Showing posts sorted by relevance for query holiday gift guide. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query holiday gift guide. Sort by date Show all posts

Favorite Christmas Gift Ideas

The holidays are just around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about gifts for your loved ones. With so many options available, it can be tough to know where to start. That's why I've put together this holiday gift guide to help you find the perfect present for everyone on your list.




Smartivity Kits

Who to buy for: Kids Ages 6-14

Price: $29

Why these are great gifts: 

Smartivity kits combine STEM and fun to make a hands on lesson that kids of a variety of ages can enjoy. Each Smartivity kit includes two projects for hours of fun. At under $30, these are a thoughtful gift option that kids will want to play with.



Verses 

Who to buy for: Teens and Adults 

Price: $20

Why this is a great gift: 

Board games encourage face to face conversations and less screen time, so this game is great for teens, young adults or families. At $20 this game brings the biggest songs from the decades to a slapping party game. 



Dungeons & Dragons Then And Now Set 

Who to buy for: Teens and Adults

Price: $50

Why this is a great gift:

Fans of D&D will love this nostalgic dice set. It includes a replica set and an original set of dice. Of course, you can color one set in with the included crayola for the complete 1970's effect.



Bubblegum Kids

Price: $10

Who to buy for: Stocking Stuffers and White Elephant Gift Exchanges

Why it is a great gift:

Aside from the unique flavors. Bubblegum Kids offers a high-quality, health-conscious alternative to traditional bubblegum. This is a fun way to stuff a stocking or give an impersonal gift that anyone can enjoy.




Intake

Price: $40

Who to buy for: White Elephant gift exchanges, relatives that are known to snore.

Why this is a great gift:

These bands help reduce snoring and can be reused with the included magnetic tabs. These are more comfortable than breathe right strips and make for a useful gift to share.



Mom Bomb Bath Bombs

Price: $30

Who to buy for: Moms

Why these are a great gift:

Give a special mom in your life a chance to chill with a high-quality bath bomb. This is one-holiday gift idea that you know won't bomb as they smell amazing and promote relaxation. Plus the set of 4 means your favorite mom can savor the scent a few times.



Earth Mama Organics

Price: Starting at $4

Who to buy for: Women 

Why this is a great gift:

With a variety of products that combine traditional herbal remedies and generations of wisdom, Earth Mama Organics offers something for everyone. From lip balm to herbal tea and everything in between, you can find a perfect affordable gift option for anyone on your shopping list.





Supermarket Italy's Holiday Cheer Gift Basket

Price $100

Who to buy for: Families

Why this is a great gift: 

This fun gift basket has Italian card games, candy and cookies for a great gift to share with a special family. You can be sure they are going to have a family fun night in the near future as they unwrap this unique gift.



Two Rivers Coffee

Price: $28

Who to buy for: the coffee and cocoa drinkers in your life.

Why this is a great gift:

The Santa's favorite collection from Two Rivers Coffee is the perfect gift for the holidays. You can buy a box and gift it to a cocoa fanatic, or buy a variety pack and split it up with mugs to give a small yet thoughtful gift from the heart.




Top Picks for Gifts for Her

 I am shopping, wrapping and baking like Christmas is less than 2 weeks away! Now that the kids gifts have been wrapped and hidden away, I am completely focused on finding the best gifts for women!

This year, you can skip the ugly Christmas sweaters and the standard boxes of chocolate that we all end up buying when we are stumped on what to get a special lady in our lives. I have gathered some of my favorite gift ideas to share with you. Buying an awesome gift has never been easier with this guide!

Product samples were received to inspire this gift guide.



1) Zerowater 23 Cup Pitcher
This is such a handy item with health benefits. I love the idea of gifting this water pitcher because it will help reduce the amount of plastic bottles used and thrown away in any household and it provides some amazingly crisp and clear water from the tap. This unit retails for under $40 and is so easy to use. All you need to do is fill it with tap water, give it a few moments to filter and push the easy to operate dispenser. The pitcher includes a testing unit to make sure you are drinking zero solids.



