Top Gifts for Girls

This year there are so many awesome gift options that the hardest part of making Christmas wishes come true is deciding on what to buy! I have been busy as one of Santa's elves testing out some of the hottest toys and I have found some super fun ones! I am so excited to present these fun toys to you in my top picks for girls gift guide!

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1) LeapFrog Epic Academy Edition Kids Tablet
This was my top pick for Harper this year because she really wants to use my ipad all of the time, but I worry about some of the things she wants to watch and play. The ads that pop up on so many of the games. This tablet is completely perfect for her, right out of the box. It has 20 learning games installed for family friendly entertainment, it also has a free trial of Leapfrog academy included. This offers kids a great chance to learn a variety of subjects anywhere they may go. The search feature is super safe, which I love. I no longer have to worry about my 4 year old landing on inappropriate youtube videos!

Retailing for under $120, this is a tablet that will grow with Harper. Ideal for ages 3 to 9, this is a colorful and durable tablet for kids that helps them learn and play all in one. A great feature is that as your child is ready to explore new android apps, you can add them to this tablet. That was a deciding factor for me as it will allow her to use the tablet with some of the other toys she will receive on Christmas morning!

2) Dance Code Belle
This is such a fun way to introduce your daughters to coding! They can create dances for Belle, and she will show them her moves! Control her from the app, press her necklace, or hold her hand for different ways to play with Dance Code Belle.

Coding seems like it would be hard, but girls as young as 5 can get in on the action by drawing the steps out, or a simple dot to dot style of coding. This is a great way to introduce a concept that may play a big role in her later life through an irresistible option!

Retailing for under $100 you can find this gorgeous Belle doll exclusively on Amazon this holiday season.

3) Baby Alive Sweet Tears Baby Doll
If your little girl loves babies this is the ultimate doll for her! Not only is it really adorable, but it also gives kids hands on tasks to make baby happy and smiling again! Your little one can play caregiver to a very interactive doll that smiles, giggles and even cries real tears!

The Sweet Tears Baby Alive comes with so much more than just a doll! She comes with everything you need to nurse her back to health when she is ill, feed her a snack, or brush her hair. One of my favorite features is that this doll isn't just for little girls. With a simple flip of a switch you can take your interactive doll from mommy to daddy mode for fun for little boys. Sweet Tears Baby Alive can make 35 phrases and sounds as an added bonus!

Retailing for under $50 this is a super fun gift option for little ones that love dolls!

4)  Play Doh Letters and Language Set
This is such a fun way to combine play and learning! The set has 26 letter stamps, 6 cans of play doh, a stylus, a roller, a mat  and a guide book for a complete letter learning experience.

One of the reasons we love play doh is it is such a wonderful tool for fine motor skill development. Harp has been playing with the classic dough since she was about a year old, and has developed so many crucial skills for life with the squishy dough in her hands, including using scissors. As we are learning all about the alphabet and making a lot effort on letter recognition in her preschool years this is a set that will bring her so much more than fun on Christmas day. It will help her build on a solid foundation of early learning with a favorite play time staple.

Retailing for under $20 this is a gift I recommend to anyone shopping for an early learner!

5) Go Go Smart Friends Shimmering Seashell Castle
This fun playset is perfect for little ones that like mermaids! The sandcastle features 3 points that when Pearl the mermaid is placed will produce fun sounds and phrases. The set includes friends for Pearl the mermaid to make playtime an epic underwater adventure.

Retailing at under $40 this is a great V tech toy for dramatic play and discovery. I love dramatic play tools for Harp so this was a natural choice. She will play with this in so many ways and I know she will introduce Pearl and the underwater friends to a lot of other toys.

This set features so much more than just a cute house. There is a vanity, a slide, a carrousel and so many more fun features to make this an exciting choice for little ones!

6) Hape Toys City Cafe Play Kitchen
This is a seriously adorable little kitchen. I love that it is wooden, because it looks so much more realistic than the heavy plastic varieties. It is compact enough for small space play, but in that tiny space it packs a lot of fun!

Featuring everything your little one needs to cook up a great time, the City Cafe Play Kitchen is one of my favorite gift ideas this year. As I mentioned above, I love to encourage dramatic play in my preschooler. With something as simple as a cute little kitchen, she can learn in so many ways!

