KidStyleFile

Written by Angela

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

The Big Day is here; it’s December 25. Time to down tools; to take a break; to celebrate and cheer ‘Merry Christmas’!

Whatever your beliefs, and however you celebrate, we wish you the kind of day today that would be memorable at any time of year: fun and joyful and filled with the laughter of your nearest and dearest.

If you’re looking for a spot of retail therapy during the afternoon when everyone else has flaked it then click here for joy and certain bargains, and stay tuned: the post-Christmas sales start tomorrow. See you then!

With love from all of us here at KidStyleFile xxxx

Written by Miki

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

Over the last few weeks, the KidStyleFile team have gone into overdrive to bring you an extensive collection of gift guides to make your Christmas purchasing as easy as possible. We’ve given you a total of twenty-one gift guides covering everything from Stocking Stuffers Under $10 to Big Ticket Items Over $100, and each of the KidStyleFile writers has shown you what we’re placing under our Christmas trees for our own kids as well. We’ve also had the owners of many of our favourite stores give their top suggestions for gifts; it’s always great to hear from the experts themselves.  In total we’ve given you 289 ideas for what to buy the special little people in your life, and we hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have!

In case you’ve missed any of our guides, today I’m going to give you a final wrap-up of everything we’ve covered. And don’t forget, if you’re still stuck for ideas, come over to the KidStyleFile Facebook page to chat to us and all our incredibly helpful fans – I can just about guarantee we’ll come up with the perfect solution.

Our Christmas Gift Guides For 2011:

Top 20 Stocking Stuffers {Under $10}  |  Top 20 Gifts {Under $25}  |  Top 20 Gifts {$25 to $50}  |  Top 20 Gifts {$50 to $100}  |  Top 20 Gifts {Big Ticket Items Over $100}  |  Besty of Etsy: Handmade Christmas Gift Guide  |  Besty of Etsy: An Australian Handmade Gift Guide  |  The Green Guide: Best Eco-Friendly Gifts  | Top 10 Advent Calendars  |  Favourite Christmas Books  |  Staff Picks: Under Dom’s Tree  | Staff Picks: Under Anna’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Melody’s Christmas Tree  | Staff Picks: Under Jen’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Edwina’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Miki’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Leah’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Angela’s Christmas Tree  |  Store Owners’ Picks: Part 1  | Store Owners’ Picks: Part 2  | Store Owners’ Picks: Part 3  | Store Owners’ Picks: Part 4

Please check individual sites for postage details and be sure to survey the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

As part of our Christmas coverage this year we are sharing with you our own personal picks for our very own kids. Today we’re featuring Ange’s picks. You can also read Dom’s picks, Miki’s Picks, Anna’s picks, Melody’s picks, Jen’s picks, Edwina’s picks, Miki’s picks and Leah’s picks. Enjoy!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

This Christmas my identical twin girls are seven years old! This year my gifting focus for them is encouraging exploration, adventure and excitement. In their stocking will go these small clip jars, which I will fill with sweets, these Rabbit LED Night Lights, Sequinned Bird & Cat Masks a book each, the very cool Frosty the Melting Snowman, and a Sunprint Kit. The Mocka Girly Girl Teepee is the centrepiece gift this Christmas; something fun to share. I’m imagining my girls in their teepee with a cache of books, cushions, small toys, and, their sunprint kits to experiment with, and, as evening falls, these sweet Rabbit LED Night Lights to light the night for them. For inside play I couldn’t resist the Air Swimmers Remote Control Flying Clownfish for fits of giggle, Camelot Jnr. Brain Teaser to challenge their minds and the Mini Chocolate Fountain for ultra holiday snacking decadence. The Fairy Treehouse Transformation Kit I plan to quietly install it on a favourite tree on Christmas Eve, and see how long it takes my kids to discover it. Have a magical Christmas!

