year, is a gorgeous bedding set, with a super soft, warm comforter, and soft silky sheets, with lovely fluffy pillows that I can sink into and snuggle with my hubby, in a gorgeous green, with chocolate brown accents.
An all-inclusive spa day. My babes are 23 months and 10 months, so I have NO time to pamper myself (or get a break at all, as a SAHM). Ahhhh!
And one of those ‘I pretzel NY’ shirts, in my size. Those are awesome.
I just want 24 hours by myself guilt free. No husband, no kids, no dogs, no cats, no clients, no coworkers….just 1 day to sleep when I want, watch what I want on TV and read a book.
I know it’s not very exciting but I want a machine to convert VHS to DVD. I’m getting to that age where I’m really concerned about my personal/family history disappearing with the last VCR.
I want a facial, a new purse (something fancy), a new sweater and new shoes and some new makeup.
I would love a day at a spa! I’ll even settle for a mani/pedi… Just some quiet me time.
Time to read a book on the couch without feeling guilty about not doing the bajillion other things I “should” be doing.
I want more time in the day… not very realistic, but its true. I’ll take a part time nanny for a few hours every day then to get all the crap done that just keeps on piling up.
I would love a charm neckline with my sweet Lil’s initial and birthstone.
A dyson nursing pump, but until they invent that…I want a new coffee cup that will keep my coffee warm for at least 1 hour (or until I discover where I left it). I also want to sleep in one day between 12/26 and 1/1. I want new slippers, preferably ones that are soft but have a durable sole. I want a Hope & Grace bottle of Chardonnay and some of the Chandon Purple Champagne. I also want diamond earrings (ha!).
For Chirstmas, I want someone to pay for my books for graduate school that I am starting in January because I AM LOSING MY MIND AS A STAY AT HOME MOM!
I would like just one day to sleep until i wake up naturally. At like noon.
I want to NOT feel nauseated and tired. ( currently 10weeks pregnant)
I pinned and I’m a fan! I want the last book in the series I’m reading! It’s driving me nuts that I can’t find out the ending yet.
A total home organization professional to reform my house and a laundress on the regular. I’d also take a 40 hour work week to do with whatever I dang well please.
I want Naked 3 from Urban Decay. <3. Loving this gift guide!
I want a day of pampering!
I haven’t had a not kid created present in years. I really want a pair of diamond studs, but would totally settle for a weekend away with my husband without kids. Something we also haven’t done in years
It may sound silly but I would absolutely love a pedicure and manicure gift certificate that would allow me to get one at least every other month. Or money for clothes. Mommy always goes without, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
I would really like someone to come to my house and cook me healthy delicious meals. Even once a week would be great. If I can’t have that I would really like that Baby Jives mobile.
I would like to get a trainer at the gym. But not going to ask as hubby would just crack up. Lol
I want a spa day so badly; a massage, a pedicure, and for a professional to dye my hair. Things that a poor mommy just can’t justify spending money on.
I want sleep and/or unlimited Ambien
I would just love to have Christmas day off to spend and enjoy with my little family. The whole day, no work.
I want a remote start for my car.
I want to be healthy! I would love to win a few items! I’m a huge fan!
just 20 minutes of uninterrupted quiet time
It’s not very exciting but I would LOVE to get a sewing machine.
I want one of those magic robots that will keep my kitchen floor clean. Easily my least favorite chore, it is compounded by a family of 4 with two dirt loving dogs. A mommy can dream!
I would like the magical ability to sew (proficiently). So I can finally cross that off my bucket list, save money on clothes, and be one of those annoying moms who brag so smugly about how they created their kids’ halloween costumes/christmas outfits.
so ah yes- a year’s worth of sewing lessons please!
I want tickets to Ellen’s 12 days of give-aways!
I really really want a prenatal massage!
I’d really like a nap, but that’s hard to wrap, I’m really hoping for a few photo frames 🙂
I hear you on the Starbucks!
Nothing practical. A fabulous Arabesque gold and black necklace from Grayling.
I’m moving from NC to Boston with my husband and 9 month old – I’m honestly wishing just to survive this year, oh and a nice toasty warm coat.
I would love a spa day with my girlfriends.
A day to sit around, eat chips, watch reruns of sister wives and play on facebook and to not feel guilt about it!
I would like new sheets for my bed. And an entire day (without kids) to sleep in them.
For Christmas, I’d love to get all my jewelry back {my house was broken into a few weeks ago}.
I want to lay in bed with a cup of coffee and read the paper alone in silence.
A massage sounds fantastic! Also, 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep would be amazing.
I really want a nice pair of boots. That actually fit my post-pregnancy feet!
I want a trip by myself. No kids, no husband, just me…and a king sized bed, spa, pool, and room service. 🙂
I would like a sewing machine…and lessons…and free time.
