View more KidStyleFile Christmas ideas here.

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Miki and her two boys, aged 2.5 years old, and 2.5 months old respectively.

Hard to believe it’s only a few weeks ’til the jolly fat man in the red suit slides down the chimney, isn’t it?  I’m sure I’m not the only one who is astonished at how fast this year has flown by!

2009 has brought about some quite large changes for my little family, not least a temporary move to the UK, my elder son’s second birthday, and a new addition in the shape of my younger son, now nearly three months old.

All year I’ve been looking through beautiful online children’s boutiques (can I just say here how much I love my job?!) and the whole time I’ve had Christmas in the back of my mind.  It’s hard to narrow down the enormous range of choices, but here’s what I’ve decided on for this year. These fit our bill to perfection!

• An Alimrose bib and matching handsqueaker for my baby boy – the bibs are beautiful quality, and I love the noises the handsqueekers make.  They’re the perfect size for little baby hands.
• A Radio Flyer Ranger Wagon – this is actually the gift from the boys’ doting grandparents, who wanted my suggestion for a great toy the boys could share and enjoy for years to come.
• Mooo personalised wooden name puzzles for each of them – educational and lots of fun!
• The Plan Toys Sorting Cone – both kids will enjoy playing with this, and like all Plan Toys it’s beautifully designed and made.
• Their big present from Father Christmas – a matched pair of Wheely Bugs, the large size for Master Two and the small size for the baby (who will grow into his during the next year).  I can’t wait to see them tearing around on their Bugs together!
• I wanted to get them something quintessentially English to mark their first, and probably only, northern hemisphere Christmas – so what else but a Harrods bear for the baby and a Harrods musical snowglobe for the two-year-old?
• Their present from Daddy – Star Wars themed long-sleeve tees from Well Spotted.  (Yep, I married a geek! But, actually, I think they’re pretty darn awesome, too ).

1. Alimrose Designs Soldier Bib, $16.50; and Handsqueaker, $15.95 from Baby’s Got Style
2. Radio Flyer Ranger Wagon, $249.95 $220.00 from Where Did You Get That?
3. Mooo Personalised Wooden Name Puzzle, from $24.95 from Mooo
4. Plan Toys Sorting Cone, $40.95 from Little Possums Toys
5. Wheely Bug – Large, $110.00; Wheely Bug – Small, $90.00 from Green Goat
6. Harrods Small Christmas Bear, £14.95 from Harrods
7. Harrods Musical Snowglobe, £24.95 from Harrods
8. Well Spotted Long-Sleeve Tees, $40 each from Well Spotted

Please check individual sites for postage details, and as always, check the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

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There will be more green then red floating about Christmas this year, with a huge shift in consumer consciousness making all that is eco-friendly and organic number 1 on most people’s wish list. And rightly so – check out these ultra-gorgeous buys for kiddies which will keep Mother Earth happy too!

First up: the tree. Aside from letting them go crazy with Clag and pasta and creating their own special pieces, Biome (one of my new fave stores) has awesome fair-trade decorations that are bright and festive enough for kids, and will look chic on plastique too! This box of Assorted Handmade Decorations is handmade in Bangladesh and just $17.95.

Generation Wonder stock only fair-trade items, and is indeed a wonderland of beautiful gift ideas. Check out these totally biodegradable Mobile Homes by Kidsonroof ($44.90) which allows kids to create, construct and decorate to their heart’s content. Plus it makes for a novel place to store toys.

For a gorgeous keepsake I just love the Barefoot Mother and baby Elephant soft toy set ($43.50, buy together or separately for $19.75) – a percentage of proceeds go to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, each one is handmade and individual, and they come in a variety of colours.

For something simple guaranteed to keep them entertained and active for hours, a Fairtrade Skipping Rope is a great stocking filler at $14.99. Or let your little one say it loud and proud with these cool Eco tees by Tiny Revolutionary ($34.95)!

Eco Child have a huuuge range of eco-friendly products, including toys like the very funky Anamalz wooden toy, um, animals, ($9.95) which are not only cute but are also made from renewable resources, are non-toxic (always a plus), and a portion of sales is donated to various wildlife charities. Aw, feel those warm and fuzzies!

