Today only! Flip MinoHD on sale get 40% off – normally $199, today on sale for $119.

Flip MinoHD is a great little video camera, so easy to use that my kids can do it. Ok, fine, let’s not insult my smart kids, I meant.. so easy that I can use it.

Taking video is simple, with touch of one button and downloading the video to your computer is even easier – no cords needed, the USB arm of the Flip plugs directly into your computer and it automatically opens its own software. Great gift idea for almost anyone in the family. Teens and tweens love making videos, the video camera is a must for parents recording family memories and it’s great even for grandparents to record their own videos of the grandkids. You can fill the 60 minutes of the video camera – so you are not just gifting the camera, but also personalized message.

Buy the Flip MinoHD today on Amazon, and you will get it -40% – normally $199, today only $119.

I was just wrapping some cute Little MissMatched products they sent my girls, and wanted to order some more and I’m glad I checked it today.. Little MissMatched has 1 day left for Free Shipping on all orders of $75 or more and they are currently running a 2 Day Only Sale.

You’ll receive 20% off orders from now until Dec. 15th at 10pm EST.

Sale: Get 20% OFF your entire order
Coupon: SAVE20
Expires: December 15, 2009 at 10 p.m. EST
Restrictions: This offer exludes furniture, outlet items and e-gift certifcates.

Shop now at Little MissMatched – they have ton of different stocking stuffer and gift ideas in any price range!

Are you feeling the Christmas spirit..?

I am.

We have our tree up, our bedroom corner if full of gifts-that-I-have-to-wrap.
I got two gifts from my kids already. My daughter gave me a pen that says #1 Mom. My son gave a matching travel hair brush. My husband gave me the most amazing ski poles and waxed my skis, ready for our trip to Park City. (Really, I didn’t know there were designer ski poles, but these are leather covered, have fur and match perfectly my tan clothing and purple goggles – will take pictures!)

We are hosting a party on Saturday for Gaby’s 8th birthday and planning on strolling New York City on Sunday.

I’m working long days, but taking a moment every now and then and just stopping to enjoy the Christmas spirit, which I am feeling around, and I’m really looking forward our first Christmas away as a family. Can not wait to SKI!

I’m sharing Skimbaco Holidays 2009 on Whrrl this year. Come and join me and share yours!

Mommy Niri posted a Holiday Wish List meme, and I decided to jump on and do it too. To enter: share and blog this meme. Over $3,800 worth of prizes in store, so why not? Copy the text below with the links and the questions – and answer them yourself. Make sure to leave your link here in the comments, so we can come and read your answers.

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
Besides the everyday wishes of world peace and ending hunger and poverty, but since you asked.. my material product wishes (in my dream world)..
- New ski jacket, just haven’t found the perfect one yet.
- Twin tip skis, like the Line Celebrity Skis.
- DeLonghi Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso Machine – I had one and loved it.
- Wii – there are so many new fitness games I’d like to try, and I want to play Guitar Hero with my husband and kids.
- Cartier Tank Solo Watch, the large model. I did say in my dream world, right?

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
Christmas ornaments my children made at school. We hang them up every year.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
Knitted sweaters for everyone in the family.

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
Estee Lauder red bath robe is the one I remember being the best.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
Kris is wishing for LEGOs like every year since he learned to speak. Gaby wants aBest Friends Club doll Addison and a Dell for Christmas. Isabella is hoping for books. Girls also wanted a bunk bed so they can all sleep in a same room.

6. What is your favorite holiday food?
I just posted my two favorite traditional Finnish Holiday recipes, beet salad and rutabaga casserole, those with ham.. I have to make them every year. And I don’t like the store bought hams they sell here, I buy a raw ham on the bone and roast it!

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
My daughter is having a birthday party on Saturday and we’ll make flower arrangements as a craft and as gifts in and before the party. 1-800-Flowers lifestyle expert Julie Mulligan inspired me and she is also sending some flowers for us to use. I already bought pots, ornaments, ribbons and other supplies, really looking forward doing it with kids. We usually also bake cookies.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
Serendipity, I think things are meant to be, and I just love the message of the movie.

This from the movie, dedicated to my friend Erika, Chic Shopper Chick, who just recently took me to Serendipity restaurant.

