FRIDAY'S GIVEAWAY WINNER (11/30): Congratulation to Minnesota Baby Facebook follower Melissa Stein Pickert!!! She's won the ultimate Minnesota get-away gift for a parent in need of a break... a one-night stay at Mystic Lake Casino and two tickets to the Big and Rich concert on January 26th! Thanks for participating everyone:)
GIFT IDEAS FOR CHILDREN:
We received our first I See Me! book for our daughter Linna when she was born, and one year later we are quickly starting quite the collection. We love the beautiful illustrations in these books, as well as the personalized stories, AND the fact that this is a Minnesota company. Check out their personalized Holiday book collection, and order books for all the kids in your family to get FREE shipping on orders over $95. Congratulations to our Facebook follower Lindsay Thorne Hutchins, and Jackie Gerken for winning a personalized children's book from I See Me! on Monday, Nov. 26th!
Thomas & Friends: Track Master Risky Rails Bridge Drop
Like many toddlers, our 15-month-old is all about trains, so we got her this Fisher Price Thomas & Friends train track system for Christmas. It says it's for ages three and up, so we're hoping it keeps her attention for at least a few years. This train set had great reviews on Amazon and we've heard it's pretty durable, so we ordered it! We're hoping for hours of entertainment and learning opportunities for Linna and her little friends during playtime.
Every child had one of these little trikes in Singapore, and until I lived in Singapore I had never really seen them before. The Fisher Price Stroll-to-Ride Trike takes children from 10 months to 3 years, has a telescoping parent handle, adjustable sun shade, padded headrest, bottle holder, folding foot rest, 3-point harness, a storage bucket and even a storage bag for mom. Even though they come in pink, we got Linna one in green, because at $140 (you can buy them at Toys R' Us) we'd like to use it for baby #2 (no I'm not pregnant).
In November, Mall of America welcomed Lululemon's Ivivva Althletica, which specializes in cross-functional athletic apparel for girls ages 6-14. If you're a mom who loves Lululemon, you're little girl is in luck because Ivivva is similar in quality and technical design to Lululemon! They have brightly-colored clothing that works for dance class, gymnastics, yoga, or just having fun, and several key items are reversible to maximize use. My little cousins would LOVE these fashions, and I'm a big fan of the Ivivva Routine Jacket II in the purple color!
If you know a mom with a baby, this is a go-to gift idea. I received a pair of Robeez before Linna was born, and she basically lived in them as an infant. Robeez are the original soft-sole shoe for babies and toddlers (up to age 4). They offer an adorable gift box featuring their socks, which are perfect for the holidays! This box set, cleverly disguised as a block, includes 6 unique pairs of socks with two set options for boys and girls and retails for under $20. Most of their shoe styles are under $25 too! Congratulations to Heather Dionne for winning a pair of Robeez on Tuesday, No. 27th!
Nabi 2 TabletIf you have a child who needs to be entertained on long car or plane rides (like mine), and you're not keen on handing them your smartphone, only to have them delete all of your contacts, photos, and videos, then the Nabi 2 Tablet may be the holiday gift idea for your little one. The Nabi 2 is the fastest, most powerful seven-inch tablet for kids, with educational programs, games, music, books, camera, etc., for kids of all ages. It also includes a drop-safe bumper. At $199, it's definitely an investment, but if you buy this for your child at a younger age, they'll get plenty of years out of it!
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic at the Xcel Energy Center for eight performances, Dec. 6th-9th. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends from Disney’s Mulan, The Lion King and Pinocchio, and Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Toy Story take to the ice for this grand celebration. Your little one(s) will watch 60 unforgettable Disney stars that span the decades, in a sing-along score of award-winning Disney music, stunning choreography, and elaborate sets and beautiful costumes. I can't wait to bring my daughter to opening night! Tickets are on sale at Ticket Master. Congratulations to Jamie Kistner Anderson for winning a family 4-pack of tickets to the show on Wednesday, Nov. 28th!
The older my daughter gets, the more toys she accumulates, and there's only so many places to store them. I am in LOVE with these 3 Sprouts Storage Bins, especially the one with the owl on it! My 15-month-old is all about owls, but no matter what animal your child is into right now, 3 Sprouts probably has it. Plus, these storage bins are large enough to store many toys, and can be personalized with your child's name on it. Our owl bin sits in the living room, and doesn't look too "kiddie". This is a holiday gift that both the parents and the child will be excited to receive!