Eco Child also stock practical ideas such as these Foogo Sippy Cups ($24.95) which are unbreakable, BPA-free and FDA-Approved, which is all A-OK in my book.

Got someone super-fussy to buy for? Eco Child have it covered – stuff their stocking with Organic Cotton Balls ($7.95), which are practical, versatile and top quality. I kid, I kid, (though they are of course, very nice!) – Mums will love the range of natural beauty products (try Bod Bath Salts Princess Blend $14.95) and mums-to-be will adore these cute and comfy PJ pants by Hot Milk ($49.95).

And finally (and most importantly): clothes. There are so many gorgeous organic labels out there, and not all of them are beige (sorry, ‘natural’).

Purebaby is one of my faves, and Baby’s Got Style have a great selection. I’m loving the idea of this pretty striped knit tank dress ($44.95) as a lightweight summer option, carried through to winter with tights and a skivvy; or for boys the khaki stripe overalls ($39.95) for something cutesy but cool. The Purebaby website also has a great range of basics and premmie wear.

Gaia Organic Cotton is another well-loved label, and with good reason: the certified 100% organic cotton is whipped into beautiful creations like the Babydoll Dress ($44.95) and Grandpa Top ($39.95) or these incredibly pretty Blue Bell Botties ($29.95)!

For something a bit funky, Mini Eco have a massive range of brands including Speesees, whose bright and colourful tanks are just $25.95, and these ultra cool tees by Sckoon ($24.95). Baby Blend also do cute prints on organic tees ($29.95 a pop, my fave is “Crabby“!) as do Kee-Ka at ShopHouse ($26.00).

Wishing you all a green, clean, and very happy Festive Season!

Please check individual sites for postage costs and delivery details.

Urban Baby- www.urbanbaby.com.au – have all my favourite ride-ons under the one roof.

Wheely Bugs, the Mishi Grow-Up, Okiedog Fropper and Cheeky Chick, and cool-as YBike are guaranteed to bring miles of smiles and happiness to a small person near you on Christmas Day.

Place orders at Urban Baby by 8am Friday 19 December for Standard Receipted Post to Eastern States, and 8am Monday 22 December for Express Post to Eastern States. Western States and all other orders placed after these dates and time cannot be guaranteed to arrive in time for Christmas Day, so make your move now!

Urban Baby ship by weight, with most orders coming in around the$8.00 mark. Check the Urban Baby delivery info page for full details.

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When I was little I had a selection of finger puppets, and I used to spend hours putting on little theatre shows with them.  My long-suffering parents must have sat through dozens of performances, and bless them, they never complained once.

My finger puppets have long since disappeared, and so I’ve been on the lookout for some for Alex and a couple of weeks ago I found the most gorgeous range ever:  Finger Puppet Heaven – www.fingerpuppetheaven.co.nz.

As you can see from the web address it’s a New Zealand website but they do ship to Australia (very cheaply too!) and with the exchange rate at the moment you’re saving around 18% on the already cheap prices as you see them.

You can calculate the cost in Australian dollars using this calculator, and the price for shipping will be shown at checkout once you’ve entered your address details.

There are several different ranges of puppets, from Australian natives to farm animals to zoo animals, witches, princesses and loads more.

The number of puppets to choose from is immense!  They can be bought individually or in comprehensive sets, and I just can’t think of a better stocking stuffer.

What makes these puppets really special is that they’re all Fair Trade, hand knitted on the high planes of Peru (about 4000m above sea level) and sourced through a certified IFAT producer.  No sweatshops involved in making these little beauties! A portion of the proceeds from each sale goes to supporting a community school in Peru.

I really love how all the puppets have so much personality – Alex has a good number of them now and each one of them is a little individual.

Now I’m just looking forwards to the day when he starts putting on little theatre productions of his own.

Each of these finger puppets costs NZ$4.25 (around AUD$3.50 at the time of publication of this article). They are also available in larger sets.

1. Cockatoo
2. Bilby
3. Cheetah
4. Rhinoceros
5. Platypus
6. Kangaroo
7. Porcupine
8. Cotton-top Tamarin

Please see Finger Puppet Heaven’s shipping policies and charges at this link.