1. Mini Chocolate Fountain $19.95 from Deals Direct
2. Famous Five: Five Go Off In A Caravan by Enid Blyton $8.23 at Book Depository
3. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett $3.28 at Book Depository
4. Moomin Book 1 by Tove Jansson from Book Depository
5. Frosty the Melting Snowman $11.50 from Mad About Science
6. Sequinned Bird & Cat Masks $14.00 each from Down To The Woods
7. Clarice Bean: The Utterly Complete Collection Box Set by Lauren Child $17.85 at Book Depository
8. Mocka Teepee – Girly Girl $99.95 from Design Child
9. Smart Games Camelot Jnr. Brain Teaser $34.95 from Entropy
10. Fairy Treehouse Transformation Kit USD$65.00
11. Small Rabbit Bunny Night Light $18.95 at My Favourite
12. Clip Jar $4.95 from Larkmade
13. Sunprint Kit $14.50 from Mad About Science
14. Air Swimmers Remote Control Flying Clownfish $39.95 at Deals Direct

Please check individual sites for postage details and be sure to survey the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

Written by Miki

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

Welcome to the final installment of our Store Owners’ Christmas Gift Guide.  I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again – these people are the absolute experts in choosing what the perfect gifts for children are this year as they know their product ranges inside out.  Enjoy their fabulous taste as you browse through their choices below.

Read all our Christmas 2011 Gift Guides to date here. 

		“Create fun and bright Christmas holidays for your little people in these Special Edition Orange Saltwater Sandals.” Hayley Blease at LittlePinwheel.com.au Saltwater Sandals – Orange Limited Edition, $69.00 Also available for mamas, $84.00
“This gorgeous pram will be under the tree for our little girl – it is that special heirloom piece that will be warming hearts this year and bringing smiles to young and old.” Pip at BuxtonBaby.com.au Moover Dolls Pram – Red, $119.95
		“The perfect blend of feminine and playful, the Frill Dress in peony pink and crimson dot is the perfect party dress for the festive season.” Kim at eenimeeni.com Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Frill Dress – Peony Pink/Crimson Dot, from $109.00
“This chair is a replica of the classic Arne Jacobsen design circa 1958. It has been scaled down for children and is eye catching in any nursery or playroom.” Kristy at IncyInteriors.com.au Incy Egg Chair in Red, $399.00
		“This sturdy paperboard rocketship will provide hours of fun in creative play, and as a bonus the kids can spend hours decorating it with the bonus Puggy colour in stickers.” Tamara & Francine at MetroMum.com.au Puggy Paperboard Rocketship Cubby + FREE Stickers, $39.95

Please check individual sites for postage details and be sure to survey the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

As part of our Christmas coverage this year we are sharing with you our own personal picks for our kids. Today we’re featuring Leah’s picks. You can also read Dom’s picks, Miki’s Picks, Anna’s picks, Melody’s picks, Jen’s picks, Edwina’s picks and Miki’s picks. Enjoy! – Ange

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Master R, 5; Leah; Miss N, 3.

Christmas is possibly my favourite time of year. Our yearly custom is to pack our suitcases and Trunkis and head south to my parents farm for an amazing Polish/Australian celebration. It’s the time of year when all of my brothers and their families also make their way to the farm for what can only be described and a very loud, boisterous, laughter filled occasion.

This year Master R and Miss N are the most excited they’ve ever been. We have written letters to Santa and left them in our mailbox only to find them magically gone in the morning; decorated the tree with a wide assortment of both heirlooms, store bought and hand created ornaments, and even crossed off the days on a home-made advent calendar in anticipation of the big day. As the momentum builds I find myself drawn into the magic … with both my kidlets reminding me that family is the ultimate gift.

Below you will find a round up of some of the gifts my two munchkins will find under our tree this Christmas.

1. Teepee  Girly Girl $99.95 Design Child
Miss N’s imagination has grown enormously over the last year.  She loves playing outdoors and imagining she is a princess (and on occasion, a dragon slayer) in her own castle. At such an amazing price, I’ve bought a couple of these for special gifts as well!

2. ERGObaby Doll Carrier – Heart Rose $42.00 Babes in Arms
As an avid babywearer, Miss N has enjoyed being carried on my front, hip and back most of her life. Most recently she has been asking me to make slings for her ‘babies’, so I think its time I invested in an ERGObaby doll carrier which I am certain will delight.

