With the days until Christmas slowly winding down, the time for holiday shopping is quickly drawing near. We, here at Eighty MPH Mom, wanted to help put a little bit of pep in your step by helping you with a fantastic collection of the top gifts for the season. This past year has been an incredible one and I am so grateful to have been able to share so many amazing products and brands with you throughout the months. This list features the best of the best from this year as well as some new inclusions that I am sure you will all love. So, without further ado, please allow me to introduce to you the Eighty MPH Mom Eighty Holiday Gifts!
Top 8 Gifts for Her:
- Sleep Number
One of my all-time favorite projects here at Eighty MPH Mom was the one featuring Sleep Number. Surely you’re all aware of the amazing mattresses that they have to offer but there is so much more to the brand than just that. I had the opportunity to try out the DualTemp Layer and to say that it is a wonderful product would be an immense understatement. At Sleep Number, they have one mission: to improve lives by individualizing sleep experiences. Whether that is through their mattresses, pillows, comfort layers, or even bedding, let Sleep Number help you start your holiday season off right.
Connect with Sleep Number
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- Canvas Factory
As a self-proclaimed “momtographer,” I am a sucker for just about anything and everything photography related. Filling my home with precious photos of my family and being able to enjoy these frozen moments in time is rather important to me. These days, however, we tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and our photographs often live their lives tucked away on computer hard drives or in our cell phones’ memory. Thankfully, Canvas Factory can help you chance that. With them, turning your favorite photograph or artwork into a canvas print is easier than ever. Don’t let your favorite images go unnoticed any longer. Bring them to life for all to enjoy.
Connect with Canvas Factory
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- Kohl’s – Exclusive Fashions
It is no secret that I absolutely love all things Kohl’s. I was actually just shopping at my local store earlier today! One of my most favorite things about the Kohl’s store is their massive amount of various clothing collections. With so many exclusive brands to choose from, it is hard to choose a favorite. Personally, I am a huge fan of the LC Lauren Conrad, Jennifer Lopez, daisy fuentes, Simply Vera Vera Wang, and DesigNation collections. In all honesty, the majority of my own wardrobe is a collective gathering of various pieces from each of these lines. There really is something for every woman and something to suit every fashion. And, of course, we could all use a new outfit or two to help kick off the New Year in style.
Connect with Kohl’s
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- Silk’n Flash & Go
Jennifer recently had the opportunity to try out the all new Silk’n Flash & Go and could not be happier with the results. This particular product features a revolutionary light-based system that allows for permanent hair removal results right in the comfort of your own home. Finally, you can skip out on that dreaded shaving routine and, instead, opt for the gentle pulses of light that disable hair growth at its source.
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- Staples
With the holidays also comes the resolutions of the New Year. And, with that, often comes the drive to be better organized. For us, that hope has been kicked into high gear. Having recently bought our first home, keeping our entire family on schedule, staying on top of the chaos that is blogging, and now prepping for wedding planning, organization is surely key. Calendars, planners, desk organizers, filing solutions, storage, electronics and more are all available at your local Staples retail location as well as online. Staples is my go-to for all of my home office needs and then some. This holiday season; don’t overlook the greatness of Staples.
Connect with Staples
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- Prairie Creations Priceless Prints
One of my all-time favorite products featured here on Eighty MPH Mom was the Prairie Creations Priceless Prints As a mother, I carry my little ones with me wherever I may go and will certainly do so for the rest of my life. They say that when a child is born, he or she grabs hold of your heart and leaves fingerprints there for an eternity. Those tiny fingerprints much like those of their first footprints soon after birth are only the start of the mark that they will leave on us and on this world. With Prairie Creations Priceless Prints, you can now wear them proudly. Capture that new bundle of joy, the love of your life, the bond of sisterhood, or the print of a loved one in a unique, free-form fingerprint pendant charm.
Connect with Prairie Creations
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- Teleflora
This holiday season, Teleflora partnered with one of my favorite things ever – holiday goodies and everyone’s favorite “Buddy.” Of course, that’d be the one and only Buddy Valastro, the “Cake Boss” himself. With their all new Homemade for the Holidays collection, each festive bouquet comes complete with a beautiful keepsake container – a gingerbread house cookie car, a mug and spoon set, or a ceramic serving bowl – as well as exclusive recipes from Buddy Valastro. These bouquets are most certainly the holiday gifts that keep on giving. As of now, we have the Merry Mug Bouquet adding to the festiveness of our own home but I cannot wait to be able to kick back with the mug itself and enjoy a delicious cup of hot cocoa as well! After all, with flowers AND tasty treats, how could one go wrong? This holiday season, welcome Buddy home!
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- Lands’ End
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to shop the Lands’ End brand and finally get myself some fantastic outerwear. Now, with a snazzy new coat and boots that I adore, I have unintentionally become a walking billboard for the brand. I have been a fan of the brand for some time now but have yet to dabble in their cold weather gear until recently. However, since I have finally done so, I have received compliment upon compliment in regard to the products. When shopping for women this holiday season, you’re almost always golden when opting for clothing and, now, with Lands’ End, you can gift the best of the best for the lucky lady in your life.
Connect with Lands’ End
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Now for the men in our lives… they are always so difficult to buy for. Trust me, though the thought may be sweet, Dad doesn’t want the thousandth tie. This year, put some added thought into it and gift him with something that he really wants. Here are some great gift ideas for our favorite fellas. Fathers, husbands, brothers, uncles, etc. – they all deserve their own little piece of paradise this Christmas.
Top 8 Gifts for Guys:
- ManCrates
Men are always so difficult to buy for, right? Wrong! Sure, it can be trying when shopping for the guy who seemingly has everything but with a little bit of imagination, and help from ManCrates, you can easily set yourself up atop the greatest gift giving hall of fame. This year, skip those hideous neckties and horrid cologne and, instead, opt for something he really wants. To put it simply, ManCrates is the ultimate manly version of a gift basket but it is at least one thousand times cooler. Whether your guy is a fan of drinking, grilling, video games, the great outdoors, sports, or even zombie hunting, ManCrates has THE perfect gift for the awesome guys on your list.
Connect with ManCrates
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- Keurig
How many of you love coffee?! Or tea?! Or even hot cocoa?! I bet you all think I’m absolutely nuts for including this in the gift guide because, really, when you’re in the midst of one of those crazy, rough mornings, the last thing you want to do is spend time prepping your morning cup of joe. However, that is where the greatness of Keurig comes into play. Now, personally, I am not a huge fan of coffee despite having worked in a coffee shop. I am, however, a sucker for numerous teas and the entire family loves a good cup of hot cocoa. The thing that I love most about Keurig is that everyone can have exactly what they want exactly when they want it. There is no need to wait for a full pot to brew just so you can pour one cup. There is no need to share a flavor that you’re not particularly fond of because, instead, you can choose the best option for you and you alone. A small cup, a medium cup, a large cup, a strong blend, a mild blend, a flavored taste; you name it, you can have it. What guy wouldn’t love that? After all, Keurig is rather amazing.