Today I’m reviewing the Active People Bilibo for you. My verdict? This isn’t a game of chance, the Bilibo may be a ‘subtle’ toy, but it is a sure-fire winner which lasts and lasts. Read on…

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The Bilibo, produced by Swiss company Active People, is an open-ended toy, which means it’s designed to encourage imaginative play.

The Bilibo has won numerous prestigious awards, and was included in the top 50 design ideas of the 21st century by the The Independent UK and out of hundreds and hundreds of toys, it featured in our very own KidStyleFile Reader Top 40 Best Toys for Children, 2008.

Variously described as a large bowl, and a glorified cardboard box, these descriptions are pretty close to the truth, and aren’t pejorative in the slightest! When you think about what occupies your child the longest, isn’t it always the simple things: the boxes, empty containers, and everyday objects?

My children each have a Bilibo (pink and orange), and they are still going strong after one year of use.

Over the past year I have observed my girls use their Bilibos for a plethora of purposes, including helmet, mask, turtle shell, boat, cradle, small hill on which to balance, scooper, tunnel for the train set to run through, and water and dry goods receptacle.

By far their favourite activity to use the Bilibo for is sitting in and spinning, using their arms and legs to propel them, and keep them balanced (something that takes practice, and which they have persisted with).

I also gifted a Bilibo (yellow!) to the Reggio Emila focused pre-school my kids attend – I was curious to find out how a bigger group of kids would approach it – and it has been used most creatively over the last 6 months, as kids ponder its uses and them implement it according to their own imaginations. It has also stood up to the rigours of children en masse -no mean feat!

Product Features

• Smooth moulded heavy duty plastic construction, the Bilibo is made from high-density shock resistant, non-toxic, recyclable polyethylene.
• The 3 finger hole grips allow for easy carrying, or you can purchase a product-specific carry bag.
• Available in green, blue, red, yellow, orange, and pink
• Developed by Swiss designer Alex Hochstrasser for Active People in collaboration with childhood development experts from University Children’s Hospital in Zurich.
• 39 x 39 x 22cm
• 800g weight

Pros

Encourages imagination. Can’t get much safer. Not battery operated. No moving parts. High quality, lasts well. Can be used indoors and out. If you have more than one, they stack, and you can store things inside them. Good range of colours. They look cool!

Cons

None.

Cost

$39.00

Where to Buy

The Active People Bilibo, and accessories, including Mini Bilibo, Bilibo Pixel, and Bilibo carry bags, can be purchased from Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au for $39.00 + postage (see below for details).

Special Offers:

1. 1. Until 19 February 2009 you can get a 10% discount at Metro Mum with the code found inside the cover of the Summer 2008/9 My Child magazine. Terms and conditions apply.
   2. Also, for a limited time only, you will receive a FREE $5.00 store credit voucher when you sign-up to the Metro Mum Club. They have a great Loyalty Points system too, so it’s well worth it. See the Metro Mum homepage for details.

Today’s post written by Angela

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Bliss for me is spending a leisurely afternoon browsing a toy shop (online, or in the flesh), eyes wide, admiring the shapes, colours and contours, of the beautiful objects within, and imagining how my children would respond to them. For precious moments, too, I indulge the child that is still very much within me, visualising myself whizzing lightening fast down a hill, or lying on the floor, arms propped, while examining the complexity of a puzzle, or a replica insect.

It seems that I am in good company in this, as you, dear readers, too share a love of toys.

In September we ran the KidStyleFile inaugural Reader Survey, and asked you to pick your most favourite toys for children.

The response was most impressive: you nominated hundreds and hundreds of your most loved playthings, not all of which money can buy – a pet dog “Mr Bingley”, and “a banana with the skin peeled back” being two utterly heartwarming examples!

Here are the Top 40 Toys for children, as selected by 900 of you. I hope you see your favourites here, and smile, and that this list may also serve as inspiration for Christmas coming – enjoy, and play hard!

