v 5 issue 18: Holiday Gifts

We’ve put together the most fun and fabulous gifts worth every penny and they’re all available online, so skip the frenzy and shop by mouse this holiday season.

Cover by Jodie Goodison










1 Cutie Pa Tutus has entered the race for world domination...super hero style. A matching cape and mask, both reversible, instantly transform any kiddo into a masked marvel ready to save the holidays! Email order to info[at]cutiepatutus.com to save $8 on capes and 10% off everything else thru 12/15/09.

2 Gummy Lump Toys offers a 100 piece My Unit Block Set for hours of building pleasure. 70 pillars, cubes, columns...are neatly stored in a crate with 30 accessory pieces for added fun.Enter code: TTW5 for an additional $5 off any order over $100 plus Free Ground Shipping thru 12/31/09.

3 Wear your memories with style with Tiny Tag Designs. Choose from mommy jewelry or their sweet collection of little girl jewelry. We love that you can also add a special charm to these little necklaces to make it extra personal. Great price at $36. Enter code: tot for 20% off all purchases.

4 Toot. Toot. Celebrate the holidays on a cool island with Thomas & Friends. The Sodor Friends Holiday Collection is filled with whimsical wintertime tales to warm the heart.

5 Cloud is the unpredictable Kimochi who flips faces between a beautifully happy smile and a thunderous frown. One of four stuffed toys with feelings on the inside to teach and appreciate the world of emotions.Enter code: KimochiTOT for 20% off purchases thru 12/18/09.

6 Innovative and educational, this toy offers layers and layers of puzzles stacked together to form the Ark of Noah...with puzzle pieces which double as animal figurines for pretend play. Available at tiertoys.com

7 The Agile Doll Carrier from myWallaby is handcrafted in the USA of 50 individual pieces. In seconds, the doll carrier transforms between a purse or a carrier for holding dolls of 12 to 18 inches. Enter code: TOTSTREND for Free shipping thru 12/6/09.

8 The Giant Timeline Playmat illustrates 600 million years of evolution. Children young and old will enjoy walking along the 18 foot path of 67 ancient creatures...includes activity guide. Available at charliesplayhouse.com Enter code: 19tottrends10% for 10% off purchases thru 12/31/09. Excl. apparel.

9 Your little ones and big ones will love these Kreechers by Manhattan Toys. Each Kreecher pillow is made of over 5 different fabrics and multicolors. They are fun, cozy and make wonderful companionship. Pick up your favorite monster pillow at psychobabyonline.com Enter code: TRENDS15 for 15% off all purchases thru 12/15/09.

10 A Travel Art Portfolio from Zookies is perfect for on-the-go creativity. Zip up the case and kiddies can carry a chalk board, pad, and art supplies wherever they go. Enter NOTE: TOT for FREE shipping and $5.00 back on order.

11 Slice, decorate, and serve up a plate full of imagination with a wooden play set from Melissa and Doug. Each Slice and Bake Set comes complete with baking sheet, oven mitt, tools, cookies, and toppings for decorating. All Melissa & Doug marked down 20% as well as all play food sets are Buy 3 Get 1 FREE! Enter code: TTW5 for an additional $5 off any order over $100 plus Free Ground Shipping thru 12/31/09.

12 Introduce children to the linguistic joys of the Alphabotz. Superphonic Decoder Cards open the eyes of young children to the sounds and rules of the English language through 50 robotic themed cards. Enter code: HGGPROMO for 20% off all purchases thru 12/12/09


Tis The Season For Giving
Sometimes we need an excuse, a reason to stop what we're doing in our busy, rushed lives and think about others. There is no better time to do this than during the Christmas season. Even though we're busier than ever, stressing out while we try to earn more money to buy our kids gifts, we know that many people have it worse than we do.

There are many ways to give and not all of them involve spending money. Some only require the gift of your time. I'll split them up here and give you some examples of each. Hopefully you can put one or two of these to work immediately, or they'll spark your imagination and help you create just the right gift for someone else.

