PHEW! It’s done! It’s finally done!

This has been a crazy last couple of weeks! I received so many submissions to my gift guide, and it was so hard to choose which products to put in it, but I think I’ve finally narrowed it down.

Please take a look at these awesome products when considering Holiday Gifts for your loved ones!

If you do order from any of these businesses, be sure to tell them where you found them! Check back too, because some of them are going to be offering coupons if they aren’t already! Every page also has a downloadable PDF if you’d like to print off the guide to take shopping with you!

• Gadgets & Tech

• Food & Kitchen

• Eco Friendly

• Clothing & Accessories

• Toys & Crafts

• Great Gifts for Mom & Dad

• Books!

• Great Gifts for Anyone

*tux graphic from http://hospitality.tamu.edu/

2009 Mommy Brain Reports Great for Anyone Gift Guide

✔= Personally reviewed   ♥= Mom Owned Business

Flair4All: It’s great for moms, teens or any fashionistas or design stars on your list. It’s called flair4all and its a new family-friendly line of removable wall decals (think “wall stickers”). Kids love flair4all because it lets them be in charge of designing their own space – with over 70 designs in seven different color palettes to choose from, there’s always something for anyone. They also love flair4all because it’ll stick on almost anything – glass, wood, textured walls – even painted cement! Moms like flair4all because it comes off the walls as easily as it goes up on them and because they’re super affordable – for only $20 you get three sheets of reusable wall decals. No need to buy expensive and messy paint supplies next time you want to redesign any space in your home, or worry about nail holes if you’re a renter – with flair4all anyone can leave a mark without leaving a mark.

The product is available online only at http://www.flair4all.com ✔

We received the Dreamy Butterfly Posh Pack for review, and my girls love it! We used them to decorate up their room in preparation for their new big girl beds. They’re growing up, and wanted a big girl room. I love it because we’re renting, and it’s so easy to peel them off the wall when/if I need to!

Tervis tumblers really are a great gift – they are functional and fun and there is really something for everyone in the family.  Here are some quick features & benefits:

- Lifetime Guaranteed – re-usable (no plastic water bottles needed)

- Made in USA (exclusive of some emblems)

- Keep hot drinks hot and Keep cold drinks cold – one tumbler good for all day

- Virtually indestructible

- Perfect poolside because they won’t shatter like glass and as a bonus, they float!

- Completely customizable (you can even send in your own photo or memento to be sealed between the walls of the tumbler for life)

- Hundreds of designs

- Licensed designs such as MLB®, NFL®, John Deere®, Margaritaville®, Guy Harvey, LPGA and PGA Tour

- Strong collegiate program (with close to 150 schools represented)

- Microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe

- Travel lids make the tumblers great for those-on-the-go

- Tumblers range in price from $10 – $20 each depending on the size and design selected – a small price to pay for a lifetime of use

• Available at 6,000 retailers throughout the US including most Bed, Bath & Beyond locations, in the four company-owned stores in Florida and online at www.tervis.com ✔

We were sent a set of Tervis Tumblers to check out, and they are definitely strong cups! They’re thick, and perfect for kids especially! They won’t break! The designs are very cute, and the travel lids are very convenient!

Letters that Wow is a family owned website business which offers statement-making, personalized artwork that anyone would be proud to display.

Pick a sport, a background, type a name and choose highly detailed graphical sports letters. The computer puts them all together and gives you a really detailed, personalized art gift which is printed on canvas. Current themes include golf, football, baseball, soccer and basketball. The size of the art piece varies by the number of letters selected but averages 35″ x 13″ when framed. Please make sure to click on the “magnify button” on the “start creating” page to see how detailed the images are. The pieces range from $89 (unframed) to $209 – cost depending on framing option chosen.  ♥

Beautiful Sweets Organic Bakery is a mommy-owned business  (along with hubby).  We specialize in making exquisitely decorated organic cookies that are perfect for the holidays and that kids love!  We would welcome having you consider our cookies for your Holiday Gift Guide.   Our sets of cookies start at $15 for a 4 cookie gift box and go up to $75 for a 32 cookie set.   Also, for any order greater than $25 we would be willing to extend a $10 discount to Mommy Brain Reports readers  (enter coupon code cookiefix during check-out).    Being organic, our cookies taste great and they are also very photogenic.  To learn some more about us, I have attached a brief one page overview on our company (along with some info on our Cookie of the Month club, which also makes a wonderful gift….we’d also be willing to offer a $50 discount off any COTMC membership….coupon code would be: luvmycookies). We are also launching a gluten-free line of our cookies in about two weeks.  We have been working with a nationally recognized GF cooking consultant and have come up with a wonderful GF recipe.  We believe that we will be one of the only (if not the only) bakeries out there offering hand-decorated GF sugar cookies. ♥

DigiPix.Us, a mom and dad owned company, is the place for custom, stylish, fun, contemporary gifts. What could be more fun and unexpected than a custom portrait PopArt or Oilstyle painting of yourself, family, vacation home, pet or anything else you can think of from your favorite photo printed on museum quality canvas or paper?

8”x10” glossies are boring – we turn those ho hum photos into stunning works of art, we work with our customers from start to finish. Prices range from $105 – $1,100, free US ground shipping. All items can be purchased online at our website. We make PopArt and Fine Art style custom portraits that make great gifts for everyone on your Holiday list – customers who have already ordered their gifts say they are so happy they can barely wait to give their friends and family the custom artwork we have created for them.  They are offering a coupon code for 10% off now thru 12/31/09 is HOLIDAY09 and if you fan them on Facebook they are doing a special Black Friday thru Cyber Monday special of buy any size or style and get a free 12×12 or 11×14 paper print of the same image – that’s a $70 dollar value free! The link for  the coupon code is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/DigiPixUs/175977874327#/pages/DigiPixUs/175977874327 or just search DigiPixUs in Facebook ♥

For home, work, travel and school, nothing beats the RX TOTE™ for keeping your medications, vitamins, supplements and personal home medical supplies safe and easily accessible.

RxTOTE:

Incredibly versatile and multi-functional, with center pull-tabs that accommodate a removable 7 Day Pill Organizer.  Personal medical supplies are stored in the interior zip mesh pocket.  It is big enough to hold a lot, yet compact and lightweight.

Besides the great organizational features, safety and peace of mind are its greatest benefit. Simply lock and store away.

This is a must have for today’s organized traveler and makes a great gift.  Keep your medical essentials easily accessible and secure.  Keep your passport, currencies, medical information, receipts in order as you travel in the exterior slip-in pocket.

Available at Amazon.com $29.99 for Medium & $39.99 for Large

Body Buddies are organic therapeutic hot/cold compress, tha come in all different fabrics so you can match your personality or the personality of the person you are buying for. They are great gifts that range in price from $10-$15.  Body Buddies will help with all your aches and pains or will give you warmth and comfort through the long winter days.  For more information and to see the entire selection, go to our website at www.bodybuddiesstore.com . ♥

From ExecutiveBasket.com:

Cranberry Spa Basket ($83.95)- This overstuffed willow basket is filled with fruity and refreshing spa products for someone that could use some pampering. This basket features the Time & Again line which is famous for their fabulous shea butter products. Time & Again personal care collections combine rich, skin-soothing treatments with unforgettable fragrances. Send this gift with a personalized ribbon for a lasting impression. ♥

Want to print this and take it shopping with you???