Jonathan: This is the ultimate blend to drink. How’d you find this place?
Sara: I first came in because of the name: Serendipity. It’s one of my favorite words.
Jonathan: It is? Why?
Sara: It’s such a nice sounding word for what it means: a fortunate accident.

9. Favorite holiday song?
Oddly, my favorite Holiday songs are the sad and sappy ones, Holidays are always kind of hard for me not being able to see family in Finland. One favorite, which always makes me cry is a Finnish song Joulumaa by Katri Helena, it’s a song about how you find Christmas spirit inside you, and it was one of my mother’s favorite Holiday songs when growing up. I also love River by Joni Mitchell. Sometimes I just refuse to get myself into the nostalgic mode and then I have to listen Last Christmas by Wham and nothing beats the original Christmas Song by Alvin & The Chipmunks.

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
Eating… Spending time with the family. Cooking together. I remember our first family Christmas I forced my husband to dress up for a dinner for three, and dressed our little princess in a nice dress, and wanted to decorate the table with all the trimmings. Now I’m more relaxed, and it’s OK if everything isn’t perfect, I just want to hang out with the family. Two years ago my husband was working for Christmas (as an EMS/ rescue helicopter pilot), and I took the dinner for the helicopter hangar for everyone to enjoy together with my in-laws. To me there was more Christmas spirit in that, than in a fancy Holiday dinner with the best china and a designer tablecloth at home.

I did post my favorite Christmas recipes last Christmas Eve, but I figured many were busy on that day… that I’d post them again part of my Scandinavian Holiday Special. My favorites are rosolli and lanttulaatikko, beet salad and rutabaga souffle/casserole.

ROSOLLI – BEETROOT SALAD

2 cans of beets
2 carrots
2 potatoes
1 onion
1 apple
1 whole pickle
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch white pepper

DRESSING
half pint heavy cream
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2 teaspoons beet juice
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 pinch salt
1 pinch white pepper

Boil carrots and the potatoes (with peels on to get better flavor). Let them cool down. Peel and chop the carrots and the potatoes to small. The smaller you chop the ingredients the better this salad will be. Chop beets, onion, apple and pickle. Mix everything well, add salt and pepper to taste. Put the salad to fridge and let it sit at least an hour before serving. This salad gets better over night.

I took the above picture right after I had made the salad, but the color will get deeper red after you’ve let the salad sit for a while.

The dressing: whip the cream and then add other ingredients, make this right before serving.

Rutabagas

LANTTULAATIKKO – RUTABAGA CASSEROLE

2 large rutabagas
2 tsp salt
2/3 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
half pint of heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons of molasses / corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ginger or cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 stick butter
1 small onion
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

There are several variations of rutabaga casserole, and if not done well, it can be very bitter. My tricks – cook for long time, and add corn syrup and cream. The original Finnish recipe calls for molasses, but the American type molasses is more bitter than the Finnish molasses, so I use dark corn syrup or even better the brown sugar corn syrup.

Peel the rutabagas, chop in fairly large cubes. Boil in water (add some salt) for almost an hour until they are super soft. Pour the water out but save about 3/4 cup of it and smash the rutabagas and add the water in the mashed rutabagas. In a separate bowl mix egg, breadcrumbs, cream, syrup and spices and let them sit for about 15-30 minutes. Chop the onion to very small and then saute it in plenty of butter to make it nice and golden. Then mix well the mashed rutabagas, cream/breadcrumb mix and the sauteed onions. Place in greased casserole dish, the deeper the better. Make spoon marks on the top of the dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. You can bake it in 400F in less than an hour, but to get better flavor, I recommend baking in 325-350F for about 2-3 hours.

While compiling a cool list of gifts for gadget & techie stuff lovers, I came into the solution not to only show super advanced techie gadgets, but also some simply cool stuff that the geek in you in your life would like. I’m a Mac girl, and almost assume that most geeks these days come already equipped with an iPhone, so many of my favorites this Holiday are iPhone accessories. If you know a geek stuck with Verizon and their awesome network, I hear iPod Touch is a pretty swanky little toy too to slip in his/her stocking this Christmas.

