The 2011 Smarty Holiday Gift Guide is sponsored by Toys & Co in Cotswold and Park Road Shopping Center. Find everything on Santa’s list at Toys & Co! And, they will wrap every gift BEAUTIFULLY and oh-so-expertly. They are the toy experts so they will help you source a gift if you are not sure what to get.
Smarties, It’s time to make our lists and check them twice. And we all know they’re getting presents whether they are naughty or nice.
So like every year, we’ll help you get into the spirit and be a gift giving genius! Today is the official start of the Smarty Gift Giving Guide. Today, we’ll kick things off with loads of toys for boys and girls ages 0-2 years old and 2-4 years. Tomorrow we’ll unveil the Smarty Gift Guide 5-9 and Smarty Gift Guide Tweens and Teens.
DIFFERENT and FUN
Memberships – Discovery Place, Rock Hill Children’s Museum or any Museum. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Wow Toys – They had me at battery free and PVC free.
Pillow Pets – Suitable for boys and girls and many animals to choose from.
Robeez – Soft, comfortable shoes for non-walkers in very fun patterns.
Livie & Luca shoes – also super comfy and the softest leather you’ll ever feel!
Stuck on You Name Labels – these labels go on and off, yet withstand water and heat. I leave them on sippy cups and they are no worse for the wear.
Baby Legs – Leg warmers for babies and toddlers with the grooviest designs ever! Boys and girls alike can don these hipsters! Etsy has some super cute options! These last forever – through age 6 and up!
My First Touch ‘n Feel Flash Cards – Babies as young as 6 months love pulling these out, looking at them, feeling the textures. Big hit in my house!
Anamalz – Bendable animal play figures made from organic maple and natural fibers – ADORABLE!
Skip Hop Hug & Hide Owl Toy – Susan Bowman loves some owls and this has been a go-to baby gift for her in the past.
Twilight Turtle – This little guy has been a hit for years and is still helping the munchkins fall asleep at night.
Trunki – Trunki allows children to ride their luggage through the airport or train station. This lightweight, durable, carry-on sized suitcase serves as luggage, riding toy, and transport for kids on the go.
Stocking stuffers from The Land of Nod – This catalog is so fun to look at. They have a variety of affordable items that will up your game in the stocking stuffer department!
THE CLASSICS
Stacking rings
Shape sorting toys
Wooden ABC blocks
Mega Bloks Building Imagination Bag Classic – Comes with a storage bag with zipper to keep your house tidy!
Fisher-Price Little People Toys – Self-entertainment at its finest! Here are some faves – pirate ship, farm, garage, airplane, school bus.
Melissa & Doug wooden puzzles
LeapFrog Fridge Farm
Playskool Busy Ball Popper
LeapFrog Learn & Groove music table
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Counting Maracas
Good Night Thomas Talking Cuddle Pillow
BATH TUB TOYS
Baby Einstein Bath Tub Books Sassy Bathtime Fun Appliques (ABCs and 123s)
Funny Face Beakers Bath-time Toys for the Bath Tub
Alex Toys Rub a Dub Squirters for the Tub
BOARD BOOKS
Always a great gift! Books with flaps or interaction such as pages where they can touch and feel different textures are a plus.
Leslie Patricelli board books – Tubby Time and Yummy Yucky are super popular in our house!
Dear Zoo: A Lift the Flap Book
Usborne Touchy-Feely Books
Sandra Boynton Board Books
This Little Chick
Maisy Board Books
Eric Carle Board Books (The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Brown Bear, The Very Busy Spider, etc.)
CARS, TRAINS & DOLLS
Whether you are a Thomas, Chuggington or GeoTrax family, trains provide hours of enjoyment (and self-entertainment!).
Lillabo trains and track – Spotted at IKEA
Fisher Price My First Dollhouse – Compact, encourages pretend play and you won’t go broke. My daughter got it when she turned 2 and it has provided hours (and years) of enjoyment where your child is entertaining themselves and Mommy can take a break.
Corolle Dolls
Groovy Girl dolls – plush, hip fabric dolls dressed to the nines and you can buy super fun accessories including a bed, a pony, you name it!
PUSH OR RIDE TOYS
Radio Flyer Pathfinder Wagon – We have a 2-year-old and 4-year-old and we’ve used this item more than any umbrella stroller, jog stroller, double stroller, etc. We got it 3 1/2 years ago and it’s a transportation staple in our house.
Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon – awesome and sells for a great price used on Craig’s List.
Radio Flyer Classic Tiny Trike
Step2 Push Around Buggy
Step2 Whisper Ride Buggy – If I were you, splurge for the Whisper Ride. It will cost you an extra $20 but you will not be able to hear yourself think with the noisy tires.
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe – We got this for our son when he was a baby. They can use it before they are walking because it has a “floor”. When they are older, you pop the floor out and they maneuver it “Fred Flintstone style”.
Supermarket shopping cart – I have a cheap one that I got for $15 and both kids love it.
Fisher Price Go Baby Go Lion – Perfect for babies pushing up and just sitting up all the way up to those cruising.
Doll strollers, any and all!
TABLES & CHAIRS
Table and chair set – Where else are they going to host tea parties, pound out Play Doh and fill up coloring books? There are many options so it depends on how much you want to spend.
Pottery Barn My First Table and Chairs Set (wood)
Ikea Mammot Children’s Table and Chairs (plastic)
Floor Chair – The gold standard is the Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair, mine is ordered and on the way!
Make your list and check it twice! We want to hear from you, Smarties, so share your ideas and and “must-haves” for the little ones aged 0-2. Be sure to tune in next week for: Smarty Gift Guide 2-4 years, Smarty Gift Guide 5-9 years and Smarty Gift Guide Tweens & Teens. Happy gifting!