3. Janod Picnic Hamper $59.95 Look Mummy
Further fostering her love of make believe, I think this picnic set is perfect for teddy bear picnics and doll tea parties. I’m pretty sure that this is one gift Master R will also enjoy. I envision picnics in the teepee will become a regular afternoon occurrence.

4. Cupid Girl CG138BP $35.00 Buckets and Spades
We are a family that just loves the water. Christmas is the perfect opportunity to upgrade our swimmers. The butterflies and rainbow colours of this suit fit the vibrant nature of my little princess.

5. Rhubarb – Bow Handbag $14.95 Billy Lids
Having inherited my love for shoes and handbags, Miss N can be spotted on most days with a bag slung on her shoulder or arm. I plan to fuel this obsession with a new addition to her collection with this find.

6. The LEGO Ideas Book $28.04, Dinosaurs Love Underpants $9.88, Father Christmas Needs a Wee $8.23 The Book Depository
Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a book or two under the tree. Our family are avid readers and I make a point of sourcing a few new selections at almost every single celebration.

7. Wham-o Slip ‘N Slide Wave Rider Double $49.99 $24.99 Toys ‘R’ Us
I can’t tell you how much fun my brothers and I had on one particular Christmas day almost two decades ago thanks to some plastic sheeting, some dishwashing liquid and a running hose. I hope to recreate the experience this year for my kidlets with the Slip ‘n’ slide, a product I coveted myself all those years ago.

8. KidKraft Deluxe Wood Easel with Blackboard $249.00 The Little Kidz Closet  
We love craft so much that our house is full of items my two artisans have created. I love this easel with its paper roll and storage shelve and think it will be one item that occupies both Master R and Miss N for hours to come

9. LEGO® Lantern $24.37 $20.71 Toys Paradise
Master R has almost outgrown the pirate themed room we created when he was still a toddler. With a love for all things Lego, I think this light will spark our next theme for his room.

10. Voila Golf Set $79.95 Look Mummy  
Master R is a sporty little man and he also loves a challenge. This set can be used both inside and out and is on the top of his current wishlist after spotting it over my shoulder a few weeks ago.

11. Who Pee’d In The Pool Boardies by Kiniki $35.00 Spliced Rashie (Navy) by Kiniki $40.00 About a Boy
Master R is quite fair and I go out of my way to cover him up with quality rashies and sunscreen. Kiniki is Australian designed and super cool.

12. Remote Control Flying Shark $31.95 Deals Direct
I posted these on the KidStyleFile Facebook page a few months ago and since then they have arrived in Australia. They look like a bit of fun for both Master R and my darling husband.

Please check individual stores for shipping costs. Also make sure you read the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Written by Miki

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

Here is Part 3 of our Store-Owner Picks Gift Guide.  The five retailers featured below have chosen a beautiful range of gifts for the whole family, even mums and dads!

Read all our Christmas 2011 Gift Guides to date here. 

		“We think it’s a fantastic, unique gift idea for kids that actually gets them outside, running around in the fresh air! It doesn’t require batteries, there are no nasty chemicals or plastic, and it’s a fun game that the whole family can play together – which means quality time spent as a family, rather than kids with their heads in a video game or watching a DVD.” Kellie Byrnes at KindredGifts.com.au Fun In The Sack Egg & Spoon Race, $29.90
“The award-winning ERGObaby Carrier is your ticket to peaceful family holidays this Christmas, offering three ergonomic carry positions from birth to 20kgs – the perfect handsfree travel companion.” Anita Lincolne-Lomax at BabesInArms.com.au ERGObaby Carrier, from $159.00
		“The perfect holiday season shoe which can be worn to all occasions – super stylish and comfortable! Also available in white and red.” Fiona at TinySteps.com.au Old Soles Sienna Silver Sandal, $59.95
“Perfect for a summer’s day out at the beach, or a Christmas BBQ.” Lin at LittleUrby.com.au Maman Overall Jumpsuit, $35.00 $21.00
		“This gorgeous shoulder bag from Fair Trade label Eternal Creation features a bold cockatoo motif, two internal pockets and magnetic snap closure – divine!” Rory at EternalCreation.com Woman’s Shoulder Bag, $54.95 $39.95

Please check individual sites for postage details and be sure to survey the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.