Mama can’t imagine that you’ve done on your holiday shopping yet. In fact, the holiday catalogs are just starting to pour in with a little less than six weeks until Black Friday marks the day for big sales and for the battles to begin for this year’s hottest toys. All the toys Mama mentioned last week, are sure winners! However, not every kid will be excited to see a dancing Mickey Mouse under their tree or dreidel.
So Mama is looking beyond the obvious and going with a few dark horses that Mama is sure will please the pickiest of kids. Oh, and a good rule of thumb to avoid overindulgence this holiday season for your kids:
- From Halloween until the day you open holiday presents, DON’T buy any toys, books or other ‘gift’ item for your child. This way it will be extra special and appreciated on the big day (exceptions are always made for birthdays of course!).
- Avoid overwhelming your child on holidays with too many gifts that they forget their manners. Give your child: something to play with, something to read, something to wear and something handmade (by you is always best — even if it’s just poem you wrote or a silly song you want to sing them).
- When the kids go holiday shopping with you, let them pick out a gift to donate to another child in need. This will teach them that the holiday season is also about giving not just receiving.
- Make writing thank you notes an afternoon craft project letting them make their own and either hand delivering the notes or sending by Pony Express!
Cardboard dreams — any child big or small, boy or girl will get something eco-friendly this holiday. It’s just a fact of society these days! Mama is in love with the idea of cardboard playhouses that kids can color and decorate their own special way. It’s a multi-purpose toy since it’s an arts and craft and a toy they can play with. Girls will go ga-ga for the Cardboard Doll House, $22.65, at Amazon.com
. For boys, try this awesome Fire Station, $24, at uncommongoods.com.
Build it — there are so many amazing building toys these days but there are a couple that stand out in Mama’s mind that are perfect for boys and girls. The eco-friendly Tegu magnetic block set is Mama’s pick for any boy or girl ages 18 months to 8. They are sturdy and can be built any which way. Better than a block set, Tegu is the next generation of building toys — you will not be disappointed with giving this gift! Available at Mama’s Shop, $55 for Discovery Set and $100 for the Complete Set. Another great set is the Connectagons by Hearth Song — they come in several varieties and colors including butterflies just for girls! Available at HearthSong.com, $24.95 and up.
Doh power — never, never underestimate the popularity of Play-Doh with kids. As much as you hate that they stomp it into the carpet and you seem to find it years later in your couch cushions…it’s a holiday toy that always is greeted with a smile. New for this year is the Sesame Street Shape & Spin, $19.99, and the Play-Doh Star Wars Set, $15.99, is sure to be a hit with the boys. The Cake Shoppe is perfect for your girly girl too! All available at ToysRUs.com. The great thing is that once you buy the toy — you can make your own Doh…right?!
Making the band — if you have tots, you know they love to sing and dance. Why not let them showcase their talent on real instruments — not just pots and pans. Lily-girl is begging for a drum set — a pink one. Will she get it? Only Santa knows if he’ll be delivering it…If you have a little drummer in your family too — Mama loves the Little Tikes Drum
so that kids can pretend their in a parade. Available at Amazon.com, $16.45. For older kids, try them out with a First Act Discovery Guitar, $39.99. It comes in amazing colors like purple with jewels for girls and a navy blue with flames for boys. What is your child asking for this holiday season?