I want another bathroom. A self-cleaning (not myself, but itself) one.
Already like you on Facebook.
Hmm, what do I want?…some new bras! I only have one, not only is it a hand-me-down, it only fits so-so-ishly, plus the last new bras I got were Walmart specials over 7 years ago. So a few brand new bras from Victoria’s Secret would be AWESOME!!
Oh, and I now follow you on Pinterest and repinned the giveaway, and added the hash tags. Might I add, you have a lot of neat stuff on there.
I want to go have my makeup done at Nordstrom’s, and then be able to magically whip out my credit card and say, “I’ll take it all!” 😉
I had my daughter in August. I will be returning to work in January. I would love a day of beauty to help me assimilate back into adult society.
A new(er) car- mine is 15 years old. The automatic windows tend to have a mind of their own (hence they stay up most of the time), the paint has lost its luster and it only has a cassette player.
I’ll probably get a blanket or something like that though
I would love some pants that fit. My baby is 4 months old, and my prebaby wardrobe is still a little too small, and my maternity clothes are too big. I feel very frumpy lately.
I would love a kindle fire! And a new coat!
I’m simple…all I want is a new bathrobe! A big fluffy one to curl up in. 🙂
A massage and a full night’s rest is what I really want. I’d settle for just the one night of uninterrupted sleep.
I want time to do what I want to do. So I need a maid to clean my house and a handyman to take care of some projects.
I WANT A NAP FOR CHRISTMAS. AND THIS IS IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE IT IS *JUST* THAT SERIOUS (said the mother of a 14 month old who has NEVER slept through the night). Santa can totally make that happen, right? megancrose@gmail.com
I also pinned this (http://www.pinterest.com/pin/258534834832955243/) aaaaand I’m a Facebook fan (www.facebook.com/megan.crose) megancrose@gmail.com
Professional family pictures. My two kiddos (ages 3 years and 6 months) are just growing up too dang fast. I want to capture that perfect picture of the two of them laughing with each other.
In my dream world I’d get a new car so I don’t have to drive with my boobs smushed into the steering wheel to get both car seats to fit.
I would love the time to take a photography class and learn how to really use my SLR camera. Basically so I don’t have to spend crazy money to get great shots of my twin toddlers!
*sigh* I want a weekend kid free to be able to watch MY dvr shows in peace lol … AND a new cell phone.. sadly I’ll probably get the phone before my kid does a weekend sleepover at Nana’s or Gramma’s…
I want a new house. More than anything at all. When the baby is too old to stay in our room anymore we are going to have a serious problem (no where else to put him) but we keep finding issues that have to be fixed before we can even think about trying to sell.
I want a North Face Jacket. It is not feasible to wear a bulky winter coat while carrying a 6 month old!! He is now too big for the infant carrier, so this winter should be interesting.
A weekend away with my husband, sans kids! Preferably to a warm locale…
I want a Scooba. It would be so happy living here with it’s good buddy Roomba. Roomba works so hard, he’d love a little companion and if said companion mopped my floors, it’d be a win-win all around.
I would love a spa day or at the very least a massage.
all I want is professional photos taken of my boys. (A 5 year old and 5 month old). ‘frame-able’ photos. never been a fan of the department store studios, a la jcp.
I was always a little sad that we never did ‘newborn’ photos for either of them, but it has never been in the budget. we have a good 6 year old DSLR, but the professional photos I see of friends’ kids on FB blow them out of the water.
yes a fan on FB
I’m sorry for your loss. Thank-you though for putting it into perspective how blessed I am, and anything else I want (materialistic) is just that. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
At least one 9am wake up a week…all year. And not just Dad waking up to get the baby, more like, mom staying overnight at the ritz every Friday night.
A pair of mittens that will actually keep my always-cold hands warm!
Clothes that’s all I want.this throid issue is a pain to my closet.up&down up&down @least 2 pant sizes every 6weeks.
An un-interrupted shower, no kids in the bathroom and no hearing “mom,mom,mommy!!” the entire time I’m in there!!
My real dream would be a weekend away in a warm place. Other than that, a monthly house cleaner.
A weekend yoga getaway, not too far away… But far enough;-)
I am feeling frumpy after my baby’s birth so I would love a gift card to Macys to pick out some new dress pants and jackets, and a personal stylist. Or I wouldnlove a coffee machine that makes lattes at home. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
Spa day with a free babysitter 🙂
I want to sleep in!
I would love somebody that comes once a week to clean my apartment! that would be awesome! even if we can’t afford it, I can still dream about it 🙂
This year for Christmas all I want is for my husband to get me something impractical, that I don’t need, that doesn’t fit HIS criteria of a “good gift”. I want him to not approve my present, just to hear what I’m asking for and get it. It’s not about the cost or the flash, it’s about him letting go of his practicality for a change. I promise not to ask for the Audi again.