Connect with Keurig
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- Craft-A-Brew
For this, I really can’t put it any better than they did – Give a man a beer, he’ll drink for a day. Teach a man to brew, he’ll drink for the rest of his life. Most men that I know are quite adamant about doing and making things for themselves so why should beer be any different? With the Craft-A-Brew one gallon beer kits, you can easily turn your kitchen into your very own craft brewery! With more than a dozen flavor options including 3-gallon versions, there is most certainly something for every guy and enough to spare for all of his buddies.
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- Minus 33
While I’ve yet to personally experience Minus 33, from what I’ve seen, they’re rather amazing. Being that winter is now upon us, it is hard to imagine wool being used for anything aside from plush, comfy, warm garments. However, Minus 33 has put a brand new spin on things. No longer exclusively for winter, they’ve designed merino wool to be worn year round. “How,” you ask? By reintroducing it as a baselayer or even a solo piece. While wool in itself works wonders in the cold weather, it also provides a fantastic option for help with temperature regulation and even an added moisture wicking ability. With Minus 33 and their extensive line of men’s tops, bottoms, and accessories to boot, your man will be able to take on the world in style. Whether he’s hiking the Appalachian, climbing the nearest mountain, or even just biking across town, he’s sure to love the greatness of the Minus 33
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- Mr. Bar-B-Q
Who doesn’t like barbecue? If it were up to me, I’d probably opt for some great grilled deliciousness every day of the week but, unfortunately, the weather doesn’t always play nicely. When the sunny days do come around, you can almost guarantee that we’ll be out back cooking up something great on the grill. Whether it’s burgers, savory steaks, chicken, or a full feast, we’re game. However, before you just slap your favorite foods on that grate, you must first prepare yourself with the necessary tools to get the job done. For that, there’s Mr. Bar-B-Q. As the leader in innovative barbecue accessories, they truly to bring an ease back to backyard grilling. With an immense line of products, they truly do offer something for everyone and provide folks with everything needed to get the job done and then some. Whether you’re in need of something as simple as a tool set or grill brush or you’re wanting to truly be the master of the grill with items such as deluxe sets, chicken roasters, or even pizza stones, Mr. Bar-B-Q is the place to go for all of your grilling needs this holiday season and throughout the year.
Connect with Mr. Bar-B-Q
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- Snugg iPad Case
These days, everyone seems to have some sort of technological device whether that’s a smartphone, a tablet, or even the coveted iPad. Personally, I’m a sucker for all things Apple so I’m quite partial to the latter of the three. With that being said, I’d certainly want to properly protect and cover these pricey little things. However, with so very many companies and products to choose from, it is hard to choose. One of my favorite set of products is the cases by Snugg. This particular company was started in a way that makes me want to ask myself the age old question of “Why didn’t I think of that?” You see, after getting an iPad and not being able to find a case that he was really, truly happy with, one of the Snugg directors decided to create his own. From that, the Snugg cases were brought to life and quickly gained in popularity. Now stocking a wide range of products for iPads and a slew of devices, they certainly have a fantastic selection for all of your coverage needs.
Connect with Snugg
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- Eartheasy
When shopping for the holidays, one thing that my own family tries to do is to simply remain humble. Despite the chaos of it all, there are gift giving options that are truly “better” in a sense. Eartheasy provides consumers with information and, of course, products to help improve the quality of life through the idea of sustainable living. You see, it’s all about respecting the limits of the Earth’s capacity and ability to provide. The folks over at Eartheasy are constantly on the lookout for new solutions and revolutionary products that help to create an easier and more self-sufficient way of living. Having recently featured their solar lights, I am so excited to see what they have in store for everyone come the New Year.
Connect with Eartheasy
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- Tom & Teddy
How many of you have little boys? Now, how many of your little boys are the “just like Dad” type? My own little ones are amazed with everything that daddy does and, yes, everything that daddy wears. Of course, matching the simple things like blue jeans and a white t-shirt is easy but when it comes to finding good quality and durable pieces such as swimwear, the task can get a bit tricky. That is until now. With Tom & Teddy, “just like Dad” is now a reality for all of those great summer beach days that we’re looking forward to. With a fantastic, quick-dry fabric that holds up to, both, salt water and chlorine, these swim shorts double as great fashion and protection. With a slew of vibrant, contemporary, and colorful designs, Tom & Teddy swim shorts also help to protect their wearers from the harsh rays of the sun with the fabric’s UV protection. Fun, comfortable, soft, and stylish, Tom & Teddy swimwear is the perfect gift for the men (and boys!) in your life that are dreaming of those sunny, Australian beach days.
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Now, as the mother of little guys, I am a sucker for all things little boy related. Since welcoming our kiddos into the world, things like playing in the mud and racing anything with wheels has become my forte. I am that mom, the boy mom, and I absolutely love every second of the craziness. Over the years, I’ve tried my best to stray from the cliché and, instead, gift our boys with items that they’d enjoy for years to come. These are some of the greats that will bring your little guys endless amounts of happiness.
Top 8 Gifts for Boys:
- Fathead
I love, love, LOVE this company! I was first introduced to the brand many years ago when my cousin received an NFL Fathead as a gift. After decorating her bedroom with a life-sized wall decal featuring her favorite football player, we’d often play around by taking pictures of ourselves standing next to it. It was such fun because it was so much more than just another bit of décor. It brought an essence of fun to the room. More recently, we outfitted our own home with a huge Grave Digger monster truck from the Fathead Monster Jam collection. More recently, they launched their Martha Stewart collection and the kids absolutely love the chalkboard options that are now available! Fathead LLC is the industry leader of graphics products for large and small spaces – led by authentic, officially licensed sports and entertainment graphics. Fathead gives fans the opportunity to feel passion “For Real” by bringing their favorite inspiration to life. Based in Detroit, Michigan, Fathead manufactures all products right here in the USA and Canada for purchase worldwide. Fathead carries thousands of images and maintains over 500 license agreements with leading consumer brands across many industries and professional sports leagues. Decorating a room can be a bit of a challenge but, with Fathead, you can bring their visions, favorite characters, sports teams, and so much more to life. How could you get any better than that?
Connect with Fathead
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- Skylanders
I don’t know about you but just about every little boy that I know is crazy about all things Since the release of the original game a few years ago, the world of video games has been taken over by Skylanders, the notorious “Kaos,” and a want to save to imaginary world of Skylands to become the hero of all heroes. We’ve never been too much into video games in our house but Skylanders has officially taken over. Heck, the mister and I even get suckered into playing and (shh, don’t tell the kids!) we actually enjoy it just as much as they do! With the new installation of the game, Skylanders Trap Team, recently being released, it would be an ideal gift this holiday season. Our own boys have it on their Christmas wish list and I’m excited to say that we’ll be putting it under our tree so we can travel by way of portal into the world of fun that is Skylanders.
Connect with Skylanders
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- I See Me!
