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Tuesday, December 9, 2008 - B.C. and Calgary edition

What's the vibe today . . .

A few of our favourite things

With Christmas shopping fully underway, we can’t help but reflect on some great gifts for everyone on your list. Our top picks range in price, from stocking stuffers to big-ticket items. We’re sure you’ll like them as much as we do. Here are a few of our favourite things…

For little feet

A recent addition to the Robeez brand is the Mini Shoez line. Perfect for children three to 18 months, who are crawling, kicking, cruising or just beginning to walk, the Mini Shoez have soft, flexible water-repellant soles, and look like a real shoe. Available in a variety of styles for both girls and boys, we really dig the new line of leather shoes. Available online at Robeez or for a list of stores, check out the store locator.

Prize contest: Thanks to our friends at Robeez, we are giving away two pairs of Mini Shoez – one for a boy and one for a girl. So check out the selection online at Robeez and e-mail us at prize@babyvibe.ca to tell us what your favourite pair is (and the size). Two winners will be selected. Contest ends on Friday, Dec. 12 at midnight. Good luck.

A three-in-one toy

These animals make the prefect pet. You don’t have to worry about shedding, the smell or silly little accidents. Instead, your child will love to snuggle with a Zoobie Pet. Available in several different wild animals like giraffe (our favourite), lion (another favourite), tiger, panda and more, Zoobies are more than just a cute plush toy as they open into a pillow and blanket. Babyvibe product tester Marley, 3, recently received a tiger and immediately fell in love with her new wild animal. She brought the tiger to bed as a blanket and pillow where she quickly dozed off to sandman land. In the morning, the tiger transformed back into a wild animal, ready for hours of play. The three-in-one feature makes a Zoobie a perfect match for a great travel companion. Available online at Petite Posh.

Games are too cool

These days you can find an assortment of games that everyone from tots to adults can play together, and at the same time, help with eye-hand coordination, creative imagination and more. We like PlanToys’ Bug Balance Game. It’s a great game where you have to catch bugs and place them on a tree to see how long they can stay on for. The game is made from replenishable rubberwood and paints are tested for safety. Available online at Lavish & Lime.

To go to grandma’s house

Every child needs a backpack. We’ve spotted tots as young as one proudly sporting one on their back. Dante Beatrix Little Kid Packs are the cutest backpacks around. Available in an assortment of styles, featuring fuzzy little animals, your child will proudly pack their belongings for a sleep over at the grandparents, or when they head off to daycare or preschool. The backpacks make for a great substitute for wrapping paper and you can pack a smaller gift inside and hide it under the tree. Made out of nylon, these bags are available at new e-tailer Raspberry Kids. By the way, Raspberry Kids is having a sale today (Tuesday). If you miss out on the sale, there is also a special discount for Babyvibe readers. Check out our holiday gift guide to find out all the details.

Cool wheels

For the little one in your life that loves anything with wheels, we like the eco-friendly Sprig Toy Vehicles that require no batteries. For a list of retailers, visit online. We also like the high quality Fagus vehicles available through Natural pod.

Get your groove on

Babyvibe favourite children’s entertainers Bobs and Lolo recently released a new CD, Action Packed. After listening to the new CD, it’s evident that it’s jam-packed with great tunes that will get little ones groovin’ all around town. Listen to it at home, in the car, and have dancing to the tunes. Available online at Organically Hatched. Makes for a really good stocking stuffer.

Play tents

We have yet to know a child who does not like to play in tents. In the past, we’ve bought inexpensive plastic tents but find that they can rip easily and maybe last a season, if we’re lucky. We’ve recently fallen head over heals for the Lucy and Michael Play tents. The quality of craftsmanship is impeccable and this is a play tent that will last through years and years of play, and is well worth the investment. Perfect for any child of any age. Available online at Raspberry Kids.

Princess table

Here at Babyvibe, we have girls so that’s why when we saw this princess table and chairs set we immediately fell in love. We love the tasteful design of the table that features comfy cushions on the chairs. The table even has a secret compartment where you can store the crown jewels and a music box that plays ‘Pomp and Circumstance.’ It’s currently on sale at Blue Blankie.

Kitchen fun

A magical playroom isn’t complete without the natural wooden chef’s kitchen designed by Natural Pod and made in BC. Children love it, as it’s a great way to pretend that they are like mom and dad, cooking yummy meals in their very own kitchen. Adults love it as the kitchen is made out of a combination of Europly, Birch, Oak, Fir and Purple Heart and finished in natural beeswax. We also like the fact that this isn’t the type of play kitchen that you’ll see cracked, faded, and piling up dust in garage sales. Available online at Natural Pod. By the way, Natural Pod offers free shipping in Canada.

For mom

As a mom, writing this, all I really want for Christmas is for my tot to start sleeping by herself solidly through the night. However, that may not be on every mom’s wish list. Spa treatments, stylish clothes, and a personal trainer are all great ideas. Other options include the super soft bamboo nightshirt available through Lavish & Lime, and natural beauty products perfect for pampering from upurea or pure + simple.

For dad

We can’t forget about dad this holiday season. For the dad who travels, we like the Classic Leather Overnight Bag available at Lavish & Lime. If you are looking for truly unique gifts for the man (or boy) that’s hard to shop for, we suggest checking out Boys To Men Gifts. For stocking stuffer ideas, Organically Hatched offers a great selection of natural organic skin care for dad including all-natural aching body muscle rub and all-natural after shave spritz. Babyvibe readers can save 15% by using coupon code BABYVIBE.

Wrapping presents the eco way

Bid farewell to the waste of wrapping paper this holiday season thanks to adorable Santa sacks. Available through Green Planet Parties, the cotton Santa sacks are available in two sizes and four styles. Now you can wrap your gifts in an eco-friendly way every holiday. Very reasonably priced.

Greeting cards

It’s never too late to order some personalized festive cards to send out to relatives. Or better yet, customize thank you cards with your child’s holiday photo and send it out after the holidays to thank relatives and friends for the lovely presents. Our favourite local personalized greeting companies include Bella-Mia Greetings, Animal Crackers Announcements, and Grace Announcements.

B.C. archives

mini shoez

zoobie

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