KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Edwina

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

I don’t know about you, but I always seem to leave stocking stuffers until the last minute. Presents, I remember, wrapping paper, got, tags, check, turkey…. someone else’s problem!

But, I always seems to forget to stock the cupboard with lots of lovely little gifts that fill their hearts with joy as they tip the contents of their stocking out. Maybe I just assume Santa has it covered!

This year is different though, because I am going to be helping the man in red out and stopping at only one shop online.

Generation Wonder – www.generationwonder.com is the place to head to find a great selection of gifts, that are ethically sourced, fair trade and priced under $20.

Easily one of the first things to head into the shopping cart is some of the Jane Goodall Save the Animals bracelets and cuffs by Shains. They are made from recycled rubber and plastic and can be decorated by little icons of animals, letters, sports etc, encouraging creativity and thoughts about animals and the environment. They are good for boys or girls and a percentage of the sales goes directly to Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots Foundation.

Generation Wonder also has the stylish Room to Read Christmas Card Pack (10 cards for $10!) with 100% of the sale price going directly to Room to Read. Just $50 raised by RTR buys enough games, puzzles and toys for one library in the developing world. Of course there are lots more lovely gifts from books and puzzles, to letters, book bags, puppets and mugs: your stockings will be stuffed in no time!

With Express Post as standard, and orders shipped within 24 hours, there is lots of time to get Christmas shopping finished and delivered to your home with ease and style. All orders placed at Generation Wonder between now and 24 December 2009 receive a piece of beautiful gift wrap and gift card FREE of charge. Just add it to you cart with the rest of your order to receive.

1. Jane Goodall Save the Animals Starter Kits Prices start at $6.95
2. Adventure Letters in Pink or Blue $4.00 each
3. Room to Read Christmas Card Set $10.00
4. Car Tyre Pencil Pouch $14.95
5. Apron $14.35
6. Book Bag $9.95
7. Global Babies Book $12.95
8. Crocodile Creek Phthalate Free Bib $9.99
9. Little Citizen’s Mug $12.00
10. Free Gift Wrapping – add it to your cart
11. Racing Car $12.90
12. Papoose Hand Puppets – Rabbit or Frog $18.00
13. Standing Angels $14.00
14. World Map Puzzle $8.90

Generation Wonder charge from $7.00 for postage Australia wide. Read the full post charges schedule here. Generation Wonder also ship globally. Contact Mihiri for a quote.

Today’s post written by Edwina

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

Welcome to December. It’s officially summer, and Christmas is really getting into gear now. With only 24 days left to go the mood is unmistakably festive. Decorations and Christmas music abound, and thoughts turn to gifts, Christmas wrap and the summer holidays to come. Embrace the spirit of the season and prepare for the joyous excitement that only a Christmas with kids in tow can deliver. Go with it and don’t hold back. Whether your style be modern minimalist, or full-on tinsel, jingle all the way.

12 Days Buyer’s Guide:

12 Drummers Drumming: Plan Toys Solid Drum, $34.00, and Plan Toys Wooden Musicla Band Drum Set, $104.00 from Metro Mum
11 Pipers Piping: Toy Soldier Buttons, from Etsy seller 81giftstation – USD$2.00
10 Lords a-leaping: Fred Bare Collection, see website for stockists and prices
9 Ladies Dancing: Fred Bare Collection, see website for stockists and prices
8 Maids a-milking:  Sozo Moo Wrap and Cap Set, from Baby’s Got Style – $39.95
7 Swans a-swimming:  Swimming Swan Pendant, from Etsy Seller sushipot – POA
6 Geese a-laying: Kate Greenaway’s Mother Goose Stories, from Fishpond Books- $34.99 $21.95
5 Gold Rings: Stackable Gold Rings, from Etsy seller SecretCharm – $USD49.99
4 Calling Birds: Mae Boys Twitter Birds Fabric Wall Decals, from The Hip Infant – $44.95
3 French Hens: Try before you buy with Rent-A-Chook (Sydney-based, but can ship coops to other states)
2 Turtle Doves: Papoose Christmas Dove, from Generation Wonder – $8.00 each
And a Partridge in a Pear (Cocoon Couture Shelf-Stand) Tree, from ShopHouse – $89.00

Please check individual stores for postage and delivery information, and don’t forget to swing by the KSF All Current Deals page to scope out deals that may get you discounts on these products.

