I’ve never done a review combo post before, but to help jump start the holidays, Christmas is coming quick, I’m going to highlight 10 items that are great for the holidays. Here are my ten favorite items for this time of year!
For the Sick:
Give the gift of Vapor-Eze. This compact waterless vaporizer is amazing! Small enough to fit on even the most compact nightstand (ours actually sits on top of the alarm clock!) and boy does it work. Simply put on a Menthol Eucalyptus pad and let it work for you, for as long as 8 hours. Three strength settings to ensure you are getting enough for your stage of sickness. If you put it on high and aren’t sick, your eyes will burn you out of the room. But if you are recovering, or just starting to get stuffy, put it on low and it’ll be just right. Gentle enough for young ones. I pull it out at the first sign of sickness! But the best part is that unlike other systems, this one has benefits for those that aren’t sick! Put on an “Alert” pad to help you get going in the morning, or to work through that sleepy time we all have every day. Then at night when your brain won’t stop going, or you’re trying to lull the little one to sleep, put a lavender pad on the Vapor Eze! $25 for the Vaporizer and $4 for each refill of pads (5 pads per pack.) Right now they also have a Holiday Special where you can get the Vaporizer AND three refill packs for $30!
For the New Parent:
Get them the Itz Been! This ingenius little timer keeps track of the last time baby ate, got a diaper change, or slept. It also tracks which side baby last nursed on, and has a misc timer for things such as dinner, time out for the older sibling, or anything else you need to time. It’s especially useful for new parents who are still going through that tough transition time, but also for parents who have a daytime nanny. Even if Dad takes over while mom naps it helps keep track of when things need to get done. The misc timer is useful also for timing dinner, story time, time outs, phone time, etc. It also has a regular clock. It really is genius. The belt clip keeps it handy. The good thing is that it’s usefulness lasts beyond the baby days. Even toddlers can be timed for naps, snack time, and time between tries at the potty. Costs around $25 dollars and can be found at a variety of stores.
For the Hungry Santa, or stocking stuffers:
Try Snikiddy Snacks, a brand of delicious organic cookies and snacks. They never settle for less then USDA- Certified Organic, or anything less then delicious. We tried two different items to toss in the bag for a zoo trip and when I pulled them out both my guys were more interested in the snack then the animals! Prices vary but they are available at a variety of nationwide stores.
For the Reader:
Check out Salem Ridge Press, a company that publishes reprints of old books. Focusing on books from the 1800’s to 1920’s with old fashioned values. The stories are well written, and sometimes feature a small definition note if the word is archaic. The note is on the bottom of the page and doesn’t distract from the story. I often found the words were used well enough in context that the definition was unnecessary, but some younger kids may need it. The biggest issue is that not all old fashion values are good things, some books may portray slaves and such, but it is history. I read “The America Twins of the Revolution” and really enjoyed it. I read it in a naptime, but I read very quickly. While the story did feature slaves, it featured the rarely shown side of slaves who were well treated. I intend to read more of their books myself, but younger kids would enjoy them also. I loved that even the educational ones were fun to read. So just keep the education a secret and put a stack under your Christmas tree.
For the Preschool Set:
If your family sets out a Nativity for Christmas you might find yourself yelling “Just leave it alone!!!” quite a bit, since most sets are fragile and can be quite expensive, but the set available from One2Believe is neither fragile nor expensive. The downside, it is made in China of PVC. PVC is most likely to have lead in it, BUT the company does frequent testing, trips to review factory conditions, and more. I still didn’t want Blu to play with it, so I took it to church. The 4-5 year olds in my class couldn’t get enough of it! They all want to take it home with them. The nativity set includes quite a few pieces (way more then it needed my young students told me) and cost $25. I recently saw several individual figures from this same company at Dollar Tree, so if you need a quick Christian/Biblical stocking stuffer I’d check it out.
