KidStyleFile

Written by Anna

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For two of my three pregnancies I spent Christmas heavily pregnant. It was my first pregnancy, eight years ago, when I first turned to the wonderful world of online shopping, and I’ve never looked back! I adore online shopping at the best of times, and shopping online at Christmas really is the icing on the cake for me.

Shop For Tots – www.shopfortots.com.au – burst onto the scene earlier this year, and have quickly become one of KidStyleFile’s favourite stores for their huge range and great service. If it’s gifts for little tots you’re after, head straight to the gift section where there are some stunning gifts bound to put smiles on faces on Christmas day – and every day after in fact. I love the Janod Pink Maxi Cooker and Accessories and also from Janod the gorgeous French Chic Bakery. In the midst of busy days with my little people, I occasionally daydream of a holiday in Paris. I can’t think of a better way to entertain this  daydream and role play with the kids at the same time. Serious love, love.  If you have a little person finding their feet, a walker would make a great Christmas gift. Again from Janod, Shop For Tots stock this colourful ABC Walker.

Books make great gits for children, period, but a well chosen book for Christmas may be the most cherished gift a child might receive; providing words to fuel their imagination for hours. Just in time for Christmas, Shop For Tots have also introduced a brilliant selection classic, must read books for little ones – including some lovely Christmas titles like Spot’s First Christmas, How The Grinch Stole Christmas and one of my favourites for this time of year The Jolly Christmas Postman. 

On top of their sale section where some items have already been reduced by up to 70%: (roll call Oobi, Bebe, Knuffle Kid, White Soda and more) Shop For Tots are have reduced the rest of their store by 20% (prices as marked, no code needed) PLUS all orders $100+ receive free shipping, and every newsletter subscriber goes into the draw to win a $100 Shop For Tots gift certificate every month! These offers apply until midnight 16 December 2011, so head on over to Shop For Tots now!

Discounted prices quoted below are only applicable while stocks last, until 16 December 2011.

1. Janod Pink Maxi Cooker and Accessories $170.50 less 20% = $136.40
2. Janod ABC Walker $129.20 less 20% = $103.36
3. Tiger Tribe Miss Penny Purse $10.95 less 20% = $8.76
4. Spot’s First Christmas $14.95 less 20% = $11.96
5. Janod French Chic Bakery $142.40 less 20% = $113.92
6. Goki Castle Building Set $81.30 less 20% = $65.04
7. The Jolly Christmas Postman $27.95 less 20% = $22.36
8. Janod Flower Press $15.80 less 20% = $11.16
9. How The Grinch Stole Christmas $8.95 less 20% = $12.64
10. Active People Bilbo Pixel $12.30 $9.05 
11. Oobi Ginger Skirt Wintergarden $42.70 $29.95
    

Shop For Tots stock from a very impressive range of brands including: Active People, An Angel at my Table, Annabel Trends, aden + anais, Babushka Baby, Baby KEA, Baby Leo, Baby Luxe, Baby Valentine, Babyushka, Banter & Frolic, Beatrix, Bebe, Bobble Art, Boikido, Boikido Eco, Boon, Bowtique, Brainy Baby, Brio, Britt Baby, b.box, Cherub Baby, Cocoon Couture, Crocodile Creek, Dandelion, Dandi, Delightful Australia, Djeco, EM Lite, Ecococoon, Edz Kidz, Ellaroo, Elle & B, Fiona Kate, forwalls, GR8X, Goki, Goodbyn, Govinci, Graze, Green Toys, Heavenly Creatures, Hopscotch Kids, Huckleberry Lane, Huglees, Il Tutto, Infantino, Janod, Kid O, Kidlet, Kids Kitchen, Kids Konserve, Knuffle Kid, Lama Li, Lamaze, Lark, Le Toy Van, Lifestyle Parenting, Lil Fairy Doors, Lilliputiens, Little Chipipi, Little House, Live Play Create, Lullaby Linen, Lunch Punch, Mamas & Papas, Manhattan, Me2Me2, Melissa & Doug, Meri Meri, Micador, Milk Baby, More 4 Boys, mor-stor, Oishi-m, Oobi, Paper Eskimo, Plan Toys, Rex, Rileah Design, Rosemonde Et Michel, SOLVEJ, Seedling, Specklefarm, Studio Skinky, Talking Tables, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Tortellini Cushion, Tutu Du Monde, Urchin, Wheely Bug, White Soda and Zzzoolight.

Shop For Tots ship Australia wide and charges start at  $6 for orders under 500g. Delivery is FREE for orders over $100. International delivery ranges in price from $15 & $30 depending on the weight of each order. For full delivery information and list of charges please see here. Please note for guaranteed Pre-Christmas delivery your order must be placed midday 21st of December.

