Find the Perfect Holiday Gift

Can you believe it is time to start thinking about holiday gifts for the little ones in your life? Yes, that’s right Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa will be here before you know it. Here is a guide to some of the hot items this holiday season for babies, toddlers and kids from trusted retailers in the Valley:

• A Nurturing Moment
  1. 

     Bumpil-On-The-Way Pillow

     Bumpil-On-The-Way Pillow is the perfect gift for moms-to-be and continues to be great as the baby grows. This pillow has five different features: comfort for the mother while pregnant and resting, feeding support while nursing, an infant area, a pillow to rest on for tummy time and a pillow to sit upright on all for $77.

  2. The Medela Freestyle Breast pump is a hands-free, double-electric pump that is light (less than one pound), boasts a technology that mimics a baby’s own nursing pattern to get more milk in less time and has a memory function to save the mother’s favorite pumping pattern. This revolutionary pump is available at A Nurturing Moment for $379.
  3. The Bum Genius Diaper Sprayer allows parents to clean cloth diapers without the hassle of dunking. The sprayer requires no plumber or tools to install and costs $40.
  4. A Home Visit From an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is the perfect gift for any new nursing mother. The first few days of a nursing relationship are critical and stressful at the same time, and a visit from a lactation consultant can relieve all that stress. With her support and knowledge of human lactation and how to read a baby’s cues, a home visit from an IBCLC can make all the difference in the success of breastfeeding. One visit from an IBCLC costs $75.00.
  5. Pre-natal massage by Annie Ogle is the perfect gift for that mommy-to-be. All the weight of the baby on her achy back will be relieved with a massage from Annie, who is a licensed massage therapist and trained to work on the delicate pregnant woman’s body. A 30-minute session costs $40, a 60-minute session costs $70 and the massage take place at A Nurturing Moment.

  Contact A Nurturing Moment at 256-489-2589 for more unique gift ideas for the mama-to-be or the new baby in your life.

• Discovery Toys
  1. 

     Discovery Toys

     Jawbones Deluxe is a hot new toy for ages 7+ that allows them to create models or pieces of art with flexible pieces and moving parts. Not only is Jawbones Deluxe a blast for kids, but it builds their thinking skills from cause and effect to problem solving and strategy. $24.99

  2. Once Upon A Time is a colorful change-the-story book suitable for ages four and older. The book contains 36 elements, allowing each child to decide how the story will turn out. The book will facilitate creative and imaginative thinking while building vocabulary and early reading skills for only $12.99.
  3. Gearopolis is a toy designed for children ages 5+ who like to build! They can create a tower of gears and move them all with a single crank. Not only is Gearopolis a lot of fun but it also aids in various thinking skills, including cause and effect, problem solving and strategy. $34.99
  4. Main Street Playhouse is an exciting tent-like play area for kids 3+. The playhouse contains three imaginary play areas where children can work at a grocery store, act in a puppet theater and mail packages from the post office. The Main Street Playhouse builds on exploration skills such as experimentation and dramatic play. $69.99
  5. Castle Marbleworks is a tall tower of ball-rolling fun! Designed for two-year olds to kindergarten-aged children, Castle Marbleworks refines a child’s fine and gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination as he watches the balls roll, spin and chime down the tunnels. $37.99

Contact Discovery Toys Group Manager Lona Parker at 256-797-6112 or visit her website for information on how to purchase any of these Discovery Toy items for the child(ren) in your life.

• Doodlebug Designs
  1. Holiday outfits for both girls and boys are Doodlebug’s hottest gift items this season. Dresses are available in infant to size 10 and range in price from $40-60. Doodlebug can even coordinate matching socks, bows and bloomers for the perfect holiday outfit. Outfits for boys include holiday rompers and shirt and pants sets ranging from $46-66.
  2. Custom/Monogrammed Stockings are the perfect gift for children of all ages and are $22 each. Doodlebug can create any style of stocking that reflects the personality of the child. The gift-giver can select colorful, funky patterns for a fun Christmas sock or a more traditional style, and each can be monogrammed with the child’s name at no extra cost.
  3. Custom Diaper Bags, diaper and wipe containers are personalized gifts that can be made to match any mother’s style and specifications. Doodlebug has hundreds of styles and images to choose from, as well as a variety of colors and fonts so that even the most style-conscious mother can have a bag and diaper and wipe container as unique as herself. The bags come in two closure styles: zipper ($65) and snap ($60). The custom diaper and wipe containers can hold half a container of standard wipes and up to five diapers, perfect for on the go, and these are only $12 each.
  4. Customized/monogrammed bows are the perfect gift for the little and big girls in your life and are the perfect stocking stuffers at $2.50-6 per bow. There are three styles to choose from for babies: curly, classic 3/8 loop and classic 7/8 loop. For older girls you have an additional three types to choose from: Goldilocks, Big Bug Bow and Baby Bug Bow.
  5. Monogrammed straw sippy cups, pacifier clips and luggage tags are unique gifts that are personalized to the child and make perfect stocking stuffers that won’t break the bank at prices ranging from $8-18.