If your gal or guy was even semi-cool in the eighties, or just wants to be cool now, in a geeky sort of way, >Lasonic i931W Ghetto Blaster with iPod Dock (white $129, black $159) is gift to consider. Note, it doesn’t work with iPhone, but blasts the music from iPods.

Atomic Projection Clock ($49.23) is a cool gadget to have – it projects the time on the wall or on the ceiling, making it easy to see even in the middle of the night (and even for those of us who normally need glasses to see anything – the projection makes the text so large that anyone can see it). This Oregon Scientific is one of the coolest ones, and even comes with indoor and outdoor wireless thermometer.

The Hacked USB Flash Drive ($43) is a fun gift for anyone – this 2 gigabyte flash drive is disguised as a frayed and broken USB cable.

Powermat is a must have for any family with one or more geeks, I mean, tech-lovers. Forget about all the cords, and charge your cellphone, your kids iPods and gaming systems all with Powermat. You have to plug only one thing on the wall – and you can literally just drop all of your handheld devices on the Powermat to be charged. The Powermat runs for $99 and you will need a receiver case for each device ($29.99 -$39.99 each). Just one word: easy. Ok, maybe two more: so cool!

Lightscoop is a low-tech product that any home-photographer will love. You know how your get those annoying pictures with red-eyes with flash – or dark pictures without enough light? Lightscoop is a solution to take flash photography with better lighting with your normal pop-up flash lighting by redirecting your camera’s pop-up flash to a ceiling or wall. ($34.99)

Kindle ($259) is the king. Or that’s what I keep hearing. I don’t own one, but sure would love to have one, the books get heavy carrying around. Kindle would make the geek in your life to read more, because who can resist reading when there is screen time involved? Kidding aside – this thin and light weight reading device helps to bring along a library of reading everywhere.

Juice running out of iPhone? I hear you, you are not the only one. Help a friend out and gift the mophie juice pack ($79.95), iPhone battery that keeps the phone going. Sure it makes the iPhone little thicker, but keeps it going and going!

VITAband is a great gadget for any active family member. Great for runners, athletes, skiers etc. VITAband is an emergency medical ID tag including an online Emergency Response Profile (ERP) where a user can include limited information such as a name and an emergency contact or store much more including allergies and blood type, a list of daily prescriptions and detailed medical history and includes a contactless payment technology. $19.99 for the wrist band and $19.99 a year for service.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I have received the Powermat and the Lightscoop samples to review.

I had an opportunity to visit a lifestyle expert and celebrity party planner Colin Cowie in his amazing Manhattan penthouse last month. Colin was throwing a party together with Electrolux ICON, and he shared some of his easy cocktail party tips and recipes, and showed his apartment to us. I admired his impeccable decorating taste, and loved the way he hosted a simple, elegant and such a classy cocktail party.

COLIN COWIE’S EASY COCKTAIL PARTY TIPS

- Stay organized; make lists of what needs to be done, do as much before hand as you can.
- It’s OK, if you have to mix and match; you don’t have to have matching china for all guests, just make it work by mixing pieces!
- Prepare menu in advance, again mix and match – both homemade and store bought dishes (to make it easy for you)
- Set the mood, candles, music and dimmed lights do wonders and keep it simple.
- Specialty cocktail. Make something just for your party to make your guests feel special, plus it makes it easy for you just to make a pitcher of something fabulous. Get the Pear Passion recipe below for autumn and holiday time treat.

RECIPES & EASY FOOD IDEAS

Some easy quick tips what to serve if you have a last minute party and need to get things together fast for a party. I have added few easy and delicious recipes by Colin below, but here are a few other ideas.

- Shrimp cocktail – easy and always appropriate for any cocktail party.
- Cheese plate, mixture of 4-5 cheeses, grapes, fresh bread and salami – easy!
- Spiced roasted nuts
- Simple dessert.

Colin Cowie’s shrimp cocktail and the cheese tray

PEAR PASSION

This is one of the best cocktails I’ve had for a long time.. However… While I was at the party, the bartender did confess that they added “secret spice mix” instead just cinnamon, and I haven’t cracked the recipe yet. I think I’d add vanilla, allspice, cardamon… maybe ginger. A spice mix that says “holidays” to you. Also, with this one, I recommend good vodka, like Chopin or Grey Goose.