Written by Miki

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To continue in our series of gift recommendations from the experts, the store owners themselves, here’s instalment #2. Today we see some beautiful gifts for boys and girls, carefully selected for your viewing and shopping pleasure.

Read all our Christmas 2011 Gift Guides to date here. 

		“A great choice for little boys who love anything automotive. Just click them together in three easy steps & you’re ready for play.” Penny Wiltshire at BillyLids.com.au Click Clack Cars Dump Truck, $12.90
“Baby Chloe is a bundle of joy and would love to be cuddled on Christmas morning. Chloe has a reversible bassinette, blanket or play rug, romper and removable nappy. Perfect gift at a great price.” Kate Borg at ShopForTots.com.au Lilliputiens Baby Chloe, $36.95
		“The Ruby Red Sleeping Jane necklace by And the little dog laughed is an adorable stocking stuffer, and it even comes in a cute polka dot button-up bag.” Kate Watson at LookingAtYouKid.com.au Ruby Red Sleeping Jane Necklace, $20.00
“Fun for the whole family, building and decorating your very own Christmas Tree Centrepiece – the kids will love choosing where to place all the sparkly decorations!” Natarsha Tregloan at {P}IsForParty.com.au Tis The Season Centrepiece, $39.95
		“Wrap yourself up in Little Chipipi’s gorgeous kids bed linen this Xmas. Our 100% organic cotton quilt covers come in two designs.” Samantha Peters at LittleChipipi.com.au Tweet Hearts Single Quilt Cover by Little Chipipi, $149.95

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.

Post written by Miki

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As the final in our series of price-range Christmas gift guides, today I’m looking at the ‘big ticket items’, those items costing upwards of $100.  Some of these items might be wish list pieces, while others are more attainable.  Either way, enjoy the collection of twenty superb items guaranteed to light up any kid’s face on Christmas morning.

My two-year-old would think all his dreams had come true if he found a BIG Bobby Benz under the tree, while his older brother might be more interested in a Radio Flyer Dual Deck Red Flyer Tricycle, and I know they’d both love a Teepee from An Angel At My Table. Angela tells me that the Marble Sounding Tree is absolutely amazing – her family has one, and her daughters have had endless fun making beautiful music with it. Plus how incredibly stylish is this Janod Chic Maxi Kitchen? Boys and girls alike would have an amazing time cooking up a storm with that.

Have yourselves a merry little Christmas and enjoy all the amazing choices on offer.

1. Lilly & Lolly Child’s Desk, Toybox & Stool Set, $650.00 at The Little Kidz Closet
2. Marble Sounding Tree – Large, $136.00 at Honeybee  Toys
3. Le Toy Van Lily’s Cottage, $149.95 $144.95 at Where Did You Get That?
4. Jack’s Cubby House, $999.00 at Hip Kids
5. Classic Red Racing Car Rocker, $595.00 at Monty And Franks
6. Radio Flyer Dual Deck Red Flyer Tricycle, $154.95 at Just Toy’n Around
7. ooMoo Kids Leggy Table & Chairs, $180.00 at Mini Chatterbox
8. Little Polly Rocking Horse, $595.00 at Monty And Franks Designer Toy Co
9. IVI Interactive Play Rug – Farm, $299.95 at The Little Kidz Closet
10. KidKraft Fun Explorers Rocket Ship Playset, $199.00 at The Little Kidz Closet
11. An Angel At My Table Navy Stripe Teepee, $219.95 at Shop For Tots
12. Solvej Swing by Holmsater, $220.00 at Look Mummy
13. Micki Wooden Pram With Hood, $118.95 at Baby’s Got Style
14. Janod Chic Maxi Kitchen – Brown, $170.00 at Lime Tree Kids
15. BIG Bobby Benz, $220.00 $198.00 at Metro Mum
16. Lundy Stockholm Dollshouse, $189.95 at Cradle Rock
17. Wishbone Balance Bike – Apple A Day Special Edition, $299.00 at Metro Mum
18. Left Hand Make Small One Tables & Chairs, $510.00 at The Little Kidz Closet 
19. Janod DIY Trolley With Magnetic Tools, $129.00 at Lime Tree Kids 
20. Silver Cross Chatsworth Doll’s Pram – Red Poppy, $999.00 at Silver Cross Online Store
21. The Magic Klorifil Tree, $195.00 at The Infant Boutique (yes I know it’s cheating to have 21 items, but I couldn’t resist this one!)