Today’s post written by Miki

………………………………………………………………………………………………

For me, the ideal Christmas present for a child must fulfill three key criteria: it should be educational, it should encourage the child’s environmental and social conscience, and above all, it must be fun.  It can be really quite difficult to find gifts which qualify under all three criteria, as I’m sure you can imagine!

Luckily, local emporium Generation Wonder – www.generationwonder.com – stocks a fantastic range of present ideas which more than fit my criteria, and what’s even better is that they’re all under $40 – in fact, most are under $25!

Mihiri has searched far and wide to choose these games and activities, and she’s made sure to focus on products with a nature, ‘world around us’ and cultural theme.  And just as an added bonus, they’re almost all in boxes, which will make my gift wrapping so much easier this year.

I particularly like the Botanicals sets, which are miniature greenhouses complete with everything you need to grow a little garden all year round.  All you need to provide is a little bit of potting mix and you’re set to go!  They come in two varieties: Enchanted Fairy Garden, and Exotic Jungle, and suit kids aged about seven upwards, although I can imagine younger kids having fun with it with some help from mum or dad.

I also love the Crocodile Creek range at Generation Wonder. Crocodile Creek products are BPA-free and PVC-free and they’re also bright and eye catching, and sport some fantastic animal-focused designs. A Crocodile Creek lunchbox is a great gift for a kid who is starting school or kinder in the new year, and I know for a fact that my two year old would adore one of the placemats for his mealtimes.

All orders at Generation Wonder between now and Christmas will receive a FREE sheet of stylish festive gift wrap and a gift card.  You can shop right up til the last minute too, as Mihiri and her team are working right up until Christmas Day, and Express Shipping is standard with all orders. Now that’s handy!

1. Ocean Block Puzzle, $27.95
2. Experimental Cube – Mysteries of Nature, $34.95
3. Botanicals – Enchanted Fairy Garden, $39.99
4. Animals, Babies & Habitats, $12.00
5. Crocodile Creek Flowers Lunchbox, $29.95
6. ‘Nature Keeps You Guessing’ Card Game, $18.95
7. Crocodile Creek ‘Busy As A Bee’ Bib, $9.99
8. Crocodile Creek Dragonflies Bib, $9.99
9. Crocodile Creek Lion Bib, $9.99
10. Crocodile Creek Jungle Jive Placemat, $7.00

Generation Wonder stock an amazing range of ethical brands, including Kidsonroof, Barefoot, Zid Zid Kids, Fleurville, Thermos, Piccallilly, Crocodile Creek, Craft Aid Mauritius, Essential Angel, Taylor and Khoo, Global Fund for Children, Global Mamas, Lanka Kade, OBON, Organic Bubs, Papoose, Plato Puzzles, Remarkable UK, Sisters of Good Shepherd, Third World Craft Nepal, Turtlegreen, Whole Child Series, Frugi, Shainswear, and Blessed Earth.

Generation Wonder charge from $7.00 for postage Australia wide. Read the full post charges schedule here. Generation Wonder also ship globally. Contact Mihiri for a quote.

Today’s post written by Miki

………………………………………………………………………………………………

It’s birthday time at Generation Wonder – www.generationwonder.com – they’re *3* this month, and we’re celebrating with them. Yay! Bring on the fairy bread!

This beautiful online store specialises in stocking brands with a conscience: everything at Generation Wonder is organic, or Fair Trade certified, or Australian made, or donates proceeds to good causes – and sometimes all of the above!  There’s even a neat feature where you can ‘shop by conscience‘; all Generation Wonder’s brands are organised into categories showing what they stand for.

Their motto is ‘from tiny acorns giant oaks grow’, which means that a great childhood is what helps to make a great adult.  From this basis, Mihiri carefully selects products from lesser-known designers around the world, making for a truly unique and wonderful collection available online at her store.

