Busy Bee Lifestyle » Birthday Gifts

Christmas Gifts for 1 and 2 Year Old Girls and Boys

Host Bee — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:07:40 +0000

Top Christmas Toys for Little Ones 6 Months to 2 Year Olds!

Are you looking for a fabulous Christmas Gift for a favorite child 6 months to 2 years old? Take a look at a few of my top recommendations!

Re-Introduced Vintage Toys

From the late 1950’s and early 60’s, you’ll love giving these classic gifts from your own childhood! (And don’t be surprised if you find yourself playing with them, too!) Consider the Two Tune Television, Chatter Telephone, Dr. Duck Pull Toy or the Pull-a-Tune Xylophone. (Two Tune Television; Chatter Telephone; Dr. Duck; Pull-a-Tune Xylophone, ages 12 months and up)

Personalized Story Books

Children will love the special personalized story books created just for them at I See Me! Choose from two versions: “My Very Own Name,” a story in which entertaining animals bring letters one by one to spell the first and last names of your child or “My Very Own Fairy Tale,” which stars your very own little girl! (I See Me, Personalized Books for Kids, starting at 24.95, ages newborn 24 months)

Animal Bags

I wish that the Animal Bag had been available when my own children were young and stuffed animals ruled the day! The cleverness of this item is unbelievable. An ingenious person designed an oversized plush bag with several transparent “windows,” which you fill with your child’s stuffed animal collection! The bag then becomes a bean bag chair for sitting and playing, all the while storing those ever multiplying stuffed animals! (Boon Inc., Animal Bag, on sale for 49.99, ages 18 months and up)

Patty Cake Toy

From MoMA, this adorable stacking toy creates a cupcake with four layers that when played with develops fine motor skills. It also squeaks, crinkles and rattles – all of which little ones especially enjoy! (MoMa, Patty Cake Toy, on sale for $18.00, ages 6 months and up)

Felt Food

If you can’t get real fruits or vegetables into your child’s diet, at least add their recommended daily allowances into play time! The Land of Nod offers 100% wool felt fruit and vegetables perfect for encouraging creative play in 1 and 2 year olds, but also enjoyed by older children as well! (Land of Nod, Fruit, Vegetables, on sale for 19.95-$39.00, ages 3 and up)

Café Barista

We tote our children to coffee shops on a regular basis and this fun toy allows kids to be their own baristas! Real life sounds including grinding coffee beans and frothing milk make the toy more authentic and kids will have fun serving you coffee along with the yummy looking pastry treats. (ToysRUs, Cafe Barista Playset, on sale for $29.99, ages 2 and up)

My First Christmas Doll

This new little friend will always remind the little girl in your life of her very first Christmas! These soft, squeezable dolls have embroidered and appliqued faces and are dressed in velvety dresses and arrive personalized. (Lillian Vernon, My First Christmas Doll, on sale for $19.98, all ages)

Flippy and Friends

Flippy is a whimsical little tadpole who encourages kids to use their imaginations to be anything they wish! The four books and stuffed animals that go along with them are just delightful! (All ages, Flippy and Friends, on sale for $9.31, all ages)

Dino Ball Pit

A bright plush (machine washable) dinosaur unzips to reveal a baby friendly ball pit, complete with 60 balls in two different sizes! Babies will enjoy sitting amongst the balls, and 1 to 2 year olds will probably bounce in them and follow the balls around the room, too. The balls encourage both fine and gross motor skill, and the bright colors, textures and patterns stimulate little ones’ senses and keep their interest. (I’m The Boss Dino Ball Pit, on sale for $79.95, ages 6 months and up)

The Bobo Glove

This silly sounding item is really a very creative and entertaining toy for very young ones! The glove (worn by a grown up) features lots of fun things to engage a baby: teething, rattling and squeaking. With bright colors, no need for batteries, and a companion board book, this really is a fabulous baby toy! (Bobo Glove and Book, on sale for $12.89, all ages)

Twilight Turtle

Truly the best nightlight ever, this soft turtle sports a shell that illuminates stars in 3 soothing colors onto the nursery ceiling. The turtle has a 45-minute shut off, a star guide to help identify constellations, a story book and an adoption certificate. Other colors are also available and part of the proceeds go to international conservation efforts. (Twilight Turtle Constellation Night Light, on sale for $22.24, ages 2 and up)

Construction Dishware

Serve dinner to your toddler creatively and they just might be a little more excited to actually eat their meal! This fun construction set includes a plastic dish featuring compartments, and comes with a bulldozer pusher, front loader spoon and fork lift fork! (Uncommon Goods, Construction Dishware, on sale for $14.95-17.50, all ages)