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

Post written by Miki

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To continue our Gift Guide Series, today I’m looking at gifts in the $50 to $100 price range.  It’s an excellent price bracket for buying something a little bit special for the boy or girl in your life who has tried extra hard to be good all year (a few whacks in the direction of his/her brother or sister notwithstanding); and there some amazing choices available.

The Cloud Bookcase pictured at #4 below would look beautiful in a nursery – fill it with new or secondhand books for your baby to enjoy to create a truly amazing gift. I’ve also included the Wheely Bug in the babies’ gifts section, because although it’s technically for 12+ months, my youngest child started playing with his brother’s Wheely Bug from about 4 months old, and loved it more than anything else we had – he’d grab at the wobbly antennae, kneel up while holding onto it, push it along like a walking trolley and so on. I’m also enamoured of the TrayKit which I think might be exactly what my boys need to help us all survive the long car trip we’re planning early in the New Year; and for little girls the Bobbi Sunshine Ruffled Daisy Swimsuit is simply too sweet for words. I am cheating by mentioning an extra product in addition to my top 20, but I also think this Stephen Joseph Backpack/Lunchbag Set is adorable and great value, and it comes in several other designs if farmyards aren’t your thing.

Keep reading to see my top twenty picks (in no particular order) for gifts in this price range, loosely grouped into products for babies, boys and girls.

Babies
1. Boon Frog Pod, $69.95 at Ekidna Kids
2. Wheely Bug – Bee (small), $85.95 at Shop For Tots
3. Cloudb Sleep Sheep, $59.95 at Billy Lids
4. My Escape Cloud Bookcase, $59.95 at The Little Kidz Closet
5. Groovie Math Blocks, $74.00 $55.50 at Cornflower Blue
6. Woolly Wugs Summer Sleeping Bag – Red, $59.95 at Stylish Kiddish

Boys
7. Stuck On You Designer Value Pack of Labels, $59.95 at Stuck On You
8. TrayKit – Kids Travel Tray & Backpack, $54.95 at Haggus & Stookles
9. Monster Couture Beanbag – Captain Shaggy Red, $99.95 at Little Styles
10. Playmobil T-Rex With Raptors, $79.95 at Cradle Rock
11. It’s A Clock Educational Children’s Clock – Bubble Boy, $89.00 at Metro Mum
12. Trunki Ride On Suitcase – Freddie Fire Engine, $89.00 $80.10 at Metro Mum
13. All Terrain Balance Bike, $99.95 at Design Child

Girls
14. Pink Swan Tutu, $60.00 at Little Red Love Buttons
15. Language Littlies Bilingual Doll – French/English, $69.00 at Ekidna Kids
16. Scruffy Dog Bonnie Silver Sandal, $52.95 at Tiny Steps
17. Mooo Personalised Backpack, $69.95 at Mooo Online Store
18. Bobbi Sunshine Ruffled Daisy Swimsuit, $54.95 at Baby’s Got Style
19. Green Toys Eco Friendly Cookware & Dining Set, $74.00 at Metro Mum
20. Enchanted Animals Wall Stickers, $79.95 at My Munchkin Home 

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

Post written by Miki

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Unless you’re one of those spectacularly organised people who has had all their Christmas presents bought, wrapped and labeled since July, you’re probably in full swing doing your shopping right around now.  To continue in our series of gift guides, today I’m covering the $25 to $50 range – you can see our previous Christmas gift guides here, including Top 20 Stocking Stuffers Under $10 and Top 20 Gifts $10 to $25.

There are so many brilliant ideas in today’s price range.  The Quicksmart Scuttlebug Folding Tricycle, for example – it comes in three different colour ways (Bee, Dragonfly/blue and Flowers/pink) and at $49.95 is a fabulous gift choice for boys or girls. For babies you can never go wrong with Sophie the Giraffe who has been tried and tested for decades; my kids were both Sophie devotees as babies. Girls will adore the Rileah Design Pink Sweets Tea Set which will provide hours of role-playing fun.

Below you’ll see KidStyleFile’s top 20 choices, in no particular order, and loosely grouped into babies, girls and boys groups.  Happy shopping!