Ingredients
2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. pear liqueur
2 oz. pear puree or pear nectar

Combine ingredients in a shaker. Shake well and stain into a cocktail glass with or without ice. Add dash of cinnamon and a pear slice for garnish.

SAUSAGE ROLLS SERVED WITH WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground pork or veal
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3/4 cup diced cooked potato
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons crushed dried sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 17-ounce package frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, well beaten
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a bowl, combine the pork, onion, potato, parsley, sage, salt, pepper and pepper flakes. Mix with a fork to combine.
3. Transfer the mixture to a large pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip.
4. Unfold the puff pastry sheets and, following the fold marks, cut each sheet into three rectangles. Roll out slightly.
5. Pipe the sausage mixture along one long edge of each of the pastry rectangles. Paint the opposite edges with some of the beaten egg. Starting at the edge with the sausage mixture, roll up each rectangle, gently pressing the egg-painted edge to seal.
6. Using a sharp knife, cut the rolls into slices about 1 1/2 inches thick. Arrange them on a broiler pan or a wire rack set on top of a baking sheet. Brush the slices with the remaining beaten egg and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden.
7. Serve the slices warm with the Worcestershire sauce on the side for dipping.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I was invited to a party and received Colin Cowie’s latest book and a product from his line sold at HSN.

If I had to give a few fast tips for gift giving for boys it would include one or more of these brands: LEGO, Star Wars, Nintendo and The North Face, best of course when mixed (Wii Star Wars game or Star Wars LEGO set). Gifting boys can be so easy, yet if you are looking for something unique, it may be trickier. No worries, here are about 30 ideas for boys of all ages starting from the elementary school aged to tweens and even teens boys. Games, clothing, tech and more.

CLOTHING

My little man actually likes clothes, as appropriate for a Hanes model (he will be in the upcoming Hanes catalog!).

Speaking of Hanes.. if you are stocking up with socks and underwear, they are as low as $3.99 at the Super Sale at Hanes.com (use code TIERORD for 30$ off your $100 order). If you are looking for something little more exciting than basics, here are some suggestions.

Kids’ Synchilla Marsupial by Patagonia ($65) is a soft, fleece hoodie, which is made from recycled and recyclable fleece. Comes in several colors and is a must have in any boy’s wardrobe for winter.

The North Face ($99) Apex Bionic Jacket is a must have for anyone in the family, and it’s my son’s favorite jacket of all times. High quality, you can wash it over and over and it still takes all that a boys’ jackets take.. Oh, and this windproof and waterproof jacket also looks cool.

BOOKS

My son loves pop up books and is somewhat obsessed learning more about Titanic, making the Titanic book by Martin Jenkins ($28.48) on the top of his wish list. David Hawcock Books makes several other cool educational pop up books for your little boy’s interests.

One of the newest pop ups books in the market and surely one of the top hits this holiday season is the Star Wars: The Clone Wars pop up book ($16.49) by Rob Valois.

TECH GIFTS

Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition Netbook ($328) is a smart joint venture between Nickelodeon and Dell (and Walmart who sells it exclusively). Basically the Nick edition is just a kid version of the popular of the Dell Mini Inspiron – with a few features like parental control, customizable Nikelodeon content and cool slime design and a very low price tag for a netbook. Note that this one doesn’t come with a DVD slot, other than that it is your laptop in mini version. My kids love the Inspiron for its Mac-alike features and easy functions. The Nickelodoen version is a great first real laptop for younger kids.

My little dude wants an iPod for Christmas, and I’m thinking the least expensive, the older model iPod shuffle ($199.95) and adding a few cool iPod accessories with it to make it even cooler. The Speck Zipper-Puck Carrying Case for iPod shuffle 2G ($8.99).

The iBoo speaker dock ($78.56) for iPod is scary cool. The sound system in this one is one of the best in the inexpensive iPod dock speaker systems, but of course will not quite replace a home stereo system, making this a perfect gift and addition to any boy’s room.

ACTIVITY GIFTS

Got snow? My first instinct would be to say get your kid into skiing or snowboarding, but if that’s not an option, make sure he still can have plenty of fun in the snow. Get him a sledge for backyard sledging, Stiga makes the best ones. STIGA Snow Racer Pro Line sledge ($75) has a sports seat and a steering wheel and it’s made for speed.