1. Musical (including drum kits)
2. Lego
3. Blocks
4. Balls
5. Puzzles
6. Thomas & Friends (especially wooden sets)
7. Bike/Trike/Scooter
8. Fisher Price Little People
9. Duplo
10. Art & Craft Supplies/Colouring Books
11. Play Doh (including home made)
12. Dolls
13. Kitchens, accessories & play food
14. Wheely Bug
15. Train sets (especially wooden)
16. Fisher Price toys
17. Outdoors (e.g. swing set, slides)
18. Cars/Trucks
19. Trampoline
20. Wooden toys
21. Tea Set
22. Dress Ups
23. Books
24. Soft Toys (soft dolls & teddy bears)
25. Mega Bloks
26. Doll House (including wooden)
27. Cubby House/Tent
28. Lamaze toys
29. Tonka
30. Tupperware Shape-O shape sorter
31. Doll Pram
32. Activity Centres/Mats/Tables
33. Alimrose Handsqueaker
34. Mamas & Papas toys
35. The Wiggles toys
36. Schleich model animals
37. Sandpit & accessories
38. Sporting Set (e.g. cricket, football, basketball)
39. Bilibo
40. Little Tikes Cosy Coupe Car

I have an Auntie who, bless her, gets so into the Christmas spirit she ends up decorating herself like a walking, sparkling Christmas tree – I’m talking flashing earrings, tinsel jewellery, the works. For those of you who prefer a little less Kath & Kim in your Xmas, here’s my top 10 picks for a stylish festive season:

1). Ceramic Word Stars ($12.95) from Biome. Handmade in Brisbane, I love the simple, chic design and positive messages, and they’ll look gorgeous nestled amongst the bushy plastique leaves on our Christmas tree!

2). Laikonik Once a Year Album, ($74) at Mummy’s Favourite. A great gift for new parents or grandparents who, let’s face it, can never have enough photos of their precious little bundles – each year, you pop in one photo and record major events of that year, and eventually it fold out concertina-style to reveal your little person growing up!

3). Cocoon Couture Little Reindeer Christmas Sack $54.95 at Shop House, For the tot who needs more than a measly little stocking, these Christmas sacks are so, so cute and feature cute little critters made with vintage fabrics!

4). Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis ($13.36) at Fishpond. I love the way this book teaches kids to use their imaginations – a young rabbit’s simple cardboard box is transformed into anything he wants it to be, despite being told “it’s just a box!”. An inspiring and beautifully presented book which makes a perfect gift.

5). This wooden musical block set ($33.95) at Urban Baby is another strikingly simple toy that allows little people to explore and create of their own accord. The bright colours are appealing, the noises aren’t annoying, it doesn’t need batteries and ultimately your baby will be learning and developing with each play time!

6). Coco Boheme Elephant Chalkboard ($99.95) at Kids Gift List. I’ve had my eye on this for ages now (actually, I’d love one as an office note board, it’s just so cute!) because my daughter loves elephants, loves to draw, and has lately been expanding her artwork from colouring books to the tiles, carpet and walls. This way we can add some personality to her room AND she can scribble away to her heart’s content!

7). Little Boys (and Daddy’s!) will happily be kept out of the kitchen on Christmas Day if they’ve got one of these to play with – the Plan Toys Parking Garage ($152) from Little Possums Toys. It’s three floors of broom-broom inspired bliss (and it looks mighty cool too!)

8). And now the most important thing: outfits! I’ve actually got Charlotte’s outfit sorted already *blush* – you seriously can’t go past Oobi for gorgeous party dresses, and I can’t wait to bust out her Marilyn Dress in Pink Candy ($43.95) from Baby’s Got Style, and promptly watch it get covered in an attractive blend of roast turkey, fruit salad, and trifle. Oh well.

9). Little Boys will look angelic in one of Baobab’s beautiful summer hoodie tees – I love the striped version for a fresh and edgy alternative to printed tees ($46.95).

10). And finally, a treat for Mum – after all that shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking, multi-tasking, just remember that the best things come in small blue boxes from Tiffany and Co., now with online shopping functionality…

Please check individual stores for shipping details.

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*Miki sings in best Mariah Carey impersonation*:“I don’t want a lot for Christmas, this is all I’m asking for…”

Yeah right – of course I want a lot for Christmas!  I love Christmas and putting together my wishlist, but this year just about everything on it is for Alex, my 16 month old boy.  Who can blame me?  I spend all day looking at stunning kids’ clothes, toys and accessories so it’s little wonder I covet so much of it!