Print MBR 2009 Gifts 4 Anyone Holiday Gift Guide

2009 Mommy Brain Reports Moms & Dads Gift Guide

✔= Personally reviewed   ♥= Mom Owned Business

We’ll start with Moms!

EA SPORTS Active- Personal trainer and More Workouts!

I’ve had the pleasure of participating in both challenges for th

e EA SPORTS Active over this year, and I have to admit, the results have been fantastic. The first 30 Day Challenge earlier this year helped me lose two dress sizes, and now I’m working on the new 6 Week Challenge with More Workouts. If you have a Wii at home, and mom is looking for a way to get in shape and/or stay in shape, this is an excellent (and much less expensive) alternative to having a gym membership. plus the workouts are done on her time, and for about 30 mins per day… No press release on this one… I’ve experienced it, and think that everyone should really have it!

The Soap Florist Beautiful Handcrafted Soap Flowers for All Occasions

http://www.thesoapflorist.com/

We are a new company that handcrafts flowers made of soap. Our soap flowers look and smell realistic and are an earth friendly, cruelty free gift. Not only are they beautiful but they are useful too. They are made with a rich creamy, vegetable based soap that will leave your skin soft and moisturized.

FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50.00! (Limited time only)

Prices vary, but are very reasonable!

I was sent one of their Rose Soaps to check out, and when I opened the box, it smelled just like a rose! It was awesome! It’s definitely something to check out!

Pomega5 offers an assortment of items that are appropriate for men and women alike, and since our products are entirely free of parabens, petrochemicals and synthetics, they are even 100% suitable for mothers-to-be and babies.The first line to address wellness through the skin, Pomega5 is a revolutionary system of pure, luxurious skin recipes based on biodynamic botanicals and rare Omega 5 oil extracted from pomegranate seeds. Using the purest, freshest bioactive ingredients derived wholly from nature, each Pomega5 product has been carefully formulated to reflect a balanced combination of essential fatty acids, botanical extracts and essential oils – completely without the use of any parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetics. Matched by none with respect to cleanliness and quality, we strive to create products that go beyond skin care to genuinely feed and nourish the body from the outside in.

www.pomega5.com

I was sent their Pomegranate Cleansing Bar to try out, and I loved the scent! I can’t say for sure, but it really seemed to make my skin feel softer too. I love that it’s ingredients are actually good for my skin too, rather than the  harsh chemicals you find in other facial cleansers that dry out my skin! Check out their other products too!

Isabelle Grace Jewelry (www.IsabelleGraceJewelry.com) is a beautiful, inspiring collection of personalized jewelry designed by artist Claudia Montez.  Each piece is made by hand, and crafted from sterling silver, 14 carat gold and semi-precious stones.  Personalization options include names, birth dates, wedding dates and personal messages. Isabelle Grace is a designer who’s creating quite the buzz around Hollywood as well as Mainstreet America with her personalized for mom (or grandma, aunt, etc.) jewelry collection.  Celebrity clientele include: Maxine Bahns (the Mentalist), Kim Paisley, Kristin Dos Santos, Tori Spelling, Alison Sweeney, Dominique Geisendorff, and Ana Ortiz who love to wear their kids names close to their heart with their IsabelleGraceJewelry mommy necklaces.

Featured in the photo is the just launched Script Name Charm Necklace, ordered by Ana Ortiz and Kristin Dos Santos.  Available at www.IsabelleGraceJewelry.com Price:  starts at $138.

Hot Lunch is the original date box company- date boxes are a new concept that we have developed to make going on a date a fresh and easy endeavor! This is a perfect gift for a new parent as they often don’t get the opportunity to go out on dates regularly, and many of our date boxes can be done in your very own home! Each date box comes with everything necessary to execute a fun, creative date which saves you time running around time picking up supplies or finding a babysitter. They have fun themes such as our ‘Mario & Luigi’ Italian date and ‘Starry Starry Night’ stargazing date and they make fantastic gifts! Their sassy packaging and fun ideas will keep everybody coming back for more! They retail for $39.95, which is so much less expensive than dinner and a movie, and they are much more fun! When else have you made gourmet pizza while wearing fake mustaches and using Italian pick-up lines? Check out our website at www.hotlunchdates.com to see more about our company and products. This is also the (only) location where date boxes can be purchased.

We were sent a “Mario & Luigi” hot lunch date to check out, and thought it was a great concept. We have hardly ever gotten out on a date, and something like this is a very neat idea! It totally takes the guesswork out of planning a fun date!

For the mom who loves to take pictures of her kids…

Corel Painter Essentials

Based on the world’s leading natural-media painting and illustration software, Corel Painter, Painter Essentials is an easy-to-use digital art studio that will let you turn a photo into a painting in as few as three mouse clicks. Moms can turn their photos into works of art to put up around the house, or they can help their children explore Painter Essentials’ 90 brushes and paper textures without the mess and expense of traditional art supplies. In addition, this program is a great way for moms and kids to create scrapbooks, paintings or other unique artwork to give as gifts to their loved ones during the holiday season.

I was sent a copy of Corel Painter Essentials, and I am sad to say I haven’t been able to try it out yet. My computer has been acting sassy and I haven’t been able to do much with it. I’m going to do some repairs over the holiday, and should be able to update soon. If it’s as awesome as it looks, we’ll be having some fun with it!

The Scandle Lotion Candle, is a candle that burns at 2 degrees above body temperature to produce a soothing oil for massage, manicures, pedicures, or as a daily moisturizer.  Made from 100% natural ingredients (including soy), The Scandle emits less soot and toxins into the environment than traditional parrafin candles.  Scandles feature refillable/reusable canisters and sustainable packaging.  Scandles have a retail price of $11.95 – $24.95 and can be purchased online or through one of our retailers http://www.abodycandle.com/stores.php

We were sent a sample Scandle to check out, and I’ve used it on my hubby… He was having some shoulder pain, so I used it to give him a quick massage. The Scandle we received was the calming one, and it smelled so nice. I loved that it wasn’t oily/greasy, and it wasn’t waxy either. It was kind of neat.. and it lasted a long time too.

Modern Meditations CD Collection:

First of its kind, new music collections aimed at introducing a modern perspective on “New Age” musical fare.

No pan flutes, no wind chimes allowed. Featuring the work of renowned producers from across the globe, “Modern Meditations” has transformed contemporary rock favorites into meditation music for the rock & roll generation. Shimmering rock guitars and warm percussion create lush soundscapes. While yoga, Pilates, and meditation have all entered the mainstream, the music has not. The “Modern Meditations” series aims to introduce an alternative to traditional new age fare to the growing modern rock audience.

Modern Meditations – Rock Goes Zen -Modern Classics -Rock Classics -Songs of the Beatles

Retail Price – $16.98 at www.modernmeditations.com

I was sent the CD collection, and have to admit, I loved listening to it while I was blogging. My girls went upstairs for some quiet time, and It was fun to hear a bunch of my favorite songs in a totally different style! It was nice to listen to something other than our children’s music too!

In these stressful times for people in all walks of life, “Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace” lights the way. With a voice described as “liquid,” stress-relief expert Susie Mantell has created a uniquely personal relaxation experience.  Like an easy chair, Mantell’s exquisite narration gently supports, taking the worry out of sleepless nights, releasing layer-after-layer of tension. Gently soothing listeners into a soft, effortless oasis from a stressful schedule, or prelude to deep, restful sleep. In a world that often seems to spin too fast, drift into the quiet place where worries dissipate, where healing begins.  Slow down…just let go. [ For beginners and seasoned meditators alike.]