  Doodlebug can also monogram any gift you bring in for your little ones at only $5 per job; longer names may require a small additional fee. Gifts ordered by December 16 can be ready for pickup by Christmas Eve. All orders received after Dec. 1 will be charged a Christmas rush fee. For more unique gift ideas for the children in your life, contact Doodlebug at 256.417-4232 or email them.

• Itty Bitty Of Hampton Cove in Interior Market Place
  1. 

     Blabla Dolls

     Soft-Knit Dolls from Blabla are vibrant, cuddly and produced under fair trade practices. The dolls are made of 100% cotton knitted in Peru and are available in a variety of colors and styles; prices range from $34-44.

  2. Little Giraffe is a favorite of many Hollywood mothers for its luxurious line of ultra-soft chenille blankets, burps, pillows and robes. No child will want to part with a Little Giraffe product because these are the ultimate in softness and comfort, and the gift giver may end up having to buy herself something from the Giraffe At Home collection. Products range in price from $12.95-100.
  3. Christmas Pajamas and Gowns are a great way for the little and big ones in your life to celebrate the holidays. Itty Bitty offers a variety of top name brands including Gabiano, At Home and New ICM at prices ranging from $30-55.
  4. Holiday Clothing is a popular item at Itty Bitty for the special little gals and guys in your life. Itty Bitty offers everyday shirts, pants, vests, smocked dresses and cotton-knit outfits at prices ranging from $25-100.
  5. Zutano is a fun, colorful brand of clothing that will separate your child from the mainstream. With these bright and funky patterns, the gift giver will not have a difficult time finding an outfit as unique as the child. Sizes range from newborn to 24 months, and there is an expanding line of toddler clothing too. All items are under $30.

  Contact Itty Bitty for your holiday gift-giving needs at 256-682-3090 or 256-508-3838.

• Savvy Gifts of Madison
  

  Savvy Gifts

  1. Corporate Gift Baskets are the no.1 holiday gift item from Savvy Gifts. Prices start at $50 and can go as high as the gift giver wants. Corporate Gift Baskets are the perfect way to say thank you to your clients for their continued business. Each basket includes an array of gourmet foods, such as chocolates, cheese straws, coffee, hot chocolate, cappuccino and much more.
  2. Collegiate Gift Items are hot among true Alabama and Auburn fans and Savvy Gifts has a huge selection! A gift giver can find anything for a die-hard fan from purses to wallets to watches to checkbook covers and even sippy cups and pacifiers for the young fans. These items range in price from $15-50.
  3. Gift Baskets for Women and Men are another popular item around the holidays. Baskets for women start at $30 and have themes such as golf, spa, initials and all chocolate. Baskets for men also start at $30 and can be themed with golf, hunting and fishing items.
  4. Monogrammed Items are great holiday items for those special to you in your life. Savvy Gifts carries a variety of already monogrammed items including coozies, picture frames, mouse pads and coin purses. These items make great stocking stuffers starting at $15.
  5. Bath Products include Madison’s own Hidden Creek and national brand Fruit Frappe. Savvy Gifts is the only store to carry the Madison-made bath product line, which includes lotions, sugar scrubs and soaps in two scents Raspberry and Vanilla and Grapefruit Mint.

  For more unique gift ideas for hard-to-please family and friends contact Savvy Gifts at 256-325-2630 or visit them at their website or in Madison on Highway 72 across from Kohl’s.