2) Balsam Fire Log by American Home  Yankee Candle
Relaxation is always a wonderful gift at the holidays. With this fire log by American Home for Yankee Candle, you can toss this in the fireplace and get cozy with your family. You can buy a 4 pack of 3 hour logs for under $25 for a fragrant and relaxing gifting option this holiday season. This makes a great gift because it is unique and everyone loves Yankee Candles!




3) Personal Trainer Food
As a mom who is eating healthier and devoted to living my best life at the holidays and long after they have passed, Personal Trainer Food is one of my favorite gift ideas. While it may be anything but traditional, you can rest assured the gift of delicious and easy to prepare food will be a hit with anyone this holiday season. Personal Trainer Food is not like any other diet I have tried. First, everything they offer is delicious. I love that you can order 2 weeks of food or a month, and pick what suits your palate.

I have tried other diet programs, and failed, but after one month of Personal Trainer Food I lost 9 pounds and had heaps of energy. I loved that I could eat real meat and cheese, plus snacks and lose weight by simply walking. I highly recommend this service to anyone that wants to live healthier, lose weight and eat REAL FOOD!




4) Thirty One Gifts
Thirty One has so many awesome options for the holidays. From handbags, totes and lunch thermals, to jewelry, pillows and more. I love to gift Thirty One because it supports women in small business and helps to make dreams come true. This year I am gifting the City Charcoal Chic Tote. It is gorgeous and works perfectly for a night on the town, or a great bag for work. The bag features a pebbled faux leather exterior and a colorful polka dot interior. It is spacious enough to tote all of your necessities around in without giving shoulder pains.

I am also loving the Endless Dreamer Necklace with charms. There are so many options to create a personal gift from the heart that she will love to wear and show off.

Thirty One also offers great gifts for the home, for the kids and for men too! My husband loves his Moosin Around Tote and uses it all of the time! No matter who you are shopping for, Thirty One has you covered!



5) Biore Products
Sometimes being an adult means putting yourself last. While we may not want to admit it, sometimes we let ourselves go. Biore offers a line of affordable and easy to use options that makes pampering a breeze. My favorites include the charcoal bar, the self heating one minute mask and of course, pore perfect strips! Priced at under $7 each, you can stuff a stocking with the gift of healthy skin, or you can pair these offerings with some small pampering items like sleeping masks, a great lotion like Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer and some epsom salts to make a gift basket that will pamper and indulge the skin! I love that you can find all 3 of these items at mass retailers for a last minute gift option on a budget.





6) Healthy Fragrances
There is something super alluring about a new perfume. I am crazy for the line of Lavanila fragrances this year. Retailing at under $50 you can find these luscious full size perfumes at Sephora. I love that each fragrance is blended with organic sugar cane alcohol, natural botanical extracts, and pure essential oils that are delicate on sensitive skin. Unlike other fragrances on the market, the Healthy Fragrance is free of drying alcohol, petrochemicals and phthalates.

You can find this line in six invigorating scents: Vanilla Passion Fruit, Vanilla Grapefruit, Vanilla Coconut, Fresh Vanilla Lemon, Vanilla Summer, and Pure Vanilla.



7) Image Merry & Bright Skin Care
This is an affordable and awesome limited-edition collection containing IMAGE Skincare’s top rated VITAL C products to nourish, hydrate and revitalize dry, sensitive or redness-prone skin. Includes Vital C hydrating facial cleanser, Vital C hydrating anti-aging, Vital C hydrating enzyme masque, Vital C hydrating repair crème and Prevention+ daily hydrating moisturizer SPF 30. Retailing at under $20 this is going to make for a merry and bright complexion into the new year. Find it online or in spas and salons nationwide.



8) KORRES Greek Wonders Skin Kit
For under $40 you can give the gift of discovery. With the KORRES Greek Wonders Kit the inner  Greek Goddess on-the-go can shine with some of the most powerful, centuries-old skincare from Greece, all in travel size. Includes the Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser, Pomegranate Moisturising & Balancing Cream-Gel, Wild Rose Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial & Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir. This is available online, at sephora and from HSN. This is a great kit for  skin care on the go.




9) Holiday Glam Make Up
This year, why not gift her the hottest looks in make up? Sally Hansen and Rimmel have gorgeous and affordable options that make perfect stocking stuffers! I love the glam in grey offerings this year as they are elegant without being over the top. Look for Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour, Rimmel London ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick, Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polishes and Insta Dri Nail Color in grey shades for under $10 each. These make a gorgeous glam stocking stuffer option!