I’ve put together a Top 10 list below of my absolute must-haves this festive season:

1. A Rush lunchbox – I find we’re so often out at Alex’s snack and meal times that we really do need a decent lunchbox to take with us.  This one from Rush fits the bill perfectly, and it’s so cute!

2. The adorably wacky Okiedog Fropper – a ride-on toy that bounces too!  I just wish they came in adult sizes…

3. Trunki Towgo – we’re going to be doing a lot of travelling in the new year, and what better way to entertain a toddler in the airport than with a ride-on suitcase?  Plus it’ll hold all his toys, books and essentials for the flights.

4. The Smirk Vespa s/s tee – simple, funky and great quality, I love the Smirk range of tees and onesies.  He’s going to look so cute in this one!

5. A Foogo Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Sippy Cup – non-spill, unbreakable, keeps drinks cold for up to six hours and has a comfy soft spout, what more could we ask for in a sippy cup?  Oh, you want it to be attractive too?  Check that box, the Foogo range is super-stylish!

6. mylittleseat – Ideal for keeping a wriggly toddler still and safe at mealtimes when we aren’t near a highchair, and then it folds down small enough to tuck into my handbag! This will be another handy one when travelling.

7. And speaking of handbags, why should Alex get all the good stuff?  I love this Louenhide Baby Barrel in Biscuit; it’s stylish, minimalist, will go with everything and it’s roomy enough to fit all the paraphenalia I take with me every time I leave the house.

8. The Hip Infant Wall Graphics ‘Up, Up And Away’ – Now that my baby isn’t actually a baby any more, it’s time to redecorate his nursery and turn it into a cool toddler boy’s room.  Given his obsession with balloons (every time he sees one he shrieks “Loon!! Looooon!!”) I think these stunning hot air balloon wall decals will be just the thing to give his room a new look.  They’re so affordable too!  I might get two packets at this price.

9. Some Brio Classic Wooden Race Cars – which he’ll adore, as his other obsession is cars.  Such a boy.  These ones look stunning, and they’re wooden which just makes me love them more; wooden toys last forever. These cars come in four colours so I might get him the whole fleet!

10. The Moppit Radioman T-Shirt- he’ll be cool as a cucumber in this funky green shirt from Moppit.  I have to smile every time I see the little radioman graphic, isn’t it adorable?

1. Rush Jungle Lunchbox, $24.95 at Kinder Kaboodle
2. Okiedog Fropper, $85.90 $65.90 at Amazing Toys
3. Trunki Towgo, $69.95 at Metro Mum
4. Smirk Vespa S/S tee, $34.95 $29.70 at Frock You^
5. Foogo Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Sippy Cup – Blue, $24.95 $21.20* at Ekidna Kids
6. mylittleseat – I Like Squares I Do, $50.00 at Haggus & Stookles
7. Louenhide Baby Barrel – Biscuit, $89.95 at Pastel Pink
8. The Hip Infant Wall Graphics – Up, Up And Away, $39.95 at The Hip Infant**
9. Brio Classic Wooden Race Car, $15.95 at Urban Child***
10. Moppit Radioman T-Shirt, $39.95 $33.95 at Frock You^

Please check individual stores for shipping details.

* Using the Shop4Kids discount code until 30 November 2008.
** GWP offer, see here for more details.
*** FREE $15 voucher when you sign up to the UC newsletter, see here for more details.  Also get FREE shipping using the Shop4Kids code, conditions apply.
^ Get 15% off store-wide when you sign up to the Frock You newsletter.

As I was window shopping in preparation to dive in and acquire some new goodies, I noticed that Mooo – www.mooo.com.au – has just released their own range of wall stickers. And – oh! – they are something else!

Extending Mooo’s exceptional design aesthetic found in their tees, puzzles and wall canvases, each of the 17 unique wall sticker designs is available in 6 colour-ways so you can co-ordinate them with your decor.