Online Gift Special: Buy 5-Get 1 FREE at www.relaxintuit.com

I was sent the CD to check out myself, and I did listen to it while working on this gift guide. I totally need to listen to it when I have time to just sit and do nothing though. From the sounds of it, it’s a great meditation sort of CD. Check it out!

Some Dad Stuff:

Golfing Dads:

Fore the Love of Golf, a Mesa-based company, has announced it is selling Christmas Tees, a unique golf-themed product made for the holidays. With a look similar to icicles hanging on the branches of the Christmas tree, Christmas Tees help holiday revelers express their “passion for the game during the holiday season.”

According to David Bond, president of Fore the Love of Golf, Christmas Tees have been used as ornaments by his family to decorate their Christmas trees for years. “We’re thrilled to launch a product that has been enjoyed by our family,” Bond, a low-handicap golfer, said of the specialty item, which is ideal for tree trimming golfers and lovers of the game.

Each package of 25 white Christmas Tee ornaments is presented with an attractive, descriptive header card, along with a hang hole stapled over the top of a re-sealable plastic bag.  The retail price of each package is $9.95. Orders are currently being accepted by calling Mr. Bond at (480) 338-5660 or by logging on to the Internet at www.foretheloveofgolf.com. Customers may also e-mail Bond at fore@foretheloveofgolf.com.

For the garage dad:

Dads all over the country will be receiving a variety of gifts for the holidays: the standard smoked pepperoni stick and cheese, the “unique” tie, and of course some sort of power tool.  Outside of the power tool, the rest really can’t be used in the long term or to handle multiple tasks, that is until SmartStraps.

SmartStraps is an innovative and patented tie-down product that can hold down any size load from a simple move, to large hauls and farm equipment to assisting with hunting gear. Offering more than 135 professional-grade products, SmartStraps continues to transform the tie-down category, making an age-old endeavor faster, easier and safer. SmartStraps products include tie-downs, tow-straps, bungee cords, tarp straps, hardware and accessories. These products are sold in retail outlets nationwide, including Target and Walmart.

For the Sports Dad:

Ballparks of America Map Baseball

*A map of America, featuring the most famous ballparks

*Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards, Wrigley Field, Busch Stadium, Dodger Stadium, and many more… they’re all here

*Handmade

*Unique gloss wraparound artwork

*Includes Gift Box/Turf Base Stand

*$20 @ www.bergino.com

For Mom and/or Dad:

Cherished Voices is a Mom-owned business that allows people to record bedtime stories for their cherished children in their lives from wherever there is a phone.

No longer does a parent have to feel guilty because they can’t read a bedtime story to their son because of distance, divorce, detention, deployment or death.

Basically, a person purchases the gift pack, which includes a book and then calls a phone number to record their rendition of the book.

A little while later, a CD of the recording arrives that the child can listen to whenever their parent or grandparent isn’t around.

Even better: Not only does it give the child a life line to their family, but also a valued heirloom. One customer read “Twas The Night Before Christmas” and added personal memories of her own life growing up. How priceless is that?

The prices for each package range between $30 and $50 and can be purchased online at http://www.cherishedvoices.com

Want to print out this guide and take it with you?

Print MBR 2009 Moms & Dads Holiday Gift Guide

2009 Mommy Brain Reports Toys, Crafts, Activities Gift Guide

✔= Personally reviewed   ♥= Mom Owned Business

Toys:

Zhu Zhu Pets

The best alternatives to real live hamsters, Zhu Zhu Pets™ hamsters don’t poop, die, or stink, but they are still a riot of motion and sound. Darting around in their hamster tubes, busily scurrying from room to room, you never know where they’ll go next! Simply pet the hamster’s back, set him down, and watch him Zhu Zhu Zhu-oom! Zhu Zhu Pets™ like to be picked up and snuggled too! Pet them gently on the nose, and they’ll squeak with contentment. These hamsters have over 40 different sound effects, depending on the unique environment they encounter. Zhu Zhu Pets are the world’s first innovative, realistic, interactive, plush, and artificially intelligent hamsters that talk and move around in their own playsets.  Zhu Zhu Pets include two play modes: nurturing mode where the hamsters coo and purr, and adventure mode where the hamsters explore their habitat with intelligent audio and mechanical responses to various habitat stimuli. Over a dozen add-ons can be purchased to build an ever-evolving hamsterworld for your hamsters to play in and explore. Zhu Zhu Pets are the newest craze among kids and expected to be the most popular toy of the year!

Look for Zhu Zhu Pets™ Hamsters for sale right now at even more retailers, including:  Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Amazon.com, Meijers, select Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, Shopko, Duck Wall, Fred Meyer, and more… ✔

We were sent a few of the Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters along with their play ball, and my girls love them! They’re the perfect “pet” for little kids! I don’t have to worry about them being fed or cleaned… They just play with them and put them away when they’re done! I’ve heard from several parents that these Zhu Zhu pets and accessories are very hard to find in stores, so if you’re looking for them you need to act fast when your favorite store gets them in!

LITTLEST PET SHOP COZY CARE ADOPTION CENTER

(HASBRO/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99/Available: Fall 09)

Kids will love to “feed,” “groom” and “dress” their pets at the COZY CARE ADOPTION CENTER a colorful new playset full of surprises, friends and tons of fun! The COZY CARE ADOPTION CENTER playset offers LITTLEST PET SHOP pets hours of play and tons of activities including an exciting training course perfect for a run or a fun-filled spin in a rotating playpen. These pets will have so much fun running and playing games—they will never want to leave!  After a long day of running and playing, pets can get groomed at the special salon.  The COZY CARE ADOPTION CENTER playset comes with an exclusive dog and puppy pet in addition to over 30 cool accessories, lots of storage space and easy portability for girls to display their LITTLEST PET SHOP collection anywhere. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com. ✔

We were sent the Cozy Care Adoption Center, and it is just the cutest thing! It’s definitely not meant for little kids because of all of the small pieces, but my girls are loving it! The animals are just so cute! It’s perfect for any kid who loves animals!

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE SWEET SURPRISE STRAWBERRY Doll

(HASBRO/Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $22.99/Available: Fall 09)

Girls will love to play with STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE’s hair and makeup with the SWEET SURPRISE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE doll. Fill the applicator with water, pop it in the freezer, and once it’s cold use it to “apply” pretty eye shadow, lipstick, and an adorable berry on her cheek! Girls can comb STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE’s long, red hair and style it using the included clips and barrettes with SHIMMER SHINE hair extensions. Add final touches of glamour to the SWEET SURPRISE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE doll with  shiny mylar sticker accessory sheets. The poseable SWEET

SURPRISE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE doll stands 11 inches tall and features the classic strawberry scent. No batteries required. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com. ✔

Strawberry Shortcake has had a makeover! She doesn’t look a thing like she did when I was a kid, and I had a few Strawberry Shortcake dolls! The new Strawberry Shortcake is awesome, and definitely updated. My girls love playing with her “makeup”. They love watching me put makeup on, and now they get to play with “makeup” on Strawberry Shortcake! Check it out!