This was a great option to pair with our Hape toys play food that we have been collecting over the years. Retailing for under $100, this is a gift that will bring years of learning through play.

7) Hape Toys Mighty Echo Microphone
This was another great choice for dramatic play. My kids have always wanted to get their hands on a microphone and with this choice it is possible without damaging eardrums or sanity levels.

This microphone has amazingly good sound quality for a battery free toy! I think it is a fun way to encourage kids to sing and again, engage in dramatic play. This makes a great gift for kids 12 months and up.

This would make a great stocking stuffer or gift exchange option as well.

8) Voice Activated BB8 
If your little girl looks up to Rey, then the natural choice is the Voice Activated BB8 from Hammacher Schlemmer. This is such a fun toy! Standing at about 19" tall this cute little robot is ready for adventure! The Star Wars character can be controlled using an included 40' range remote or set to an interactive mode that responds to voice commands such as “Come here”, “Where’s Rey?”, and “Stand guard!” Complete with lights and sounds from the BB8 we all know and love, this is a one of a kind toy that will make Christmas dreams come true as she sets out on an adventure with her new interactive friend. Retailing at under $230 this is the perfect gift for Star Wars fan girls of all ages. Not only is the BB8 droid adorable but he is so interactive! his moods are funtastic and the sounds are completely realistic. Also, check out kids advent calendars on Kidsco for more inspiration for various toys.

I would love to hear what your favorite gift options for girls are this year!

Design Your Own Play Doh Ornaments

Kids of all ages are sure to love this Design Your Own Play Doh Ornaments project. It is perfect for holiday crafting and turns out so cute everyone will love to display these!

I am crazy for all things play doh, so naturally I had to make something for Christmas from my favorite craft material. These ornaments are so easy! They will have you saying, who knew you could not only draw on play doh but you can bake it too?!

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These easy ornaments give kids a chance to design their own addition to the Christmas tree! Made with basic supplies this is the perfect project to do with the kids for minimal mess this holiday. 

You can make your own white play doh, like in my super soft play dough recipe, just leave the food color out, or to make this activity really easy during a generally already packed holiday season, just buy cans of white play doh.

To make these design your own play doh ornaments you will need
Supplies
white play doh
washable markers
cookie cutters
bakers twine
A pen or stick to poke a hole with

Directions

Roll the play doh out to be about 1/8" thick.

With your cookie cutter of choice cut shapes of doh.

Poke a hole in each ornament so that it can be hung after completion. I used an ink pen to make my holes.

Use washable markers to draw on the designs.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Allow to cool.

Thread bakers twine through the hole and display on your tree.

Find all of my Christmas crafts here
Reader favorites include:
Button Tree Ornaments
Mickey Mouse Jingle Bell Ornaments

Gift Ideas for Pets and Pet People

Don't forget about the pets this holiday season! Don't get caught without a gift for your furry little best friend this year! Get a gift that is good for your pet and keep them at their best, all season long! I hope these gift suggestions help you to have a fuss free shopping experience. I included a few gift options for pet people too! You know we all have a crazy cat or dog lady in the family!

Samples were provided for original photos.

For more pet gift ideas check out this Ultimate Gift Guide for Pet Lovers

Probiora Pet makes a must have product for anyone that loves a pet with smelly breath. I love my pets, but let me tell you, my beagle dog has some dank breath! Probiora Pet Oral Care Supplements really help make his breath smell nicer and are easy to give without a fuss. Order online for $18 or save with a subscription.

Portland Pet makes pouches of food and treats that my dogs went wild for. Scout loved the Bacon Brew Biscuits while Enos was all about the Pumpkin biscuits.  This is a really good quality of food for dogs. Order online for happy pooches. Biscuit treats are about $10 a bag.

We can't forget about the cats this year, so why not order a box of Skoon cat litter and give the kitties some really good litter, and the box it came in as a bonus, because we all know that is what they want anyhow. A really good box. Skoon is light but absorbent and really keeps odors at bay. Get it for about $25 a delivery.