Praise Jesus for this little invention, as I am the mom of a teething (molars) 15-month-old! The Molar Muncher is a hands‐free teether that soothes the entire gum line simultaneously. It's constructed of a single mold injection of FDA approved food grade non‐toxic silicone, and is refrigerator and dishwasher safe. They are under $10 and aren't only a soothing gift for babies and toddlers, but for stressed-out parents too!
What better way to give your little fashionista a little style creativity, than with a boot that can be worn three different ways?! The Enzo Jumper boot is a short black boot that your little one can add different shafts to give two additional tall boot looks. Enzo is a Euro-inspired line, and this year they have incorporated the popular equestrian look in this boot. The Enzo Jumper is available in sizes 13 through 5, and are under $90 at Nordstrom.
GIFT IDEAS FOR GROWN-UPS:
The Echo Touch Gloves are perfect for men and women on the go. There are many styles to choose from, and what sets them apart from other gloves is that they have an eLink fabric sewn into the index finger and thumb of each glove that interacts with touch screen devices, making them compatible with the iPod, iPhone, iPad, or other touch-sensitive digital device. You can order them in just about every color, style, and fabric, and they would make the perfect gift for the "tech lover" in your life... especially the tech lovers in Minnesota! My husband and I both have a pair, and when we have our daughter on our hip, these gloves let us ditch the extra step of taking off our gloves, just to answer our phones!
Every Christmas, my mom puts The Polar Express book out on the coffee table. However, after a couple decades of little children getting their hands on it, this book has seen better days. We decided to get Linna's grandparents The Polar Express 25th Anniversary Edition, so they can have their own tradition of reading this story to Linna every Christmas. We found the book for under $10 on Amazon, in the gorgeous silver anniversary hardcover.
I was introduced to Obagi by my sister-in-law, as a skin-care system that actually works. Obaji is sold in higher-end salons, and some of their products require a prescription from a dermatologist. My sister-in-law knows her beauty products and is a big fan of Obaji. The Nu-Derm System has made a big difference in the evenness of my skin tone, and I'm excited to start using the ELASTILash System! A great skincare system isn't always something every woman buys for themselves, so this would make a great gift for the deserving mom, grandma, or sister in your family.
If you're looking for a go-to hostess gift, or a gift idea for the "hard-to-buy-for" family member, L'Occitane is a great pick! L'Occitane Lavender soaps, sprays, and candles are my favorite, and we always get compliments on the scent of our L'Occitane Lavender Liquid Soap in the bathroom. You can find L'Occitane stores at the Galleria in Edina or at the Mall of America. Many of their products are around the $20, so you don't have to spend a fortune to give the gift of luxurious beauty!
Not sure what to get mom and dad, or grandma and grandpa?! Chances are they don't have a Sonicare Toothbrush Set, and I'm sure they'd be happy to have one. Again, this is a product that people don't necessarily splurge on for themselves, but it always makes a great gift. We received our Sonicare Toothbrush Set as a wedding gift, and we'll never go back to using a "manual" toothbrush. The DiamondClean is the newest innovation from Philips Sonicare.
Whether your mom, sister, or grandma likes to go to the gym or not, she will love Moving Comfort's Urban Gym Capris. These capris are perfect for lounging around in and look so great on, that she'll want to go to the gym! These capris offers an adjustable lower leg gather, and hidden front stash pocket. Plus, the waist band provides flattering compression support, giving women slimming and lasting stay-put power for whatever may come her way.
MAC is my go-to eye make-up and I'm loving the Perfectly Plush Brush Kit and the Holiday Mini Lip Kits as a holiday gift for a sister or mom. Do you remember the last time you bought yourself a new make-up brush set? Me neither. And do we ever have enough lip gloss? I think not. These are two perfect gifts for any woman who wants to feel a little bit prettier around the holidays. Plus, you can never go wrong with a great black mascara, or tinted lip glass from MAC. These are two go-two make-up products for even the "non-make-up wearing ladies"!