10) Gourmet Gift Baskets
I am a big fan of gourmet gift baskets! They have the yummiest gift options! From sweet treats, to buckets of beer, and giant cookies! Plus everything yummy in between! This year I am favoring a few options such as the Pineapple Dried Fruit Platter. Retailing at under $50 this is a healthy and sweet gift option. Presented on an eye catching pineapple shaped cutting board, this is a great hostess gift, or a way to share something guilt free and decadent to your guests this holiday season. The dried fruit platter includes pineapple, cherries, plums, apricots, dates, plums, kiwi, pitted prunes and apple rings.  In the 1700s, the pineapple was the ultimate symbol of hospitality. This modern version of the pineapple gift is sure to evoke similar feelings of warmth, community and camaraderie.



I also love the Tour of Italy Gift Basket. This is packed with delicious goodies from Italy! This is the ultimate gift for a foodie. It contains rich pasta crafted in Puglia, tomato sauce originating from Rome, and gourmet pistachio biscotti for dessert, and so much more like marinated artichoke hearts, Tuscan minestrone soup and even luscious lemon wafer bites. Retailing at under $130, this gift offers a perfect escape from winter weather without ever leaving the house!





Sometimes, you need a sweet gift for a sweet lady. The Good Tidings Holiday Gift Basket by Gourmet Gift Baskets is the perfect option! Featuring so many favorite sweets like white chocolate cranberry cookies, Ghirardelli Chocolate Belgian Chocolate Truffles and an ah-mazing cashew brittle to name a few, this is a gift basket that will satisfy her cravings for sweets while indulging her in the gourmet side of gifting. Retailing for under $50, this is one sweet way to spread holiday cheer!



11)  AiroSpa Pillow
 Gifting luxury is as easy as gifting this unique, simple to use, affordable, multi-purpose stress reliever and aromatherapy pillow that can be used at home and travel anywhere. With its built-in and patented fan, air-flow vents and face-down angled construction, the AiroSpa™ Pillow can be used as a home/office/travel massage experience enhancer with a partner or all on its own for a calming and relaxing experience. I love that it can use your favorite essential oil to take a massage to the next level of bliss, or to give you a restful experience on the road.

If you have favorite gift ideas for a special lady this holiday season I would love to hear about them! Leave me a comment to inspire my last minute shopping!



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?

Top Picks for Gifts for Boys

It is time to start checking your list and shopping for the special boys in your life! I have gathered some of my favorite picks for this year and I can't wait to share them with you! These are some of the hottest toys of the season with educational benefits, that are perfect for boys!

This guide contains both affiliate links and partner links in exchange for inclusion in my gift guide.



An adventurous boy is going to love opening this action packed gift option.There are so many things I love about this particular model. The color choices are fantastic. We loved the purple, which is super stylish and works well for boys and girls. With speeds up to 7.4 miles per hour, the Hoverfly Plus glides smoothly for up to 12 miles on a single charge. Complete with all of the bells and whistles you could want, including a built in bluetooth speaker and  zero radius turning capabilities, the Hoverfly will send your boys into orbit for under $200. 

This is a great model for a beginner, it makes learning to operate a hoverboard a breeze, which was perfect for my beginner. I loved that this model from Go Trax can support up to 220 pounds so that the fun loving adults in the family can take their turn on the Hoverfly too. 

Asides from being safety tested, this model is equipped with cosmic led lights to make sure everyone notices you on the path with your Go Trax Hoverfly Plus! This is a great hoverboard at a great price that is sure to make you a holiday hero with any adventurous boy!



Your young programmer is going to LOVE building his own interactive and adorable pet! This is an easy to assemble dog that will satisfy several desires; the wish for a dog of his own and his very own robot as the toy is basically an ultra cute robot dog.

I love that this is a great introduction to coding for kids ages 6 and up, there are so many ways to make this FurReal Makers Prototype your own that it is kind addictive. Retailing for about $120, you can find this one of a kind puppy your own exclusively through Amazon this holiday season.