MY LITTLE PONY PONY FRIENDS Assortment

(HASBRO/Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $5.99/Available: Fall 09)

This fall, the MY LITTLE PONY brand will introduce a whole new look to its core cast.  Girls will love the new look of each pony in the MY LITTLE PONY PONY FRIENDS Assortment.  PINKIE PIE, RAINBOW DASH, TOOLA-ROOLA, STARSONG, SWEETIE BELLE, CHEERILEE and SCOOTALOO all feature bright colors, fun-filled hairstyles, and new sizes that reflect their age. For example, SWEETIE BELLE is the youngest pony in the collection, making her the smallest pony in the group. Each figure in the PONY FRIENDS Assortment comes complete with her very own activity book, giving girls the opportunity to get to know their favorite pony up close and personal! ✔

Another great toy from my childhood that is pretty timeless. My Little Pony has made it’s way into my girls hearts. I love watching them play with my old ponies, and now I can get them some new ones that are super cute! We were sent some of the new ponies to check out, and although my girls haven’t seen them just yet, I know they’re going to love them!

WowWee Alive™ Animal Babies

Age 3 and up

Suggested Retail $59.99

The critically acclaimed WowWee Alive™ Cubs, introduced in 2008, capture the technology of Hollywood-style animatronics in the form of huggable, life-like plush animal babies.  New for 2009 are four new cuddly varieties that come “alive” with love and attention – the WowWee Alive Seal Pup, Husky Puppy, Koala Joey, and Leopard Cub.  Each features animated facial and vocal expressions triggered by users’ touch and comes with adoption papers and a family portrait.

Wowwee Alive Minis-

Suggested Retail $19.99

The WowWee Alive line are adorable, 8-inch WowWee Alive™ Minis, complete with an interactive feeding bottle.  These WowWee Alive Minis feature touch and tilt sensors triggering soft endearing sounds from snoring to gurgling that indicate the cubs’ various moods.  ✔

WowWee Alive™ Sleeping Cuties-

Suggested Retail- $34.99

WowWee has also unveiled a new line of pajama pals, the WowWee Alive™ Sleeping Cuties™ pets.  These adorable sleepy pets are perfect to cuddle up with for a nap.  Featuring lifelike fur, a poseable head, and their very own blankets, the WowWee Alive Sleeping Cuties pets make gentle slumbering sounds, have animated eyes, and can lift and lower their head into wakeful or napping position when you pet them.   The WowWee Alive Sleeping Cuties pets come in two varieties:  Labradoodle Puppy and Beagle Puppy.

We were sent one of the Wowwee Alive Minis, and it is sooo cute! My girls were given pandas for Christmas last year, and I know that the new addition to their collection is going to be awesome. They really love being able to play with them, like they’re babies. It’s so cute! My girls love animals, and these are an excellent alternative to pets!

myWallaby Agile Doll Carrier – Created by a husband and wife team, Myriam (mompreneur) and Eric Hildenbrand helped create a doll carrier for little girls. She is an immigration lawyer by day, he works at a major US bank in compliance, and by night, they run their company. myWallaby was just launched this summer and already is gaining accolades as a recipient of a fantastic award to be officially announced end of this year, as well as countless coverage in publications and blogs. It is a product that all little girls would use and love! Simple idea – great design!! myWallaby Agile Doll Carrier is the next hot product for little girls! New to the market, the myWallaby Doll Carrier easily converts in a matter of seconds from a purse to a doll carrier.

The myWallaby Agile Doll Carrier fits a variety of dolls, ranging in size from 12-18″ including American Girl Dolls and stuffed animals. The Agile bag is named after the over 30 sub-species of wallabies.

The bag is made in the USA, hand made from the finest materials. Completely machine washable, its patent pending design enables it to be converted from a purse to a doll carrier in just a matter of seconds. As you can see from the photos, the purses convert to transport dolls easily. What really sets the myWallaby Agile Bag apart from others, besides the upscale quality, is that it is designed to carry a doll facing forward in an expandable pocket that resembles a real Wallaby pouch. They come in wonderful color combinations.

You can purchase the myWallaby Agile Doll Carrier on their site t www.mywallaby.com for $49.99 or at amazon.com. ♥

Kimochis – Created by Nina Rappaport Rowan, a mom entrepreneur who was struck with the horrible Columbine High School Incident, thinking how could something like this have happened? It made her dig deep and question why. What is missing? What are we not doing right with our children that they can be so disconnect and so self destructive? This very thing was the inspiration that drove Nina to create the Kimochis. The goal is to get parents and kids talking to each other. Creating original children’s products and animated family entertainment, the company wants to create compelling stories and loveable characters that will build confidence and self-esteem in our children and serve to strengthen parent-child connections.  Kimochis was awarded the Creative Child Magazine 2009 Seal of Excellence and Best Vacation Products by Dr. Toy.

Kimochi (KEY.MO.CHEE) means “feeling” in Japanese and each 13 inch Kimochis™ character comes with 3 plush “feelings” and a how-to- Feel Guide with tips for parents on connecting with their kids during emotional moments. Feelings can be messy…Kimochis™ can help!

Kimochis is the perfect holiday gift for parents and kids! — You will see why both parents and kids would be THRILLED to receive a Kimochi Character!

Purchases can be made at www.kimochis.com. Characters retail for $25 and Mixed Feelings Pack retail for $12.00 ♥

AquaPod: Looking for the coolest gift on the block this year?  Go no further – we have something for every kid, brother, dad and friend – introducing the Aquapod Bottle Launcher (www.theaquapod.com), the first professionally manufactured bottle launcher on the market.

It’s not just for child’s play – but the perfect way to have some thrilling, blowing-stuff-up kind of fun. The Aquapod Bottle Launcher is a bottle rocket launcher that can launch a 2-liter plastic bottle up to 100 feet in the air. Launching the Aquapod is simple—it requires no assembly and is easily portable.  To launch, fill an ordinary 2-liter plastic bottle 1/3 full of water, place it over the launch tube, and secure the latch.  Attach a bicycle pump to the front air valve, and give 10 to 15 pumps or until the check valve releases.  Moving back 15 feet to the launch position, pull the trigger lanyard with a short, quick tug to release the bottle.  Watch it soar up to 100 feet in the air!

Whether you are looking for the ideal gift that will please everyone, or looking for the present that will make you a hero this holiday season, the Aquapod is something to share with your kids, friends, or the perfect gift for yourself!

The Aquapod is available for $24.99 at http://www.theaquapod.com ✔

Sweet Spot Sports Product Line

The Sweet Spot Sports line of products comes with special electronic features that emit an audio reward when a user hits or holds the ball in the right spot, the “sweet spot” improving accuracy and hand-eye coordination.  All Sweet Spot Sports products have an MSRP between $14.99-$19.99. The following Sweet Spot Sports products are designed for youth ages 5 and up:

·       Sweet Spot Football

·       Sweet Spot Baseball with Bat

·       Sweet Spot Hockey Stick and Puck

·       Sweet Spot Basketball and Hoop

Voice Command and Sure Shot Product Lines

The Voice Command and Sure Shot product lines, which have MSRPs between $69.99-$79.99, feature interactive training tools with instructional coaching to help athletes ages 5 and up hone their techniques. Whatever the sport—baseball, football, basketball, soccer or hockey—the Voice Command and Sure Shot product lines take the excitement of sports simulations out of the digital realm and into the physical world.   Products include:

·         Voice Command Pitching Machine

·         Voice Command Quarterback

Sure Shot Basketball

·         Sure Shot Hockey and Sure Shot Soccer combo (Available Exclusively at Target Stores)

Crafts/Activities:

Expo (www.expomarkers.com) offers many items that won’t break the budget. One in particular that I believe you will find to be a great gift is their Learning Board.