Stella & Dot jewelry is the perfect statement piece (large or small) for mom, grandma, or sister. They literally have something for everyone, and Stella & Dot is a favorite of celebrity moms like Bethenny Frankel and Katherine Hiegl! I have been looking for a pair of not-too-big/not-too-small jade earrings, and the only ones I liked were the Stella & Dot Serenity Stone Earrings. So I may have purchased myself an early Christmas gift. If you're looking for a lovely necklace that would look great on any woman, and isn't too flashy, check out the Stella & Dot Andrea Pendant Necklace. This would dress up a simple jeans and white tee-shirt! For the lady in your life who likes to make a little bit bigger statement, give her the gift of the Stella & Dot Olivia Bib Necklace. I could see this paired with a cute white and navy striped cardigan, a pair of dark denim skinny jeans, and riding boots, for a dressed-up, but casual look.
Whether you have a coffee drinker in your family or not, the Keurig Vue Brewing System brews beyond coffee! From tea to hot cocoa, the Vue is the latest in Keurig's single-brew systems, allowing you to brew stronger, bigger, and hotter beverages. The Vue allows for eight sizes of brew (from 4 ounces to a travel mug size of 18 ounces), as well as a brewing temperature range between 187 and 198 degrees Fahrenheit, all at a touch of an easy-to-use interactive touchscreen. My parents gave my brother's girlfriend a Keurig last Christmas, and she uses it every day!
Whether you want go glam with sleek, straight locks or smooth tresses the SinglePass takes the "flat" out of flat ironing while leaving hair glassy smooth, hydrated & perfectly in place all day long. For busy moms, this is the perfect gift to get get hair done in minutes. I have very coarse wavy hair, and this iron can smooth my entire head of hair in five minutes. Plus, my hair stays completely straight for a few days! There's also a little "bling" on this tool's case, and the one-inch tourmaline ceramic plates heat up to 450-degrees. At $160 it is a bit of a splurge, but I have owned this straightener for three years without any problems!
This is a holiday gift that will have any new parent thanking you over and over again, for giving them some stress relief during any kind of travel. Created for families on the move, the journeyBee is a lightweight portable crib that's safe and easy to use anytime and anywhere. This portable crib was made by parents, for parents, and literally sets up and closes in seconds. The last thing parents want to deal with after a long trip in the car, is setting up a difficult Pack N' Play, and the journeyBee is the answer parents have been looking for. At under $150, it's comparable to the cost of Pack N' Plays, and will be available to ship in early December 2012!
Rugs make a great addition and accent to any room in the home, but they can be expensive, hard to clean, and expansive to keep clean. That was the case until the Ruggable came about! The Ruggable is a 2-Piece Rug System that can be cleaned in your washing machine. The cushioned, non-slip rug pad acts as a solid base to a variety of stylish covers, and the covers firmly attach to the rug pad, but are easily removed, machine washable and interchangeable. I am in love with the zebra and chandelier print. Give your parents a couple rugs for the kitchen, and they can select new printed or solid colors that they can interchange. Get 25% OFF your online order through December 31st, 2012 by using the code "MNBABY" at checkout!
My mom and I just went to see A Christmas Carol at The Guthrie this past weekend, and both o us agreed that we should make this a yearly family tradition. It's on of my mom's favorite shows, and whenever her birthday or Christmas rolls around, someone always gives her tickets to the show as a gift. In it's 38th year, the new adaptation by Crispin Whittell, tells Scrooge’s story of redemption, and remains as powerful and uplifting as it ever was. The cast, staging, props, lighting, and music are unbelievable, and this is a must-see holiday show! The Guthrie's stage is unlike any other, and completely draws you into the show. Tickets to this show would make a great gift for the entire family, and will be something you can share the experience of together!
It's a mask with activated charcoal to draw out deep-dwelling pore-cloggers. My sister-in-law, who KNOWS her beauty products, was actually told to use this mask by an esthetician who doesn't sell or endorse the product. She just knows it works! This is one of those masks that you can feel working, and your pores actually do look smaller after each use. This is a great gift for any mom, sister, grandma, or even a DAD who deserves a little pampering without having to go to the spa!
In 1993, a busy Minnesota mom with two little girls started making baking mixes for herself. She would blend and package big batches of mixes to save time in her kitchen. Friends started asking to purchase her tasty treats, and that's how Posh Pantry came about! They offer convenience mixes with 100% all natural, homemade flavor. With everything from pancake mixes, to fudge brownie mixes, these little packages would make a great gift for a busy mom or dad, and would also make a great holiday hostess gift!
