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.
I want a vacation somewhere on a beach with a never-ending supply of fruity umbrella drinks! I was pregnant this time last year with twin girls, and even though I LOVE them to pieces, I am counting down the days until they stop nursing. Momma wants some uninterrupted ME time!
Fuzzy slippers
I would love a 3 hr massage and a date night to the Biltmore House!
I really just want a new mattress. Ours was new in 1999 (!) and I would like for the 4 hours of sleep my 10-month-old is letting me get to be at least restorative.
New bras. New underwear. New jeans. My post-baby, post-breast feeding body needs them!
I want for someone to see me as beautiful. I love my daughter more than anything in the world, but I feel like I no longer exist as a person.
I’ll tell ya what I want, what I really, really want (aside from morphing into a Spice Girl right there): I want to check into a luxurious hotel by myself, order anything I want from room service, and watch all of the chick flicks I haven’t seen in the last 5 years (because I keep poppin’ out babies) all in the privacy of my own pillow top mattress and 1,000 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets. In a fluffy robe and warm slippers, I will ugly cry until my eyes are swollen shut and no one will be around to see. Heaven.
For Christmas, I would love for someone to wash the dishes indefinitely and put them away. Then organize my cupboards and take the dogs for a walk. Also, the results of about 5000 squats without actually having to do them. That is all.
Apple TV and new bedding
I already got half of what I want for Christmas (myself) & will be getting the other half soon in order to travel for the holidays to visit family-
I already got my swiffer steam boost! & I’m getting one of those car seat draggers to travel with. Traveling alone with the baby freaks me out.
So I guess what I really want for Christmas is a teleporter or maybe just to not see my half of the family. Is that awful?
I just want one night away kid free. Like a hotel room all to myself. No kids, no husband, no responsibilities. Sounds perfect.
A vacation!
I want one of those expensive plush spa robes that you find in upscale hotels that I’m too skeeved out to wear. And I want to live in it on weekends.
I want diamond earrings (not the we-have-to-take-out-a-home-equity-loan-to-afford-these kind, just something simple).
I want to go back to Islamorada with my sister, with or without our daughters. We’ve been trying to make it a tradition, but money falls short this year.
With a toddler daughter who just turned 2 and with twin girls arriving in February, I can think of no better gift than to have someone come clean the house every two weeks!
Things I want but wont get: vacation, full nights sleep, boob lift, cleaning lady
Actual things I want/need: monogram necklace, dustbuster, new socks, laptop
I really want a maid for the day, so that I can go out and buy a pair of shoes and a couple sets of clothes that actually fit me. I think it’s been 5 years ago (when I was pregnant with my first) that I got shoes and they were cheap-o slip on ones since I couldn’t bend over anymore. Ever since then, the kids and hubby get all the new stuff and I just try to squeeze into all of my pre-pregnancy stuff (even though I’m 50 lbs heavier now) and my hole-y shoes…
I like you on facebook – lauren becker and I would personally love a NutriBullet for Christmas.
I actually still send a list of what I want to all of my family and friends. That part of the kid in me will probably never go away. Gifts are part of my love language.
I think right now I’m wanting loungewear (undies, bras, yoga pants, big t-shirts) more than anything just because that’s all I’ve worn the past 2 1/2 years and they’re a little run down. I also want a spa day… and I specified the spa (Escape Day Spa) to my boyfriend. I even warned him that it’s expensive (but totally worth it) and I won’t feel the slightest bit guilty if he goes all out on me. Moms deserve good stuff, too!
I want one uninterrupted trip to the bathroom with no baby fingers prying under the door!
I want a Roomba! It is impossible to keep our floors clean and with a baby around this holiday season I would love it if the floors were cleaner without me having to do them.
A spa day! A whole day event with lunch and wine.
The givaway day – Dec 6 2013 – is only my 30th birthday!!! and for it and the holidays I want a spa day. Never had one, but ever since my son was born in June I have not been taking care of myself in that way…
My first kid is 5 weeks old, so I’d love a full nights sleep. Or the Bebini watch so I can keep track of his feeding in my sleep deprived state.
I’d like a trip to Peru to be able to spend Christmas with my mom, dad, sister, brother, etc.
I want to sleep in until 10 am on the weekend, and then have my morning tea and toast brought to me in bed. Or have someone else come deep clean my house. Screw it, I want both!