Make his room the way that he can’t wait you to say “Go to your room”. IKEA can help you with this. Their furniture is inexpensive and lasts the years until he is ready for a teen room, and the best for active boys is their hand rings ($8.99) and the rope ladder ($14.99) – just waiting for fun to happen.

Jokes on you! Prank set ($24) will make you regret the gift, but I guarantee it will be a hit.

GAMING

When it comes to gaming, I hear Wii ($199.99) is the way to go for families. I am by no means an expert – Wii is on our Christmas wish list this year. In addition the the gaming console, we will need some games to go with it. And it’s really all the accessories that makes Wii Wii – like the DreamGear Racing Wheel ($14.99) needed for some of the most fun racing Wii games, like the Mario Kart ($44.99).

We love LeapFrog toys in our family. They are educational and fun. One of their cool educational gaming systems is Didj, and the Didj Indiana Jones Adventure Gift Pack ($119, now on sale for $49.99) would be a great way to get started with Didj. It is interactive learning, yet fun gaming! You can customize both gaming and learning to fit the learning needs of your child. Perfect for boys aged 5 to 10 years.

Games don’t have to be all high tech… HABA Keep it Steady Game ($15.29) is a fun game to teach fine motor skill for kids and patience too (for the kid and you..). It’s a perfect game to play in the family where there are kids in different ages – it’s recommended for over 6 year olds, and it’s a game that your little guy can talk the older siblings to play with him – or for the entire family to enjoy.

Honey I Shrunk the Foosball Table ($59) is mini sized Foosball table – endless fun for your dude, recommended for over 8 years old.

TOYS

If you were to ask my 6 year old about his favorite toy, one word would be enough: LEGO.
One good thing about LEGOs is that they make gift giving easy – your gift giving problems are solved for a few years when you have a LEGO enthusiast in your family. This year’s most popular sets are the LEGO Star Wars, starting at $11.75 with the LEGO Star Wars Clone Walker Battle Pack pictured above. Even if Star Wars, Indiana Jones nor Sponge Bob are something you want to gift, there are several LEGO gifts that are more classic than the movies and pop culture. Like the Empire State Building ($19.99) – who wouldn’t want to build that one?

If your little man is into Transformers, the Hasbro Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee Figure ($179.99) is a top notch gift for him. The sleek 2008 Camaro turns into Transformer character Bumblebee. Sounds, motion and action – everything that you would expect a highly detailed robotic Transformer toy to do. This toy is collectible, which he will keep forever.

ACCESSORIES

Swiss Army backpacks are popular among boys, small and big. My son loves his Swiss Army backpack for school, and I’ve seen a lot of them even for older “boys” in the conferences (for laptops). What ever age your boy is, this Victorinox Swiss Army Almont Collection Rhone Notebook Pack ($63.99) would be a great high quality gift.

Never underestimate an impact of a cool watch when it comes to boys of all ages.

For boys 6-9 the LEGO Kids’ Star Wars Han Solo Watch ($16.88) is going to be a hit, at least according to my theory everything LEGO and Star Wars related will get highest points.

The Swatch women’s watches are perfect size for boys, and are great quality even for active boys. They run around $50-$165, the one pictured is called Something New ($50).

I have two elementary school aged girls, and here are some gift ideas that are tested and true with our girls, and some things that are in their wish list this year. Many of these are great for even tween girls, who are becoming more and more difficult to buy for. We want to keep them young, and they want to grow older, le sigh. While the tween girls want to already shop at Victoria’s Secret, see the Twilight New Moon, and wear sweat pants that say “Juicy”, we still want to buy them American Girl dolls and books and want them to write their letters to Santa.

CUTE JAPANESE ANIME – OR JUST VERY TRENDY STUFF

Pinkhost.net is your one stop shop if the girls in your list are into anime. Cool girly gadgets, designer toys, modern Japanese art and handbags. Just a little something cool: the Chubby Book by Helena Garcia ($21.95), comes with 10 Postcards designed by Helena Garcia, 100 Lined notebook pages and 150 Blank sketchbook pages. Or get her something to totally impress the tween or teen girl: the Ragazza Handbag in Portofortuna Print by Tokidoki ($158).

