Gifts Santa is Leaving Out

We received products in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links included.

In our house, Santa wraps most presents. The big ones are left out unwrapped looking pretty awesome first thing in the morning. For Charlie’s second Christmas, his presents that were left out from Santa were a chalkboard and a kitchen. The items that are left out are usually the big ones that need put together. I hate the idea of spending Christmas day putting together gifts that the kids could be playing with instead.

 

This year, the boys will come downstairs to find a pile of wrapped gifts and some sitting out ready to play.

Stocking Stuffers

We received items below in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links included.

Christmas is less than a week away, but we have some more stocking stuffer ideas for you!

Quick question though: do you wrap your stocking stuffers?

Hoodsbee: the hoodie that’s a friend

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own.

Getting coats and jackets on isn’t always easy with little ones, but with a Hoodsbee, I’m sure it’ll be much easier! Hoodsbee is a hoodie that transforms into a plush friend! 

This unique patented technology allows your little one to carry their travel plush buddy, put it on when it is cold, fold it back up into a plush and use it as a head pillow for when they are tired. It's as easy as 1,2,3! Fold, roll and snap! Now, not only do you have a pillow and a travel companion, but you also have a nicely wrapped up hoodie that is easy to store or travel with.

We received Anchor the Shark and it’s already a hit with Charlie! He was so excited to put it on, and hated when I had to take it off to show him how it rolled up into a cool shark!

Holiday Baking Must-Haves from Love Cooking Co

I received products in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Baking up Christmas cookies has been a tradition for years, but I have to admit I’m one of those parents that just gets stressed out while Charlie is “helping”. Yes, I feel awful about it, but it is what it is and I try to cope. He adores helping Mommy bake and decorate, so I just deal and we get through it.

Love Cooking Company teamed up with Mrs. Fields and sent us some fun products to try. Now that Christmas baking is upon us, we made our first batch of sugar cookies this week. I just made them from a bag mix and hoped it would relieve some of the stress. After Charlie cracked smashed an egg on the table, I knew I made the right decision.

Once our sugar cookie batter was ready, I rolled it all out. I have never figured out how to roll out cookie batter correctly, so if you have some magic tips, please share!

Holiday Books from Candlewick Press

I received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

We love reading! It’s that simple. I grew up reading giant books in just a couple of days and hope that my boys develop a love of reading as well. Right now, I think we’re on track for that. We actually have a ton of books and if you ask Charlie, “I not need any more books. I has plenty”. He does have plenty, but I don’t think you can ever really have too many books. I think the key is to only have so many out at a time. I love being able to pull out holiday books and stock our shelves in preparation for Christmas!

Candlewick Press has some beautiful books that are perfect to pull out with our Christmas stash or to give as gifts!

Calm Nights with NightBuddies

I received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Bedtime with Charlie can pretty much be a nightmare lately. He’s always looking for a reason to get up or saying that he’s scared (that’s new) so he wants someone to cuddle with him. We were sent two NightBuddies, one for each boy, and I know they’re going to love them!

NightBuddies are a plush night light that is made to comfort children during bedtime. What kiddo doesn’t like cuddling with something super soft to make them feel safe? They light up, but not the entire plush: just the eyes. The magical patented eye illumination creates a connection unlike any other plush!

Right now, there are 8 different NightBuddies to choose from: 4 vehicles and 4 sea life characters. Charlie will be getting Oliver the Orca and Owen, who loves anything that goes, will be getting WC Racecar.

Hours of Entertainment with Sticky Mosaics

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

As you all know by now, Charlie loves all things artsy. There are a few things that we can pull out that will actually entertain him for an extended period of time. We’re always on the lookout for more of these types of activities.

Sticky Mosaics from Orb Factory have proved to be one of these activities that can truly entertain him for hours. Charlie will sit down at the table and really focus on what he is doing. We love projects like this that calm him down and focus.

 

Holiday Gift Guide 2014

Hi! We've been finding the best toys and gifts for the 2014 Holiday Season! The Holiday Gift Guide will be updated regularly, so check back to see what else we have found!

 

Happy Holidays!

Stocking Stuffers

We received some of the items below to include in our post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

We’re featuring items weekly that will make for great stocking stuffers. I’m hoping you’ll be able to find something for everyone each week.

Gaming Fun with TACTIC Games

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

We love playing games! If you haven't heard of TACTIC Games, give them a look and you'll be sure to find innovative, high-quality products. They love to entertain! We think games are important because they add that extra fun to social gatherings. Sure, it's nice to sit around a table and share a meal, but add a game and you've got a party!

Tactic’s goal is to be number one in board games through…

• high-quality games, puzzles and playing cards for players of all ages
• fresh and exciting new games as well as well-chosen classic games
• the right balance between elements of luck and strategy in games
• the best possible entertainment for players of all ages
• outstanding price-quality ratio in all games
• creating the feeling of wanting to play again and again

Choco, The Memory Treat Board Game

Playtime Fun with GALT Toys

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

I don't think that playtime should always be educational. While I know some people do, I think kids should be able to just run around and be crazy sometimes. With that being said, I do believe that education is an important aspect of play. We've found some great products from GALT Toys that really bring out the fun, but sneak a little learning in there too.