To celebrate turning three, Mihiri has marked down everything at Generation Wonder: take 20% off store-wide for three days only. Prices are already marked down on the site so you don’t need a code. As a special birthday celebration gift to KSF readers, all orders over $65 in a single transaction will also include a packet of Fairtrade and Organic Coffee. The sale and GWP offer ends at midnight 21 October 2009, so make the move to fine Fairtrade, Eco and Ethical produce now.

You can use this fantastic opportunity to stock up on all sorts of goodies – after all, now you can add 20% more to your shopping basket! I personally love the range of toys at Generation Wonder.  There are some really unusual and original items in this section, such as the ‘My First Picnic Basket’ cloth set, which is handmade in Thailand by the Fatima Self-Help Centre. The lovely Fair Trade dolls of many different ethnicities are gorgeous too; these ones are handmade in Sri Lanka by Lanka Kade.

There’s a great range of clothing too: choose from Frugi (organic cotton gear from the UK), Kate Quinn Organics (from the US), Piccalilly UK and Global Mamas (Ghana).  And did I mention the Decor section? So many delicious bits and pieces for brightening up your kids’ rooms!  Love it, love it all.

Discounted prices quoted below are valid until midnight 21 October only.

1. ORUPA Blue Applique Cushion Cover, $21.50 $17.20
2. Zid Zid Kids Mini Poof – Branch, $120.00
3. Happy Flag – Multi Colours, $35.95 $28.75
4. Barefoot Mother & Baby Elephant Set, $43.50 $34.80
5. Global Mamas Pink & Green Reversible Jacket, $89.00 $49.95
6. Remarkable UK ‘I Used To Be A Tyre’ Pencil Case – Pink, $14.95 $11.95
7. Frugi Rock Pool Towelling Shorties, $29.95 $23.95
8. Bishopston Trading Company Organic Cotton L/S Top – Plum, $23.00 $17.25
9. The Click Clack Racing Car – Green, $12.90 $10.30

Generation Wonder stock an amazing range of ethical brands, including Kidsonroof, Barefoot, Zid Zid Kids, Fleurville, Thermos, Piccallilly, Crocodile Creek, Craft Aid Mauritius, Essential Angel, Taylor and Khoo, Global Fund for Children, Global Mamas, Lanka Kade, OBON, Organic Bubs, Papoose, Plato Puzzles, Remarkable UK, Sisters of Good Shepherd, Third World Craft Nepal, Turtlegreen, Whole Child Series, Frugi, Shainswear, and Blessed Earth.

Generation Wonder charge from $7.00 for postage Australia wide. Read the full post charges schedule here. Generation Wonder also ship globally. Contact Mihiri for a quote.

Today’s post written by Miki

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Remember all those collectible jewellery crazes we used to go through in primary school?  I remember embroidery thread friendship bracelets and silver charm bracelets with fondness, but had I seen Shainsware at the time I know it would have been a HUGE hit amongst my friends and I.

The great thing – well, one of many great things – about Shains is that it lets kids say exactly what they want to say at any given time.  The bracelets, cuffs and keyrings come in nine different colours, and with the huge range of Shains icons available (both alphabet and pictorial), the only limit is your kid’s imagination! I also love Shains because they’re just as likely to appeal to boys as they are to girls, AND all the materials are fully recycled and recyclable. Grab some for your kids and watch them lead the newest schoolyard craze, or put the convenient Gift Set away for Christmas!

Shainswear is available at the beautiful Generation Wonder – www.generationwonder.com – see the full range here.

Since we’re at Generation Wonder, let me tell you how excited I am to discover that they stock Frugi! A fantastic UK brand of organic clothing for kids, my boys’ wardrobes are pretty heavily stocked with Frugi gear; it’s made from super-soft, organic, ethically sourced cotton, looks great and is so hard wearing!

Frugi pieces are designed to give you the maximum of value for your dollar.  Trousers tend to have zip off or roll up options to extend their life as little legs grow longer, for example, and all clothing is cut generously so that we tend to get more than one season’s wear out of it – no mean feat when you’re dressing a toddler having a permanent growth spurt!