You can see all the available options on the well-featured and user-friendly Mooo website. Just select the design of your choice, and choose your colour, and  – voila! – there it is: what you see is what you’ll get: guesswork be gone!

The Christmas sticker set can be used as an excellent space-saving and modern take on the Christmas tree, or make Chrissy cards with your kids and use the stickers as the decoration. As these stickers can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, the only limit with their uses is your imagination!

Mooo wall stickers are also easy to remove, and are fully repositionable, which means you can use them over and over.

The other good news? They are currently on sale! Usually $60.00 they are discounted by 25% to $45.00 until the end of November.

In other Mooo news, Mooo will be releasing a fabulous range of personalisable name labels, incorporating their fine designs, in late Jan 2009. I’d recommend delaying buying name labels for your kids until then (I’ll be hanging out for them!): these are going to set a stylish new standard in name labels. Stay tuned for updates.

See below for picks of the day, and the design swatches for the entire Mooo wall sticker range.

Above: Mooo Christmas Polka 33 piece sticker set $60.00 $45.00 until 30 November 2008
Mooo Flower Polka 24 piece sticker set $60.00 $45.00 until 30 November 2008

Below: Choose your design and colour combination. All designs $60.00 $45.00 until 30 November 2008

Mooo postal charges start at only $5.90 Australia wide. Read the Mooo Ordering/Delivery page for full details.

The glamour of times past may have faded, but the Radio Flyer wagons have endured, a timeless American icon, that has thrilled children endlessly, and been passed from generation to generation for over 90 years.

As well as continuing to make these classic toys – perfect for Christmas: imagine them sitting there, under the tree piled with gifts – magic! – Radio Flyer have diversified into a range of other cool vehicles, including the gorgeous retro-styled scooters, which deliver the optimal ride for little people through their considered design. These clever toys are parent friendly too: they fold down with the press of a button, making storage a breeze.

You can buy Radio Flyer Ranger Wagons and Scooters from Where Did You Get That? – www.wheredidyougetthat.com.au – 15% below RRP.

You can also purchase a cover for your wagon (sold separately). Made by WagonWare, these are great for summer protection, and for transforming your Wagon into a  mini-cubby!

As an aside, I have it on good authority that Toni from Where Did You Get That? tows her kids to school every day in their Radio Flyer Wagon: what a cool Mum!!!

Radio Flyer Ranger Red Wagon $199.00 $169.00
WagonWare Wagon Cover $59.95

Radio Flyer ‘My First Scooter in Pink $129.95 $119.00
Radio Flyer ‘My First Scooter in Red $129.95 $119.00

While I’ve got you, there are a few other things of importance that you need to know are happening at WDYGT? right now. Check 1, 2, 3, 4…

1. Specials up to 50% off Brands include Lelli Kelly, Tommy Rocket, Two Belles, Djeco, Pink + Blue Yummy Mummy

2. Christmas specials Items that have been reduced especially for the Christmas season Zid Zid Kids Babuches are back in stock – yay! – and they’re in this category 10% off!! Snap up the new colours, exclusive to WDYGT?: white, orange and fuchsia (see pics below to go ooh, and ahh!)

3. Stocking Stuffers Everything in this category is under $30.00

4. And one last extra special thing: you can get 25% off clothes and shoes* at WDYGT? until 30 November (*excluding items on sale, or already discounted) items with the code  ‘KSF-25′. *Hello*, Daily Tea, Tea Collection, and Morgan and Milo.

Race on over, stylish and savvy shoppers!

Zid Zid Kids Babuches $49.95 $44.95 per pair

Where Did You Get That? stocks a huge range from the following designers: Aden + Anais, BabyMoov Bebedelice and Lovenest, Bella Tunno, Bod and Bod for Bubs hair and skin-care, Coco Boheme, Coo Clocks, Deglingos, Djeco, eco.kid, Girls 4 Sport swimwear, Lelli Kelly, Moppit, Morgan & Milo, Opal London, Pink + Blue Yummy Mummy, Star & Rose, Tea Collection, Tommy Rocket, Two Belles, and Zid Zid Kids, Enchanted Faeries figurines and Woolbabe sleeping bags.

Where Did You Get That? charge a flat rate of $7.95 for standard postage Australia-wide.