I want clothes that actually fit. 6 months pregnant and I am still trying to wrestle into my prepregnancy bras, panties, JEANS, shirts, tanks… sighhh… so much spilling out everywhere. I just want clothes that fit this whale body!
Are we still eligible to enter even though it’s not the 22nd anymore? Regardless, I want a new purse and the Kelly Clarkson Christmas CD for Christmas. And maybe some me time – for a manicure and massage. Thanks for asking.
I want a bottle of wine, a wine to go cup and a big comfy blanket.
Guess the 7 a.m code is no longer good. I appreciate you offering all these discount codes, but it would have been nice to know when they all expire!
I want new clothes, soooo badly. I am ashamed to admit that other than a shirt here and there or maybe a pair of pants that was on sale,it has been years since I’ve actually bought new clothes. That was all fine, but now I’ve lost weight and nothing fits. ugh… I might have to get pregnant or something just so I can keep my pants up. lol
I spend so much on my kids, but feel guilty whenever I even look for something for myself. I pretty much live in pajama’s (which I’m not complaining about really.) but eventually my kids are going to be old enough that they’ll stop allowing me to pick them up from school.
I want a successful pregnancy and to be really greedy, a weekend just for me
Fan on FB and I really would like an ipad mini for christmas but I’d gladly take a box of dark chocolate sea salt caramels instead 🙂
I want Juicy couture perfume!
Off the top of my head what I would say I want for Christmas is a new laptop, however if I really think about it what I want is more family time 🙂
I would like some warm leggings, dress boots and a picnic blanket.
I want treats from Sephora and Lush!
I want more YARN
I would love to wake up Christmas morning and find that Santa has cleaned my house top to bottom and organized each room for me.
Underwear that does not come in plastic wrapped packages of 8?
I’d like a pair of snowshoes – so that come January when I have an infant & a 15 month old, I can sneak out on my husbands lunch break, hike the 7 or so acres, enjoying the river & nature…catching my breath to be thankful for all that I have.
I want a haircut and a pedicure! Nothing beats a great foot massage! Heck, lets just make it a day at the spa and I will be in seventh heaven! 🙂
I would love a double jogging stroller.
I would love to receive the gift of travel. Go away with the hubby alone for a week. Anywhere sans kids is find with me 🙂
I want a nice hot bubble bath with one of those bath tub shelf things that goes across the tub and you can put your book and your bottle, er, glass of wine. 🙂
I want a hand mixer and some cast iron cookware. I know, I like to live on the wild side. 🙂
I want a gift card for paint for our basement. I’m slowly getting things finished down there and paint would help make it complete.
Clothes. I always feel so guilty when I have to buy something for myself because what I have either doesn’t fit, gets too large of a hole, or that damn underwire pops out and pokes me!!!!
A big bottle of wine and a weekend with no obligations. Just me, a big lengthy book or two, no alarm clock. I’d just love to really recharge my batteries as my newly minted one-year-old and SO are wearing me down. Love them both but this mama just wants some sleep!
I would love a day at the spa and 8 hours of solid sleep : )
Honestly? I want to not worry about how bills will be paid but since that’s not a material item, I would love a bread maker. I’m tired of kneading dough by hand LOL.
I just want to sleep in for one morning until 10 am. And maybe some new socks!!!
You are so generous!!
Thank you so much for the chance, Happy Hanukkah!
I want an ice cold beer. That’s it. I’m almost 8 months pregnant with my second child and a beer is topping my wish list this year!
Honestly, I’d love to have my husband home from deployment. That would mean someone to give me hugs and kisses when I’m having a bad day (my little boys do but that’s not the same,) someone to make me feel beautiful, someone to talk to besides little kids and someone to help me out with our hyper 3-year-old and newborn not to mention having a weight off my shoulders knowing he’s home safe.
Pinned it! : http://www.pinterest.com/pin/37436240626060896/
I would really love to have some new clothes that fit well. Baby #4 is almost 10 months old, but I still have some weight to lose and I have like hardly any winter clothes to wear. No jeans fit and most my winter shirts are not nursing accessible. I feel like I wear the same thing over and over. Also, a night out with friends and a kindle fire would be nice too. 😉
I would love a new lens for my camera
I would like a nice watch for Christmas. That’s it. 🙂 I’m not that hard to please but my hubby never gets the one thing that I actually want. Sometimes, I don’t get anything. lol
I want a nap, followed by a dinner cooked by my husband for myself and my kiddies.
I want a good night’s sleep and more time with my daughter.