Expo Learning Board

-          9” x 12” dry-erase whiteboard that can be used on your lap or desk

-          Front side is white to allow for creative drawing

-          Back side includes penmanship lines for practicing writing, spelling and math

-          Intended to be used as a learning aid for children, a teaching aid for parents, and an earth friendly alternative to paper for fun activities

• Available at big-box stores nationwide, with an average retail price of about $4 ✔

I purchased two of these boards a little while back while trying to make learning to write more fun for my girls, and less stressful for me. They loved having their own dry erase boards like Mommy, and it was perfect for showing them how to write, and quickly erase little mistakes! At the end of every lesson, they were allowed to doodle all over their boards for a while, and it was awesome because I didn’t have any papers to throw away!

Bijoux in a Box offers high quality and creative DIY beaded jewelry and craft projects that make excellent gifts—both to make and receive—for moms and kids.  Two of her top sellers are:

A top pick for kids is the memory wire bracelet kit which makes 4 beautiful bracelets and costs $28.  It is both a cool activity and a beautiful jewelry option.

http://bijouxinabox.com/memory_wire_bracelets.html

A favorite for women is a wine bottle stopper kit which makes 2 wine bottle stoppers for $36.  One stopper ($18) coupled with our wine glass charms (6 charms for $16) makes a fabulous gift for only $34 and you even get to say “I made it myself!”.   Wine bottle stoppers and charms can be found here: http://bijouxinabox.com/Wine_Stoppers_and_Charms.html.

All products  can be ordered from my website, www.bijouxinabox.com.

The Knit Kit is a unique all-in-one compact knitting

accessory kit that includes a tape measure, stitch counter, thread cutter,

scissors, crochet hook, stitch holders and tip protectors all on one compact

device. Great for traveling by car or plane, and ideal for the first-time

knitter-the product not only features everything a knitter needs in one

light-weight compact case, it also keeps ‘knit knacks’ organized and easily

accessible. Known as the “Swiss army knife of knitting,” The Knit Kit is

available for $19.95 at local yarn shops (LYS) across the United States. Also on the horizon is the all-new 2010 edition; plus The Quilt Kit and The Sew Kit. The Knit Kit is available online at www.dreamweaveryarns.com and www.yarnmarket.com. For a complete listing of retail locations, for more information, or to view a video demonstration, visit www.theknitkit.com ✔

I was sent a KnitKit to check out, and thought it was a really awesome idea! I don’t knit, but I do crochet, and this was helpful even for my projects. I can’t wait to see the Quilt and Sew kits coming out next year!

“FingerPrints” is a complete art kit for children, that contains everything needed for the child in anyone’s life to create a finger painting that is framed and treasured for a lifetime.  It retails from $29.95 to $34.95, and is available at stores nationwide, including buybuy Baby, and on many online stores/catalogs, including Mindware.  A complete list of retailers is available on our site www.ColorGoRound.com.

The kit includes a quality 11” x 14” double-matted frame, acid free artist paper, an adorable child’s canvas apron, 6 bright, washable, non-toxic finger paints, and a Certificate of Authenticity affixed to the back of the frame with the child’s hand print signature.  There is no other complete kit like it available today.

“FingerPrints” is a wonderful gift for the busy career person, as completed gifts for moms, dads and grandparents, or as a birthday party gift, baby shower gifts and more.  Anyone with a child in his/her life will appreciate the convenience of an all inclusive, one stop shopping package, that turns family time into a keepsake that will last a lifetime.  Parents are always astonished once they see how a simple finger painting becomes a masterpiece when it’s put in our frame. Visit us at www.ColorGoRound.com ♥

Want to download this guide and take it shopping with you?

Download 2009 MBR Toys Craft & Activities Gift Guide

Kids have made the Kooky Klickers one of today’s hottest collectibles and now with some of the most popular licenses, Kookys are sure to be more popular than ever.  Check out Spongebob, Patrick, Sandy, and Plankton, Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy and even more Disney themed characters. There is even Star Wars and Marvel Comics characters being released! Each uniquely designed Kooky Klickers character pen features a name, birth order and numbered holographic sticker.  With hundreds of fun and innovative designs available, they are popular with kids of all ages.  Each Kooky Klickers pen is approximately six inches in length, and is topped with brightly colored stringy hair that bounces and springs when kids write.  Kooky Kollectibles can be found at retailers across the country such as Wal-Mart, 5 Below Wegmans, Costco, Bed Bath & Beyond and others.  Or find the entire line of Kooky Kollectibles at www.kookys.com – home of all things Kooky! ✔

We were sent a couple of Kooky Klickers, and my girls love them. They just about refuse to write unless they have their pen! They’re such a cute stocking stuffer idea for any kid!

While Cloud B products are geared toward younger children, Their Twilight Collection could be great for any child that fears the dark. Twilight Turtle, Twilight Ladybug, and Twilight Sea Turtle are plush toys that project stars onto bedroom walls and ceiling. The Twilight Collection items retail for $29.95-$37.95 Their Polar Cuddle Cub (made with soy fibers) provides gentle vibrations for a comforting touch; it could also be great for older kids. Polar Cuddle Cub retails for $27.95-29.95. Lavender Lab has also been very popular amongst young girls to young adults. Squeezing the head and body of Lavender Lab release a soothing lavender scent. It retails for $19.95-21.95.

To view their entire product line, please visit www.cloudb.com. ✔

We were sent their turtle to check out, and I think I had more fun with it than my girls did! I didn’t realize that they had actual constellations built into them! I thought it was just something pretty to look at! You can change the color between Amber, Blue and Green to fit their mood. These colors are specifically chosen based on their calming qualities.

Check out these affordable stocking stuffers from Audiovox – earBudeez – which are now available nationwide! EarBudeez come in a variety of fun colors and packaging, each reflective of the tween listeners’ sense of style. In time for the holidays, they’ve even created a limited-edition package shaped to look like Santa and his elves! EarBudeez are super-affordable and compatible with virtually every media device including Apple’s iPod and iPhone. They can be purchased at Toys R’ Us.

For slightly older listeners, our HeadShox earbuds offer a contoured design, changeable eartips and packaging that mimics popular energy drinks. Check out both products here

You’re bound to get major brownie points for giving this cute, Organic Skin Care Kit from Good For You Girls.

The kit contains everything a girl needs to start a healthy skin care routine including 100% natural Gel Cleanser, Refreshing Toner and Oil Free Moisturizer. Pair in a gift bag with a fun, organic cotton headband and cotton balls and you have a winning gift!

It’s the Totally Tween, Totally Green skin care she wants with the safe ingredients Moms approve.

Created with only the purest, natural and organic ingredients that are effective and safe for young skin, all Good For You Girls products are free from parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, synthetics, phthalates, dyes and irritants. And they are vegan-approved and cruelty free.

Best of all, you can give safe, beautiful skin care to your savvy green girl for under $25.00!

A member of The Natural Products Association and a compact signer with The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Good For You Girls is the first premium line of 100% natural skin care that addresses the unique skin care needs of tweens age 9 to 15.

To learn more about our all natural skin care for tweens, please visit www.GoodForYouGirls.com or call 860-489-9912. It’s available on the site and at select stores.