Involve the whole family and watch your kids jump into it eagerly. They're learning that not only does giving help someone else, but it feels good too. Let them come up with ideas; they'll surprise you when they hatch a marvelous plan.

Added bonus - you're doing something together as a family and launching new traditions.

Time

Shovel snow for your neighbor. This is even more fun if you can do it secretively.

If you live in sunnier climates, rake a neighbor's leaves, sweep the sidewalk, prune bushes, or plant flowers in beds or pots.

Position yourself inside or outside an entrance to the mall and cheerfully open the door for people. Moms with strollers and Dads with lots of packages will appreciate this.

Make some bread, muffins, or cookies and leave them on the doorsteps of those people you know can't make their own and would like to be reminded of the season.

Offer a parent's night out babysitting service at your home for a handful of friends so they can go gift shopping or have some time to relax.

Start a neighborhood canned food drive. Have the kids make flyers, leave them with each neighbor and come back to collect on the appointed day of collection. Box the cans up and take them to your local food pantry.

Offer to read Christmas books or tell Christmas stories at a shelter. Your kids aren't the only ones who treasure a good story.

Volunteer at a hospital. You might end up doing something quite mundane, but rest assured that you are helping people out.

Go through all the old toys and books at home and give them to charity.

Become a pen pal with an elderly person who has no family or friends around. Bring them home for your holiday dinner.

Knit or sew blankets, baby hats, or stuffed animals for a children's hospital.

Each of you can decide on doing something nice for another member of your family, such as making another's bed for them, doing their dishes, allowing them to have control of the TV clicker for the night, etc.

Money

Sponsor a family in need this Christmas. This means supplying them with food for the holiday dinner, needed clothing, and toys for the children. Add some toiletries and first aid supplies like bandaids.

Send care packages to military personnel stationed away from home. Find out what they require and send only those things.

Gather family and friends together to purchase necessary items for a homeless shelter or women's crisis clinic.

Sponsor a needy child in another country. This will be the start of long-term giving and the kids can be involved too, by sending letters and pictures.

Check out other monetary giving situations you can find in your community. Many malls have a tree with names and gift ideas for those in need. So do many churches. You can also check with the fire department.


Showcase: Lollipop Rascals
Lollipop Rascals Sweet Playtime Adventures – Make reading an adventure!

Lollipop Rascals’ playtime adventures center around inspirational storybooks to encourage the development of children’s individuality, creativity, interactive play skills, and most of all—reading skills! Lollipop Rascals hand-picks each themed product to enhance storybooks into an adventure, making reading an opportunity for your rascal to read, learn, and play.




Whether your rascal is a fairy princess who loves pink, a boy who dreams of flying to the moon or sailing the seven seas, the journey is easy!






Our unique collections feature storybook gift sets, designer toys, educational games, activity sets, fun baking kits, dress up clothing, pajamas, graphic tees, and more!







Join our rascals, Madison, JoJo, Sophie, and Tiki, as they travel on many adventures throughout the website. Madison and JoJo also happen to be my grandchildren and official toy testers!



Enjoy complimentary gift wrapping! Each order comes beautifully packaged in a clear peek-a-boo bag filled with vibrant raffia, tied up with colorful ribbon.


Shop Lollipop Rascals’ Holiday Adventure including affordable stocking stuffers!



Be sure to spread the news about our Rascals Adventure Club email and our Facebook fan page with your friends and family! Our Club members and Facebook fans will be the first to receive our EXCLUSIVE offers and giveaways. Story time has never been more fun than with our Lollipop Rascals’ playtime adventures, where storybooks come to life through imaginative play.


Happy Holiday Celebrations to Tot Trend Weekly readers from Lollipop Rascals!

Enter code: Holiday25 for an additional 25% Savings off all Regular and SALE items this week Nov. 23 through Nov 30.