v 2 issue 9: 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 Rebecca Cleary








1. Perfect for your rock 'n roll superstar; the Daisy Rock Guitars are high quality, durable, colorful guitars with all the added perks like mahogany necks, rosewood fingerboards, and chrome tuners.

2. Totem is the perfect gift for creative kids who like to build. Create a spacecraft, sailboat, airplane, or just about anything with their building cards. Sparkability $32.

3. Encourage learning with Double Shutter Jr. by Blue Orange games. Perfect for ages 6 and up, this game employs math skills to win and can be played solo or with up to 6 players. $22.95, LittleJetSet.com.

4. Make listening fun and snazzy with chicBuds earphones. These retractable, decorative earphones work with ipods, cd players or your computer. Detailed with Swarovski Crystals for $49.

5. Karaoke is always a fun time and Gustafer Yellowgold's Have you Never Been Yellow DVD/CD set is fabulous fun for kids of all ages. The New York Times calls it "Dr. Seuss meets 'Yellow Submarine'" and we agree.

6. Who doesn't love Disney? Make yummy waffles, eggs, muffins and more with this 5-in-1 waffle iron with Disney designs. Its nonstick surface, stay-cool exterior, and hinged lid make cooking up yummy fun treats easy. $34.99 at Target.

7. Perfect for posh princesses, the Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game will have her in giggles. Makeover her room with boas, ribbons, tiaras, and more to win. $21, Briarpatch.com.

8. Fun for all ages, the Jishaku game will have you addicted! We love this game, it kept us (and our kids) entertained for hours! Jishaku is a strategy game that will leave you laughing and wanting to play some more.

9. Shaun the sheep is a favorite of kids 'across the pond' and is soon to become a favorite of our kids as well. Shaun and his flock have lots of fun on the farm and bring lots of giggles with them. Check out their entire collection at Lionsgate.com.

10.Calling all super hero's! With the I Am My Own Hero Cape & Mask, your child's imagination will soar and lead to many daily adventures. Available in 7 different colors (for both boys and girls). Personalize with their initial and select color and trim size. $49, Bodemi.com.

11 Garfield lovers will love Garfield's Fun Fest. The Big Talent Show is coming up and Garfield loses his humor and has to journey to get his funny back and win his love's heart back. A fun movie for the whole family.

12. Remember creating these in grade school? Cahootie has taken this childhood game and made it colorful and in a variety of themes. Download or purchase online. Cahootie.com

13. A classic holiday gift is a redesigned bedroom...and Whistle & Wink will help you do just that with their decorative pillows and shams. From airplanes and spaceships to butterflies and birds, there is something for every child at Whistleandwink.com.

14. I Spy Private Eye is the perfect game for family game night. Become an I Spy Private Eye and remember what you spy...with just 30 seconds to spy the images on all 9 cubes, this game will test their memory and be a family favorite. $25, Briarpatch.com


Family Holiday Gifts
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.