Christmas Gift Guide 2013

It's that time of year again when people are put on the spot and asked what they want for Christmas. For me, I'm such a consumer- i want SO.MUCH.CRAP that ill happily buy for myself. However, when it comes down to someone asking me what I want for Christmas, I'm completely stumped and get stressed out about it. In essence, i want a lot but really need nothing and content with that. As each year I'm maturing (hopefully) I'm pretty happy with what I've got and look forward to traditions being met (like eating certain foods) more than any thing. On the flip side, i love buying gifts for people mainly because i kind of love shopping. If you're feeling like you need some support in that department, here are some of my recommendations for  some people in your lives:

---> For The New Mamma and Pappa: 
ERGO Stowaway

i love our ERGO and I'm glad the company has finally come out with a travel carrier because their carriers take up a lot of space. Whether it'd be in the undercarriage of a stroller, a backpack, your luggage, or just any where, from baby to toddler stage, i consider this carrier a sanity saving device! fussy baby? tired kid who refuses to walk? kid a slow walker and you didn't bring a stroller? quick errand and need your hands free? going to the mall and don't want to be part of the craziness that is the elevator waiting times? wear the kid!

--> The Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins
iPAD

clearly Apple doesn't need any more advertisement but i really need to rave about this life changing device for Max's grandparents. the one thing we love about it was the FaceTime app and because of this, Max is able to see my parents on a daily basis without have to trek over to their house. Since he was a baby, we can keep them on board with updates and they can talk in real time, no fuss, no getting dressed, no diaper bags, and hang up when he's cranky! to top it off, the technology is free (no long distance charges), it's light and portable, cheaper than an iMac or macbook and is very intuitive for the not so technologically inclined. 

--> for the KIDS!
Sensory Shapes!

Max has 2 sensory balls and ill be getting him the rest of the set. He calls them "spiky balls" and he just absolutely loves playing with them and carrying them around. they're a fun texture, they float in the bathtub, they're lightweight, they're colourful, it doesn't hurt if thrown at your, and if you keep rotating them then it's like a new toy every week!

Wedgits

I saw Max playing with these Wedgits at Strong Start. He was really into it staking them high in different order and colours, and then of course once it got a certain height either someone would kick it down or Max would tip it down so it all comes crashing down…and then he would rebuild it again. I thought it was just a plain stacking toy until i saw the website and you can do so much with the pieces and the add on's! it's really neat and not only does it support creativity through construction, it's perfect for small hands with no choking hazards. I thought you didn't get much for what you paid for (vs. Lego) but then when it was time for clean up, i was like YES and DONE! 

Play Kitchen

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I love pretend play with Max and at the Strong Start kitchen we often play with the foods and utensils. I almost flipped out when someone said to me something in the realm of, "don't lie to him, it's not real food." i was like WTF?! i know it's not real food, Max knows it's not real food, but we're playing pretend. Argh! Anyhow, a full kitchen is not so apartment friendly but I'm digging these little pieces to prep with, to eat, and to drink. Max is always rifling through our kitchen drawers and whipping out the utensils. For food, these are just some starters that he's familiar with like the lemon, banana, orange and apple. And because he sees his dad drink coffee all the time, we like to have our own tea parties with cups that won't break when he decides to just clear the table..his own way (everything on the ground using in one swift motion of the arm)! haha

Hope this helps you some, happy shopping!

of course if you're really curious as to what I want here are some links to some beauties:

this bedroom  // all of these // these sandals // i can find homes for these // i won't say no