Another cute bath and body set is this Magical Beauty Collection from Carol’s Daughter, a line that was created with Disney to celebrate the first African American Princess, featured in “The Princess and the Frog”.  The line features four bath and body products, and the Holiday kit features three, in an adorable pouch.  I’ve attached an image and additional info here.  This set is available on www.carolsdaughter.com and at select Macy’s stores.

For a fun addition to any child’s room, check out ArtScape! It’s a non adhesive window film including 4 Disney images. They are colorful, easy to apply (to smooth glass and Plexiglas) and remove- as your requirements change, and have UV protection.

They can be purchased on line at homedepot.com as well as several other online sites.

We have partnered with Boston Children’s Hospital to provide some Disney cheer to many of their visiting patients. Since it is non adhesive, they can take the product home with them.

Disney image link: http://www.artscape-inc.com/disney.php ✔

We were sent two of their window clings, and absolutely love them! They add a little bit of privacy to the girls’ room, so people can’t see in, while adding a cute picture and a neat glow to the room! It’s non-adhesive so it’s great for people who rent! It’s artwork you can take with you!

Do you have kids that love to play soccer? Check out Cleatskins!

For the kids: Perfect for young athletes active in soccer, baseball, softball, football and other cleated sports

Cleatskins (SRP $24.95) is a hot new accessory that turns cleats into street shoes so kids can easily step off the playing field and into the next activity. Cleatskins significantly extend the life of cleats by protecting studs from wear and tear, saving time and money for busy families.  The unique SKINTEK rubber material also creates a sealed barrier to keep dirt and grass out of home and car, and keeps kids safe from slips and falls by improving mobility and safety on asphalt and concrete surfaces.

Cleatskins have become a fashion statement on and off the field, allowing kids to show their team spirit by coming in an array of stylish colors to match any shoe, team uniform or outfit. At under $30 on www.cleatskins.com, they’re a budget-friendly option as well!

For Dad: Cleatskins also makes a product that dads love. The question comes up every year around the holidays. “What do you get for the golfer who has everything?” The perfect holiday gift for the golfer who appreciates style on and off the course but has every club, bag and shoe on the market, Cleatskins Golf (SRP $29.95) is an innovative new product that instantly converts golf shoes into street shoes so nothing stands in the way of the course and the “19^th Hole.”

To give you a little more background, Cleatskins unique rubber shell cups the bottom of golf shoes extending the life of spikes, improving mobility and safety on asphalt, concrete and other hard surfaces, and providing a sealed barrier to keep dirt and grass out of the home, car and clubhouse. Golfers love the convenience of not having to bring two pairs of shoes to the course or change shoes in the car, and save money by not having to replace expensive spikes. Moms love that they protect floors from scuffs and carpet from grass and mud stains.

Cleatskins were created by a mom to eliminate wear and tear in her home, protect her kids from slips and falls, and to save money by eliminating the need to constantly replace expensive cleats. Cleatskins are the perfect holiday gifts, and at under $30 on the Cleatskins Web site, they’re a budget-friendly option as well! ♥

Nap Pack-  The most popular item in the the Crafty Baby line, our nap pack / nap mat is perfect for your growing 2-7 year old who may have a nap / rest time at preschool, kindergarten, day care, etc. Durable, warm & cozy Fleece is used for this blanket with attached pillow. The blanket is approximately 48 inches long, with a rectangular 11″ x 16″ pillow attached to the top. Intentionally designed to fit on a standard preschool cot, kindermat or carpet, our Nap Pack is not bulky and fits snuggly into a cubby or hangs on a hook. When rest time is over, the child simply rolls up his/her nap mat, velcros the securely attached straps, grabs the handle and he/she is off! Children from age 3 can easily be self sufficient with this blanket. Kids will ask you when their next rest time is! As always machine wash & dry.

The item is available from my web-site – www.craftybaby.com/napmat.html – for $39.99.  It is also available in Magic Cabin and Femail Creations Catalogs and specialty retailers across the country.

If you have a little one that hasn’t lost his or her first tooth yet, then this is a super cute idea! Tooth Fairy Tales Gift Pack   http://toothcity.com/toothfairygiftpack.htm

This is the ultimate Tooth Fairy Survival Kit!

The Bonus Gift Pack includes:

-1 Tooth Fairy Tales CD – Answer questions about the Tooth Fairy and

promote dental hygiene with the wonderful dramatized adventures in the Tooth Fairy Tales CD. The CD is also great to put under the pillow.

It has 4 dramatized adventures starring the Tooth Fairy who fights

villains like the Cavity Monster, Bad Breath, and saves Planet Enamel.

-1 My 1st Lost Tooth Picture Frame – Keep the memory alive of Tooth Fairy’s first visit and show off that memorable lost tooth moment with My 1st Lost Tooth Picture Frame.

-1 Happy-face Tooth Pouch

-10 Tooth Fairy Removable Stickers- reward your child or put on the dollar bill and create Tooth Fairy currency Price  - $27 Each item is also sold separately. You can see the products, etc. at toothcity.com ✔

We were sent a Tooth Fairy Gift Pack to review, and we’re still waiting on our girls to lose a tooth before we can really enjoy this item.. but.. I can’t wait to give it to them! It’s such a cute idea for any child who is close to losing their first tooth, or did recently! It’s a neat little keepsake that they can have as they grow older!

Kids love to play outside and mosquitoes love it too! Appreciating the great outdoors with the family doesn’t have to include harmful insect repellents. Environmentally friendly and safe mosquito barriers tags are now available to make it easier to appreciate the fresh air while outside.

New and environmentally friendly shoo!TAG™ not only protect kids and animals from pests, but also stem from the latest technology in bio-energetics. shoo!TAG™ are odor-free, silent and unobtrusive compact tags that can be hung on the collar of animals and from clothing or a necklace on humans.

Completely natural and safe, shoo!TAG™  disturbs the wearer’s external bio-energetic field with specific frequencies that are unpleasant to pests.  The tags which hang around the wearer’s neck, use the wearers’ energy field to extend the frequencies embedded in the magnetic strip creating a electrostatic field that insects do not like that is effective for up to four months.  Useful and economical, the waterproof tags work great for long days at the beach, camping trips, hiking excursions, or for summer nights with the family in the backyard.

Nationwide retailers are listed at http://www.shootag.com/ ✔

We were sent a pack of shoo!TAGs to review, but unfortunately, it’s been so cold here at night, I think all of our mosquitos have been hibernating… so we haven’t had a chance to really see if it works or not. In theory, it seems like a neat item, and it’s worth having around if you live in a warmer area… or just want to keep some for when it does get warmer! It’s worth checking out!

Want to print this out and take it shopping with you???

Print Just for Kids Holiday Gift Guide

If you’re looking for a great gift, that also helps the planet, consider some of these gifts!

2009 Mommy Brain Reports Eco Friendly Gift Guide

✔= Personally reviewed   ♥= Mom Owned Business

Contigo offers a full-line of spill-proof, leak-proof drinkware with an option for every member of the family, including kids. Contigo is the only spill-proof mug on the market due to their innovative AUTOSEAL technology.  Shake it, drop it, spin it, the drinkware will not spill or leak.  The double-wall, vacuum insulation in its stainless steel mug keeps liquids hot for four hours or cold for 12 hours.  Great for the on-the-go parent. Contigo’s sleek design fits car cup holders and has a suggested retail price of $19.99.  It can be purchased at Target, Sears, Meijer, QVC, Nordstrom, Shopko, True Value, Amazon.com, Target.com and www.gocontigo.com.

