You don't need to go all out and spend lots of money on children this young because to be perfectly honest they're just not going to remember. In fact they might well prefer the gift wrap and the box that the toy comes in! Here are five of the best Christmas toys for the babies in your family.
Sophie the Giraffe Teether
Not so much a toy, more a life saver for mom when the little one starts teething. It's freaky how babies know to put this giraffe in their mouths as soon as you remove it from the packaging. It's great for them to gnaw on and it soothes sore gums, especially if you pop it in the fridge for a little while beforehand. [ FROM HERE ]
VTech Sit-to-Stand Walker
One minute the baby is happy just sitting on the floor to play, and the next they're grabbing hold of everything trying to pull themselves up onto their feet. This sit-to-stand walker is brilliant because the little one can use it sitting on the floor, but it's sturdy enough for them to use it to pull themselves up without it toppling over and landing on their head. And in true VTech style it's educational too so you really can't go wrong.
[ FROM HERE ]
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table
If you're looking for a toy that will stimulate their senses and aid development then this learning table is the perfect Christmas gift. It's chock full of activities including music, colors, numbers and shapes. Suitable for children six months and up they can start out playing with it on the floor and then when they learn to stand you can add the legs to raise the height. [ FROM HERE ]
Bright Starts Stack and Teethe
Stacking toys are brilliant for motor-skills, hand-eye co-ordination, and just generally for gnawing on! This set has the added bonus of each ring being a different texture which makes them easy to grasp.
[ FROM HERE ]
Fisher-Price Discover 'n Grow Kick and Play Piano Gym
For a toy that will grow with the child you can't go wrong with this play gym from Fisher-Price. Suitable from birth a newborn will enjoy listening to the music and watching the animals hanging over head. As they grow they can spend tummy time enjoying the mat, and when they can sit the piano is at the perfect height for them to practice their own piano concert. [ FROM HERE ]
Children in the tween years are always more difficult to buy for, and they usually want the expensive trendy toys that are splashed all over the TV commercials. Here's five of the best toys you can delight them with this Holiday Season.
LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon
LEGO is one of those toys that really stands the test of time, like the Star Wars movies and you child will go crazy if he finds this LEGO set under the tree on Christmas morning. This replica of Han Solo's iconic starship is created with more than 1,200 LEGO pieces so it will keep them quiet for quite a few days!
[ FROM HERE ]
Ticket to Ride Board Game
You really can't go wrong with a board game at Christmas and Ticket to Ride is one that the kids can play together, or you can play as a family. The aim of the game is to see who can build the most railway routes connecting the cities of North America. It takes skill, judgement and a little bit of luck and is a game you will all want to enjoy over and over again. [ FROM HERE ]
Syma S107 R/C Helicopter
What tween doesn't love a remote controlled helicopter, and dads will love to play with it too! This model is built with the latest gyro system which means it's easy to control and it's durable so it will survive crashing into pretty much anything… walls, ceiling, sofa, Christmas tree… while your kids learn how to fly it. The best thing about this little copter though is the price, at under 30 bucks it packs a punch and does better than some of the much pricier models. [ FROM HERE ]
Diamondback Youth Octane Mountain Bike
Christmas is a great time to receive your first bike, and this mountain bike is perfect for girls and boys alike. It's made of aluminium so it's light but durable enough to stand up to dirt and gravel paths. It's also easy to put together as long as you read the instructions and spend some time adjusting the brakes - so probably best to do this before it goes under the tree! [ FROM HERE ]
Playstation Portable 3000 Core Pack
If your kids are ready for a portable gaming system then you can't go wrong with the Playstation Portable. Not just limited to games they can also listen to music, watch movies and surf the Internet, and it's all via a WiFi connection so you don't have to worry about expensive cell phone data charges. [ FROM HERE ]
Children this age will be keen to write their letters to Santa Claus early to make sure he knows what they want for Christmas. The hottest toys for this age group tend to fly off the shelves so you'll need to shop early to avoid disappointment on Christmas morning.
Hasbro Furby
Furbies were one of the hottest Christmas gifts last year, and this year will be no different. These colorful playmates will keep your kids entertained for hours as they pet them, tickle their tummies and pull their tails. They even have their own personalities, but beware they can be noisy and there's no off-switch!