I want a Polar Loop or a Fitbit
What I want for the holidays is a day off with a side of an amazon kindle gift card so that I can spend said day off reading in fabulous peace and quiet!!!
Following you on Pinterest and pinned: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/302093087476607427/
Thank you.
What I want for Christmas is….Someone to come and clean and organize my house for me. Someone to bathe the dog, she smells. Someone to decorate my house and do all the painting project I have put off for over 12 years. New kitchen cabinets would be wonderful. A vacation with my family, not sure when our last vacation was. I have been doing home daycare for the past 5 years. A whole day to sit in my pjs and just watch tv without anyone asking me for anything, no husband, no kid, no dog.
I would love a new Subaru haha but in all actuality I’d be happy with a gift card to Phillip Pelusi to get my hair done!
I want a new purse, that does not double as a diaper bag, and also is NOT made in China, please!!!
I want someone to clean my house, just once so I can get back on track. Ha, who am I kidding, if someone cleaned it I would probably not do anything until spring, freak out and go through a SAMS pack of Clorox wipes. So maybe I should just ask for Clorox wipes?
I want a day at the salon getting my nails done, hair dyed and curled, and my feet massaged.
All I want for Christmas is my baby to sleep in his crib all night and stay out of my bed!
I want TOMS!
I would love a nap free of being woken up and a Malibu and coke. . .
Well, that and a new laptop, maybe even a new pair of comfy flip flops with a bottle opener on the bottom. Those would get a lot if use now that number two is here and I can have a beer again. 🙂
I’d love a personal chef.
For Christmas I would love a kingside bed so we have room for all three of us to snuggle without feet in faces.
I would love a formal dining room table set to go with my new bamboo floors and painted walls!
I want a massage.
Ohhhh I want lots of things! ALL THE THINGS. Quiet time with my littles and husband, new vacuum, camera goodies/lenses, books, and most importantly…..me time.
Maybe a new phone. Mine is ridiculously old. lol. Thanks for the giveaway!
I want the 3M streaming projector powered by roku! Endless nights of outdoor movie fun for the kids! I already started pinning party ideas for it…you can make cardboard cars for the kids and have a “drive in”! Too fun!
Oooh I want a piece of jewelry from Rashida Jones and DanniJo collaboration! So simple and oh so lovely!
I got what I wanted! A new iphone. 64 gigs no more complaining about running out of space!
I want all these cool items you’re giving away!
I would like a shopping spree for comfy lulu outfits and a mani/pedi .. 🙂 with that I would be content! 🙂
All I really want for Christmas is someone to come deep clean my house while I go to the spa :). I’m shocked at how big of a mess a little one year old can make on a daily basis!
I would love a white cashmere sweater, and the ability to wear white without it getting ruined in the blink if an eye 😉
Sleep Lavender Chamomile bubble bath from Bath and Body Works. Best. Ever. And KarmaKamet Aromatic Glass Candle. (Rose Morroccon Otto of) gift given to me by a student several years ago.
For Christmas I would like monogrammed makeup bag, with new makeup brushes…something I’ve been putting off all year buying plus a membership to the local kids museum for the upcoming year! And a partridge in a pear tree. 🙂
Honestly. .a BIG bottle of wine, real bubble bath ( like bath & body works type), and a hour long deeeeep tissue massage!
I actually already go my wanted gift! Hubs gave it to me early since it is so cold here right now! They are amazing slippers that I have wanted for 2 years now.
But… I want a vacation somewhere tropical! I went back to school and will be done in June. If I got the vacation for Christmas, we could go this summer, it’s the perfect plan…
I recently started cooking from scratch and would love more bakeware items
I want a new pair of jeans a cute top and some nice boots and a nice long bath followed by a nap so I can dream I actually got those things.
My practical side says a dishwasher but my selfish side says a MASSAGE! It’s been ages since I had a massage!
I want this ivf cycle to work.
I really want a new Mac. And I think I might be getting one. Eek!
I would like the ability to not feel guilty about wanting/needing time away from my daughter. Alone time. I have trouble feeling like I am doing enough and making our time special while I am with her. Can we wrap non-guiltyness and put it under the tree??
I would love a trip to Aruba! Hey, a girl can dream can’t I? We’ve got Hanukkah, Christmas and a childs birthday all around the same time. Let’s blow this popsicle stand and get in the sand!
I want a semi professional camera and canvas’ for painting an some paint!
I want a Clarisonic Mia Sonic Cleansing System for Christmas!
Spa day!!!!