I know that this is going to be one of the hottest gifts of the season, packed with tail wagging fun for kids. My son has been itching for his very own dog, and this is the perfect way to introduce him to the concept of responsibility, while giving him the fun of his own puppy.



3) Little Bits Droid Inventor Kit
If you have a Star Wars fan boy in the house, this is the ultimate gift for the holiday season. It combines all of the fun of Star Wars with STEM for a one of a kind building and learning experience. This kit contains everything you need to build a functioning droid including the battery. This is a fully customizable experience that is going to appeal to boys 8 and up. I can personally attest to the fact that boys at heart will want to get their hands on this kit! I don't know who is more excited, my husband or my son, to start building and sending their very own R2D2 droid on missions!

One of my favorite things about this kit is that after you have built your droid you can rearrange it to create a new and exciting droid! No matter what droid you create, you can count on it having 20 sounds right from the Star Wars movies included!

Retailing at under $100 this is a great kit to gift for the holidays because it has so many missions and ways to play with your completed droid that kids are definitely going to play with this gift long after the tree comes down.



4) Thomas the Train Stop and Go RC
My son has been a big Thomas fan for years. He can't resist that friendly train face! Toy State offers a fun RC train that will take your boy to the tracks in search of fun! This is a wired remote, which encourages active play.

Retailing for about $30 you can find this fun train remote control toy at major retailers and online. Boys 3 and older are going to love the Thomas vocals and sounds, as well as the fun to use remote control.


5) 3D Pens
If you are shopping for an aspiring young artist, 3D Simo offers some of the best 3 D pens. I love that they offer a basic pen which is super safe and ideal for ages as young as 8. This is an easy to create with pen that kids and adults are going to have a ton of fun creating with. Retailing for about $100 this is an awesome gift that will inspire creativity while giving kids a new way to draw.

They also offer a mini pen option which can do so much more than just draw! It can solder, burn, cut foam and more and has the amazing benefit of adapting to any filament.





6) Thin Stix
I love gifts that encourage creativity in kids. Painting is something that my son can't resist, and now that we have been using Thin Stix tempera paint sticks, I love to see him painting! These are the best way to paint with kids. They dry super fast, are easy to use and can work on so many surfaces!

These make an awesome stocking stuffer, or paired with a pad of paper or some wooden cut outs, Thin Stix make for a great gift that will keep giving long after the holiday has passed. A 12 pack retails for about $12.

7) Nintendo Switch 
If your boy loves to game, the Nintendo Switch is the system to get. We are loving this new addition to the Nintendo family and all of the fun games offered. This holiday season my son is crazy about the Gear Club Unlimited Game. Available at about $50 this is a game that is sure to send your boy speeding off towards fun this Christmas.



8) Educational Insights GeoSafari Constellation and Solar System Explorer
This was a must have item for my shopping this year. My son is a budding astronomer and loves to attend viewing the night sky and belongs to a star gazing club. This is such a fun and educational option for kids. From your house, you can check out the 12 zodiac constellations, the sun, moon, 8 planets, and the big and little dipper. These are viewable in 3 ways; celestial, connected, and illustrated mode. There is an included guide which is packed with information to combine play and learning!

Retailing at under $25 this is an awesome option for kids. It is STEM supportive and a great way to learn something new that may not be taught in school. I love to give gifts that spark the imagination and this one absolutely does that!



9) Y Glider XL Deluxe 
If you have an active boy on your shopping list, this is a great gift option that will provide years of fun without breaking the bank. There are adjustable levels for varying skill levels. I love this feature because as my son learns to maneuver the scooter and grows, he can still get a lot of use of this active toy.  The extra wide rear wheel provides control and stability for added safety. The Y Glider XL Deluxe also features an adjustable steering and arc-folding handlebars make this a scooter you can take with you anytime, anywhere.

Retailing for under $90 this is an awesome gift to encourage active outdoor play. It is portable, too fun to ride and is sure to bring countless hours of entertainment to a special boy on your Christmas list this year!