Reading is important for any child and, in my opinion, more so for little boys. While most boys tend to be on the rambunctious side of play, they often grow out of the joy that is reading all too quickly. As parents, we need to keep that joy as present as possible for as long as possible. Over the years, I’ve made it a point to read with my boys on a daily basis and through doing so I found that they favored the books that correlate most with them. That is exactly what I See Me! is all about. After initially setting forth a goal to produce an educational book that would teach young children how to recognize individual letters and, in turn, spell their names, the company took on a much more meaningful task. Their mission soon became one to help increase children’s self-esteem through personalized books that celebrate each child’s own uniqueness. The I See Me! books now make up a good portion of my kids’ own library and I cannot even begin to tell you how much we all enjoy them. These are, by far, one of my most favorite gifts to give at any time of the year but even more so during the holiday season.
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- Jam Rewind
Kids love to rock out to their favorite tunes but boys have their own little uniqueness for it all. My own little ones, they have taken a liking to everything “old school.” Can anyone say “Walkman?” Apparently old is now the new cool but, unfortunately, old doesn’t always come with the greatness that is modern day technology. That’s where Jam Audio comes in. With their Jam Rewind, you can bring a whole new meaning to the word “throwback.” With the look of an 80’s cassette tape, the Jam Rewind is a blast from the past that is jam packed with everything that you’d want in an audio product of today. This fantastically retro cool wireless (and portable!) speaker offers an amazing sound with its four-speaker system. The two active and two passive speakers produce all of the sound that you’ll need and, as an added bonus, the Jam Rewind allows you the freedom of Bluetooth even as far as being able to double as a speakerphone! It’s a great gift for all and would surely bit a hit for any of the boys on your holiday shopping list!
Connect with Jam Audio
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- Groovy Lab in a Box
Who says learning can’t be fun? Unfortunately, there are far too many people that unintentionally say exactly that. You see, as much as we try to teach our children, very few people are innovative enough to truly make learning as fun as it should and can be. For most children, especially boys, they don’t want to be “taught” but they do want to learn. The folks over at Groovy Lab in a Box have created a way to encourage children to channel the inner STEMist within themselves by providing them with the opportunity to focus on imagination, determination, and the simple inquisitive nature that goes hand in hand with childhood. With Groovy Lab in a Box you will receive monthly boxes full of all of the goodies that you and your children will need for a number of hands on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experiments and learning fun!
Connect with Groovy Lab
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- Burlington
How many of you would think to shop for toys at Burlington? While the store is primarily known for its vast selection of coats and outerwear, this holiday season, Burlington is the place to go for all of your toy shopping needs. Now, with more than three times as many gifts in stores than in years past, the gifting possibilities are truly limitless. With so many terrific toys all at the same fantastic prices that Burlington is known for, shopping for the holidays is a breeze. Some of my favorite items that made our own holiday shopping list are all things Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle related, remote control race cars (always a hit!) and even some great Frozen goodies!
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- Automoblox
Alright, what little boy doesn’t love race cars or anything with wheels for that matter? My kiddos absolutely love all things car related and even that is a huge understatement. We’ve been through so many different types of toy vehicles so for me to say that we may have just found the best of the best is certainly saying something. With so many of our past toy vehicles breaking, the only products that ever held up well to the wear and tear and crazy play of little boys is wood. However, with many wooden toys being “just” wood, nothing every truly caught the kids’ attention. Instead, they’d opt for the plastic counterparts that’d be broken within a week. Thankfully, Automoblox changes all of that. You see, Automoblox has meshed the best of both worlds to create a remarkable collection of toy vehicles that are both amazingly stunning and (yes!) durable! After completely reinventing the classic wooden car and entire toy vehicle industry by fusing modern design with old world values, award-winning Automoblox brand was born. This amazing collection of vehicles not only serve as ridiculously incredible toys but they double as a creative canvas because they allow children to mix and match the interchangeable parts to truly bring their own visions to life.
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- JAKKS Pacific Max Tow Truck
This is apparently the gift of the season this year and despite my trying, I haven’t been able to find it available anywhere local to me. It is sold out nearly everywhere and is, for sure, the hot gift to get this Christmas. With so many toy companies trying to make products as lifelike as possible, it can be difficult when it comes to things like toy vehicles. Sure they have the ride-on toys and the teeny racecars but it’s hard to create a toy vehicle that does in toy version what it can do in real life. Take the tow truck for example. My boys love to tow just about everything even going as far as tying their wagon to the back of a bicycle but, despite having many toy tow trucks, the only towing they could do with their actual toy tow trucks was imaginary towing. That is until now. The JAKKS Pacific Max Tow Truck is, by far, one of the most powerful toy trucks to date. For those of you wondering, it really does tow! This toy truck can pull and push up to a whopping 200 pounds and, as if that weren’t enough, it can climb right up and over just about any obstacle. If that doesn’t make your little guy smile, I don’t know what will. This is the top item on my own kids’ holiday wish list this year and I cannot wait to have our own fun with it!
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All things pretty, pretty princess are perfect for just about any little girl on your shopping list but, this year, you can opt for something different. Surely, there are an infinite amount of princess fans out there but, in regard to gifts for girls, the selection is incredibly vast if you look outside of the box. These are some of our most favorite gifts for girls this holiday season and, princess or not, I am sure that your sweet little ones will absolutely love them!
Top 8 Gifts for Girls:
- American Girl
I’m personally still a bit new to the world of all things little girl and pretty princess but, for every little sweetheart that I do know, the holidays often coincide with one wish that almost always revolves around American Girl. The American Girl brand has seemingly taken over mainstream America and then some, and rightfully so. Their collection features inspiring products for every stage of a young girl’s life and development. Whether it’s her preschool days with cutesy baby dolls, fantasy princess-like fun through those awkward middle school years, or even touching on a child’s individuality and ever important self-expression, American Girl is there for each and every step of the way. Their dolls are truly remarkable and I so wish that I was lucky enough to call one my own while I was young but, hey, I can live vicariously through my niece and play dollies with her, eh? The American Girl collection features a vast selection of everything from the ever so famous dolls, to toys, accessories, clothing for dolls and children, and one of my own favorites, the books. American Girl not only provides young girls with an incredible line of products but the company also it helps each child to celebrate her own inner star. As they say it, a girl’s inner star is that little whisper inside that encourages her to stand tall, reach high, and dream big. This holiday season, shine a light on that star with help from American Girl.
Connect with American Girl
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- Sparkup
The book reader. The magical book reader. What would you say if I told you that you can read a book to your child at any time, from home, from work, from across the country, or from anywhere for that matter. You see, with the Sparkup Magical Book Reader, the story follows along with your child. This revolutionary device clips onto any picture book and reads it aloud to your child. The beauty of it all? It can read in YOUR voice! You can record yourself reading any book and do so in any language, add your own special and personal touches, and you can even download professionally recorded stories that come complete with sound effects. The revolutionary part of this product comes by way of the included camera. As you create your recording, the tiny camera featured on the Sparkup captures an image of the book’s cover and each individual page. Fast forward to reading time. As your child flips through the pages, the correct audio for each page will be played as it is seen by your child and the camera. Whether your child takes his or her time flipping through the pages or heads straight to their favorite part of the book, Sparkup follows along with their lead and reads aloud at the child’s pace and place in the book. It’s certainly a nifty little product and would surely make a wonderful Christmas gift for the budding reader in your life.
