We have lots of goodies for you with our First Time Parent Magazine 2022 Holiday Gift Guide. Plus some $$ saving tips and insights that help keep things special even if you are working with a budget.
Photo by Leloo Thefirst, pexels
CHILD * FASHION & BEAUTY * HOME
Gifts for babies, toddlers, & preschoolers
We love the excitement of Christmas Morning! Those big smiles on others’ faces, even if they are a result of the funny faces you are making at them. Psssst…….(We see you making those funny faces too.)
Gifts for infants can be useful everyday items like these KeaBabies Organic Baby Bandana Drool Bibs, the ever-popular natural rubber teether Sophie The Giraffe, or the super fun and versatile BPA/Phthalate-free Silicone Baby Links by Chewbeads. While it is a holiday purchase, it is also very functional and enjoyed long-term. We like the fact that the Chewbeads links can also be used to attach other baby toys, pacifiers, and other infant items to wherever you need them. That is what we call FUNction. Fun fact, Chewbeads also makes necklaces for mamas that are teething-safe!
Older children will enjoy anything that will keep their minds and bodies occupied. Think, playing pretend with costumes or kitchen sets, art and craft projects like those found in the Yipes! Messy Craft Box, stuffed animals, games that require developing skills like the HABA Animal Upon Animal- Classic Wooden Stacking Game, or age-appropriate puzzles like the Be A Heart – Nativity Wooden Puzzle.
When choosing art supplies, look for non-toxic tools that fit your child’s developmental age. Not only will this encourage fine motor skills, but they will be more natural to use and creatively explore. Additionally, if you choose items that are easy to clean up, that is even better. Toddlers LOVE TO GET MESSY (well, not all toddlers). But even your prim and proper little pal will enjoy drawing in the bathtub with Honeysticks Bath Crayons for Toddlers & Kids. These crayons are non-toxic, hand-made in New Zealand with natural beeswax and soy wax, and in washable bright colors (food-grade colorings).
$ saving tip: Children love the act of opening gifts. You can wrap individual components of a single gift. Once all the pieces are open, they will see the big picture. Plus, they will have satisfied the urge to open something. Additionally, children get a kick out of seeing their favorite stuffed animal doing something funny with a new item. Whether this is the forgotten Christmas bear from two years ago holding a candy cane and wearing a new pair of socks or their favorite stuffy holding something you know your child will love.
Sanity tip: If you purchase or receive an audible electronic gift for your child, you can place a double layer of clear packing tape over the speaker to reduce the overall decibel level of the toy. Just check it every so often to make sure the tape lies flat and is unable to be peeled up by tiny fingers.
Fashion & Beauty Gifts
SOCKS
Yeah, we know. Socks. But people dig socks, especially considering all the fun (and medically supportive) styles available these days. If you didn’t know, socks are the secret rage of every man that has to wear a suit and every dad who secretly is glad to show off the funny socks he received from his preschooler. It’s a little like when the 4-year-old wants to paint daddy’s toenails. He might look at you funny at first, but the enjoyment he will get will be worth it. Think of the funniest of socks as a little warm reminder that someone loves you.
HEALTH AND COMPRESSION
If you are pregnant, stand for long hours every day, or just would love a little compression for health reasons or comfort in general, we suggest Pear Compression Socks. They come in knee-high and crew styles with a 30 days guarantee or your money back.
PATTERNS AND PRINTS
If patterns and prints are your thing, Love Sock Company has you covered with their laugh-out-loud patterned socks made with 78% organic cotton. Seriously, if you like socks, you need to check them out. Yes, they have traditional business styles too! If uncle Ron needs everything sea-horse-related, Love Sock Company has his feet covered too!
GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Arvin Goods makes its socks from clean, recycled organic cotton and hemp fibers that are plant-dyed. Styles for men and women include adult unisex, athletic, and calf socks. Athletic ribbed cuffs ensure a secure fit, and an elastic arch support provides stability. Arvin Goods uses discarded fabric scraps to create the softest, best-fitting, and most responsibly made socks.
OTHER CLOTHING
For a more traditional gift, Holy Pals offers a brand new line of holiday pajamas inspired by the meaning of Christmas. Styles come in sizes newborn to adult and are made from 100% premium, ethically-sourced soft, breathable cotton. This family-owned and operated business gives 10% of all sales to Littlest Lamb Orphanage and other charitable organizations.
For the sportier parent, check out the ultra-soft Core-D line from Dryworld. This twist on the traditional sweatshirt and tracksuit is pretty rad. Dryworld is a performance athletic brand that offers innovative, high-quality apparel that really feels great on the skin. Pullovers, tracksuit tops and pants, reversible jackets, sports bras, and more! Sign up on their website to get 20% off select items.
If Dad isn’t into socks or jammies and prefers high-end quality, maybe he’d prefer a New Zealand Wool/Brushtail Possum blend Men’s Zip Sweater Jacket with leather trim? These are made with 55% New Zealand Marino Wool, 35% Australian Brushtail Possum, and 10% Pure Mulberry Silk. It will go perfectly with his beard and pipe. Get one HERE. It ships in 5-10 business days from Amazon.