• Springer’s Sales of Tuscumbia
  1. Infant Swings are a great and useful gift for every new parent and provide babies with a movement that soothes. Springer’s Sales offers a variety of types, including the papoose style and Winnie the Pooh, at the best prices in town. The swings range in price from $45-75.
  2. Three- and Four-in-One Cribs are a perfect gift for parents because these provide the place where a child will sleep for at least the next five years. The three-in-one starts off as a crib and can convert to a day bed and a full-size headboard; the four-in-ones go from crib to toddler bed to daybed to full-size head/foot board. Springer’s offers a variety of styles and finishes including sleighs, Victorian, natural, cherry and white, and prices range from $150-275.
  3. Jogging Strollers are a perfect gift for any parent who wants to get more active with their child or have a stroller that is light and can move around easily anywhere. Springer’s offers a variety of trusted brands including Peg Perego, Schwinn, First Step and Contours with models available for twins and infants and toddlers. Single jogging strollers are an affordable $65-100.
  4. Jumperoos are a great activity for babies to burn off some energy. Springer’s offers a variety of styles including Rainforest and Pond Friends by trusted brands such as Fisher Price and Baby Einstein. The jumperoos range in price from $20-75.
  5. The Infant Travel System is something every new parent needs because it includes an infant carrier, car seat base and matching stroller. Springer’s has a variety of colors and styles to match any parent’s taste and offers the best brands: Peg Perego, Britax, Baby Trends and Graco. The systems vary in price from $100-500.

  Springer’s Sales is located on the North end of Main Street in Tuscumbia. Call 256-314-4410 for more gift-giving ideas.

• Twice Upon A Time Upscale Consignment Boutique of Hampton Cove
  1. Custom Holiday Outfits for infants to size seven are this shop’s most popular gift item for the holidays. Parents, caregivers or those just looking for a unique gift can get their favorite little boy or girl a dress, john johns or a pant and shirt set that will set them apart from the crowd and get them tons of complements. Outfits range in prices from $35-45.
     

     Twice Upon A Time

  2. Melissa & Doug Puzzles are perfect stocking stuffers for the little ones in your life and won’t break the bank at $5-10 each. There is an assortment of puzzles to choose from, and the gift giver can feel confident about the gift because every Melissa & Doug toy meets or exceeds government standards for safety.
  3. Melissa & Doug Play Food is another toy perfect for young ones who love to play in the kitchen like Mommy and Daddy and pretend to cook. This set is another perfect stocking stuffer at only $15-20 per set, and there is an assortment to choose from such as Pizza Party, Food Groups, Birthday Party and many more.
  4. The assortment of Monogrammed Purses, Blankets, Coozies and Sport Bottles at Twice Upon a Time allows someone to pick out a one-of-a-kind gift for any age child. These items range in price from $10-25, and the gift-giver has the freedom to pick out fonts, colors and styles as unique as the child receiving it.
  5. Painted Wall Letters are letters painted to the customer’s specifications. Provide a swatch and watch how the letters to a child’s name or just the word “Playroom” match the room or bed spread perfectly. Each letter is $10.

  Twice Upon A Time Upscale Consignment Boutique is located in Hampton Cove. For more information about what the store offers visit their website or call 256-532-0250.

• The Yellow Cricket of Hartselle
  1. Play Kitchens are great holiday gifts for your little budding chefs. The Yellow Cricket has multiple wooden play sets to choose from by trusted brands Melissa & Doug and KidKraft. The sets vary in price from $150-260 and vary from one piece to two and three pieces. Play food is available as a stocking stuffer to complement the kitchens and is $20 per set.
  2. A Doll House is perfect for little girls of every age. The Yellow Cricket offers an assortment of wooden doll houses to choose from, and each includes furniture. The doll houses range in price from $120-170. Both single story and multiple story houses are available.
  3. Train Sets from Melissa & Doug are a great gift idea for the boys in your life. The set includes a railway and train pieces and additional sets of trains are available for purchase. Melissa & Doug toys are a trusted brand of toys because they always meet or exceed government standards. The train set costs $100.
  4. Custom Bedding for infants to teens is available from the Yellow Cricket. The gift giver can select everything to match the personality of the child from the fabrics to the trim to the style, and monogramming is included. Bedding prices range from $200-525.
  5. Young America Furniture by Stanley is available from the Yellow Cricket. This line of furniture has an assortment of bed styles and furniture pieces for infants, pre-schoolers, “Tweens” and teens. Prices vary by item and finish.

  Contact the Yellow Cricket for more one-of-a-kind ideas for your little ones this holiday season at 256-751-2966 or visit them in Hartselle off of Main Street near the railroad tracks.

Angie Gilchrist is a freelance writer and mother to Eli, 20 months.