Cloth nappy mamas will be thrilled to know that Frugi cut their baby and toddler trousers with extra room so that they’ll fit over cloth nappies. At last, trousers to fit your little cloth-bottomed bub!

For more beautiful organic clothing, have a look at Kate Quinn Organics: lovely girlswear made from Fair Trade certified 100% organic cotton, in simple, stylish designs.

Place an order of $50 or more from Generation Wonder before midnight 30 September 2009, and Mihiri will pop a 250g pack of Fair Trade and organic coffee in with your order! Mmmm, I can smell it percolating now… Just make sure you mention ‘KSF September’ in the Special Comments box at checkout.

1. Frugi Candy Floss T-Shirts (2 Pack), $39.95
2. Kate Quinn Organics Cotton Spaghetti Tank Top, $22.00
3. Frugi Fancy Spotted Top, $29.95
4. Frugi Fancy Pants Roll Ups, $47.99
5. Frugi Helter Skelter Polo Top, $26.50
6. Kate Quinn Organics Cotton Jersey Tank Dress, $32.00
7. Frugi Ocean Blue T-Shirts (2 Pack), $39.95
8. Frugi Rock Pool Towelling Shorties, $29.95
9. Frugi Trekker Zip Offs – Khaki Green, $47.99
10. Frugi Organic Cotton Baby Gown, $28.00 My 5-week-old sleeps in these gowns every night – they’re so snuggly and soft!

Generation Wonder charge from $7.00 for postage Australia wide. Read the full post charges schedule here. Generation Wonder also ship globally. Contact Mihiri for a quote.

Today’s post written by Angela

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

Wheep, wheep!! If you love a bargain then you’ll want to head over to Generation Wonder – www.generationwonder.com – where the lovely Mihiri is having an eye-poppingly good sale on organic, fair trade and environmentally friendly designer baby and kids goods.

Generation Wonder stock an amazing range of ethical brands, including Kidsonroof, Barefoot, Zid Zid Kids, Fleurville, Thermos, Piccallilly, Crocodile Creek, Craft Aid Mauritius, Essential Angel, Taylor and Khoo, Global Fund for Children, Global Mamas, Lanka Kade, OBON, Organic Bubs, Papoose, Plato Puzzles, Remarkable UK, Sisters of Good Shepherd, Third World Craft Nepal, Turtlegreen, Whole Child Series, and Blessed Earth, and until 9 July 2009, you can take advantage of 25-50% off the lot, while stocks last.

There are so many wonderful things to choose from, and the prices are cheap cheap cheap!!

My red hot picks are the Zid Zid Kids mini poofs in 4 gorgeous designs, the Kidsonroof Dollhouses, Tin Lid Designs’ Click Clack  cars and service vehicles, and felted bags and hair accessories from Third World Craft.

Get in quick, before it’s all gone!

Tip: To locate all the brands on the Generation Wonder site, use the site map.

Generation Wonder charge from $7.00 for postage Australia wide. Read the full post charges schedule here. Generation Wonder also ship globally. Contact Mihiri for a quote.

Today’s post written by Miki

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Fair Trade Fortnight started yesterday, and the next couple of weeks will give us us even more reason than usual to contemplate where our purchases are coming from.

To not think about this aspect when buying an item – any item – is the equivalent of a child assuming that milk comes from the supermarket shelf as opposed to a cow.  Everything we buy is made, produced or handled by people somewhere in the world, and many of those people are appallingly exploited and work in conditions which would horrify us if only we could see them.

Luckily, the Fair Trade movement works to give people like this fair treatment, by paying a ‘fair price’ for their goods or services, and by monitoring their social and working conditions.

As the FairTrade.com.au website explains:
“Fair Trade is about giving disadvantaged people power: by paying producers and workers fair prices for their work, by helping them gain the skills and knowledge they need to develop their businesses and to operate in the global economy, and by challenging unfair trading practices. It is about providing fair go, not charity.”

