By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
Growing up, Christmas was a very important holiday in our home and, to this day, it is still one of my favorite times of the year. With my father being a minister, my family’s traditions centered around the church. The scripture reading of Luke 2 (1- 20) was read before our Christmas Eve dinner and before heading off to church.
Although, now my own family still goes to church Christmas Eve, we read other books as part of our Christmas tradition. Every Christmas Eve we, of course, read “Twas the Night Before Christmas“. It is my [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor

Spring is definitely in the air! And I am sure that I am not the only one thinking about my garden. Since Easter is so early this year, why not fill up those baskets with some cute gardening gifts. The results might just be more satisfying than chocolate!

 
Sunny Side UP Gardens: These egg carton gardens includes everything you need to start your very own garden. Choose from four different themes, Little Bunny Garden, Little Pizza Garden, Kaleidoscope Flower Garden or Little Good Night Garden. Each egg carton garden includes six packets of heirloom seeds, starter [...]

Every day, our kids are bombarded with commercials for toys they must have! Most of these toys will probably hold their attention for about five minutes and end up at the back of their closet. I try to never fall prey to these crazes (well, I did with the zu zu pets but only because I thought it would be a substitute for the real thing which the girls desperately wanted) and always try to come up with gift ideas that are far more 1. meaningful 2. high quality with lasting play power and 3. interesting which will guarantee lots [...]

As a petite woman, Pam Starobin knew what it is like to sit at a table with your chin barely over the the edge or at the movies when, inevitably, someone would sit directly in front of her blocking her view. She understood how kids felt and wanted to make a booster seat that made them feel all grown up. She came up with a lightweight booster seat that carries like a backpack.
SittingTallerKids partnered with Nomi Network, an organization that promotes enterprise and education to end human trafficking, to help in making the backpacks. Nomi Network trains women in Cambodia, [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
It is that time of year again when all activities focus on preparing the kids to head back to school. We have already covered a SpendSmart Debit Card for teens and Dorm Room Art that uses Facebook and Twitter, so now let’s talk essentials: a good, practical but stylish bag for school. In the past we have reviewed some great bags that would work well for high school and college students too: the CARMAZZI 1Bag, Urban Junket Tote, U.S.E.D. Seatbelt bags, and Tilley’s Intrepid Bag. Still, here are a few more ideas that might help [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
Of course! It would take a mom with three children to come up with the perfect backpack designed for road trips. Janet Cortes created Go Baggie after she was tired of traveling with her three young daughters and them always asking her for drawing material or a snack to eat while she drove. She created the Go Baggie to give her daughters their own carrier that could compartmentalize all their needs.
There is a spot for an ipod, electronic game, pens, pencils, paper, DVDs, a change of clothes, a cooler for snacks and a whole [...]

For children, looking in their basket at Easter is like looking under the tree at Christmas. So why not make it more than just Chocolate Bunnies and eggs. Here are a few “little” gift ideas for items that will fit perfectly in those Easter baskets…

Personalized Vintage Easter Glass Tile Necklace – Adorable vintage Easter image tile made into a little glass pendant necklace. Etsy artist Michelle Gallegos will personalized it with your daughter’s name on the back. Buy them at her Etsy shop here for $12.00.

Butterfly Crayon – A rainbow of colors in one crayon shaped as a butterfly. Endless [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
Ah, Spring is in the air and this year Easter Sunday is late in April (the 24th). I have yet to bring out our Easter decorations, but I am already looking forward to our family Easter traditions. Egg decorating and an Easter Egg hunts are always a part of Easter in our home and I have discovered some great products to enhance our traditions. Let’s see if they will become a part of yours also.

Wikki Stix Decorating Kit – If you are not familiar with Wikki Stix they are made with hand-knitting yarn [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
Over the holidays my family went to Downtown Disney, a street of restaurants and shops that links Disneyland, the Disneyland Resort and California Adventure Park, to have lunch. While we were walking around my daughters noticed a store, LittleMissMatched that featured vibrant socks in the window and asked if they could go in. Why not? They can always use more socks, their sock drawer being filled with orphan, non-matching socks. Much to my surprise (and delight!), I found out that LittleMissMatched doesn’t match socks either! All socks are sold in a pack of three non-matching [...]

There is a plethora of gifts out there for the little ones (thank you Disney, Lego, Mattel and so on) and all of them have their place, but in case you are looking for the type of children’s gift that will be enjoyed well passed Christmas morning and that may just have that heirloom quality… well, you will be happy to know that we have compiled a list just like that, to get you inspired with new ideas for charming gifts for the little people in your life.

ZzzzooLight: Create a sense of wonder with these variety of animal lights [...]