'Tis the Season
With an adventurous one-year-old (nickname "Danger") and energetic three-year-old in the house this year, Christmas is about to go bigger and brighter than it has in previous years. It also means double the presents. While my two daughters aren't super close in age (2.5 years apart), they're also in that stage where they only want to play with what the other has—this means I'm on the hunt for things that while appropriate for a still crawling toddler, will be entertaining enough for a preschooler and vice versa. On the flip side, I'm also looking for things that each girl can call their own (although I'm told this means just buying two of everything—hands over ears on that one still). Let's be real, some things that I want, they could probably care less about (clothes, anyone?).
So let's get started!
MORE: Don't forget to check out all our editor's gift guides! Maura (pregnancy/newborn), Andie (baby, big kid), Laura (toddler, big kid), Cerentha (tween girl and boy), Anne-Marie (tween boys), April (big kid boy and girl), Madeline (big kid, tween and teen), Olivia (teen), Angelica (foodie mom) and Jen (dad)
New Books
Tell me I’m not alone here—some nights bedtime reading isn’t so bad, and then there are those other nights where despite searching through a million of their books, I can’t find a single thing that I want to read out loud again for the umpteenth time. Some things I always look for in children's books are beautiful illustrations, an engaging storyline and if there's a dash of girl power thrown in, even better! So this may be a selfish gift to give, but a necessary one, for my sanity and their enjoyment.
To buy: (1) Flora and the Flamingo, $11 (2) Once Upon an Alphabet, $16 (3) Shh! We Have a Plan, $12 (4) The Day the Crayons Quit, $12 (5) Rosie Revere, Engineer, $11
Balance Bike
I’ve always been curious about these things—do they really work? Either way, anything that could potentially burn more energy for a non-stop toddler is a plus in my book.
To buy: Kinderfeets Chalkboard Balance Bike, $109
Ride-On Pony
Another thing my one-year-old randomly loves: horses and making horsey noises. (Where she got that from is beyond me.) I love that this particular horse can not only be ridden on, but has tons of other eye-capturing activities for her to busy herself with. And the fact that it makes actual neighing sounds while being ridden? Giddy up!
To buy: Melissa & Doug Giddy-Up & Play Activity Pony, $80
Cute Winter Outfit: For the 3-Year-Old
Another one of those "more for me than them" gifts, but as the mother of two girls, I simply can’t resist. For my oldest, I'm dying over this faux-fur vest and oh-so-soft scarf that—get this—tucks into a pre made hold for a perfect French-inspired "knot" every time. Finished with patterned tights and some fringed booties and this is definitely a little ensemble that I wished came in grown-up sizes.
To buy: (1) Fur vest, $40 (2) Oeuf scarf, $58 (3) Patterned tights, $8 (4) Pleated sparkle dress, $25 (5) Minnetonka fringed boots, $43
Cute Winter Outfit: For the One-Year-Old
My youngest is a crawling monster on the verge of walking and diaper changes have become a game of see how long Mom can chase her while changing her, so clothes have to be a) easy to put on (and take off!), b) comfy and c) cozy. And who doesn't love animal-eared hoodies and baby sheepskin boots? Who?!
To buy: (1) Knit sweater, $46 (2) 'I Have a Lot of Feelings' shirt, $30 (3) Polka-dot baby sweatpants, $23 (4) UGG knit sheepskin boots, $60
Fabric Dollhouse
My three-year-old is super into imaginative play right now, so I just know she’d get a huge kick out of this gorgeous fabric dollhouse from Land of Nod. Not only does it come with four fabric dolls that she can dress up, it also cleans itself up with a simple fold. And the fact that it’s super cute with tons of embroidery detailing is just an added bonus for me. Seriously, how cute is it?!
To buy: Carry Home Dollhouse, $80
Mini Piano
As often happens with second children, my youngest hardly has any toys to call her own so the thought of giving her something special that hasn’t already been played to death by her oldest sister is appealing. Since she’s in that in between crawling and standing all the time phase and LOVES anything that makes noise, this mini piano will be sure to elicit squeals of delight AND it’s easy on the eyes. Win-win.
To buy: Confetti Grand Piano, $148
Cuddly Stuffed Animals
We’ve been fortunate enough to be gifted several of these adorable knitted Blabla dolls and I don’t know what it is about them, but both girls (and Mom) love them. They’re squishy, soft and colorful, so I can totally see the appeal. And for me, personally, it’s one of those stuffed animals that I’m not going to put away in a box somewhere since they’re too cute to hide!
To buy: Blabla dolls, $44-56
Doc McStuffins Mobile Clinic
Show me a parent of a toddler who doesn’t know the catchy "Doc McStuffins" jingle, and I’ll have to de-friend you. Seriously, my daughter is obsessed with Doc. Obsessed. So this replica of her Doc mobile complete with a working CB radio is sure to be a squeal-worthy hit, and hopefully keeps her occupied for at least ten minutes!
To buy: Doc McStuffins Mobile Cart, $45
Laugh and Learn Learning Home
Six hundred moms on Amazon can’t be wrong, right? Whenever we're at someone else's house with this toy, my youngest plays with it forever. And as we know, anything that buys Mom some free time is worth its weight in gold.
To buy: Fisher Price Learning Home, $80
Cozy PJs
As the weather cools cute and comfy PJs are a must in our household. If only they were big enough to get some for me too.
To buy: (1) Kate Baby Organic Bird Footie, $32 (2) Tucker + Tate Llama Pajamas, $30
For Me
While at this stage in my life there are few things that I want or need that I don't just get for myself, there are a few items that I'll always be happy to receive (hint, hint, hubby!). A cute mug for all the coffee I guzzle, a luxurious throw to keep me warm when I pass out on the couch every night, books that I may never get around to reading, but looks great displayed (hey, at least I’m honest), a delicate necklace that can be engraved with my girls' names and a buttery soft leather bag roomy enough to hold all the things a mom of two little ones carries are all things I'll never return!
To buy: (1) Penguin Drop Caps books, $22 (2) Color Block throw, $295 (3) Marimekko mugs, $37/set (4) SCOSHA Gold Tag necklace, $380 (5) Clare V. Margot tote, $350
