v 1 issue 11: 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 Shannon Stewart

Holiday Gifts




1-HUE, the new HD webcam from Clique Communications is the perfect present for anyone who needs to communicate via the web. Kids and adults alike love the unique and colorful look of HUE and since it is the highest quality webcam available you will be impressed with its ability as much as its stylish look. HUE enables live video conferences, video chat, instant video messaging as well as all forms of video communications. Now grandma can see your kids while they tell her about their day. $99, on sale for $79 through the manufacturer.
2-We love the V-Scooter by Winther; virtually indestructible, this scooter is crafted with a sturdy steel frame, real rubber tires and handgrips, and non-slip (think safe) textured steel deck. If you are terrified of your child riding a scooter, compromise by getting them this scooter with the V-shaped design which provides maximum stability. Available in two sizes, small for ages 4-7 and large for ages 6-10. $179-$199 at FAO Schwarz.
3-Moms looking to loose some weight this winter should consider snowshoes…snowshoeing burns three times the calories as regular walking! Get your kids to join in on the fun with these affordable snowshoes by LL Bean. These snowshoes will last through several kids as the quality is fantastic and the extras like mitten-friendly binding adjustments make them kid-friendly. Carries 25-60 lbs; $39. Consider a pair for yourself as well as this is our favorite form of fun exercise.
4-We love the Home Sweet Play Home found at the Land of Nod. Perfect for a bedroom hideaway for a special little girl. This play tent will be a hideaway for reading, pretend play or just lounging around. The adjustable hanging mechanism fits ceilings up to 9 feet tall. Available in blue, pink, green or lavender, $139.
5-Not only does the Nitro Notebook look cool but it is jam-packed with learning tools and will keep your child occupied for hours. Kids choose from 80 arcade-style games to learn math, reading, Spanish, logic, music and more. It will read stories aloud to teach phonics and build comprehension skills. Artificial Intelligence technology tracks performance and adjusts the skill level as needed. $50 at Toys R Us.
6-The Sansa Shaker has a built-in speaker to enjoy music without ear buds and listen with friends and family...or plug in the ear buds when dad has had enough. The Shaker has two headphone jacks so more than one can listen quietly. Load your favorite songs to the Shaker and easily change songs by shaking the device. Available in several colors and comes with stickers so your child can customize. $30 - $50, Amazon.com.
7-Every little girl will love this table and chair set found at The Land of Nod with a roomy under compartment to store toys, markers, and more! Pair the table with their Chelsea Chairs that feature scalloped edges, curved legs and oval cutouts.
8-Your child can build the house of their dreams with LEGO Creator. This spectacular set includes instructions for three different house models, plus all the parts you’ll need to design your own original creations. Add a garage, driveway and fence in the yard…or dream up something bigger. $50 at Amazon.com.
9-The perfect gift for your star athlete. This digital basketball hoop has a scoreboard that lights up and keeps track of every point, music to cheer him on and a shot clock. Includes two basketballs, a pump and AC adapter. $169, PotteryBarnKids.com.
10-Custom Made For Kids, The First Adventures of Incredible You is our favorite gift to give this season. An award winning personalized children’s book, it makes the perfect gift for every occasion. The book is personalized with your child’s favorite people and places and follows your child from the day they arrived on Earth through their exciting adventures in life. Take a virtual book tour to see pages from the book. For $32.95 you will create a gift that will be cherished for a lifetime.
11-Surprise her with this beautiful Victorian wooden doll house by Melissa & Doug this holiday season. The interior and exterior are already decorated with wall paper, deluxe furniture, and accents. Comes with 6 rooms of furniture and accessories. $350 at MyPrincessCloset.com.
12-Wallcandy Arts’ Chalkboard panels go up in seconds and remove without damaging your walls so your kids can draw and write their thoughts anywhere. Each kit contains 4 wall panels. $58 at Wallcandyarts.com. Also available are the chalkboard border, chalkboard animals, and chalkboard circles.
13-Give the glowPhone from Firefly Mobile or the flyPhone for older kids and you will feel great knowing your child can contact you at any time without worrying who else they may be calling. The glowPhone features a full color screen, built in games, built in flashlight, customizable ringtones and wallpapers. Store up to 50 numbers including the dedicated keys for mom and dad. Protect your child from unauthorized incoming and outgoing calls by PIN to just numbers stored in the phone book.
14- For your little man and lady, perfumes and colognes may be just the ticket. Shop Perfumania’s collection including Spiderman, Tinkerbell and more.

Get Involved

During the holiday season we all wish we could do more for less fortunate and would like our children to learn the value of giving back and helping others. Giving and volunteering are two of the most satisfying family activities and is a way to teach your children to be altruistic. Giving of your time and money feels good and helps others. It can also be a great way to spend some quality family time. By starting when your children are young, they will grow up wanting to help others and hopefully inspire others to help as well. Volunteering teaches responsibility and provides your child with the knowledge that one person can make a difference and will inspire them in their futures.
Get your family involved in your community by calling a local charity, church, hospital, soup kitchen or shelter. By dialing 211 on your phone you can get phone numbers of local human service organizations in your area. Use the internet to find your state’s food banks to donate money or your time. Many food banks currently have companies matching funds donated through the holiday season. Since food banks can purchase bulk lots at discounted pricing, in many cases just $50 can feed 500 people when local companies match your funds.
Even small children can get involved by picking up trash at the beach or your neighborhood park. It may be difficult to commit your time weekly, a great idea is to get a few girlfriends to commit to meals on wheels on a particular day of the week but take turns (just four women means you are committed one day a month). Other volunteering opportunities include an animal shelter, visiting the elderly in a nursing home, helping at your child’s school, planting trees in your community, the list is virtually unending.

This week's mom tips

Cleaning Tip: Rub glass shower doors with a white vinegar-dampened sponge to remove soap residue.
Organizing Tip: Get rid of trash. You’ll be amazed at the amount of trash or stuff you never use you have throughout your home. Save time and space by tossing trash and donating usable goods.
Time Saving Tip: Shop online! Services like Netflix for movies and Shutterfly for photos can help you minimize running around by accomplishing tasks from home. Set up online payment for your bills to save money on stamps and a trip to the post office.
Financial Tip: Save on gas by no longer idling your car. Even on cold mornings, cars don't need to idle more than 30 seconds. Especially with newer cars, they are designed to be driven almost immediately.