Connect with Sparkup
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- Charmazing Jewelry
What little girl doesn’t love accessories, jewelry, and all things pretty? For girls that love the do-it-yourself projects, the Charmazing collection is the perfect jewelry craft line and, for sure, a must have for the young designer on your holiday shopping list. Geared toward girls ages 8 and up, even I find this collection quite cute. Not only do they get the chance to accessorize with numerous pieces but they can design their very own expandable and stackable bangle bracelets to match perfectly with any outfit, their mood, the season, you name it! With large and small kits available for purchase, the full line offers more than one hundred different charms all of which fit into one of the eleven uniquely themed collections. With colorful threads, beautiful beads, stunning charms, precious pearls, and so much more, what’s not to love? Need a little bit more excitement? Simply scan each charm to journey into a whole new Charmazing world through the coinciding app. There, girls can trade charms and connect with all of their fashionista friends! Exclusively available at Toys “R” Us, the Charmazing collection would make an amazing gift for the holidays or any day!
Connect with Charmazing
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- Crayola Products
Coloring! Painting! Creating! Oh, my! I cannot remember a time in my life where I have not absolutely loved all things Crayola. In my book, they are the best of the best for just about anything craft related and our home is nearly filled to the brim with a boatload of their products. One of our contributors here at Eighty MPH Mom has been working on a piece specifically featuring some of their newest products for the holiday season but I could not create a holiday gift guide without including them. After all, they really are that amazing. I’m sure that many of you are quite familiar with the brand so this, more so, serves as a reminder of its greatness. The folks over at Crayola worded it for me perfectly; “we give colorful wings to the invisible things that grow in the hearts and minds of children.” Based on the belief that unleashing, nurturing, and celebrating the colorful individuality in every child is of utmost importance, Crayola provides the world with a plethora of products to help put creativity and fun right into the hands of children.
Connect with Crayola
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- Blue Orange Games
Games, games, and more games! In our home, family game night (or time) is pretty much whenever we feel like sprawling across the living room rug and playing. We are thrilled with board games and I am so happy to be able to say that my children actually enjoy them. We try our best to create a happy medium between the use of technology and the use of sheer imagination and board games help us enjoy family play without the chaos that sometimes goes hand in hand with video games. Recently, I was introduced to Blue Orange Games and they offer an absolutely wonderful collection of fun, innovative games that the whole family can enjoy. One of my favorites for the holidays is their Spot It! Holidays game. Essentially, it is kind of like a cross between the age-old I Spy game and a seek-and-find book. My boys enjoy trying to “spot it” before one another or even before good ol’ mom and dad. It’s a fantastic little game that is perfect for family game nights, Grandma’s house, or even on-the-go! There are quite a few different game titles within the Spot It! Collection but this particular one is perfect for the holiday season. A few other favorites of ours are the Puzzle Battle games and the WuzzIts card game is a huge hit in our house. After all, who doesn’t love a mismatched monster? If you’re looking to have some real, down to earth fun this holiday season, look no further than Blue Orange Games.
Connect with Blue Orange Games
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- Lottie Dolls
Okay, so before we get into all of the fancy details here, can we take a moment to just appreciate the name? Lottie Dolls. It’s such a cute little name that almost makes you love the product before even seeing it, eh? Launched only a few years ago, Lottie Dolls has won multiple awards here in the USA as well as in Canada and the UK. One of my favorite features of these dolls is that they are “pro girl.” How? The Lottie Dolls are based on the average little girl in terms of body proportions and are modeled to be age appropriate for young children today. Sans makeup, jewelry, or high heels, these dolls are just like children in that they are not concerned with growing up all too quickly. And with a wide range of diverse hair, eye, and skin colors, there is something for everyone! As if that we’re enough, Lottie Dolls have one-upped their competitors by including (wait for it…) bendable knees and giving the dolls the ability to stand on their own! These dolls not only look like your children but they can enjoy all of the wonderful activities of childhood right alongside your little ones. With a seemingly endless amount of dress up accessories, your doll can partake in the fun that is all things “girly” like ballet and dance, tea parties, or gymnastics, and can even switch things up by enjoying the great and dirty outdoors, partaking in numerous sports, and can even bring forth some beautiful brain power to build a robot! Really! I absolutely love these dolls and not only the Lottie Dolls themselves but for everything that the brand represents. The perfect gift for your little one this holiday season, Lottie Dolls gives kids not only a great toy to play with and enjoy but helps to build strong and powerful young women.
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- Put Me In the Story
Books, books, and more books. When we read stories here in our own home, the kids often swap out a character’s name for their own. They want to be part of the story right alongside their favorite characters. With Put Me In the Story, you can quite literally do exactly that. This collection of innovative children’s books takes numerous bestselling children’s picture books and, of course, the most well-loved characters, and it integrates the ever so popular idea of true customization. These books become adventures for your children because, by creating such personalized reading material, your child becomes the star of the story while still enticing them with exactly what they want – their favorite characters. Give your child the gift of reading this holiday season with help from Put Me In the Story.
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- PinyPon Village
More dolls! These mini dolls are beyond cute! Though small, they are jam packed with great quality and are a boatload of fun. These particular dolls are ideal because of their size. Don’t let the smallness fool you, the PinyPon brand is meant for children and for the ease of play. The small size helps to make each item very manageable for a large range of ages. It is the doll that can truly and easily go everywhere with your child. Best of all, your little ones can customize the dolls as they see fit by switching out the interchangeable clothing, hair, and accessories. There are even adorable little pets and play sets that can join in on the fun!
Connect with PinyPon Village
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Baby fever anyone? This year was huge for the welcoming of sweet babies into the world. With many of my own family and friends bringing home little bundles of joy (even a set of triplets!), I’ve been having so much fun getting to shop for babies again. Seriously though, how cute is everything?! I’m a sucker for all things baby and, over the years, I’ve certainly grown quite fond of many different brands. These, however, regularly sit atop my list and they’d surely make wonderful gifts for the newest little ones in your life.
Top 8 Gifts for Babies & Toddlers:
- Britax
I have been a car seat safety advocate ever since welcoming my children into the world. As parents, we try our best to always make sure that we keep our kids as safe as possible. We “babyproof” the house, we keep anything potentially dangerous far out of their reach, we lay them down to sleep on their backs, we stay on a regular eating schedule, we offer them solid foods only when they are ready, we buy the safest toys, and we do as much as we can for them as often as we can. However, the one thing that many parents don’t think twice about is travel. Buy the car seat, put them in the car seat, task complete, right? Wrong. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I’ve seen car seats being misused or sometimes not even used at all. Assuring that your child’s car seat is properly installed is just as important as making sure it is the correct seat for your child’s age, weight, and height. Then, once you’ve checked that off of the list, you have to properly secure the buckles and harness. Failing to do any of this jeopardizes every safety precaution you’ve taken thus far. Thankfully, Britax is here to help. With an absolutely amazing collection of car seats for every stage, they help parents decide which seat is the perfect fit for their child and Britax assists parents in their goal or truly keeping children safe no matter where the road may take us. More recently, they introduced the newest addition to their already revolutionary ClickTight technology – the Quick-Adjust Harness. Britax is, by far, my most favorite car seat company and I am so thankful to have such wonderful minds leading the car seat safety industry. Start the holidays and your New Year off safely with help from Britax.