10) Discovery Lunar Crystal Terrarium
I love gifts that encourage a love of learning so this Discovery kit was a natural fit for my top picks for boys. This is a fun way to create a three dimensional moonscape terrarium! Explore simple chemical reactions and the science behind crystal growing, while honing in on observation skills. This is a gift that will be admired long after the experimentation has been completed! Retailing at under $20 this makes a perfect gift idea for kids older than 12. You can find the kit at Michaels.



11) Discovery 3D Motion Sandscape
This is another fun and educational gift option for kids. You add sand and water to create a visually stunning display. This is a great gift that will be enjoyed long after the season has passed because it looks so cool you will want to turn the structure time and time again to get the soothing motion of the sand! This is available at Michaels and retails for under $20. It is a great gift idea for a teen or tween, or maybe a child that needs a way to center themselves.



12) Kidizoom® Action Cam 180
My son is an aspiring youtuber and a regular on facebook live, so when I heard about the Kidizoom Action Cam 180 I knew this was the perfect gift for him. Retailing for under $50 this is a great first camera for kids. They can take selfies, photos and record video to capture all of their adventures!

I love that this action cam is simple to operate and features 3 included games. The waterproof case helps parents to know that whatever their kids may be capturing on camera, the camera is safe! This is really durable option for young videographers. The included usb cable allows you to transfer your footage and recharge the camera.



13) BB8 Smartwatch
This smartwatch is so much fun! It gives kids a chance to express their creativity! Made by Vtech, this durable smartwatch can capture both photo and video with Star Wars themed effects. Kids can choose the watch face they like best from 30 options and it has mini activities to keep kids entertained on the go. I love that it helps to teach time in such a fun way! Packed with so many fun features this watch is a perfect way to introduce kids to wearing a smart watch. The BB8 Smartwatch by Vtech includes an alarm, timer and stopwatch, a calendar feature and a calculator so your young Jedi can work out simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems. On top of all of that, it has a really fun voice changing feature so that your special little guy can sounds like a robot among other things. Retailing for under $70 this is a great gift idea for a special young droid on your shopping list.




Gifts Boys are Gonna LOVE This Holiday Season.

Holiday shopping is in full swing and I want to help you find great gifts this year! I have compiled this list of m favorite options and I can't wait to hear what is on your must buy list! This list of Gifts for Boys has options for every budget and so many fun ideas!

Promotional samples were provided to me in exchange for inclusion in my gift guide. The opinions are my own.



Gourmet Christmas Stocking
Boys like snacks as much as anyone else, so one of my favorite ideas for a boy gift is the Christmas Stocking from Gourmet Gift Baskets. The stocking itself is handsome and classy, but the goodies inside really steal the show. Filled with things that any boy will love to snack on like a huge Hammond's candy cane, chocolate covered pretzels, truffles, hot cocoa and peanuts, this is a tasty gift that boys would love to have to fuel their late night holiday gaming sessions. The Christmas Stocking retails at about $30 and is a good choice for just about any boy you are shopping for this holiday season.



Go Trax ION Hoverboard
This self balancing hoverboard is nothing short of awesome for kids. It is fairly lightweight for a hoverboard and can go up to 4 miles on a single battery. The fact that it self balances is perfect for beginners, and makes for a gift that encourages outdoor activity for the win. I was a little nervous about my son on a Hoverboard truth be told, but this has been a fun choice for him that was easy to learn. Retailing under $200 this is a perfect idea for tweens and teens.



Home Planetarium
My son loves astronomy. He goes to a local club about every month to view the night sky and he loves to go to the observatory with his dad when they get a chance! This 8,000 Star Home Planetarium is a perfect gift to encourage his curiosity while helping him to discover new pleasures in the night sky.
This is a desk top model that accurately displays 61 constellations found in the Northern Hemisphere. The built in bluetooth speaker pairs with iPhone and Android devices to play a stargazing soundtrack of your choice.  Retailing for under $130 at Hammacher Schlemmer this is one of my favorite gifts for anyone with a love of the stars.




Magic Tracks
Boys love toys! This year I think Magic Tracks is the way to go for fun for younger boys. These tracks are unlike any other I have ever seen. They bend, flex and glow. I love how kids can customize the race track, even when the race is in motion. These are an affordable and fun way to foster creativity, retailing at about $20 a set.