 

My best furry friend Scout is a rescue, and that is some kind of dog magic! I love to encourage other people to rescue, so this is the perfect shirt for holiday gifting. The rescue dog will love to see you display your paw, and you can spread the word about adopting! Get this shirt, or a really cute breed specific, non rescue shirt from Fur and Collar for about $20.

What could be better for a dog loving person at the holidays than a Designated Dog shirt? These comfy shirts feature too cute driving dogs. Each purchase helps dog organizations too! So this makes for an all around feel good gift. Order online where you can get a hat and tshirt bundle for $25.

Native Pet makes supplements that are great for dogs, like this Pumpkin Powder for healthy stool. I know it doesn't sound super holiday-ish, but when the dog feels good, you can feel good too! Order online for about $20 a can.

Native Pet also makes treats, and let me tell you, both of my dogs will drop everything for a Yak Chew. These are long lasting, even for my serious chewers. Get these for about $15 for 3 treats. Your dogs will love them!

Keep your dogs breath fresh and the teeth clean with this handy Natural Dog Treats dental care set for dogs. It has a brush, brush cleaner and some meat flavored toothpaste that my dogs liked! Order it for about $25 a set for healthy teeth and fresh breath.

Top the dogs food with some healthy and tasty bone broth. Brutus bone broth is perfect for senior dogs as it gives hip and joint support. The treats are a big hit with my boys too. Both the broth and the treats start at $8. 

 

Give a pet person peace of mind about pets on the furniture with the Alpha Pet Flex Couch Cover. This is soft, easy to clean and keeps furniture free of scratches and damage from nails. Get it from amazon for about $60.

Homes with cats will love this DIY Cat Toy kit from Supakit. You can make some adorable catnip infused toys that kitties of all ages will want to play around with. This is a must get kit for the holidays. Order it for about $25.

I hope these suggestions help you find a tail wagging gift for your pets this holiday season.

While you are here, why not check out my Christmas crafts?

Gifts for Pets

Fido wants a great gift this year too. If you aren't sure what to get your furry friend this Christmas, I have found some gifts that are sure to make tails wag or motors run at full speed.  My cats and dogs totally approve of each item on this list.

Samples were provided for original photography. Affiliate links may be used.

Winter means it is dark before dinner time, but the dogs still need their nightly walks, and that can be dangerous! Keep yourself and your pets safe this year with a Headlight Harness and a reflective leash. These are awesome because they make you and your dog visible to traffic and it makes the walk a little safer as you can see your obstacles like ice and snow a little easier. Order online for about $60 and you can have these personalized too!

Sierra has some awesome dog toys this season! Make sure you check out their site, or look for some of their offerings in stores like TJ Maxx. We found a great assortment for our dogs that I know will have their tails wagging on Christmas morning! From treats, to toys and even stockings! I love that they had awesome pet gifts as low as about $8, and you can find so many great things from the Sierra site for the whole family!

If your pet likes to go on all of your errands and adventures, the Poco Pet lightweight carrier makes a great gift. Retailing at under $30, this little pouch folds up into a portable package. You can easily carry your small dog anywhere you want to go. Get it online.

The Bully Buddy from Bow Wow Labs is a great gift option for dogs who love to chew. This toy holds a bully stick in place to prevent choking and prolong the chew. Get a kit that is sized to suit your dog for under $40 from Bow Wow Labs.

If your dog has anxieties, cornbread hemp cbd is perfect for gifting this holiday season. This easy to give supplement is also great for hips and joint for a healthy and happy dog. Get it online for $35. My dogs are crazy about the corn dog flavor and how mellow it makes them feel, even when the kids would normally have them nervous.

Add a special touch to the mantle this year by giving your pet a stocking that looks like him.
My family is crazy about these adorable beagle stockings from Hearth Hounds. We love that they had a beagle hound for us. My beagle is gloating that he is more popular than his Mountain Cur sibling. They have a ton of breeds available, so make sure you order one from the website or Etsy. They retail for about $35.

Gerard Larriett makes an assortment of really nice smelling soy candles that pets and pet owners will appreciate. These are long lasting, pleasant smelling and help keep odors at bay while adding relaxing fragrances to the ambiance of the room. Order from Amazon or the Gerard Larriett website for about $14.