Think of your most tedious housecleaning task. Now think about never having to do it again. Indoors and out, iRobots are engineered for cleaning performance and convenience, bringing the latest robotic technology to real-world homes. As I am writing this, the Mint iRobot is sweeping and mopping my hardwood floors for me, and my husband is outside with the Looj, as it is cleaning out our gutters. These gifts are a bit of a splurge for mom and dad, but they will pay for themselves with all the time and energy you'll save on your housework!
I remember my mom always reading me The House That Jack Build, from a book that had many rhymes and short stories in it. This one always stuck out.
ReplyDeleteStacy R
The hungry caterpillar
ReplyDeleteThe Giant Jam Sandwich! We read this to our daughter Ellie and she loves it too!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jackie Gerken! You're the winner of a personalized children's book from I See Me!. Please email me with your information (address, email, phone) ASAP, so we can get you the info on how to get your book (info@minnesotababy.org). Thanks everyone, and saty turned for tomorrow's giveaway! - Melissa, Minnesota Baby Founder
Deletecaps for sale!
ReplyDeleteadinatm(at)aol.com
Richard Scarry, The Great Big Word Book..Our son's favorite now is any of those books :)
ReplyDeleteAmelia Bedelia books were my favorite!
ReplyDelete- Lisa
I don't remember my parents reading to us much but I loved to read! The Boxcar Children were a big favorite for a long time! And now I'm reading it to my kids!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jackie Gerken! You're the winner of a personalized children's book from I See Me!. Please email me with your information (address, email, phone) ASAP, so we can get you the info on how to get your book (info@minnesotababy.org). Thanks everyone, and saty turned for tomorrow's giveaway! - Melissa, Minnesota Baby Founder
ReplyDeleteMelissa - my son is almost 8 and still plays with his Thomas the Train items. Your daughter will love playing with the trains for years.
ReplyDeleteWe love going downhill tubing with our 4 year old!
ReplyDeleteWe love going sledding and having snowball fights.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling our favorite winter family getaway this year is going to be the beach since we just moved and now only live 20 minutes from the Atlantic :)
ReplyDeleteWe like to go to the cabin and snuggle up inside and have some good quality family time! Once the boys get older I think our winter family getaways will be to some where warm! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCancun mexico. This winter we are going to arizona!
ReplyDeleteOur favorite getaway is heading to Orlando where my step-son lives with his mom. Now that our little one is a little bigger we might even try a theme park with him this year! Wish us luck!
ReplyDeleteWe like to head to Nana and Papa’a house and enjoy all the outdoor activities in the country!
ReplyDeleteWisconsin dells. My son loves to swim!!
ReplyDeleteRadisson's Waterpark of Anerica Hotel. It makes for a great family stay-cation spot!
ReplyDeleteAnywhere warm! Florida, Mexico, Hawaii!
ReplyDeleteBluefin Bay on Lake Superior. Snow, fireplace and waves!
ReplyDeleteOur favorite family getaway is to come back to Minnesota to visit family. We have been away for 7 years now, but we still consider ourselves Minnesotans because we grew up there and all of our family is there. It is always a very special time for us when we get a chance to come back and visit the wonderful state!
ReplyDeleteWe dont really go anywhere in the winter. Being a single mom, thats kind of difficult.
ReplyDeleteIf I could pick a place to go, I think I would stay in the cold and head to NYC during Christmas.
We like to go our family's house up in Fargo. It might be cold, but we stay cozy when all the cousins hang out.
ReplyDeleteWe like to head to Wabasha and pretend we're on Grumpy Old Men!
ReplyDeleteWe pack of the kids in the car and drive to grandma and grandpa's house for good food, laughs, and fun with cousins of all ages! There is no shortage of smiles during our time spent with them.
ReplyDeleteWe would go down to Florida to visit my Grandpa who migrated there every winter. Nothing beats the sun and sand in Florida during a long, cold, dark Minnesota winter.
ReplyDeleteWe always went south to warm up and see family but we will go north to play in the snow =)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Valerie McFall (comment posted on November 29, 2012 at 3:02 PM)! You've won a holiday gift pack from Minnesota Baby. Please email me (info@minnesotababy.org) with your address so we can ship these to you. Stay tuned to tomorrow's giveaway everyone... it's a good one:)
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