v 3 issue 9: 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 Amy Hall








1 Pulse Scooters introduces the NEW Slither Drift Scooter. Hold on to the handles and slide the board from side to side for crazy turns and awesome glides. Propels without kicking. This is no ordinary scooter!

2 Long ago, a boy named Nikolas began a mission. Christmas Story tells the tale of Nikolas and the mission which has inspired giving through the generations. The whole family will enjoy this one. Get this one while it is marked down to $7.99.

3 Circles, stars, and flowers in hot colors help accessorize ordinary tees, giving them a custom fit by pulling together extra fabric. Transform the look of tees with a loopteeloo. Enter code: TRENDS for 25% off purchases thru 12/13/09.

4 Bloom Putty is the twistable, poppable, sniffable play stuff for kids of all ages. Free of most allergens, this putty is scented with organic & natural oils. Enter code: TTW20 for 20% off through 12/15/09.

5 The unique sidewalls of Bakers Edge Simple Lasagna Pan keep noodles, sauce, and cheese neatly stacked...no matter how many slices get served. Fabulous!

6 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.

7 lil’ ol’ me has the girls on your Christmas list covered with this lollipop lane 6" rainbow bracelet. Adored with Swarovski crystal and beads and held together with a silver heart toggle. 100% of net profits go to a foundation for autism. Each lollipop comes with a wonderful message/poem on the back of card.

8 What a beautiful sentiment to wear around your neck, “Blessed beyond measure.” Treat yourself or buy this for any woman on your holiday list. Add additional charms, Birthstones or initials. Hand crafted from fine silver @ Madison Reece Designs. Enter code: KTW for Free shipping on all purchases.

9 ReSnackIt, reusable sandwich and snack bags, available in many adorable prints for girls and boys. Great stocking stuffers! Buy three or more ReSnackIts and receive 10% off.

10 Get to steppin' with Sidewalk Surfers from Sanuk. The Culprit's canvas upper comes with an EVA soft molded footbed and a rubberized Happy-U sole. These make great house shoes for the winter months.

11 Spice up sport shorts with Bskinz. Wild & psychedelic prints turn these spandex shorts from plain to insanely great. 15% will be deducted from your purchase at checkout thru 12/31/09.


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.