Saddlebox is the ideal subscription box for horse owners. Get a monthly assortment of goodies for your horse shipped right to your door. Includes treats, tools and things to make any horse super happy. Plus your purchase helps horses in need. Order online from Saddlebox.

K9 Cologne is a must have for pets this holiday season. They have some really great fragrances like this rich tobacco to keep your pooch smelling excellent this holiday season. I love this to keep the dog smell at bay after a snowy walk with Scout. Get it on Etsy for about $25 a bottle.

Huan makes keeping tabs on your pup easier. They have an assortment of covers for the Huan dog tag, which is super affordable. Get your tag and sleeve starting around $3 a month online at the Huan website.

Keep tabs on your four legged friends this holiday with the Wag! Tag. These are awesome and affordable gift ideas. Right now you can get a standard tag for FREE or an annual plan for about $50. Order online for the holidays.

Who says you only need to gift Fido once this holiday? Pure Earth Pets is one of my favorite gift ideas for pet people this year because it keeps the gifting going month to month with delicious treats and fun toys. Order online  from Pure Earth Pets with prices starting at $34.

A great leather leash is a must have for your pup this holiday. Get this very stylish option with a matching collar from Pediped this Christmas for future walks in style. Leashes start at $20 and collars are around $15. Order online at the Pediped website.

This foldable pet carrier has a unique design and makes taking your small dog or cat along for the holidays super simple. Get it from amazon for stress free travels.

If you have a senior dog on your shopping list, I highly recommend adding a carton of Bone Broth and a bag of bone broth treats from Brutus Broth. This is sure to be a hit with your pet, it softens food and adds a flavor dogs can't resist. Get a 2 pack of bone broth for about $20. Get it online.

If you have a dog, you know that a walk is the best thing ever for any dog. The sounds, the fresh air, and the smells! Oh those wonderful smells that entice the nose! Plus, a favorite human at the other end of the leash, let me tell you, on behalf of dogs everywhere, a walk is all their is! Give your walking buddy a little extra comfort this winter with a down filled dog coat. Scout, my bestie, highly recommend this one from Free Country for about $45.

Gifts for Foodies

Foodies can be so much fun to shop for! They usually love to try new things and are adventurous in the kitchen, so going off the beaten path of gift giving can result in a whole lot of delicious fun!

If you are looking for a tasty gift idea for a food lover in your life, check out some of these ideas. I found gift ideas for every budget and every taste bud. From crickets, which are a yummy and sustainable protein source, to imported olives, this list has something for everyone on it! 

Click thru the links of my partners, who were kind enough to send samples for inclusion, and order these foodie favorites!

Roasted Crickets are awesome in a gift basket, or just make an unforgettable holiday goodie to share with an adventurous eater in your life. Gym N Eat Crickets has so many flavors to choose from, and these really are good. I tossed my kids a bag and they ATE THEM ALL, and asked for more!  Get a 12 pack of assorted flavors for $36.

Give the gift of the juiciest poultry ever with the Topsy Turkey. This is a must have kitchen gadget for anyone who likes turkey and chicken at home because it allows for the perfect bird every time with internal basting! Get this for under $22.

Give the gift of the best snack assortment with this 24 pack retro tin from Herr's. It has a great assortment of chips in a collection of favorite flavors that will satisfy the snacker in your life. Order online for $24 this holiday season.  

What could be better than a bunch of little bags of chips for a foodie? Maybe only one thing; if they came in an adorable and awesome little chip delivery truck! This 42 count variety pack truck is perfect for gifting, and you can pick the chip mix too! Get this from Herr's online for $26. It will definitely deliver smiles this holiday season.

Give a foodie a portable snack that packs a protein filled punch with People's Choice Beef Jerky. This is a really great brand of jerky that has a lot of flavor and has a long history of making jerky that people crave! Order a mild jerky box for a meat lover in your life for $24.

Spices are always a good idea for foodies and this collection from The Spice Lab is perfect for gifting! It has 4 blends that complement so many dishes! For an added bonus add a bottle of  Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning to your online cart because you deserve a treat too! They also have drink mixers, sugars and more for all of your foodie gifting needs.

