2020 Gift Guide for kids

Hey everyone! I’m not one to share big ‘ole holiday gift guides, but every year I like to re-share my top 3 absolute favorite gifts for kids. The tried and true ones. The ones Penny (and most kids) can’t seem to get enough of. You can’t go wrong with these three!

BOOKROO

This is my absolute favorite gift for kids that I bring up year after year. We love Bookroo, if you don’t know already!

Bookroo is a children’s book club subscription box service. You can choose from 1, 3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions, for yourself or a gift for someone else, and you can choose to get 2-3 board books (age 0-3), picture books (ages 2-6), or chapter books (ages 7-10). So it works for almost any age! Also, each book inside the box comes individually wrapped like a present. So even the boxes that come after the holidays are just like Christmas morning.

{gifted. But we love Bookroo and get boxes every year. Penny can’t get enough of them!}

MAGNET TILES

This is a pretty popular open-ended toy these days, but if you don’t have magnet tiles yet… GET ON IT. Seriously. Kids of all ages love these. Penny literally plays with them every single day, not even exaggerating. There is so many ways to play with them.

You can get the brand name Magna-Tiles in different amount sets (30 pc, 100 pc, etc), or the cheaper Picasso tiles. We personally have the Picasso tiles - they look exactly like the Magna-tiles and are even compatible with them, but less expensive. There are even a bunch of specialty ones and add-ons if you search on Amazon, and remember - they’re compatible with each other.

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PAINT STICKS

Another thing that gets used almost daily around here are paint sticks. If your kid loves to color and draw like Penny, stock up on these. They’re more vibrant and fun than using crayons, don’t dry out like markers, and are a looooooot less messy than watercolor or tempera paints. They are washable and, unlike regular paints, they dry instantly.

There are a whole bunch of different ones if you search Amazon, but we currently have this set.

Gift Guide: for the toddlers (and other little ones!)

I’m going to be sharing two gift guides this holiday season, for two areas that I think I know a good amount about - sewing and tiny humans! haha. Today is all about toddlers (some work for babies or older kids, too!). These are some of Penny’s tried and true favorites.

Bookroo

This is my faaaaaaaavorite gift idea to share for kids every year! Bookroo is a children’s book club subscription box service. You can choose from 1, 3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions, personal or gift for someone else, and you can choose from board books, picture books, or chapter books. So it works for any age from 0-10! And you don’t have to worry too much about receiving books you already own - their mission is to find and send out hidden gems rather than classics. If you do happen to get one that you already have, take a picture of you gifting it to someone else, and receive $$ off your next subscription! Oh, and Penny’s favorite part? Each book inside the box comes individually wrapped like a present. So each box that arrives in the mail is like Christmas morning!

Use the code MERRYDARLING now through 12/25/19 and get 15% at Bookroo.

*** I received a Bookroo box in exchange for review and blog post, but all thoughts are my own. We have been receiving Bookroo boxes in the mail for years (seriously! search my blog!), and we honest to god love them. Penny flips out when one comes in the mail!)

June & January

when she’s not wearing something handmade, June & January is my go-to clothes for P. They have the cutest basics in all sorts of fun colors. And so incredibly reasonably priced! Everything P is wearing in the first photo, including the bow and sneakers, is from J&J. And we love their pajamas, too!

Micro Kickboard Scooter

Penny owns both a scooter and a balance bike. And while she likes both, she definitely favors the scooter a lot! She got it for her second birthday and its still a huge hit with her - she asks to go out and scoot aaaaaaall the time. The Micro Kickboard scooter she has comes in a whole bunch of colors, and the handles can be adjusted up and down to accommodate for their growing height!

Nelly Lou

shameless plug - my own Etsy shop is filled with handmade headbands and turban hats in sizes newborn - toddler. I also have scrunchies that work for toddlers- adults!

toddler-friendly digital camera

This is something that Penny is getting under the tree this year! She has a a pretend camera and has always loved to pretend to take our pictures, she says “saaaaay cheese noodles!” haha. And recently learned how to take photos with an iphone, so the camera roll is filled with photos of her stuffed animals.

I found this tiny little, silicone covered, toddler-friendly digital camera on Amazon, and I’m so excited to give it to her. I know it’s going to be a hit! She’ll be able to take real photos just like mama and daddy, and connect them to the computer to see them. It also comes in blue!

Tubby Todd

We’ve been using Tubby Todd products since P was a baby! Penny asks for lotion every night before bed, and we’ve gone through a few different brands. Tubby Todd is still my favorite. We also use the all over ointment for her eczema/dry patches in the winter, and the bubble bath is a hit with P, too!

handmade Paw Patrol dress-up costume

If your household lives and breathes Paw Patrol like we do, skip all the little plastic toys (no judgement though, we own all those little plastic pup figurines and toys, haha) and go for a handmade dress-up outfit instead! I got this Skye dress-up kit for P for Halloween, and it was a hit. If you search on Etsy, you can find a whole bunch. Here’s an example of a Skye one (not the one I purchased, but very similar), and you can find ones for the other pups too. Support a small business/maker this Christmas and buy handmade!!

(and p.s - that pink leotard is from June & January that I mentioned above!)