For the younger members of the family, there is a kids mug.  The 9-ounce capacity mug made from BPA-free, durable polypropylene and ABS for overall durability.  This 100 percent spill-proof mug is perfect for kids 4 years and older who are done with sippy cups but not done with spilling.   The suggested retail price is $7.99 and it can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, SuperValu, True Value, Shopko, Target.com, Amazon.com and www.gocontigo.com. ✔

Contigo sent us their travel mug and smaller cup to check out and I must say that they are really a no spill cup! My girls are not allowed any sort of liquid near a computer, but this makes me feel like being a little lenient on them. We have filled the cup, dropped it (from about table height) and really tried to put it to the test. It still doesn’t leak. I love that you have to push a button to get any liquid out. The coffee mug keeps my coffee pretty hot for a long time, and it keeps my cold water cold even longer. I had put some ice & water in the cup before I went to bed, and when I woke up the next morning, there was still ice in there. I was very surprised! Definitely a great idea for that person that takes coffee or water with them everywhere!

Arbor Day Specialty Coffee: Make a difference in the world just by drinking a cup of coffee from the Arbor Day Foundation. Every time someone drinks a cup of Arbor Day Specialty Coffee, a portion of the world’s rain forests is preserved as part of the Foundation’s Rain Forest Rescue program. Arbor Day Coffee’s organic coffee is shade-grown, which saves trees from clear-cutting practices that destroy the rain forests of the world. By growing coffee under the canopy of the rain forest, farmers can eliminate chemicals used in sun-grown coffee plantations. Since 1992, more than two billion square feet of the world’s rain forests have been preserved through the Rain Forest Rescue program. A bag of Arbor Day Coffee costs $8.95.

Arbor Day Specialty Coffee is available http://www.arborday.org/shopping/coffee/index.cfm.

ChicoBag™ reusable bags are designed to help humanity kick the single-use bag habit. The new collections include a fashion line manufactured from recycled water bottles—perfect for eco-conscious holiday gifts.

All of the bags range in price from $5 – 20 and stuff down into a small integrated pouch and include carabineers, meaning that the bags can be easily tossed into a purse or glove box or clipped onto anything. They are available at hundreds of stores nationwide and online at www.chicobag.com.

BRUGO: How many times have you stopped by your favorite coffee shop on the way to work, only to try to drink your coffee while you’re driving and just about burn your mouth? Next time, try taking in your own coffee cup! BRUGO (brugomug.com) is patented technology that allows coffee and tea enthusiasts to enjoy every sip of their hot beverage in the “Perfect Temperature Zone”, while eliminating the spills, spatters and burned lips that are a familiar part of the “to-go” coffee experience.

Fresh coffee is brewed at 205 degrees, but its vibrant flavors are most distinguishable and pleasing at around 150 to 170 degrees. By using a simple “tip and sip” motion, BRUGO^™ users transfer sip-sized amounts (one fluid ounce) of their hot beverage to the temperature control chamber, where it immediately reaches this Perfect Temperature Zone. Only the liquid in the chamber is cooled and only this liquid exits the sip opening. This inventive system eliminates the need for coffee drinkers to blow on their beverage, add ice to it, or wait for it to cool.

The BRUGO^™ lid has three options: LOCK, TIP & COOL, and SIP. The LOCK setting seals the mug and is perfect for transporting the beverage without spilling. TIP & COOL gives the consumer the full benefits of the temperature control chamber. Once the beverage in the mug has cooled to a palatable temperature, users simply turn the dial to SIP and drink the beverage directly. www.brugomug.com ✔

BRUGO sent us one of their mugs to check out. I thought it was a very cool idea, as it does allow small amounts of liquid to cool off before drinking it, making it a great idea when you get something very hot. I used it on a drive, and it worked pretty well!

Idbids – iddy biddy steps for a greener world. Each one of our Eco-friendly Starter Kits is helping parents to teach young children about taking care of our Earth and comes with an online teaching component that tells about the important initiatives of our partner, The Nature Conservancy. The Idbids Starter Kit is a  fun, adventure-filled journey begins with this “go green” kit for kids! Includes: one handcrafted 100% organic Egyptian cotton 9” plush toy, organic cotton backpack, storybook, official Idbids Field Guide and reward program. All kit materials made from recycled and earth-friendly materials. Plus, go online and pick an animal friend whose habitat you’ll help protect through The Nature Conservancy. 50¢ of the purchase goes to The Nature Conservancy.

You can learn more about us by visiting www.idbids.com

Retail price, $29.99 available throughout U.S. and Canada in retail stores including REI in the U.S. this holiday season. See the store locator at www.idbids.com.

Project Earth H2O has created reusable water bottles that are BPA-free and made of stainless steel.  The company (www.projectearthh2o.com) was founded with the goal of eliminating single-use water bottles (many of which have been linked to a toxic, potential cancer-causing chemical called BPA).  Brian Denton realized something needed to be done in response to the nation’s insatiable thirst for bottled water.  The thought of some 38 billion single-use bottles ending up in landfills each year lead him to create a reusable stainless steel bottle that’s intended to last.  The bottles, which hold 27 ounces, come in four colors; blue (Ocean), silver (Air), green (Earth) and now pink (Get Pink).  They are sold online for $17.99 — that includes free S&H and a sport cap.

And…

$2 from every “Get Pink” bottle sold goes breast cancer research (this is a year-round effort).  $2 of every Ocean, Earth and Air bottle is also donated to non-profit environmental & humanitarian charities dedicated to making a difference. ✔

We were sent a water bottle, and what can I say? It’s a great thing to keep around! I’m always forgetting to drink water, so having a bright water bottle around that reminds me to drink water… and help the planet in the meanwhile.. is a good thing!

Readers who are looking for “green” and affordable stocking stuffers this holiday season can grab the new Vapur™ – the only affordably priced, reusable, flexible water bottle designed for on-the-go consumers.

Unlike traditional water bottles, Vapur is lightweight and flexible – it stands upright when full and can be rolled, folded or flattened when empty, conveniently fitting into pockets, purses, briefcases and packs – and makes a great stocking stuffer!  It also comes with a sturdy clip that can snap on to any bag, backpack or keychain.

Users will love its “squeezability,” bright colors (blue, pink and green) and portability.  Gift-givers will love its price – $8.95 for an individual bottle or $29.95 for a family pack.  Both are available on Vapur.us or Amazon.com.  Vapur is less than half the cost of most reusable water bottles, and offers even more savings for a family four pack.

Vapur is highly durable, dishwasher safe, freezeable and BPA-free (a toxic chemical found in many plastic containers that can leach into the container and be ingested by humans).

Additionally, the environmental benefit of using the Vapur is huge.  Reusable bottles help reduce the estimated 60 million  plastic water bottles that are disposed in  landfills each day in America alone, according to the Container Recycling Institute.  The Vapur bottle is manufactured in the U.S. and also ships flat thereby using far less space (and weight) to transport than either plastic or rigid water bottles, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint that is significantly less than other plastic bottles.

eco-ditty™ is the new eco-friendly way to get your sandwiches and snacks OUT of plastic bags and INTO 100% organic cotton. eco-ditty™ is a mom-owned company in Nederland, Colorado.

When you use an eco-ditty™ bag to carry your perishable and dry food items, you’re keeping a plastic sack out of the landfill and dangerous toxins like BPA and PVC out of your body. Just wash and use it again and again!

