v 4 issue 17: Holiday Gifts

The Holiday gift-giving season is upon us...and so is the worry about what to buy. Our gift-giving issue is full of the best gifts to give for all ages and all price ranges.

Cover by Cover Jodie Goodison











1 Sweet patterns with a little personalization make this Doodlebugz Doodlebag at 2sweetsisters.com a great choice this holiday season. Comes with a paper pad, mini chalk board, crayons, & chalk...all neatly stored for future creative expression.

2 Cardboard boxes are even more fun than you remember... when it's a Color Me House. Easy to assemble with a pure white surface for a superior painting/decorating canvas.

3 Toys at Fatbraintoys are good for their brain and way cool too. Dado Cubes added a simple twist to classic building blocks, and in return, created intelligent blocks with unlimited possibilities.

4 This Crayon Caddy found @ Alex Casey Baby is the perfect organizer for toting arts & crafts around the house. Four adorable designs to choose from, each with a color coordinating crayon shaped handle.
Enter code:TTW5 for 15% off all orders through 12/31/08

5 The Plug & Pile Royal Tower is a great choice for beginner builders. Seven blocks with round pegs, stack on top of each other for some royally fun construction. Oompa.com

6 Squishing and hugging this Moonman makes him light up and sing with joy. Comes with a bedtime book and tons of love for only $19.99! Start your collection of Nanastar and friends today.

7 Get them thinking with this Quadrino arranging game at maukilo.com. 24 pieces of varying heights and shapes can be arranged and rearranged into colorful patterns for long lasting fun.

8 A melting pot of PBS favorites come together to celebrate the season. Join in on the fun as Thomas, Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder...embark on adventures of Snowy Days. lionsgateshop.com

9 Stay clean, save green. Shirts stay stain-free with this hip version of the play smock from Bella Tunno.

10 Another great toy from Oompa.com. Cheekeyes are handcrafted toys made of quality wood with safety in mind. The forest animals playset comes with a bison, a wild boar, wolf, goat, and a grizzly bear. Grrrrreat at stirring the imagination for hours of open ended play.

11 Imaginations soar with this Secret Pocket Princess Cape. Pink and purple satin with a clear pocket on the back (for displaying a personal crest...) and green pockets on the inside for storing secret stash. Soar to myprincesscloset.com for this fun cape.

12 A What's a Dragon Art & Activity Backpack is sturdy, lightweight, & easy to clean. Comes with all the trimmings: a storybook, doodle pad, activity book, and markers. littlejetset.com

13 Pint-sized Zoobie fun for tots. Baby Mashaka is a mini Zoobie who transforms from a monkey into a blankie with a super soft comfy corner.

14 $9.95 gets you this unique and helpful gift. Glo the Jellyfish adorns Mini Mitts which help toddlers make a splash at learning to wash up all on their wn. shopbellylaf.com

15 The holidays never smelled so good. Strawberry Shortcake's Holiday Dreams Collection is here to inspire the dreams of your youngster's holiday season for years to come.



Gifts for the family
Custom Creations Unlimited

Every item they offer is custom made just for you. Each image is hand reviewed to be sure it will turn out beautiful. Many items include a free proof prior to production. This includes all their Photo Blankets and Photo Beach Towels. Place our order by December 12th to insure Christmas delivery.
Use code: shipping22 to receive free shipping






Joli Bebe Organic
Buy it for yourself or a gift. These organic pieces are made of 50% Organic Cotton - 50% SoyFabric which produces superiority that stands on its own with unbeatable softness. We love this flattering criss-cross yoga tank with hidden shelf bra for nursing access. Match it with the yoga pants and you have pure comfort while at the gym or lounging around the house.
Use code: holiday to receive 30% off your entire purchase!



Alex Casey Baby
Gift for Dad- The slide tote bag was designed with Dad's in mind. They are stylish, versatile, and best of all, comfortable to carry. The ergonomic strap spreads the weight of the bag across your back and shoulders. Our favorite feature is the fully-lined bottle pockets that make reaching for a quick drink a snap!

This bag is not just for Dad, treat yourself to one as well. Great for workout gear, with yoga mat strap and plenty of room for sneakers and more. Will also fit a 14" laptop - great for a work/school bag as well. Now that is versatility for $95!
Enter code:TTW5 for 15% off all orders through 12/31/08


Making Homemade Christmas Cards with Your Child
One of the best ways to teach your children the true meaning of the holidays is to start a family tradition of making homemade gifts. You can start with your children when they are young helping them to make special homemade Christmas gifts for family and friends.

One of the simplest homemade gifts to give family members is homemade Christmas cards. This hand made keepsakes will be kept for many years to come by the lucky people that receive them. This craft is simple enough to do with even the youngest of children.

To make homemade Christmas cards, it is best to have all of your supplies gathered in a central location before hand. Keep a plastic container full of all sorts of craft goodies that the children can use to personalize the Christmas cards that they send. Some of the items that you can include in this box are glitter, stickers, buttons, and ribbons. There are many more things that you can include, the sky is the limit.

Print out current pictures of your children on the computer to use for the homemade Christmas cards. If you do not have a printer to do this on, you can have it done at your local store with a photo mat. Family and friends love to see updated pictures of the children so make sure each card has one on it.

Allow your child to choose whatever color of construction paper that he wants to make the Christmas cards. Just because you think it should be red and green, it does not mean that he does. This is his special homemade gift to his loved ones and he should get to choose the colors.

Fold the paper over to form the Christmas card. Now comes the fun part, the two of you get to decorate the card for the person that will be receiving it. It is often best to decide where the photo will be attached to the card. Both the outside and the inside are great places to put the photo on the Christmas card.

You can help your child cut out little boxes and Christmas trees and ornaments to adorn his special card. If your child is not yet ready to tackle the scissors, you can have these shapes cut out in advance so that all he has to do is glue them on. Allow your child to place the shapes in whatever pattern that he likes.

Help your child to write a heart felt Christmas note to the person that he is sending the card to. It is best to help him personalize each little note to the recipient. Make sure that your child signs his name at the bottom of the note, even it is just a scribble.

Finish the card off with some of the special craft items that you have in your box for him. Now would be the time to add ribbon and or glitter to this special homemade Christmas card.

Think of the joy that this will bring your child year after year when you bring out supplies to make the family Christmas Cards. As they get older the creativity is the limit!

My son and I have chosen our family tradition to be Christmas tree ornaments. Every year since he was 2 we have made these for all the family members. It is always fun and each one is so unique. My favorite part is watching his face light up while he watches each gift be opened by those he loves.