Connect with Britax
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- BOB
The BOB gear product line is a branch of the Britax brand that focuses solely on movement. In baby terms, that means strollers. With two kids and an active family, we’ve been through our fair share of strollers but it was always difficult to find one that covered all of the bases in regard to a child’s age, the stroller’s weight limit, terrain capabilities, ease of use, and so on and so forth. Thankfully, BOB covers it all. As opposed to being the first at creating and releasing a product, the folks over at BOB try to, instead, innovate to be the best. This, in turn, makes their products that much greater. One of my favorite strollers from the collection is the BOB A happy, everyday medium within the bunch, this particular stroller is a fantastic option for your basic stroll around town as well as the adventures involving slightly more difficult terrain. It’s a breeze to use and the kids find it incredibly comfortable. It’d be the perfect gift for you little (and mom or dad!) so that you and your family can stroll right on into the New Year in style.
Connect with BOB
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- Merdy Blanket
Who doesn’t love a cozy blanket? With Merdy baby blankets, you get exactly that. How could you get any better than the simplicity of comfortable luxury? What would you say if I told you that you could stimulate your child’s early mental development with a blanket? It’s true! The breakthrough at Merdy Inc. is their introduction of brilliant neuroscience concepts subtly included in their beautiful children’s bedding collection. With so very many blanket options to choose from this holiday season, choose Merdy and, in turn, provide your child with the warming comfort that they desire along with the stimulation that their little minds crave.
Connect with Merdy
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- Finn + Emma
Before we dig too far into this one… that name! It just sounds oh so sweet. Modern yet sophisticated, bold but charming. I love it! Of course, with every great could be baby name comes a sweet little bundle of joy and, with that, there is a need to outfit your little one in the most darling fashions possible. Of course, being that it is babies and toddlers we’re talking about here, quality is a huge factor. Not only do little ones tend to grow out of items ever do quickly but they have a knack for nearly destroying every article of clothing in the process. Not only do you want stylish but you want excellence, too. The folks over at Finn + Emma have found a way to balance the style and sustainability of, both, classic and contemporary fashions in a sophisticated way. Add to that the whimsical prints and bright colors that kids enjoy and you’ve got yourself a fantastic product. As if it couldn’t be any better, the Finn + Emma brand takes their collection to a whole new level by adding in the fact that they use only the absolute finest 100% organic cotton, eco-friendly dyes, and even all natural wood for each and every one of their pieces. After all, only the best will do for baby!
Connect with Finn + Emma
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- Children Inspire Design
My kids love to decorate their rooms and I think that is something that their love of art was instilled in them while they were still babies. We decorated their rooms as best as we could even going as far as to hand paint an entire room based on two favorite movies during their toddler years. Sometimes, looking back, I wish we had just opted for posters and such as it would’ve been so much easier and could’ve doubled as new décor after our recent move. Recently, the Eighty MPH Mom team was introduced to Children Inspire Design and much like personalized books or toys, this particular company has found a way to customize art pieces for children’s rooms. The company provides consumers with an art based product collection that features a vast array of modern, eco-friendly, and even culturally diverse wall art, posters, and so much more. Complete with whimsical designs and built in life lessons that help to instill a deep compassion for our planet into today’s children. The beauty of it all is that these products aren’t only designed for children but each design is inspired by children because, after all “Children Inspire Design.”
Connect with Children Inspire Design
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- One Step Ahead
Before I had children, I actually wasn’t aware of this company’s existence but, soon thereafter, I became enthralled by everything that they had to offer. Our first purchase from them was for a toddler-sized “real” working vacuum because, at only a year old, our little guy loved to clean. Oh, how I wish he still enjoyed the idea of cleaning. These days, they’re much more into the fun of art projects and intriguing toys. Recently, we got the One Step Ahead holiday mailer and the kids went through circling just about everything because it all really is that great. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to try out one of their newer products this year, the One Step Ahead Kids Deluxe Art Table. Additionally, Sky and her daughter had the pleasure of reviewing the One Step Ahead Cozy Cub outerwear collection. In regard to the younger children, however, One Step Ahead has a fantastic array of holiday products including but not limited to a sweet Santa Blankie Buddy, ornament kits, a toy menorah, and even stockings. Some great big surprise gifts perfect for the holiday season are the 2-in-1 Desk & Easel, the Flower Bean Bag Chair, or even the 2-in-1 Slide to Rocker for the younger ones! Really, with One Step Ahead, anything would make an absolutely fantastic gift for the holiday season or for any time of the year.
Connect with One Step Ahead
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- Joovy
During the holidays, things are fun. In an essence, they’re “joovy,” right? I’ve been a “Joovy Mom” for a few years now and they really do have some amazing products for the little ones as well as some items that can be enjoyed as a family. My first introduction to the brand was with the Joovy In addition to being my first experience with the company, it was also my first experience with the idea of balance bikes. We had the opportunity to try this out when our son was only three years old and within a few months he quickly mastered riding this and eventually transitioned to riding your basic bicycle training wheel free! Since then, we were also able to experience the greatness that is the Joovy CocoonX2 and this particular product is quite possibly my most enjoyed baby gear product to date. The CocoonX2 is so much more than “just” a bike trailer. It is a bike trailer, a stroller, and a jogger all rolled into one and it is absolutely fantastic! Joovy has such a vast array of wonderful products including everything as simple as a baby bottle to ride-on toys for toddlers. We are “joovy” about all things Joovy here and, this holiday season, you should be too!
Connect with Joovy
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- Boogie Wipes
Okay, this particular listing is more so for parents despite it technically being for the little ones. Ever since they were released, I’ve stocked myself up with these for all of those just in case moments. For those of you who may not be familiar with the Boogie Wipes brand, let me clue you in on why I am such a fan of the company and its products. For those of you that do have little ones, I’m sure you’re aware of the saline drops especially during cold and flu season. As well as these drops work, if you’ve ever tried to properly get them into a young, already fussy child’s nose, it’s heartbreaking. As much as we parents try to help, from a child’s perspective, the feeling of having someone force drops into an already sensitive nose is not fun. There has to be a better way, right? That right there is exactly how the Boogie Wipes brand was born. Boogie Wipes are the genius combination of saline drops, wet wipes, and tissues. Not only do they help clean your child’s stuffy and runny nose but they help soothe in the process and, as an added bonus, they’re soft on the skin. We use these for just about everything. Not only do I always have them on hand, in the bathroom, around the house, in my purse, in the kids’ backpacks, in the car, and everywhere for that matter but, for during the holiday season, Santa seems to be quite fond of them as well! Every Christmas morning, you’re sure to find Boogie Wipes conveniently stuffed in each and every stocking hanging over our fireplace.