[ FROM HERE ]
Flutterbye Flying Fairy
Don't be surprised if you find this magical flying fairy on your son's Christmas list as well as your daughter's! It's perfect for children who are too young to control RC helicopters and they will be enchanted by the fairy as she flies around your house. [ FROM HERE ]
Disney Sofia The First Talking Sofia and Animal Friends
If your daughter is a fan of the Disney Junior show Sofia the First then this will be the perfect gift for her to find under the tree on Christmas morning. This 10-inch Sofia doll comes with three of her favorite animal friends and she can recognize and talk to each of them. [ FROM HERE ]
N-Strike Elite Retaliator Blaster
Here's a hot toy for little boys aged six years and up. The 4-in1 blaster can be modified for any mission and comes with everything your little one needs to be an N-Strike warrior! [ FROM HERE ]
Hansa Prancing Clydesdale Ride-on Plush Animal - 55 Inches High
For the ultimate in Christmas gifts you might want to check out the Clydesdale Prancing Pony from Hansa. Each of these ponies is handcrafted and looks like the real deal, and your little ones (and you) can ride them too. The prestigeous UK Toy Store Hamleys is predicting that the Prancing Pony will be one of the top selling Christmas toys for 2013 so you might want to order now before the price goes up! [ FROM HERE ]
Just as they're entering their teenage years kids usually abandon all thoughts of Santa Claus and just badger you for the latest technology. Here are some ideas for some more traditional gifts that you could put under the tree this Christmas to remind them that there is more to life than video games and tablet computers!
The Resistance Card Games
Your child and their friends will love playing this card game over and over. It works really well with seven players, but can be played with anywhere between five and ten, and every single time they play the game is different, some kids have played upwards of 800 times and are still enjoying the game! It's all about logic, reading people and deception as everyone tries to figure out who the spies are. It's easy to learn and a game can be played in about 10-15 minutes, and then of course they'll want to reshuffle and play over again,.
[ FROM HERE ]
Estes 1469 Tandem-X Launch Set
If you want to encourage your teenager to take up a new hobby why not put this rocket launch set under the Christmas tree this year?
This set includes two rockets, the first is easy to assemble and requires no paint or special tools so it's ready to launch in under an hour. Once your teen has mastered the basics of rocket building they can then try their hand at the second rocket in the set which can take them a whole afternoon to put together as they'll need to sand and pain the rocket before it can be assembled.
If you're looking for a reason for more Father/Son time then this is a perfect Christmas gift for your teenager!
[ FROM HERE ]
Panasonic RPHJE120K In-Ear Headphone
Whether your son or daughter is listening to music on an iPod or watching movies on an iPad or a Kindle Fire HD they'll thank you for a decent pair of ear buds. These Panasonic headphones are less than ten bucks, but they're the bestselling headphones on Amazon.com because the sound quality is better than their more expensive rivals. They come in a variety of colors and each set has three different sizes of buds so your teen is sure to find one that fits comfortably. [ FROM HERE ]
Targus Drifter II Backpack
Why not treat your teen to a new backpack this Christmas to take the strain out of carrying around their laptop, school books and all that other technology they carry on their backs!
The Targus Drifter is designed to look cool but be durable and most importantly comfortable to carry. The specially designed straps and heavily padded and designed to even the weight of the load.
It comes with a multitude of zippered pockets perfect for storing laptops, MP3 players and digital cameras. There's even a pouch that has been lined with microfiber so it's perfect for keeping sunglasses safe and scratch free. [ FROM HERE ]
Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless Steel Lunch Jar
Make packed lunches trendy with this great Bento lunch set. It comes with four different containers that will keep contents hot or cold, a jar to store them in, a spork for eating with and everything clips together and goes inside the carry bag for transport.This little set looks great, comes in a range of four colors and will encourage your teen to eat a healthy lunch.
You'll be so impressed with this set you'll probably want to order one for yourself to take lunch to the office in! [ FROM HERE ]
They say that Christmas is all about the children, and at this age they will still believe in the magic of Santa Claus. Here are some great Christmas gift ideas for toys that can you can say were delivered direct from the North Pole.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Say Please Tea Set
The perfect Christmas gift for a little girl who likes to have tea parties, this cute set teaches toddlers about shapes, numbers, manners and more. It's really durable too so it will withstand hours of toddler play.
[ FROM HERE ]
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn: Learning Kitchen
Great for little boys and girls alike this adorable little kitchen will encourage hand-eye co-ordination and imaginative play. They'll have hours of fun opening an closing the doors, switching the light on and off and putting food in and out of the fridge. [ FROM HERE ]
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Apptivity Case: iPad Edition
If your little one is always trying to grab hold of your iPad then this case is the perfect gift for them and you! Compatible with the iPad 1 and 2 it will protect your device while giving them access to age appropriate apps to play with. [ FROM HERE ]
LeapFrog LeapPad2 Explorer
If you'd prefer to keep their sticky fingers away from your tablet altogether then why not treat your little one to a LeapPad for Christmas? It will encourage them to interact with technology safely and develop skills in art, music, reading, languages, geography and much more. [ FROM HERE ]
Little Tikes TotSports T-Ball Set
Get your little one in training for Little League with this wonderful T-Ball set. The set includes two oversized baseballs and a tee which is height adjustable. It will help improve their co-ordination and motor skills while they have a boat load of fun in the process! [ FROM HERE ]
Start a New Tradition With a Christmas Book
If you have kids at home then why not start a new tradition this year. Pick out a great book and wrap it up, with a pair of comfy pyjamas, pop it under the tree and have them open it on Christmas Eve so you can read it together.