There are plenty of easy ways for us to support the Fair Trade movement.  I now buy only Fair Trade coffee, for example; it’s on the supermarket shelves and I’m more than happy to pay an extra dollar or two to make a difference to people’s lives.  And Ange and I can both testify that Fair Trade chocolate is absolutely delicious

It’s easy to outfit your kids with Fair Trade clothes and gear too, and it’s never too early to start teaching them about social responsibility.  Check out some of these gorgeous examples, and click on the links below the images to go to some wonderful stores selling Fair Trade kids fashions and toys.

1. Lark Designs Knitted Fleur Tortoise, $55.00 from Lark Designs
2. Purebaby Knitted Dress, $59.95 from Purebaby (NB: Purebaby clothes are not officially Fair Trade, but they are registered with Made-By which works to similar principles)
3. Rock Babies Salt Crystal Lamp, $19.95 $18.00 from Anklebiters Duds
4. Eternal Creation Overalls, $59.95 from Eternal Creation
5. Fire Engine Red Boots, $39.95 from Skeanie
6. Wooden Fruit Basket, $21.95 from Mudd Kids
7. Romantic Ballerina Dress by Piccalilly, $46.95 from Generation Wonder
8 Lion & Friends Finger Puppets, NZD$19.00 from Finger Puppet Heaven (this is a New Zealand site, but they post cheaply to Australia and the exchange rate is on your side!)

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

Today’s post written by Edwina

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

Generation Wonder – www.generationwonder.com is one of my favourite online children’s boutique. Filled with a unique selection of clothing, toys, books, bedding and decor for kids, proprietor Mihiri chooses all products for their organic, fair trade or earth friendly qualities, as well as their beautiful design.

Generation Wonder stock an amazing range of brands, including Kidsonroof, Barefoot, Zid Zid Kids, Fleurville, Thermos, Crocodile Creek, Craft Aid Mauritius, Essential Angel, Taylor and Khoo, Ethica Accessories,  Global Fund for Children, Global Mamas, Kindred Magazine, Lanka Kade, OBON, Organic Bubs, Papoose, Plato Puzzles, Remarkable UK, Sisters of Good Shepherd, Third World Craft Nepal, Tiny Revolutionary, Turtlegreen, Whole Child Series, and Blessed Earth. Hot Tip: To locate all the brands on the Generation Wonder site, use the site map.

One of the most lovely things about Gen W is that they take the time to tell you the story behind the products, which is especially nice because you can then pass the story on to the lucky recipient of your purchases. It’s a feel-good factor from start to finish!

New to Generation Wonder is gorgeous UK brand Piccalilly. In addition to Piccalilly’s gorgeous organic cotton baby and kids basics, you have to check out the Ballerina Dress. Available in pink and red, these dresses are made by a small family run business in Kuta, have hand stitched beading, come in sizes from 3 – 8 and are perfect for inspiring the next dancing queen.

Piccalilly also produce some gorgeous bedding (organic cotton and fair trade) that has been made free from harmful chemicals and for children with sensitive skin or excema these would be ideal. The best thing is Generation Wonder have some adorable new designs just in that range in price from $29.99 – $39.99.

I have to admit I was stuck in the decor and toys section at Generation Wonder for quite some time. It is hard to decide what too choose, it’s all so good! Luckily, every Monday there is a new Gift Set of the Week, which makes life a bit easier for indecisive folks like me. Mihiri, personally selects a gift combo and always 20% off the regular price (for one week only), so be sure to check in on Monday for the latest deals. This is a great way to stock the present cupboard.

Generation Wonder have also added some new ‘departments’ since we last visited them: browse Imagine and Create, Décor, and Music in Me, as well as the Bedding section to make lots of new and fabulous discoveries.

Generation Wonder is offering KSF readers FREE Postage within Australia for orders over $75.00, just type KSF-March in the special instructions section when ordering. Offer ends 3 April 2009.