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Of course, we cannot forget our furry friends! This year, we recently welcomed a new puppy into our own family and, being our first dog, we’ve already gone off the deep end with spoiling the pup (and the cats!). With so many great options available, it is hard to find the best goodies to surprise our animal pals but this collection is sure to help make even Grumpy Cat happy.
Top 8 Gifts for Pets:
- Kong
We recently welcomed a dog into our family and are absolutely thrilled with his presence here. I’ve had many dogs in the past and the single toy that I’ve ever known to actually withstand the wear and tear of dog play is the Kong. Right now our house has seemingly been taken over by all things Kong. The dog bed, his collar and leash, treats, his toys, we probably should’ve just named him after it all. My favorite product from the collection, however, is the Kong We use ours on a daily basis. You can fill these with treats for your dog to enjoy. Our pup? He’s a fan of peanut butter. We actually fill ours with peanut butter and then toss it into the freezer for a while. When ready, it becomes a fun toy with a cool, long lasting treat right in the center! How fun? With such a massive variety of products available, I highly suggest looking into the Kong brand for great pet gifts this holiday season. While I’m a fan of the dog collection, they have great goodies for cats, too!
Connect with Kong
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- ChuckIt from Petmate
Dogs love balls, it’s just they’re thing. If you throw it, they’ll chase it. Heck, even if you don’t throw it, they’ll still find it. The first day we brought our dog home, he found and ate a baseball, a tennis ball, a kickball, and a football. Yes, really. Thankfully, the rescue organization that we adopted him from sent him home with a great little basket of doggy goodies. In this basket was a ChuckIt ChuckIt is a branch of the PetMate brand and, oh my, I cannot say enough about this ball! Our pup absolutely loves it and it is the one ball that works perfectly for indoors and outdoors. It even holds up to all of his fun, puppy chewing habits! This holiday season, play ball with your dog. All you have to do is “ChuckIt!”
Connect with Petmate
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- Up Country
When shopping for your pets, there are so many different options to choose from that it is hard to find a great selection all in one place. That is what Up Country is for. Not only do they have a fantastic array of wonderful products but, best of all, the incorporated designs help to showcase your pet’s personality through color. If you walk into a pet store, you’ll likely find an entire rainbow’s worth of colors when it comes to such things as collars and leashes but it’d be rare to find something that truly speaks to you. Up Country has given the world of pet products a massive makeover with over 120 impressive designs for, both, cats and dogs. They’ve even gone as far as tackling the age old treat jar! Give your pets something to be excited for this holiday season with great gifts from Up Country.
Connect with Up Country
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- iFetch
Earlier this year, Tiffany worked on a full review piece of the iFetch I don’t know about you, but my dog is incessantly bringing me one toy or another to toss across the room for him. Now, while I usually cave to his requests, it’s not always possible for folks to play with their pet at every waking second. That is where iFetch comes in. This revolutionary system actually allows dogs to play on their own while still fulfilling their want to chase after a ball. It’s quite simple actually. The dog drops the ball into the machine which subsequently “throws” it for her or her. Surely it will take a bit of training to get your dog to understand what to do but just think of the endless hours of fun that dogs could have with such a system. It’s genius!
Connect with iFetch
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- PetHub
When we were looking to rescue our dog we were warned that the husky breed is known to run. Being closely tied to a number of pet rescue organizations, I know that it is an all too familiar trait of many dogs and, unfortunately, it is one that often doesn’t end well. Once we finally did bring our new rescue pup home, we wanted to be sure that we did everything in our power to help keep him safe for those “just in case” moments. We make sure to keep our fence doors locked, he wears a collar with his name and our phone numbers displayed on a tag, and he is microchipped. However, the latter two only come in handy if someone were to find him and either call us or take him to be scanned for his chip. Convinced there had to be something better out there, I was excited when I was introduced to PetHub. To put it simply, think of it as a tracking device for your pet. With the new PetHub Signal Tag you can track your pet via Bluetooth from up to 500 feet away, you can alert a “crowdsource” community when your pet is lost, the LED Light and location alarm help to provide your pet with added safety, and the tag itself links back to an online profile that you can fill with critical information. The PetHub Signal Tag is the modern tag for modern pets and would surely make a wonderful gift for all of the pets (and pet lovers!) in your life.
Connect with PetHub
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- FURminator
Huskies shed. They shed a lot. We have hardwood floors in our house so, between the dog and the cats, it’s almost as if we have tumbleweed blowing around or rolled up in a corner at any given moment. I would be absolutely lost without our FURminator pet brush. This particular product is so much more than just a brush. It is a “deShedding” tool. The design of the tool actually helps to reduce a pet’s shedding up to 90% because its stainless steel edge is able to reach deep beneath a pet’s topcoat to gently and easily remove the loose hair underneath. Our veterinarian highly recommends this line of tools, available for cats and dogs, and I cannot say enough about it. We absolutely love ours and, better yet, the dog (and cats!) actually enjoys being brushed with this, and only this, tool. Designed by a groomer, the FURminator deShedding Tool is sure to give your pet that perfect look just in time for holiday pictures!
Connect with FURminator
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- Andis Pet Clippers
With a family full of guys, most of the family haircuts take place in the bathroom with a great set of clippers. For pets, however, it’s not really that simple. Or is it? With the Andis EasyClip Versa Camo Pet Clippers, pet parents everywhere can now take care of grooming right in their own home. My favorite aspect of these particular clippers aside from its design (who doesn’t love RealTree?) is the fact that they are quiet. Quietness is certainly a great aspect seeing as it doesn’t scare the pet. The powerful rotary motor design of the clippers is ideal for pet comfort and the soft-grip design works wonderfully in regard to your own comfort and improved control. The full kit includes 11 separate pieces including the clippers themselves, two different blades, a number of various sized attachment combs, scissors, a blade brush and oil for blade upkeep, a DVD grooming guide, and even a nifty storage case for everything. For those pet owners that are up for the challenge of at-home grooming, the Andis EasyClip Versa Camo Pet Clippers are a great gift for the holiday season.
Connect with Andis
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- QuikShade
I know that we’re still a good way off from those sunny summer days but being prepared is key, right? For many dogs, playing outside in the hot summer sun quickly gets them overheated and they often search for a cool place to lie down. Unfortunately for pet parents, our dogs typically pick a spot of nothing but dirt to cool off. While the dirt areas certainly can and do provide our pets with an escape of sorts from the sun’s heat, it also provides them with a newly messy coat and that’s never any fun. That is where QuikShade comes in. What would be an umbrella and chair for you is QuikShade for your dogs. They offer your pet a fantastic pet bed that is not only made for the outdoors but also helps to provide them with the shady spot that they desire. With numerous sizes and, both, open and kennel-like designs, these portable beds are perfect for your pet once those sunny days roll back around.
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Now that we’ve covered the basics, these are some of our most favorite gifts chosen from the brands we’ve partnered with in 2014. With so many amazing products and companies to choose from, it was quite difficult. However, with that being said, the show must go on so decide we did. And, alas, I bring you our top overall gifts from brands featured right here on the pages of Eighty MPH Mom.