Babies
1. Apple Park Lil Bunny Picnic Pal, $33.00 at Billy Lids
2. Small Blue & Green Sausage Dog Cushion, $40.00 at Scoops Design
3. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe, $34.95 at Mini Chatterbox
4. Giimmo Bebe The Penguin, $44.95 at The Little Kidz Closet
5. Coco Boheme Chicken Bib, $25.00 at French Bazaar

Girls
6. Rileah Design Pink Sweets Tea Set, $49.00 at Shop For Tots
7. Forwalls Jumbo Castle Chalkboard Decal, $54.95 $27.48 at Forwalls Online Store
8. Lilliputiens Baby Zoe, $36.95 at Shop For Tots
9. Seedling Junior Postman Mail Kit, $49.95 $40.00 at Shop For Tots
10. Ring A Rosie Artwork, $89.00 $50.00 at Children’s Online Store
11. Oobi Darcy Pettiskirt – Graduated Pink, $74.95 $48.72 at Design Child
12. Lil Christmas Door, $38.00 at Metro Mum

Boys
13. Mini Automoblox – Purple/Orange/Aqua, $49.95 at Where Did You Get That?
14. Janod DIY Barrel, $49.95 at Look Mummy
15. Quicksmart Scuttlebug Folding Tricycle – Bee, $49.95 at Haggus & Stookles
16. Gorgeous Santa Sack, $39.95 at My Munchkin Home
17. Forwalls Robots Wall Decals, $39.95 at Bubba Funk
18. My Sweet Prints ‘Personalised World Map’ Print, $45.00 at Stylish Kiddish
19. Milky Car PJ Set, $29.95 at Looking At You Kid
20. Puggyhouse Rocket, $49.95 at The Little Kidz Closet 

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

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

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Charlie, 3¾, Jen and Jack, 4 ½

With the boys now really grasping the concept of Christmas, deciding what we should ask from Santa has become a major part of our daily conversation. Keeping things in perspective has certainly been a major challenge, but I think I’m slowly getting through to them!

What I’m most excited about though is finding gifts that enhance their current interests and nourish their active imaginations. Role play, science, the world around us; all hot topics with our eldest  ’thinker’. His brother on the other hand is much more interested in kicking balls and cars, so I think my choice of toys for him should keep him entertained. So many lovely things out there, here’s hoping this selection will give you some fresh ideas.

1. Operation Alphabet, Al Maccuish $16.42 Book Depository
This is a book that I have coveted ever since it arrived in the bookshop where I work. It’s got vintage charisma, a superb homage to spy-tastic capers and is just a genius way to get kids – especially boys – interested in books.

2. Red Bi Plane Ceiling Light $66.45 Shop for Tots
We are in desperate need of a new night light and I think this would hit the spot. I mean what boy doesn’t love planes? This design is simple, unaffected and won’t date, so the boys can love it for many years ahead.

3. Classic Earth Hugg a Planet $47.56 Cornflower Blue
There are three nationalities in our household so this is an ideal gift for the boys. We are almost a mini global village filled with love, so what better thing to do than share a great big hug?

4. Peek, Seek and Find – For Boys, Little Beginnings $20.25 Cornflower Blue
Anything that tackles the major challenge of keeping boys still for longer than 5 minutes gets my vote. I like the neat packaging and thoughtful subjects that should really interest the boys as they start to express interest in numbers and letters.

5. Wooden Teaching Clock £4.99 Jesters. Email admin@jesters.com for shipping costs.
I’m sure there are many of you who have family in Europe wondering what to get grandchildren and cousins. Well I like this clock as it combines learning with style and is well considered when attempting to understand the time.

6. Janod Confetti Harmonica $8.95 Lime Tree Kids
Hmmm I might regret this, but I always wanted a harmonica as a girl and am probably buying this for me rather than the boys. It’s better than a recorder though don’t you think?

7. Kaleidoscope $7.95 Shop for Tots
The boys love kaleidoscopes, especially the ones they discovered at daycare. So maybe it’s time we had one of our own at home. This would be a perfect stocking filler

8. Captain Tee by Cried Wolf $40 and Check Slimline Shorts by Sosooki $49 About a Boy
Add a pair of Chuck Taylors and how cute would a little fella look in this outfit?

9. Mr Frog Eco Wall $59 The Lowercase
I definitely have a ‘learning’ theme going on here and just love the artwork on this wall hanging. Nature, style, decor and learning all wrapped up. Perfect?

10. Wall Candy Animal Chalkboard $99.95 Metro Mum
These animals would be so much fun to customise over and over again. I think they’d be great in the kids room, they’d be a welcome addition to their existing zoo!

11. Mini Automoblox Truck $25.95 Where Did You Get That?
I’d probably have to get two of these. The boys are so close in age that sometimes I have to treat them as twins when it comes to shopping for toys. These look rather supercool and I think they’d go nice and fast on the wooden floors…

12. Little MD role play medical bag $37.95 Shop for Tots
Our eldest was caught deep in doctor mode recently at a friends house, fixing knees and taking temperatures. Maybe it’s time I nurtured that interest, I may have a future brain surgeon on on my hands?

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.