For the Toddlers:
Have you seen Chubbies yet? These cars and trucks are amazing! Built of a wonderful plastic with hard rubber wheels they are tougher then tough and roll so smoothly! The vehicles are dishwasher safe, so they can play outside then get cleaned up for indoor play easily or disinfected after a cold goes around. Blu already has the Ambulance, and a small boat for the tub. To review I got the Ferry, the mat set, and the SUV. I confess the Ferry isn’t so great. It’s much more fragile then the other chubbies. Blu still loves it, but I find myself always reattaching pieces. Also Blu managed to chew off the rubber part of two very small cars. We LOVE the SUV though. The mats pack is awesome too, 20 self adhesive mats for dining out, all with a road theme and a vehicle to cruise around with. We just LOVE Chubbies. My husband frequently says “Where were these toys when I was a kid!??!!?” The rubber wheels roll on surface no other car would dare! One day the car actually rolled right over the threshold of our house! The bigger vehicles arrive with drivers! Sturdy figures reminiscent of old “Little People” that Blu loves as much as the cars themselves! The prices are amazingly cheap! Super chubbies are about 10″ long and in the teens price range, small cars are as cheap as a buck or two! Shhhhh, don’t tell Blu, but there will be Chubbies under our tree!
For the Older Boys:
Try Automoblox! These unique, sturdy, toys combine building blocks with cars for a toy that is really the best of both worlds! Various vehicles can mix and match for uniquely designs new cars and trucks! They are made from wood with plastic accents, a wooden frame of the car but plastic windshield and wheels, and are so sturdy. The wood is simply polished, not painted, so the sleek beauty of the wood shows through. They are really neat. The only downside is that one car is limiting, I could only manage one or two very basic changes, you really need several cars to enjoy them. They are a bit pricey, $38-40 for a full size car and $10 for a mini, but for this kind of quality it’s worth it!
For All Kids:
You have to try Green Toys! The product line is small, but the toys are amazing! Made from 100% recycled milk jugs and even the packaging is recycled. These toys are the thickest sturdiest plastic I’ve seen in a longgggg time. Cookware sets, tea sets, and more that won’t compare to any other toys you’ve seen! These are the greatest! Definitely a top 10 of all the items I’ve featured! $25 and up per playset,and available at several major retailers. This is one toy I say every family HAS to buy at least one of!
For the Baker/Cook/Sandwich Maker:
Check out Earth Balance products! This line of buttery spreads and peanut butters can’t be beat! Next time you bake, or make a pb&j try them! The peanut butter especially is the best peanut butter I have ever had. All natural, but no stir, it’s the first time in 20 years that I could eat a spoonful of peanut butter and enjoy it! Unfortunately it’s only available at select healthy stores, but many of them are nationwide chains. I’ve been raving about this peanut butter to anyone that would listen since I got it.
For the Budding Artist:
Check out Stubby Pencil Studios a unique line of earth friendly art products! I love the blank card sets. Encouraging young ones to give birthday cards, thank you cards, and general notes, a true dieing art. These cards are made from recycled paper and feature a large outlined image, coloring book style, to allow them to add their own spin on the design. Thick paper can allow crayons for the young ones, and paint for the older ones. Design options vary from super cute and easy for the youngest of kids to color, to more detailed that older kids and adults will enjoy. The shop also features earth friendly paints, pencils (check out the Smencils scented pencils, I’m in love with them!) and more. I’m planning on ordering the rock crayons next. Prices vary, but an 6pack of cards with envelopes is $7.95, or a 12 pack of Valentines for the same price. Every item I see is at or below standard retail price for items that they don’t make themselves. I love that kids can create their own items at young ages. Blu send his first Stubby Pencil card, hand colored all by himself, at just under a year old. As far as I’m concerned he’ll be sending them for years to come! I think a set of several blank card sets, and some nice colored pencils or crayons, would make a great gift all packaged together!
I hope this helps you select some last minute gifts, and if you enjoyed the 10 item layout please leave a comment, same for if you hated it! I want to know if you’d like me to keep doing them on occasion. Don’t worry individual reviews won’t be going anywhere.