If your favorite foodie also likes wine, then they need a pair of these sassy socks from Lavley. They have a bunch of cute phrases printed on the socks for a gift that is useful and fun! Order online for about $10 a pair.

Give the gift of poetry, art and food references with these brilliant poems for the kitchen from  Good Grub Love. The Avocado Amor Poem is one of my favorite foodie gifts for 2020. Retailing at about $33 it is quirky and will be a classic in the kitchen, to never go out of style. 

Nunbelievable makes some of the most unbelievably good cookies. These are bif, fat, decadent cookies, that you can feel good about eating because when you buy one, you are sharing a cookie with someone in need. So cross off a gift on your list, and gift a foodie a feel good, saving the world one cookie at a time, cookie. Prices start around $18.

Foodies love pork rinds because they are low carb, which is essentially guilt free snacking! Southern Recipe Small Batch Pork Rinds are awesome and have so much flavor. From chili cheese, to classic salt, and hold your hats, apple cinnamon! Order a few a bags for a one of a kind low carb snack to share. 

McCrea's Caramels make for a sweet gift idea for any foodie! They have flavors like single malt scotch, which will be a hit with the guys on your list, and a nothing short of dreamy vanilla caramel too! Prices start at about $5 for pillow packs of gourmet caramels.

If you want to send something healthier, and elegant, the choice is clearly Laumiere gourmet fruits. With fine fruits like dates, apricots and figs, the super fruit collection will wow the foodie in your life with natural goodness. Order online starting at about $35 a square box.

Every foodie needs a great chefs knife. The Kuma Knife provides a perfect cut right out of the box. This knife retails at about $100 and will be a  gift that foodies use and love for years to come. It is a must have for the kitchen.

Steeped Coffee Bags make for an awesome gift idea. These handy bags are like a tea bag, but they make one impressive cup of coffee. Foodies will love to have these in the office, or in the pantry for a cup of coffee whenever they need one. Order specialty coffee in a single use bag for about $15.

If you are looking for a cracker that isn't just a cracker; grab an assortment of Brewer's Crackers. Made with upcycled spent grains, these are a delicious and unique cracker that will be a welcome addition to gift baskets and cheese platters alike. Order online for about $5 a bag.

Gift wellness with a great cup of tea this year. Tea can be enjoyed long after the holiday has passed and Steep & Sip has a great assortment that is sure to please. With such an assortment to browse, I know you will find a great tea for everyone on your list. Prices start at about $3.

Stuff a foodies stocking with healthy, all natural fruit snacks. Chum fruit bites are good and super healthy for on the go, guilt free snacking. They have several fruity flavors like Mango,Strawberry and Peach Bites. Get a 12 pack for about $10.

Give a favorite foodie a cookbook and you will be feeding their kitchen skills for life. This one, Wine Country Table is a great gift because it also explores all of the flavors of California wine country. Order this cookbook that celebrates sustainable harvest food for about $45.

Christmas and Cookies go together like any classic combination. Lucky for any foodie, cookies are as close as the nearest bag of Thinsters, and you won't need to bake them every time you have a craving for a holiday treat. Check out the seasonal flavors and get an extra bag to keep Santa happy this year.

On the go foodies will appreciate a practical gift like Bamboo flatware by Emerging Green. This is a long lasting, eco friendly way to eat on the go without adding plastic to a landfill.  Get a 12 pack for about $18. 

Simple Goodness Sisters Syrups are an awesome gift idea because these are perfect for cocktails or homemade sodas. Made with fresh from the garden ingredients, this is something any foodie will appreciate having in the kitchen. Order a few bottles for about $20 a bottle.

Maya's Cookies are the perfect gift for anyone! They are vegan, and totally gourmet. You will love the texture and the taste, even if you aren't vegan! Order these online for someone sweet, but get yourself a few too. You will thank me later! Prices start at about $24 and they have a lot of wonderful flavors!

This year, if you can't share your own home baked goodies with your loved ones, why not send them a coffee cake sampler from Dorothy Lane Market?  Made with local, fresh ingredients, these are simply the best in coffee cakes. They make for a great gift idea! Order 3 cakes for $57 online.