Stone8
My kids love robots; it has been an ongoing fantasy to have one of their own for quite some time. I have looked at so many, but felt that they were more of a glorified remote control toy. When we hear about Stone8,I was instantly intrigued as this is a truly interactive friend, and a cute little friend he is! I love that he expresses emotions and works with or without a device. Retailing at less than $60, this little guy has enough sensors to allow him to explore with our child and the multicolored antenna allows Stone8 to let you know how he is feeling. This is a really fun option for Christmas that gives your child someone to play games and have adventures with in a variety of ways.



Modarri Car
This is fun for any kid who likes cars or building! This kit allows kids to design and build their dream car, then race it! Named to of the year two times for great reason Modarri is a hands on adventure that kids will be revving up their engines for. My kids were entranced by the idea of building their dream cars and had so much fun doing so. I would highly recommend this gift for any boy. It is engaging and tons of fun. The kits range in price from about $30 and are available at Target, Walmart and amazon to name a few.



Itty Bitty Buggy
If you have a boy on your list that loves creating and has an interest in coding, the Itty Bitty Bug kit is going to be a great gift. This allows fun and creativity to come to life with coding four different creatures. Packed with a rich, fun-filled feature set, the Itty Bitty Buggy kit includes Bluetooth, remote control, voice-control, line tracing, musical color recognition, and LEGO®-compatible pieces, providing users with endless design possibilities and playful configurations. As coding skills become more advanced, users can program and modify the behaviors of a specific creature using a variety of coding languages, including Scratch, Python, and Arduino. The itty bitty bug retails for under $60 and can be found at stores like Target that carry Hasbro products or online in the Hasbro Toy Shop.



FANTASTIC GYMNASTICS VAULT CHALLENGE Edition
This is just plain fun. It reminds me of the tech free toys of my childhood and I love that it takes some skill to land the gymnast! I think kids will love this for those times when there has been too much tech and they need a way to unwind with some good old fashioned play! Retailing at under $20 you can find the Fantastic Gymnastics Vault Challenge at most major retailers that carry Hasbro products.



Connect 4 Edition from The Hasbro Road Trip Collection
There seem to be a lot of road trips to visit loved ones around the holidays, so te Connect 4 Edition from the Hasbro Road Trip  Collection makes it on my list of gifts for boys. This is a fun way to keep the kids busy in the car without turning to tablets. This game is portable but packs a ton of fun and is easy on every budget. Get it at Walmart for about $8 for hours of friendly game play on the next long car ride.



T Rex From Wall Charmers
Sometimes it feels like the kids have too many toys! Adding a fun touch to a bedroom is a great idea this holiday season. We love the T Rex Faux Taxidermy from Wall Charmers. This is simply a fun addition to any bedroom of a dino loving little boy! Well, to be fair, my husband was amazed by this too! It is realistic looking and is bound to inspire any boys imagination while adding an uber unique touch to his decor. Retailing at under $70 this works for tween boys as well.


Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figure Assortment
When I was a kid, TMNT was super popular. My brother and I loved it and had all of the action figures! I was so excited to see a new line coming out for the new generation, and knew this was something I had to share with my son. The Action Figure Assortment includes:  Raphael "The Leader," Leonardo "The Trickster," Donatello "The Tech Wiz," Michelangelo "The Wild Card," Splinter "The Chill Master," April "Street Smart Best Friend," Origami Ninja "Confetti Commandos," Meat Sweats “The Tenderizer,” Baron Draxum "The Maker of Mutants". The figures retail for about $9 and can be found at most major retailers.




Ben 10 Alien Creation Chamber
My son loves Ben 10, so this was a natural choice. I know he is going to love making his own mini fig with the interchangeable parts and launching it into the air. This set comes with 4 figures to mix and match, including Heatblast, Four Arms, Wildvine and Grey Matter. It retails for under $30 and promises to be loads of fun for any Ben 10 Fan! Find it at mass retailers like Target or Walmart.



Discovery Plasma Globe
Experience a fun light display with the touch of your fingers or sound! The Discovery Plasma Globe responds to touch, music and sound, providing hours of excitement. Perfect for any young scientist! My son has always been intrigued by these globes and adding one to his room would be so much fun for my science kid! Find it at Walmart for under $25.