Aside from the usual gifts that one could give, one of my absolute favorite items to give to anyone at any time is the gift of reading. There is so much more to a book than just the reading of it and it is absolutely incredible to watch a child’s imagination soar and their soul flourish through the pages of a book. This year, I urge you to include at least one book within your gift giving. Skip the electronics for a second and, instead, kick it old school. Grab your favorite book and read it together!
Top 8 Holiday Books:
- Elf: A Short Story of a Tall Tale
I really don’t even know where to begin with this one. My kids really never ask for much during the holidays and, instead, typically opt for a single thing that they have their little heart’s set on. This year, the one thing that they did ask for is the one thing that I… err, Santa… cannot gift them with. Let me ask you a question; how many of you have seen the movie Elf? Now, how many of you remember the book at the end of the story? That, a movie depicted book, is what they’re hoping for. Oddly enough, this particular book was never put into publication and, after a quick Google search, the only one in existence is the prop book from the film itself. Of course, this is now collector owned and not for sale. On that note, we took the kids’ request for this as a learning experience. You see, the book was based on the movie character’s life and the adventures that he enjoyed. This holiday season, we plan on doing the same – having the kids create their own stories about their favorite aspects of their lives thus far. Books are such an important part of a child’s development but I think that giving them the opportunity to be on the other side of the book’s being. Try it!
Connect with Elf & Warner Bros.
Website | Facebook | Twitter - Polar Express
This particular book is a favorite of many and, in the recent years, has gone on to become a phenomenon. Now, with an exhibit and ride at such places as Sea World and a full train adventure that travels the country during the holiday season, Polar Express has become so much more than just a book. However, it was the book that started it all. This book has become part of our family’s holiday traditions and I love the fact that the storyline is so sweetly touching. It reminds us all of the magic that coincides with the holiday season and gives us reason to believe not only in Santa Claus but in the magic itself.
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Website - ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
When most people think of Christmas stories, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is usually the first that comes to mind. What many don’t know is that it is a poem that was originally published anonymously back in the 1800s. A few years after it was released, a man named Clement Clark Moore acknowledged authorship of the piece. Since then, it has gone on to be printed over and over again by a number of different publishers and alongside far too many illustrators to count. The story has truly become a key aspect of today’s Christmastime celebrations and is a well-known classic that is sure to stick around for years to come. We personally have a few different versions of this book but you can check out your local book store such as Barnes & Noble to find a version best suited for you.
Connect with Barnes & Noble
Website | Facebook | Twitter - Pete the Cat Saves Christmas
This book is one that I only recently became aware of but I am so excited to have learned of it. The kids have been a fan of the Pete the Cat series for some time now and I love the fact that these books are typically an easy read for those children who are in the beginning stages of learning to read. For those of you that are familiar with the series, you’ll know that the lovable Pete goes on many adventures and each story has a wonderful underlying message for kids. Having read a number of the series’ books thus far, I was glad to be able to continue our Pet the Cat story nights into the holiday season. This book is such a fun read and I am glad to be able to incorporate it into the kids’ story collection this year.
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Website | Facebook | Twitter - Merry Christmas, Stinky Face
To say that we love the Stinky Face book series by Lisa McCourt at Scholastic would be an absolute understatement. We have little boys so all things “stinky” are, of course, a favorite. A few years ago, we came across the I Love You, Stinky Face book and we’ve continued to add on from there. These books are to my kids what such classics as Goodnight Moon were to the lot of us adults. I cannot even begin to tell you how much we love the Stinky Face series and I was so happy to see this particular book displayed in my son’s classroom. Of course, we went out to pick up our very own copy shortly thereafter. We’ve read it at least one hundred or so times since picking it up and it’s not even Christmas yet! This book is definitely a must-have for your own holiday book collection!
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Website | Facebook | Twitter - JoyOhBoy Book Collection
For those of you that are longtime readers here at Eighty MPH Mom, you’ll know that my kids have a massive book collection and we are always on the lookout for new titles to be added. Typically, I do my best to not only find fun reads but to also find meaningful ones. For the latter, the JoyOhBoy collection by Kathy Walsh is exactly the meaningful type of reads that kids today are in need of. While many children’s books have underlying messages of such things as love and kindness, these books display these character traits directly within the text and images for all to see clearly. Dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children, though her books, Kathy teaches to listen to your heart, follow your intuition, show gratitude, be in touch with your feelings, always think positively, and to see life “through the lens of love.” Such kind qualities are certainly more pertinent during the holiday season and these books would surely make a wonderful gift for kids and adults alike. With six books completing the collection, there really is something for everyone.
Connect with JoyOhBoy by Kathy Walsh
Website | Facebook | Twitter - Merry Stirring Mice, Santa’s Secret Team
Now, I am sure that many of you have read or are familiar with the above classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. For a story being written in the perspective of the human character, no one thought to provide readers with the mouse’s point of view. You remember the line; “Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” However, mice tend to be sneaky little things and while the characters from the original book may not have seen a mouse moving about, they were surely there somewhere, right? Yes! The Merry Stirring Mice, Santa’s Secret Team by Cynthia Dreeman Meyer gives a voice and a story to those mice. With a wonderful storyline and incredible illustrations, the making of this book was a family affair. The three “boys” within the story are actually named after the author’s family members. As you follow along with the story, you and your own little ones can contemplate wondrous ideas of such things as how Santa gets down the chimney, how stockings are filled, how the magic of Christmas works, and even what those amazing little things called “Twinkies” are! This book is such a fun read and, in addition to the story itself, kids can even hunt through the book like a seek-and-find as they search for a mischievous little spider that shows up in each illustration! Merry Stirring Mice, Santa’s Secret Team is a fantastic book for the whole family to enjoy together.
Connect with Cynthia Dreeman Meyer
Website | Facebook | Twitter - How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This book is probably my most favorite one of the bunch. After all, who doesn’t love a great Dr. Seuss story? It is no secret that a vast majority of people around the world have fallen in love with the story through its more recent movie adaption. For me, the book has been a long time tradition since the days of my own childhood and I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love it. Not only is the content so incredibly real in terms of the meaning behind the holidays but it is such a fun story across the boards. As the holidays near, you can often catch me quoting bits and pieces of the book and we actually incorporate it into such aspects as decorations, tasty treats, and even classroom celebrations. During the month of December, the kids and I read one holiday book per night and although this particular book is always set for Christmas Eve Eve (yes, “eve eve”), we usually end up reading it once per night following each night’s original book. My family’s holiday season would not be the same without the How the Grinch Stole Christmas I highly recommend it for everyone, regardless of age. It really is that great!
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Top 8 Eighty MPH Mom Reviewed Gifts Overall
- Keurig Office Pro
- Sauder Desk
- KitchenAid
- Shutterfly Gifts
- Silhouette
- Fathead
- Lightspeed Outdoors
- Texas Timber Baby Bats
Surely, we here at Eighty MPH Mom get wonderful opportunities to try out some brilliant products and are provided with sneak peeks into the workings of remarkable companies throughout the year. While we are incredibly thankful to be presented with these great business ventures, we all have our own wished for items as well. These are some of the goodies that we have on our own wish lists this holiday season.