Send your love and a little sass to your favorite foodie with a 12" cookie cake from Eat Me Cookie Cakes. You give them the message and they will write it on a tasty cookie cake and ship it your foodies door. Prices start at about $30.

Foodies like to have a little fun too,and the Original Taco Cat will bring so much fun to the table! Get this cute taco holding cat for about $15 and make keep the mess at bay on Taco Tuesday!

Coca Cola lovers will delight in this one of a kind jelly, made with peppers and real Coca Cola syrup. Foodies will have fun trying Cola Pepper Jelly on a variety of foods. Order online starting at $20.

With the current state of the world, there will be less mingling, and more mailing of gifts than ever before.  If the pandemic is keeping you from your loved ones, send them a smile and an unforgettable cookie from Contessa the Bakery. It is hard to woo me with a cookie; my mom is a long time baker, and I have tried them all. But, these holiday cookies were something special. They are gorgeous for one, and they were really delicious and *almost* too pretty to eat! Order starting at $79 this holiday season.

Give a steak loving foodie some quality steak knives and forks with the Porterhouse Steak Set from Tramontina. This heavy duty set is made to last, is dish washer safe, and best of all costs under $30. Find it on Amazon, and at a variety of retailers like Walmart, Kohls and more.

Bring the flavor of Sicily to your favorite foodie with the Bono line of olive oil, marmalade, olives and more. This is a perfect gift for someone who would love to explore the flavors of Sicily, but is stuck at home this year. Order from Amazon or Vitacost.

Give a gift that is tasty and unique with Vegky Shiitake Mushroom Jerky. Available in several delectable flavors, this is a delightfully chewy way to get your protein at snack time. Get a 3 pack for about $20.

If you are shopping for a chocolate lover, these Lekkco chocolate spreads are the bomb. They are available in 4 flavors that are so good, and are for more than spreading on bread. Make hot cocoa with them, or make no bakes pop. Order online where a 4 pack of this Belgian goodness will cost $32.

Table Mountain Farm makes an incredible line of Goat Milk Caramels that will tickle the taste buds of any foodie. This caramel is made with simple ingredients to create a luscious, buttery caramel that is perfect for dipping or topping! Order online for $10 a delicious jar.

If your favorite foodie likes pretzels, then send them Eastern Standard Provisions Pretzels for a happy holiday! These are soft and wonderful bites of pretzel heaven that anyone will love to get, especially if you can't be together in person this year.  They have a good assortment of styles and prices start at about $13.

If you want to add a good gluten free goodie to a gift basket or holiday spread, all foodies are sure to dig these Fit Joy Pretzels. They have a lot of flavor without the gluten. Prices start at $4 a bag.

Tea is the ultimate winter beverage so why not gift a favorite foodie an assortment of tea from Rare Brew? They make some damn fine teas that will hit the spot all winter long. Find the perfect blend online.

Bring the bakery goodies home with this selection of bake at home goodies from Porto's Bakery. From sweet cheese rolls to chocolate chip cookies, there are so many tasty choices to order and bake at home for your holiday festivities!

This trio of seasonings from Heifer International makes a great gift for foodies because it will spice things up in the kitchen long after the holiday has ended. Featuring Parisian Pastry seasoning Garam Marsala and a delightful espresso seasoning, this has such an assortment of flavors that anyone will love. Order for about $22.

For a true foodie, there is no substitute for fine chocolates. Mariebelle of New York makes not only some of the most beautiful candies ever, but they are also quite scrumptious too, if you can bring yourself to snack on these little works of art. Check out the variety of sweets offered in the online shop.

Foodies are going to flip for this taste of decadence delivered to your door. San Diablo Take and Bake Churro Kits bring a goodie to the table that no one will forget! Featuring an assortment of fillings, this is one really fun kit for foodies this holiday season. Order online for about $32.

If you need a gift for someone who seriously loves cookies, then order them a 12 pack of Chip City Cookies. These are big, beautiful and perfect for snacking on. Pop one out of the box and slide it into the oven for a total treat. These are some of the biggest cookies to ever come out of an oven! A 12 pack will cost about $75 and is so worth it!

I hope these suggestions help you find some wonderful gifts for your foodie friends and family!