Harajuku Lovers Solid Perfumes ($18 each) from Sephora make tween and teen girls go nuts. There are several available, girls collect them, and I can understand why – they all smell good, look cool, and you can carry them with you every where you go.

BOOKS

Both of my girls (7 and 9) love the Rainbow Magic Fairy books, and I will be gifting fairy books for both girls. For Gabriella – of course the Gabriella The Snow Kingdom Fairy ($6.99) by Daisy Meadows.

I’m also planning on getting books by Julia DeVillers for my girls, her books make girls giggle and are written in a way 4-7 graders speak, and they can really relate to DeVillers’ books.

BEAUTY & MAKEUPS

Girls love playing with makeups… and practicing using them. Instead of getting your young girls play makeups, which sometimes can be poor quality and harm your girl’s sensitive skin, get her the real deal – e.l.f. Cosmetics makeups are inexpensive and good quality, and will be the perfect first makeup brand for your girl.

Or you can easily make all your tween girl’s makeup dreams come true this Holiday season. One of my favorite gift sets is the
kiss n’ tell ($10). The e.l.f. lip balms in a tin are also popular among my girls, and they have plenty of other gift sets. And while you are shopping at e.l.f. treat yourself something too. Or check out the e.l.f. stuff at Targets too, they have a small collection available at Target.

While you are at Target checking out e.l.f. Cosmetics, check out all the cute Hello Kitty stuff too. From the dollar section to housewares and makeups, Target has the cheapest & cutest Hello Kitty products, many of them making perfect stocking stuffers for girls. The bath set $9.99 and the hair dryer $19.99.

IPODS & IPOD ACCESSORIES

Both my girls have iPods, and I have to say; worth every penny. They love listening to their own music, and keeps them occupied and happy while traveling. While this year it’s my son who has iPod in his wish list, I’d say any girl would love to have the Apple iPod nano 8 GB in Pink ($134.99). I’m getting my girls the I-DOG AMP’D ($79.99), the speaker dog, who taps his paw to the beat, bobs his head, ways his tail, and moves his ears! I-dog amp’d toy works with most portable music players and makes listening to music even more fun.

The Roxy and Lucky brand Geisha Portable Speaker Systems for iPod and iPhone ($109) are a must have for tween or teen to carry to next sleep-over, summer camp or ski trip. Or just for jamming in her room.

And if every other gift fails for the tween girl, get the iTunes gift certificates for her to fill up her iPod with her kind of music.

CRAFTY GIRL

Perfect and inexpensive gift for fashion girl is a regular Hanes t-shirt combined with Style Six Silk Screener by JAKKS ($25 on sale) so the little fashionista can create a t-shirt that reflects her own style. The silk screener is easy to use, comes with all needed accessories and paints, and can be used also for other clothing (or fabrics) than t-shirts – the options are limitless!

The bead craft sets are also great easy craft for girls, and seems like girls can never have too many bead bracelets, and nothing beats giving a friend a self made friendship bracelet, or two.

JEWELRY

I was so excited when I found out about Iceing On Top, fine heirloom quality jewelry for children. Their children’s jewelry is made in the U.S.A. from Envira Series certified, recycled and environmentally-friendly-mined gold and ethically-mined diamonds that come directly from Africa. The designs are beautiful, and classic, something that your girl can keep for years to come. When I was a child I had a golden heart necklace, so did my sisters, and I am still upset I lost mine, I think my sister still wears hers. I think I want to get my girls matching golden hearts (14kt rose gold) for them to keep and remember for years to come. Heart Iceing Pendant Necklace from Iceing On Top $295.

If you are looking for less expensive options and less traditional take on – check out Dillon Rogers necklaces – from personalized silver discs to leather pendants, their selection has something trendy and unique for the girl in your list. Starting at 28$.

The best place to find unique and inexpensive jewelry gifts for girls is Etsy. From the wooden pendants with stacking dolls ($14) by Zoe Woods to personalized Scrabble tile pendant like the Twilight initial one by Miss Turtle Designs.