Top 8 Gifts We’re Wishing For:
- Cloud 9 Living
How many of you have a bucket list going? You know, those amazingly fun experiences that seem to only exist in your dreams. What if I told you that they are attainable? Yes, they really are attainable hopes and dreams! Forget about jotting them down in a journal, instead, go out and do them – NOW! Cloud 9 Living has been on my personal radar for some time now because they are the folks that can truly help you make your dreams come true. Cloud 9 Living is a company that truly does put its clients on “Cloud 9” by providing them with unique and memorable experiences. These Experience Gifts range from fun cooking classes and wine tasting adventures all the way to flying fighter planes and racing a la NASCAR style! There is surely something for everyone and then some! These experiences make the most perfect gifts no matter the recipient and I cannot wait to finally start crossing off some of my own bucket list to-do’s thanks to the help from Cloud 9 Living.
Connect with Cloud 9 Living
Website | Facebook | Twitter - GoPro
Okay, for those of you that have been living under a rock, GoPro is huge fun packed into a little device. It is, quite literally, a video camera that can “go” anywhere while still providing you with “pro” quality results. My favorite part about these cameras is the fact that they can be mounted just about everywhere. I’ve actually seen folks mount these onto vehicles, surf boards, drones, pets, boats, bicycles, and so much more. Some people even opt to go for a helmet-cam type of mount. Not too long ago someone even took a GoPro along on their skydive jump from space. Yes, space! If you’re the adventurous type or even just enjoy fantastic family videos, look no further than the GoPro. It is an amazing camera that absolutely anyone can easily use and it is a much loved item by so many people around the world. I will actually be gifting this to the mister this holiday season but (Shhh!) don’t tell!
Connect with GoPro
Website | Facebook | Twitter - Camera Gear – Nikon & Canon
It’s no secret that I am a picture junkie. After all, most moms are. Together, we make up the new trend of “mom-tographers.” Whether it’s a simple point-and-shoot, a more professional camera, or even my cellphone, you can almost always find me with a camera in hand. The same could be said for the majority of us here at Eighty MPH Mom. For the holidays, camera goodies are almost certainly on our holiday wish lists. Of course, two of the most loved brands are Nikon and Canon. There are an infinite amount of wonderful products available from both companies and I highly recommend that you look into each to find out which products would work best for you and your family.
Connect with Nikon & Canon
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Website | Facebook | Twitter - Sperry Top-Sider Shoes
This was Mia’s wish list pick for this holiday season and it is a fantastic one. You see, Sperry Top-Sider isn’t just a brand of footwear but, instead, an entire way of life. I don’t know about you, but I am a beach girl at heart and, during these cold winter months, I long for the days of warm, summer sunshine. Sperry Top-Sider fits wonderfully into the beachgoer lifestyle with a vast array of products that are perfect for folks who are drawn to the surf, sand, sun, and soul of the ocean. Whether you’re shopping for women, men, or kids and for footwear, clothing, or even accessories, Sperry Top-Sider will surely have something for you.
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Website | Facebook | Twitter - Zale’s Mother’s Ring
They say that when you become a mother, you’re forever allowing your heart to walk outside of your body in the amazing being that is your child. As a mother, I know that we do whatever we can to keep our children close. Everything from placing their first footprints into a baby book, hanging toddler drawn scribbles on the refrigerator, the thousands of photos on our cellphones and in our wallets, and donning painted macaroni “jewelry” is one of the many ways of showing our love for our children. With Zale’s, however, you can make carrying your child with you a literal part of your everyday life through stunning jewelry pieces such as a mother’s ring. Zale’s has a seemingly infinite amount of design options to choose from and these beautiful rings would surely make a wondrous gift for any mother or grandmother this holiday season.
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Website | Facebook | Twitter - Dyson
Who doesn’t love a clean home? When we moved into our new house, we quickly realized that having wall-to-wall hardwood flooring made it quite difficult to clean. After adding in area rugs, I was convinced that I’d need a ridiculous amount of cleaning tools to properly clean all surfaces. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to give Dyson a try and I cannot even begin to speak highly enough of the brand. With many of the Dyson models now being suited for multiple flooring types and with options including uprights, handhelds, plug-in, and battery-powered, there really is something for everyone. The suction and cleaning power that coincides with the Dyson namesake goes unmatched and I am so glad to be able to use an amazing Dyson vacuum to help keep my own home beautifully clean. I know that gifting cleaning items can sometimes be a bit faux-pas but, trust me, unwrapping a fabulous gift from Dyson during the holidays would surely put a smile one everyone’s face!
Connect with Dyson
Website | Facebook | Twitter - Workout Equipment
With the New Year quickly approaching, many people will likely begin making resolutions pertaining to getting in shape. In this particular category, there are an infinite number of paths you can travel, programs you can start, tools you can use, clothing you can wear, and then some. I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty of things since this is, more so, a personal decision that should be made best to suit you and your own goals but I will say that Sports Authority is my own key place to shop when I need anything relating to fitness. As one of the nation’s most well-known sporting goods chain stores, Sports Authority is a one-stop-shop for all of your sporting goods needs no matter the sport or season.
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Website | Facebook | Twitter - Epson Movie Projector
One of my most favorite things to do during the chilly winter nights is to snuggle up with my family and enjoy a good movie. While those playing on various channels through my television are always a great fun, the bigger, the better, right? For example, I know many people that have full “movie theaters” in their basements! Envision this – a huge, comfortable sofa, some recliners, a big bowl of popcorn, tons of cozy blankets, and watching a movie that literally takes up an entire wall of your home! It sounds amazing, right? As extravagant as it may seem, it’s not as out of reach as you’d think. Really, all you need are two things; space and Epson. You see, Epson offers a wonderful collection of home theater projectors that provide users with wondrous cinematic adventures right in the comfort of one’s own home.
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Regardless of the gifts that you give or receive, please remember to take the time to truly appreciate everything. There are so, so many that are less fortunate than us and one of the greatest “gifts” that you can give during the holidays is the gift of giving back. We try our best to live our lives in a philanthropic way throughout the year but it is so much more prevalent during the holiday season. Below, you’ll find a list of some of our favorite charities to give back to during the holidays.
Top 8 Charities to Give To:
- Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
- Wounded Warrior Project
- USMC Toys for Tots
- Adopt A Classroom
- ASPCA
- Do Something
- Water Aid
- Cat House on the Kings
Phew! That was a lot!
At the end of the day, the holidays are about so much more than the gifts that we present to one another or even those that we receive ourselves. The holidays are about family, friends, and the sheer joy of being lucky enough to share this time and our lives with those that we love. This year, if we could truly give the world any gift, it would be this – acceptance, time, joy, patience, kindness, understanding, peace, and love.
- Acceptance
- Time
- Joy
- Patience
- Kindness
- Understanding
- Peace
- Love