As you know, Charlie is really working on his alphabet skills at preschool (and home) and loves anything he can do with them!

Alphabet Puzzles// Opposite Puzzles

KidOFit Shoes Offer Barefoot Comfort + Giveaway

We received product in exchange for this review, but all opinions are my own.

Our boys have both been early walkers and were running at their 1st birthday parties. Before they really start walking, it's all about cute shoes (if shoes at all)! Once they're on the move, we want to make sure they have a good shoe: one that is comfy, ergonomically designed and can really offer a long lasting fit. And if they're cute, that's even better!

We were recently introduced to KidOFit shoes and I fell in love! These shoes offer all of the necessities for kids that are constantly on-the-go: running, dancing and playing! Medical experts worldwide agree that barefoot walking is optimal for foot development and enhances good posture for growing kids. KidOFit uses unique soles, made of thin, flexible elastomer, which perfectly mimics the barefoot walking experience and promotes natural foot motion.

Get Creative with Crayola for the Holidays

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

We all think about Crayola for back-to-school supplies and those giant packs of crayons, but do you think about giving Crayola products for Christmas?

Charlie loves crafts, coloring and all things artsy. We try to give him gifts that can really be used and allow his imagination to go crazy. He'll be getting a box of Crayola goodies to restock his craft drawer.

Kids Preferred for Baby’s 1st Christmas

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

I think Baby’s 1st Christmas is a big deal! We had this talk last year with a couple of friends that had babies born around the same time as Owen. Last year, Owen was less than 2 month old at Christmas, but it was still his 1st Christmas. I saw some friends saying they weren’t really getting anything for the baby because they wouldn’t remember it and they’re too little to play with anything. I don’t care how old you are, a 1st Christmas is a 1st Christmas. You don’t get that year back.

I was sent some awesome items from Kids Preferred that would be perfect for Baby’s 1st Christmas!

Game Gifts from Winning Moves

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

We love playing games. We used to have a weekly game night with a friend, but that hasn’t panned out lately. I really hope we can get this going again because it was a much needed break from the reality of life and some extra socialization for the grown-ups!

Winning Moves sent us a box of great games to restock our game closet!

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

We received some of the items below to include in this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

For the next couple of weeks, we’re going to be sharing some great finds for stockings. Most of these you’ll be able to find in your local chain stores, but others will be online only. Be sure to check back for stocking stuffer ideas for everyone in your family!

Building Fun with K’NEX: Lincoln Logs

We received product to facilitate this post, but all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

K’NEX is known for awesome building sets, but did you know they have brands other than K’NEX now?

Who doesn’t remember playing with Lincoln Logs as a kid? I’m not really sure if I had my own set, but I definitely remember playing with them. Now, my boys have one of the largest Lincoln Logs set ever created! 

The Collectors Edition Homestead features over 330 real wood Lincoln Logs, as well as a frontiersman figure, 2 horses & a buildable covered wagon that really moves! This huge Lincoln Logs set is packaged in a beautiful, silver-accented tube for durable storage! As a parent, having a home for all these pieces is a necessity, so I love that we can reuse the packing container for storage.

 

Christmas Gifts at Family Christian Stores

I received a gift certificate in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links included.

If you’re not thinking about visiting a Family Christian Store for your holiday shopping, you need to!

As far as getting ready for the holidays, the Little People Nativity is a must for us! I’m so excited to put this out this year and explain things visually to Charlie. And, since it’s Little People, I don’t need to worry about him breaking them. My mom has a beautiful Precious Moments set and I hold my breath every time Charlie goes near it. This year will be worse with Owen on the run. I think Mommom may need one of these as well this year!

I saw something posted this past week that sounds like a great idea for the Nativity Set. It said to place the three wise men in other rooms and move them closer to the manger every day. It also said not to put baby Jesus in until Christmas morning. I thought this was a great idea and something we may be trying this year.

Personalized Books from I See Me!

This unique gift is brought especially to you by our friends at internationally award-winning publisher Chronicle Books. We received a free book, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Charlie is a reader, just like Mommy, so his Christmas presents always include a few books! I am so excited for him to open his I See Me! personalized book!

Today at the grocery store, Charlie pointed and started saying excitedly “I see A, I see A”. There was an “A” in the word bakery above the deli/bakery. He’s at that stage where he’s all about the alphabet and loves finding his name and letters that he knows in our everyday travels.

I See Me! offers all kinds of unique personalized gifts: Lunchboxes / Puzzles /Coloring Books/ Placemats / Stickers  and Growth Charts! Something for everyone and every occasion! For Charlie, we chose a personalized book: M is for Me!

Crazy Cups for the Coffee Lover

I received product to write this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

In full disclosure, I’m not a coffee drinker, but Tom is. However, he doesn’t really care for flavored coffee. He prefers regular coffee tasting coffee.

When the Crazy Cups Sampler Box came in, it was so pretty!