CLOTHING

There is an age when girls start rather wanting to have “soft gifts” aka clothes rather than toys. And my nine-year-old just turned to that age (even though DS or Wii is still in her list). I already did Xmas shopping with my daughter – a day of buying clothes for her, and it was so much fun that I would recommend giving a gift card to her favorite store(s), and spending a day with her and shopping. Top that with a fancy lunch and you are the coolest mom, grandma or aunt. Oh, and when you go after Christmas – she will get more because everything is on sale.

Swedish Polarn O.Pyret offers colorful and high quality clothing both mom and the kid will like. The clothing goes up to size 10-12 and runs a little big. Many of the styles go only up to size 6, but the selection for larger sizes is good too, and I love the simple lines, bright colors and the styles that don’t go out of style. They have clothing that is very modern yet has the nice retro feeling they have had ever since they started in the 70′s. And if you are shopping for little kids – check out what Polarn O. Pyret has to offer.

Ralph Lauren Pink Puffy Down Jacket ($104.99) is a classic, and was on my daughter’s wish list. As you can imagine, we don’t always agree on all the things in her wish list, but this jacket- it’s on the top of my list too. I like the brown version too pictured above, she picked the classic navy.

LittleMissMatched is your one stop shop for everything fun for girls. I love their mismatch socks, and my new favorite is their colorful winter wear – the colorful beret hats ($30), scarves and gloves. They are 100% cotton so they are great even for warmer climates as winter accessories.

LittleMissMatched has so many gift ideas even under 10 bucks each, that it is one of your must visit stores for easy gift finding.

Jennifer Kent designs belt buckles for girls of all ages, their selection offers a little bit of everything, from vintage to mod. My girls love accessories to make their outfits fancier, and I know my 9 year old would love the Dreaming of Paris Kids Gift Set ($44) of two belt buckles and a necklace. It comes in a beautiful gift box and makes a chic gift for any girl.

My kids are already school-aged, but many of these products are tested to be good by my own kids and for the quality and price get my seal of approval. A toy that amuses a child year after year, and lasts from sibling to another (or to cousin too) is what I think children’s toys all should be like.

One of my top choices for girls or boys is the Little Partner’s Learning Tower ($171), perfect for little helpers in the kitchen or craft table. The tower is a steady, solid wood, step stool with safety railing around, and two children can stand on it at the same time. Also – a blanket on the top and it makes a magical playhouse.

Winter Adventure Holly Moose ($47.50) is Build-A-Bear’s fellow to make your little one’s Christmas merry. She is absolutely adorable, and can be of course personalized. But to be quite honest – Build-A-Bear store experience is so cool, that I would recommend a gift certificate and taking that special child to the store location to make her/his own stuffed little friend. It’s the experience that makes a 50-buck-stuffed-animal priceless.

LeapFrog toys have been my kids’ favorites ever since they were babies. LeapFrog TAG has been a popular toy in our family, and I’m excited that this year LeapFrog introduced the LeapFrog Tag Junior ($23.97) for even younger kids to learn to explore reading.

LEGO Duplo School Bus ($24.99) will amuse the little ones. Duplo LEGOs are awesome for kids not ready for the small blocks yet.

Zoobie pets were in my last year’s Holiday Gift Guide too – this year my favorite Zoobie pet product is the Very Hungry Caterpillar Toy, Blanket & Book ($41.99) Classic with a twist, or um, with a blanket and a toy.

Svan Scooter ($99.95) will be a hit for tots – for scooting around the house (starting at one year old). Ride-along toy that actually looks great, can I get a “hurray” for that?

Manhattan Toy Automoblox A9-S White Convertible ($30.58) and Automoblox C9 Red Sportscar ($29.26) are Manhattan Toy’s one of the newest in their award winning wooden car line. Made of beech and colorful plastic and inspires child to modify the look of the car – innovation, design and ultimately lots of fun for the kid.

Kids love playing outdoors, no mater what the weather! Keep your little one warm but stylish with the selection of Vincent Shoes. I like the Kajsa ($59.95) for little girls.

Madison Sloan Placemat ($18) from FineStationery.com is a perfect gift for the little ones in the family – you can personalize the placemat in their names, and you can choose the color, motive and font style to make it his/her own. The red stripe one would be great for holiday table – you’ll love keeping your table clothe clean and your child will love the personalization.

Need more toy ideas..?
See American Specialty Toy Retailing Association’s (ASTRA)
Best Toys For Kids 2009 list.