Gift Guide: for the Sewers and Makers

I’m going to be sharing two gift guides this holiday season, for two areas that I think I know a good amount about - sewing and tiny humans! haha. Today is all about those sewists and makers. Whether you know a maker in your life that you need a fun gift for, or you yourself are a maker and need some ideas of what to ask for - here are some of my favorite ideas!

MadamSew Sew Happy Box

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me sharing an unboxing of Madam Sew’s new subscription box. I mentioned during the unboxing that I think a subscription for a box or two (or more) would make a great Christmas gift! Who doesnt love a surprise box full of goodies? Each box comes with a sewing pattern, a scrap busting project/pattern, fabric, matching thread, a fat quarter of a featured fabric designer, And a handful of fun tools. In November’s box, those tools included heat erasable marking pens, a few presser feet, and a pin cushion ring. Super cute!

*** I was provided this subscription box for review and blog feature. Though, all thoughts are my own.

MadamSew Ultimate Presser Foot Kit

Another fun item from Madam Sew to gift is their Ultimate Presser Foot kit. It comes with 32 different presser feet, for any kind of application you can imagine, and it also comes with an adapter so that they can be used with almost any brand sewing machine. It comes with an instruction booklet, as well as tutorial videos for each foot.

*** I had previously received this item in the past in exchange for a review, but I actually still use these presser feet all the time! Check out my highlights on Instagram for some example videos I shared in the past. I’ll also be sharing some more video examples next week.

Megan Nielsen Mommy & Me sewing pattern bundles

Have a sewist in your life that also has a little one? Megan is offering mommy & me bundles on some of her sewing patterns that have matching mini versions, at a discounted price! Theres the Cottesloe swimsuits like I have above, the Tania culottes, Eucalypt tank/dress, and Virginia leggings.

Kylie and the Machine sewing labels

Sooooooo I really just want a stocking full of these sewing labels! Check out her website for all the different ones she offers (there are so many good ones!), and you can also find them offered at some of your favorite fabric stores - just search for Kylie and the Machine labels. The perfect stocking stuffer!

‘Maker’ necklace

I love this simple necklace! And not just for sewists - it could be the perfect gift for any kid of maker in your life. Comes in silver, too!

Scissors!!!!!

I don’t know a sewist or maker that doesn’t love collecting scissors. Both useful scissors, and pretty decorative scissors. This photo above is just a small selection of my own. But here are a few of my favorites, and some that I am coveting:

Holiday Gift Guide: Nelly Lou

Hey everyone! Just popping in to tell you about another gift idea for the little ones. I recently released my newest collection for my shop - Nelly Lou. I’m offering free domestic shipping now through December, but will also be running a special sale from black friday through cyber monday (11/23-11/26). Use the code HOLLYDAY18 for 15% off your order between those days. The free domestic shipping is automatically applied!

I have headbands, turbans, dresses, tees, and leggings for babies and toddlers in all sorts of colors and prints. And I’m open to custom orders - so if you see a print or color you like but not in the item you want, just message me!

Happy shopping :)

Holiday Gift Guide: Bookroo

Hi friends! I have a fun gift idea to share with you today. This is Penny’s third time receiving a Bookroo subscription box (you can see the other two reviews here and here), and we are just as in love with it as before. I love this idea as a gift idea for little ones! Especially if your child loves books and presents like Penny :)

So, Bookroo is a monthly subscription box for kids founded by 3 sister-in-laws. With a subscription, you get 2-3 books in the mail that come individually wrapped. That’s right - wrapped up for them to rip open. Like Christmas morning every time a box comes in the mail. That just adds to the excitement! Presents to unwrap AND new books to fall in love with. And it’s fun for so many ages - you can choose between board books (ages 0-3), picture books (2-6 years old), or chapter books (ages 7-10). The books that are chosen are hidden gems that go through an extensive review process, so don’t worry about getting duplicates of something already in your collection (but if you do, take a photo of you gifting it to someone else, and get $5 off your next box!).

Whether its for your own child or someone else, you can choose between personal or gift subscriptions at varying lengths of time (1 month, 3 months, etc, up to a year subscription). See what I mean about it being the perfect gift?

Use the code DARLINGGIFT now through 12/31/18 and get 15% at Bookroo.

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P.S - our book boxes were gifted from Bookroo. But we seriously do love this woman-run company, and all these opinions re my own.

GIFT GUIDE : FOR THE CAT LOVER

** all of the above has been Henry approved **

1. cat ear baseball cap by Kate Spade - 2. tee shirt by Thug Life Shirts - 3. cat necklace from ASOS - 4. tabby pillow from Modcloth - 5. cat purse from ASOS - 6. Melissa + Karl Lagerfeld ultra girl cat flats from ShopBop - 7. how to make your cat an internet celebrity from Modcloth - 8. paw mug from Modcloth - 9. onesie pajamas from Forever21 - 10. cat vanity mirror from Urban Outfitters - 11. animal clothes hangers from Urban Outfitters

And because it was so hard narrowing down what to include, here's a few more fun options:

- this dress

- this sweatshirt

-this other sweatshirt

- these gloves

-this travel mug

- and this art print