$ saving tip: If you focus on high-quality fabrics and wash them according to the manufacturer’s instructions will have a more long-lasting garment. The initial expense makes up for the lack of a need to repurchae the product over time. Choose classic styles that surpass trends. Opt, instead, for trendy colors or accessories to accentuate this classic style.
HANDBAGS
Add some culture to your wardrobe with these obsession-worthy handbags by Sarep + Rose. These leather handbags, footwear, and decorative home storage solutions are created in Africa from rescued waste leathers, natural grasses, and handwoven culturally significant textiles. Use code: FTPMAG15 between 11/23-12/31 for 15% off.
Luis Steven is a designer-owned brand made in Las Angeles from locally sourced materials and premium Italian leathers. These luxurious items are soft, durable, and beautifully lined and finished. Select from backpacks, cross-body, clutch, phone/wallet, and men’s styles. The brand focuses on beautiful leather bags for everyday use that meet the functional needs of commuters and business professionals on the go.
We love the On-The-Go Organizer from Colugo! Why? We’re glad you asked. This organizer can hang from your pram/stroller, be worn like a fanny pack, and even cross-body! Yes, it’s true. Complete with a key hook, two drink compartments, a zipper front pouch, an internal mesh pouch, and center space for whatever you need for compact on-the-go baby toting.
BEAUTY
You won’t believe this, but we found the most amazing Advent calendar ever! The Suzanne Kaufmann Refillable Avent Calendar! If you have not tried this brand, this is one of the most amazing ways to test out the very best of their natural skincare items in deluxe sizes. It also includes four full-size iconic products. The calendar also comes with a secondary refill option, making for thoughtful, sustainable gifting as it can be enjoyed year after year. The Refillable Advent Calendar features Full-size Nutrient Serum, Rejuvenating Eye Cream, Eye Rescue Serum, and Lip Balm, as well as deluxe sizes (15-30ml) of 21 other amazing products! The brand began in the Austrian Alpine region of the Bregenzerwald and has been home to Susanne Kaufmann and her family for generations.
Parfums de Marly Paris brings sultry notes of pink pepper, vanilla and precious woods to you daily with their body care line, which includes shower gels, dry body oils, hair mist, and body and hand creams that feature their gorgeous signature scents, Layton and Delina (high-quality blended scents made from rare and luxurious ingredients that are sourced from around the world).
Abel is a brand created by mothers, for mothers. Abel offers 100% natural fragrances. Gray Label “Nurture” is made with the reminder to take care of yourself while also taking care of your little one and features notes of uplifting orange blossom (which is fantastic for vagus nerve health, btw), calming rose, and grounding sandalwood. Cyan Nori “Vita” is a vibrant sweet, salty scent inspired by the ocean. Cyan Nori contains plant-derived musk to harness the power of plants for a better future, rather than musks derived from fossil fuels. Made in the Netherlands.
$ saving tip: The cost of beauty care products can add up. The good news is that scents made with natural oils have greater staying power over time. As with choosing quality materials in fashion, choosing quality scents and beauty products are is better in the long run. If you want to minimize expenditure on beauty care, focus on hydration, nutrition and exercise first, then treat yourself to items that can provide long-term benefits like specialty eye-area or fine-line creams. Many of these high-end products come in sample or travel sizes. Additionally, high-end perfumes (like those mentioned above) may scent their less expensive body-care items with the same fragrance you love. In essence you have both a moisturizer and a scent in one, saving $.
Gifts for Home
For those rare days when the family is sitting around together at home, nothing is better than a cozy blanket! Children go ape over a soft blanket. There is no getting around this fact. We have two styles for you that we love. The first is the Everlasting Comfort Faux Fur Throw Blanket. This fluffy, thick, minky-soft throw will please even the softest skin. One side contains a faux fur pattern, and the other is a solid color. Made from 100% polyester measuring 50×65 inches.
If you are prone to chilly feet, look no further than Pedi Pocket. These blankets are designed with your feet in mind. Snuggle up and slip your feet right into a cozy pocket. This blanket comes in both adult and child sizes. Get each their own, and they won’t run off with yours! Oh, who are we kidding? They will run off with yours, too.
While you are snuggled up and maybe reading a good book (like Raised on the ’80s: 30+ Unexpected Life Lessons from the Movies and Music That Defined Pop Culture’s Most Excellent Decade), make sure your gadgets stay charged up! EZQuest Premium Digital Life Accessories offers a fantastic small and powerful quick-charge, multi-port 2x USB-C, 1xUSB-A charger with an 18-month warranty. This 90 Watt charger also has built-in NTC and GaN. It also includes a 2-meter USB-C cable and an EU power plug converter for travel needs. The charger has intelligent power allocation based on what devices are connected. 20-120 Watt chargers available.
If you want to share an experience and make a memory this holiday season, we suggest the Dylan and Rylie Family Hand Casting Kit. What a fun way to make a family memory together. The kit comes with everything you need to make a 3D keepsake hand sculpture to enjoy for years to come.
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