Here are five of the best Christmas themed books to get you started.
1- A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens
The ultimate in Christmas stories, follow Ebenezer Scrooge as he is taken on a tour of his life by the ghosts of his past, his present and his future. It's a long one so you might want to read this daily for the whole of December to get you in the Christmas spirit. [ FROM HERE ]
2- The Polar Express By Chris Van Allsburg
This wonderful book has sold more than six and a half million copies and is a must-have for every family for the Holiday Season. This is the story of a young boy who is whisked away to the North Pole on a Christmas Eve adventure as the narrator reminds us what Christmas is really about.
This special edition will make a lovely family heirloom to be handed down through the generations for many Christmasses to come. [ FROM HERE ]
3- The Velveteen Rabbit By Don Daily
This is the Christmas edition of the classic Margery Williams tale about a stuffed toy rabbit who comes to life. It's the perfect choice for children with a favorite stuffed toy. [ FROM HERE ]
4- The Night Before Christmas By Clement Clarke Moore
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…
It's a Holiday classic and you probably remember this wonderful poem from your childhood. What better book to read on a Christmas Eve than this one? [ FROM HERE ]
5- The Christmas Story By Jane Werner Watson
Another classic book from your own childhood, it's the perfect choice if you want your children to think about the real Christmas story before the chaos of opening gifts begins. This one is beautifully illustrated and a popular choice with little ones. [ FROM HERE ]
There's nothing quite like having a real Christmas tree in your home for the Holiday Season, all lit up and dripping with beautiful ornaments, surrounded by piles of gifts waiting to be opened.
That's what you imagine anyway, before you have to drag the family out on a snowy evening to pick the Christmas tree, and then wrestle it into the car to get it home. By the time you've dragged it through the house to where it will have pride of place for the Holiday Season it's dropped most of its needles and is looking as bedraggled as you feel.
You might be surprised to discover that artificial Christmas trees have come a long way since the skinny and decidedly plastic looking specimens you might have encountered during your childhood. Many of them now look as good as, or better even, than that real Christmas tree that lives in your imagination.
Here's five of the best artificial Christmas trees available to buy this year, and as they're all shipped to your doorstep you don't have to worry about traipsing out in the cold to collect one!
The Best Artificial Christmas Tree For Less Than $350
This seven and a half foot Dunhill Fir Tree from the National Tree Company comes pre-lit with 700 long-lasting LED lights, so you don't have to worry about untangling miles of Christmas tree lights.
It's easy to set up and you can change the lights from white to coloured at the flick of a switch. It's such a real looking tree that the only thing missing is the smell of pine needles!
Thanks to the reusable storage carton this Christmas tree will take pride of place in your home for many Holiday Seasons to come. [ FROM HERE ]
The Best 6 Foot Artificial Tree
If you need a slightly shorter tree for your home then you can't go wrong with the pre-lit Frasier Grande Christmas tree with 800 colour-change LED lights. It has lush life-like foliage and the hinged design of the tree means it will retain its shape for years and years to come making it a great investment for the Holiday Season.
[ FROM HERE ]
[ FROM HERE ]
The Best Flocked Christmas Tree
Want a snowy look for your tree, then this is the best flocked option for you. The branches are hinged for easy set up and storage, and it comes with a heavy duty stand to keep it upright. This tree is available in 4.5ft and 6.5ft options so is great if you have lower ceilings. [ FROM HERE ]
The Best Artificial Christmas Tree For Smaller Rooms
If you have a smaller room you might think you need a shorter tree, but it is possible to still have that floor to ceiling look for the Holiday Season. The secret is a Half Christmas tree. This clever design means you can set the tree flush against the wall so that it looks like the real thing but doesn't take up as much space!
[ FROM HERE ]
The Best Artificial Christmas Tree When You Lack Storage Space
The great thing about artificial trees is that you invest in them once and then use them year after year after year. Which is great if you have somewhere to store it of course. If you're short on storage space then don't let that put you off, you just need to buy a flat pack tree!
This cleverly-designed pull-up tree stands at 6 foot but packs flat for easy storage. You can choose to have it adorned with 400 multicoloured lights, or 400 clear and red berry clusters. Whichever one you choose the lights and the tree are weather proof, so you can have one of these for the inside of your home and one for your garden! [ FROM HERE ]