KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Nerida

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ok, it’s officially time for me to seriously plan the Christmas festivities for our house. And what better place to start than with the kids!

Without further ado, here are the pressies that will be gracing our tree this year.

1. First up on my Top 10 is a dress for my girl to wear on Christmas Day. I have long been a fan of Scanlan and Theodore, and now channel this love to Fiona Scanlan’s beautiful BIG label, for kids. The Daisy and Little Print dress is top of my list - available from www.bucketsandspades.com.au.

2. Like most three year olds, my daughter loves role playing (which currently extends to her begging to help iron her clothes - hope that one continues!) and Le Toy Van make the most beautiful kitchens and accessories. I am sure she will love the Honeybake Breakfast set from Little Possums Toys - www.littlepossumtoys.com.au.

3. So far my 6 month old is quite happy for me to decorate his room so I am going to get him one of the delightful Shinzi Katoh prints from Kinder Gallery www.kindergallery.com.au.

4. Next up, another gift for my soon-to-be-mobile son. He should start walking in the next 6 months so I need to find something fun, attractive, and durable, to kep him busy. I love the Bajo Jumping Frogs Push Toy - available from Send A Toy - www.sendatoy.com.au

5. To help my boy look even cuter than normal on the day, the Munster Wild Things tee should do the trick. Available from Itty Bitty Yuppy - www.ittbittyyuppy.com.au.

6-8. Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without a swag of books to relax with on a hot summer’s day. We have long been fans of Janet and Allan Ahlberg and the book Burglar Bill will be perfect for my girl while Julia Donaldson’s latest, Stick Man, will be a nice one to read aloud to my son. I am also very happy to see Nigella Lawson has released a new book for the festive season on the festive season. I will be hoping to receive her book Nigella’s Christmas from someone this year (better start dropping hints!). All books available from  Fishpond - www.fishpond.com.au

9. We are in desperate need of a new stroller and I have my eye on the Silver Cross Dazzle. I love the range of colours - hopefully there will be enough Christmas cash leftover to get one! Available from Tiny People - www.tinypeople.com.au

10. And finally, some crafts for my daughter. The Djeco Princesses Stamp/Ink Pad will be a big hit. Available from Where Did You Get That? - www.wheredidyougetthat.com.au

1. Big by Fiona Scanlan Daisy and Little Print Dress $74.95
2. Le Toy Van Honeybake Breakfast Set  $94.95
3. Shinzi Katoh print  $70
4. Bajo Jumping Frogs Push Toy  $49.90
5. Munster Wild Things Tee $29.70
6. Burglar Bill by By Janet and Allan Ahlberg $13.32
7. Stick Man by Julia Donaldson $32.99
8. Nigella Christmas by Nigella Lawson $81.99
9. Silver Cross Dazzle $395
10. Djeco Princesses Stamp/Ink Pad $19.95

Please check individual stores for shipping costs.

Oh-ho-ho! You are going to *love* this one! This week, Miki showcases a fantastic range of toys for babies and kids from birth to 6 years up. Whether you’re looking for a gift, or for a rainy day activity, your problems are solved with this great selection. Enjoy!

Next week’s Weekend Special Feature: Decor and Accessories

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Starting off with the aptly named The Hip Infant www.thehipinfant.com.au, there was so much choice that I decided I had to focus just on baby toys if I was to do any of it justice. Don’t for a second think that this is all The Hip Infant have though!

All babies love rattles as soon as they learn to grasp and focus, and I can wholeheartedly recommend the Hip Stuff Mini Maracas in Green, $6.50, which are a big favourite in our household. So hardy too; ours should have broken long ago with the kind of treatment they get, but there isn’t even a chip in the paint!

There are also the exquisite Alimrose Handsqueeker Japanese Doll, $15.95 - so sweet!

Personally, I’m coveting the Heimess Pram String ‘Teddybears’, $39.95 - I love the teddy bears! - and what little surfer wouldn’t love to drift off gazing at the Tiger Tribe Mobile ‘Surf’, $29.95?

*******

Kids Gift List - www.kidsgiftlist.com.au - stock a great range of toys for all ages. I focussed on wooden toys for pre-schoolers this time but believe me, it was hard to tear myself away from everything else they have!

Now firstly I thought the KGL Russian Doll Set in Dark Blue, $12.90 for set of five was just gorgeous. There are a number of different colour and design options, and KGL advertises them as the perfect present for a little girl which I absolutely agree with. Very affordable too!

I giggled at the Bowl Me Over Penguin Set, $19.95; what a great ‘rainy day’ indoors activity!

But my jaw dropped when I found the Exciting Zoo, $124.95. Have a close look I’m sure you’ll see why. What an amazing toy set!

Finally, Angela will never forgive me if I don’t mention her favourite, the KGL Combi in Peace Red, $9.95 (available in a multitude of colours). She claims that her daughters play with the Combi, but I think she secretly keeps it for herself…

You can take 15% off these prices using the discount code in this month’s My Child magazine - for more info click here.

*******

If, like many parents, you wish your school-aged kids would spend less time playing video games and more time doing something creative, then head straight over to ShopHouse - www.shophouse.com.au.

Now, I must mention the Little Kitchen sets first. ShopHouse are offering 20% off the entire range, and I can’t think of a better range of products to get kids interested in cooking. After all, the love of cooking can be instilled at a young age and if you play your cards right, you could have the kids cooking gourmet dinners before too long! (Well, I can dream…) Little Kitchen Boy’s Apron and Utensil Set, $49.95 $29.97.

For the budding artistes there are the ‘Build-It’ and ‘Create-It’ kits: boys and girls alike will love the range of designs here, and imagine how proud they’ll be to take their creations along to Show & Tell!

Don’t forget the extra 15% discount you can apply with the My Child discount code!

Create-It Picture Frame Kit, $16.95; Build-It Rocket Kit, $16.95; Create-It Prima Ballerina Kit, $16.95;

*******

Finally, Send-A-Toy - www.sendatoy.com.au- famous for their great deals on Wheely Bugs.

As a specialist online toy store they have an immense range, and I found it nigh on impossible to narrow it down enough to find products to feature in here.

That said, I did think the PINTOY Wooden Toys ‘My Little House’ ($164.00) was a stand-out. Feminine but funky and with a clever open-sided layout that allows more than one child at a time to play with it, it comes complete with furniture and two dolls; excellent value.

The Djeco Creanimaux Farm Stacking Blocks ($49.90) are also a great concept - create six ‘normal’ animals or mix-and-match to invent your own critters! Cool!

Crocodile Creek do beautifully made, resilient toys, of which a prime example are the Crocodile Creek Colorama Balls ($16.90 each). Once you’ve had one you’ll realise that no playground or back yard is complete without it.

And last but certainly not least, may I present to you the totally fab, retro-rockin’ Radio Flyer Retro Dual Dual Deck Tricycle ($159.90) just perfect for encouraging toddler independence!

Please check individual sites for shipping details.

kid style file kidsstylefile kidstyle file kid stylefile kids style file stylefile