Ride Their Way to Learning Fun

This is a great toy to get kids moving. What I especially love about it is that it allows kids to burn energy in a small, indoor space during the winter months. We live in a Chicago condo and I can tell you this toy is at the top of the list for this Christmas!

The other great thing about the Vtech Jungle Gym Ride and Learn Giraffe Bike is that it combines learning with both physical activity and music. Little ones are full of energy - that's what makes them so much fun! It also means that they have a hard time focusing for more than a few minutes. By incorporating learning with physical play you'll be amazed how long you little one stays actively engaged.

Don't take my word for it. The Vtech Jungle Gym Ride and Learn Giraffe Bike was featured in the November 2009 issue of Working Mother magazine!

Price starts at $39.99.

Find it Online:

Vteck Jungle Gym Ride and Learn Giraffe Bike (ages 18 months - 3 years)- toysrus.com

Knitting Totes

If you know someone who knits, this is a gift that will suprise and impress them! Knitting totes are all the rage right now and serious knitters are dying to get their hands on one. With the cute styles out, even novice knitters will love being able to organize their needles and go.

Added benefit: purchasing a tote from the BCA Pink line (shown) by Della Q also supports Breast Cancer awareness!

Prices start at $8.00.

Find it Online:

Silk Project Bag: fabulousyarns.com

Chloe Sea Grass Tote: fabulousyarns.com

QUE Interchangable Needle Case: fabulousyarns.com

Lena Knitting Tote: fabulousyarns.com

Giftbaskets for Knitters

Knitters of all ages will love these adorable giftbaskets and you'll love the price. FabulousYarn builds custom giftbaskets and provides enough guidance to help even a teenage boy assemble a great gift! You select the theme, basket size, and yarn colors. You can even select knitting patterns, needles, and stitch markers to round out the gift! Your gift will be beautifully arranged in a quality basket and will arrive already wrapped with a custom card attached! FabulousYarns provides a wide variety of high end, top quality yarns that knitters of all skill sets will appreciate.

Know someone who's expecting? This would be a great gift for expectant mothers, especially if they have been ordered to bed rest!

Prices start at $22 for the sock giftbasket.

Find it Online:
Organic Cotton Yarn Giftbasket (shown with yarns in Willow and Bone) - fabulousyarns.com
Build Your Own Giftbasket - fabulousyarns.com

Do it Yourself:
This is an easy idea to replicate yourself. For high end yarns a quick google search will tell you if there is a yarn specialty shop in your area. If not, crafting stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics, and even many Walmarts, carry large selections of yarn, patterns, and needles. If you're not sure what to get just ask someone in the store. They'll be glad to help. (To save money keep an eye on the local sales. Every now and then Jo-Ann Fabrics has a buy 1-get 1 free sale on yarn!)

Slippers Again?

I'm actually not going to tell you that slippers are a bad gift idea - they're cheap, everyone's feet get cold in winter, and they need replaced annually.

However, if you are going to go the slipper route this year please, please, please take the time to find slippers that will be FUN to receive.

Prices start at $5.99!

Find it online:

For Her

Xhilaration Sparkle Pom Slippers ($5.99) - target.com

Xhilaraton Polka Dot Loafer Slipper ($6.00) - target.com

Women's Chasity Sweater Bootie Slippers ($18.00) - target.com

For Him
Men's Cayden Canvas Slippers ($14.99) - target.com
Acorn Slipper Sock - zappos.com
Sierra Designs Down Moccasins (shown) - zappos.com

For Kids
Disney Cars Slippers ($7.99) - target.com
Kids' Soft Ones Sock Monkey Slippers ($14.99) - target.com
Toddler Girls' Fancy Nancy Scuff Slippers ($7.99) - target.com

Nike Trash Talk

This crazy new footwear is the brain child of Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Steve Nash. It's a performance grade basketball shoe meant to improve not only your game, but the environment too!

Anatomy of the Nike Trash Talk:

• The upper is pieced together from leather and synthetic leather waste from the factory floor using zig-zag stitching.


• The mid-sole uses scrap-ground foam from factory production


• The outsole uses environmentally-preferred rubber that reduces toxics and incorporates Nike Grind* material from footwear outsole manufacturing waste.


• The Phoenix Suns’ colorways will have shoe laces and sockliners which use environmentally-preferred materials and will be packaged in a fully recycled cardboard shoe box.

A great gift idea for athletes, teens, or anyone interested in going green.

Prices start at $79.99.

Find it Online: (not easy!)
Nike BB II Low Trash Talk - SneaKersin.com