2 sizes are currently available:

snack-ditty – for snacks on the town or on the trail!

Perfect for dry goods like crackers and trail mix or perishables like apple slices and carrots.

measures 6 x 4 inches  Retail $8.99

wich-ditty – for sandwiches any way you like em! Great for wraps and snacks too.

measures 7.25 x 6 inches  Retail $11.99

All of our fabrics are made of 100% organic cotton and printed with low-impact inks and dyes. eco-ditty™ bags have a colorful pattern outside and un-dyed organic cotton liners. Unique hook and loop closure allows you to vary the size of your bag. Wash them by hand, in the washing machine or even the dishwasher!

Made in Colorado using domestic and imported 100% organic cotton.

www.ecoditty.com

I’m not above showing off some undies… especially when it helps the planet! Check out PACT Apparel underwear!

Each underwear print is connected to one of PACT’s three, inaugural nonprofit partners, Oceana, ForestEthics and 826 National, and 10 percent of the sale price goes to back to these organizations to support their work. Every part of PACT’s manufacturing process is socially and environmentally sustainable and certified at the highest possible levels. PACT’s company motto is change starts with your underwear. You can also go to our website, http://www.wearpact.com to learn more about PACT and our nonprofit partners.

Here just a little information about each cause: Oceana is the largest organization focused on ocean conservation, ForestEthics has protected over 65 million acres of endangered forests, and 826 National is a nonprofit tutoring, writing, and publishing organization with locations in seven cities across the country. Attached are some pictures of the underwear which come in both the pattern and solid style for each design. The underwear can be purchased on the PACT Web site and range in price from between $18 and $25.

Eco Totes: The Eco Totes are a perfect way for Moms or Dads to go green and eliminate plastic waste while staying organized and not adding any more clutter to the home. The Eco Tote is one of the strongest and most durable reusable bags on the market and it’s still capable of packing down small enough to fit on a key chain so you have it with you when you need it most. Many people these days are collecting reusable bags and they’re just ending up in the same place as the plastic bags, under the sink or in a closet.  The ability to keep the bags with you in your purse, pocket or car is enabling people everywhere to be environmentally conscious and

ecototes continued..

prepared.  Eco Tote bags are not just for shopping, they can be used as a gym bag, for kids to take their lunch to school, for traveling or anything you’d use a tote for. When not in use just pack them down into the attached pouch and they hardly take up any space at all. The perfect stocking stuffer (or use them as the stocking!), they’re available in 3 different sizes ($7-$12) and a wide assortment of colors.

Goody Green Bag! Goody Green Bags are eco-trendy reusable bags designed for the style conscious & environmentally friendly shopper. Goody Green Bags are perfect for those seeking functional, fun and affordable “green” products.

Why we’re different….

-Functional and stylish alternative to paper or plastic bags

-Trendy patterns make it fresh and fun to save our planet

-Easily fold down to the size of an envelope for handy use

-Affordable price makes it easy to balance being green while staying stylish

Goody Green Bags are perfect for browsing the farmers market, trips to the grocery store, mall shopping, picking up take out, and toting baby supplies! They easily fold up and can be stored in your glove compartment, purse or pocket for easy access. The compact size is perfect for travel and our bags fold out to a full size tote ideal for a gym bag, beach bag or souvenir carry-on for your trip home. Goody Green Bags make a great eco-friendly gift for moms, hostesses, new parents and trend setting friends and family members!

Our bags come in 2 sizes & 11 fabulous patterns so there’s a style for everyone! Goody Green Bags are $8.95-$9.95 each and are sold online at www.goodygreenbag.com. Our bags were selected as the official celebrity gift bag for the 2008 American Music Awards, Obama’s Celebrity & VIP Inauguration party, the 2009 Grammy “MusiCares” pre-party, and the 2009 Oscars pre-party. ✔

We were sent a Goody Green Bag to check out. I like how convenient they are as far as folding down very small, and having plenty of room to pack in the groceries. It seems like something I can keep in the glove box of my car, or even my purse! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to use it just yet. It arrived with a small hole in the bottom where stitching was missed. Not a big deal. I’m going to run it through my sewing machine when I get a chance. No I did not mention it to the company because it’s something I can fix myself. They were generous enough to send one out to me. :)

Designed to eliminate the tons of plastic waste that end up in our landfills and oceans due to single-use plastic and biodegradable cutlery, To-Go Ware’s RePEaT utensils and utensil holders are a healthy, non-toxic, environmentally-friendly alternative for life on-the-go, to be used year after year. The utensils are made of sustainable, durable and non-toxic bamboo. The holders give plastic bottles a second shot at a useful life – and an opportunity to stay out of landfills and oceans. Made out of RPET (recycled PET plastic), they are called “RePEaT” because they let plastic reincarnate into something kinder and gentler. A handy carabiner on the back allows them to be easily carried everywhere, clipped to a diaper bag, laptop bag, briefcase, purse, belt-loop or backpack. Retails for $22.95-$24.99.

To-Go Ware stainless steel food carriers (tiffins) also make eating on the go a healthier, hip, convenient choice. BPA-free, non-leaching, durable and lightweight container, they are easy to carry and clean. Great for both cold or hot foods. The self-latching top container lets you use it solo or as a full system! Each tiffin comes with a small sidekick inside for toting dressings or sauces. Multiple units keep foods separate until ready to eat, perfect for picky eaters. To-Go Ware tiffins come in three styles, 2 tier, 3 tier or Classic. Retails for $11.95.

A Window of Time is a beautiful, eco-friendly, perpetual calendar designed to replace the annually-purchased paper calendar.  A Window of Time clings to any number of surfaces including windows, refrigerators and mirrors.  At $12.99, it is inexpensive enough to give as a fun hostess gift, a thoughtful holiday present for your child’s favorite teacher, or a novel stocking stuffer.  Use with dry erase markers and clean with a soft cloth, and it will last for years.  A photo and more information is below.  A Window of Time can be purchased on the web at www.awindowoftime.net.

While you’re wrapping up all of your Christmas gifts this year, consider Ecorations! Ecorations is all about chic and eco-friendly gift giving.  We offer unique, affordable fabric gift wraps and bags.   Our gift sacks, apparel box wraps, gift pouches, gift totes and wine bags sport original designs and come in 10 fabric combinations.  Most of our gift bags are reversible, making it easy to use and re-use them for various occasions throughout the year!  Of our entire line of wraps and bags, we think that our best selling 2009 feature product, the Santa Sack, would make a great holiday gift idea to be included in your guide.  Here’s why…

Crumbled up paper wrapping & smashed up bows be gone!  This festive and durable Santa Sack is made of 100% organic cotton.   Perfect for toting around holiday gifts or monogrammed and propped beneath the tree to be filled with gift s on Christmas Eve.  The Santa Sack is great for moms looking to save time, money and the environment. No more individually wrapped gifts under the tree, each child in the family can have their very own Santa Sack waiting for them every Christmas morning!  Children are sure to be delighted to know that Santa has filled up their very own sack with their Christmas wish list.  They’re sure to love digging into their sack and pulling out gift after gift.   This holiday season; spend more time having fun with the kids and less time stressing over wrapping gifts.

Ecorations Santa Sack retails for just $18.50 (monogramming $12.00) and can be purchased at our site.

Want to print this out and take it shopping with you?

Print: Eco Friendly Holiday Gift Guide