1. Organic Cotton Stripey Bib $9.99
2. Vest Style Stripey Grow $19.99 $12.00
3. Organic Cotton Striped Hoodie $24.95
4. Ballerina Dress (pink or red) $46.95
5. Vest Style Spotty Grow $19.99 $12.00

1. Happy Flags $35.95
2. Adventure and Fairy Tale Letters $4.00 each
3. Embroidered Stacking Blocks $119.95
4. Nesting Dolls India $27.00
5. Mini Poof Bird $130.00
6. Butterfly Garden Baby Blanket $39.99
7. Loop the Loop Cot Blanket $29.99

Generation Wonder charge from $7.00 for postage Australia wide. Read the full post charges schedule here. Generation Wonder also ship globally. Contact Mihiri for a quote.

Today’s post written by Kat

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

It goes without saying that the birth of your first child is a precious moment, and recording every single moment is one of the joys of being a new parent.

It also goes without saying that by the time you get to your second or third onwards, despite the best of intentions, the novelty of dutifully recording every event can start to wane, and finding the time is near impossible. My mum for example, as the third of 4 children, can only find one solitary picture of herself as a bub, and definitely no baby book. Which might explain a lot…but I digress!

Here is a rundown on baby books so beautiful that you’ll be clamouring to fill them with gorgeous memories of your growing brood. All your kids will thank you, except perhaps when you show that cute picture of your now-teenage daughter picking her nose to her cool new boyfriend…

The Binth Baby Journal at Tiny People

This is a gorgeous unisex option. Handcrafted with recycled white stock paper, cotton cloth cover and presented in a beautiful keepsake box. It’s not exactly a budget option but remember, even Mastercard can’t buy memories. Just a nice place to put them.

Generation Wonder have created their own Wonder Year Journal

A beautiful combination of scrapbook and journal, the Wonder Year Journal allows you to piece together a year in your little one’s life. Kids will adore looking back on themselves and as it has heaps of space for personalisation, as adults they will truly cherish their story. It comes in matt green with a cloth case cover, 128 pages of text and 12 insert cards for pictures – and it’s only $27.95!

I love the story behind Milestone Press’ A Book About Me:

“Annabel actually gave Fiona a Winnie-the-Pooh baby journal for her first born.  As they marvelled at Annabel’s momentary lapse in taste (because the book was free)  they dreamed up the perfect baby book.”

A Book About Me not only looks modern and sleek, it has been thoughtfully designed so that if you forget to record when your all little one’s teeth came through, you can just take the corresponding pages out, instead of leaving them embarrassingly blank. There’s room to add and subtract names and photos as you need, and possibly most imortantly, there is no branding on the cover, making it truly a book about your family!

I’ve mentioned the Laikonik Once A Year Book, from Mummy’s Favourite, before but I’m going to do it again because it’s such a beautiful idea!

Every year up to your child’s 18th birthday you add in just one photo of your child, and eventually the book unfolds concertina-style to reveal the story of your child growing and changing. Plus the book itself is completely gorgeous and will make a cherished heirloom!

For something a bit more traditional, the Baby Days Memory Book at Urban Baby is bright, colourful and full of nifty bit’n'bobs like stickers, envelopes and journal pages.

The pages are undated so you can record milestones when you want to, and the simple illustrations will delight your little one even beforen they realise the book is about them!

The very cute My Baby’s Journal, available soon at KidsGiftList

This is sweet enough to be age-appropriate but still stylish enough to be admired for years to come.

And finally, my personal favourite (yes, I found one with an elephant! I’m starting to sense a theme here): the Paper Eskimo Baby Journal.

Available at The Baby Shower Shop (a helluva comprehensive online store if there ever was one!) With simple and incredibly beautiful illustrations, it has heaps of room for photos, records birthday celebrations for up to five years, and comes in a gorgeous keepsake box  – despite being way too cute to keep stored away!

From top left in rows:

Binth Baby Journal $160
Generation Wonder The Wonder Year Journal $27.95
Milestone Press A Book About Me $44.95
Laikonik Once A Year Book $74.00
Baby Days Memory Book $24.95
My Baby’s Journal $44.95
Paper Eskimo Baby Journal $64.95

Please check individual sites for shipping details.

Today’s post written by Kat

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

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.