Heirloom Sled

This elegant and classic pull sled would be a wonderful gift for baby’s first Christmas! Built to last for generations, this sled features thick birch planks, hand carved willow hand rails, stainless steel hardware, copper accents and a marine grade finish! A reversible pad is also available. (Craftsbury Kids, Heirloom Sled, on sale for 120.00) ages 6 months to 4 years

Dream Meadow Playmat by Haba

This adorable toy is perfect for newborns and up! The mat is colorful world with pop-up features babies will love to clutch, push, remove or play with. Bright houses, trees and castles fold down or pop up as you wish. This toy is bright and fun, whiimsical and hand washable. (Oompa, Dwarf’s Land Play Mat, on sale for $80.99, ages newborn and up)

Violet Girl Plush Doll

These colorful and Cute Dolls are hand knit of super soft, 100% cotton in South America and perfect for girls of any age! Make your pick by hair color - lavender, brown, lime green or orange! (Land of Nod, Thank Heaven for Little Girls Dolls, $40.95, Ages 6 months +)

Do you have a favorite Christmas gift idea for a 1 or 2 year old boy or girl? Please share!

For more ideas on fabulous Christmas gifts for girls and boys of all ages, see:

Top Birthday Gifts for Boys and Girls!

Host Bee — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:20:06 +0000

Fabulous Birthday Gift Ideas for Boys and Girls!

I have received a number of requests for unique birthday gifts to take to your next birthday party! I’ve divided these birthday gift ideas by age and gender and tried in most cases to keep the cost under $25!

For the birthday gifts that are a little more expensive, consider teaming up with a friend to cut your expense in half! I’ve also tried not to “punish” the parents of the birthday child with any gift that is overly complicated, messy or requires a lot of adult supervision!!

Chasing-Fireflies T-Shirts

Although I’ve promised to keep the price under $25, there is one exception that I just have to share! At chasing-fireflies.com you’ll find T-Shirts for boys and girls ages one through six. The boys’ T-Shirt is bright red and depicts the birthday child’s new age in a fun font (item# 23794 for $29). The girls’ T-Shirt is a pretty pink with the numbers spelled out in sparkly rhinestones (item# 23566 for $34). Just pick the right number for your little guy or girl! (P.S. everything else in the Chasing Fireflies catalog is completely special and really adorable!)

Now on to the rest!

For fabulous birthday gift ideas for every age of boys and girls, click on the links below:

I hope you find the perfect gift for your birthday girl or boy! For more fun ideas, see my recommendations for Top Holiday Gifts for Kids!

Birthday Gifts for 7 and 8 Year Olds

Host Bee — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 12:27:59 +0000

Terrific Birthday Gift Ideas for 7 and 8 Year Olds and Up!

Birthday Gifts For Girls

Wrap’n Ribbon Craft Kit - this kit by ALEX allows fashionable girls to create their own ribbon wrapped bracelets in a rainbow of colors. Amazon.com, $12.74
High School Musical Mystery Date Game - This game is a spin off from the very popular Disney movie! Toys’RUs, $19.99

Birthday Gifts For Boys

This rocket is full of fun! The Sky Rocket is made of a 20” piece of foam and is launched into the sky with a foot tab and stretch cord. This rocket can soar over 100 feet! MonkeyBusinessSports, $20
What’s in Ned’s Head Game – This is a silly and appropriately gross game. Players fish around in Ned’s head to find crazy items that match the card that is drawn. Blank cards are included to add your own items to Ned’s head. Target, online only, $19.99.

Birthday Gifts For Boys and Girls

I’m Not Bored Anymore Art Jar is a large, colorful plastic jar filled to the brim with anything that you can imagine for creating a fun craft project! It really has a little bit of everything! Landofnod, $24.95.
PDQ (Pretty Darn Quick) Game - This brain teasing game takes about 15 minutes to play and involves coming up with words that feature the letters on the cards! Gamewright, $10.

Do you have a clever idea for a birthday gift for a 7 or 8 year old boy or girl? I’d love to hear!

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Tags: birthday gifts for 7 year olds and 8 year olds, old, years, boy, girl, gift, clever, unique, fun, fabulous, best, top, present, presents, ideas, idea

Unique Birthday Gifts for 1 Year Olds and 2 Year Olds

Host Bee — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:42:14 +0000

Unique Birthday Gifts for 1 and 2 Year Olds!

It is so much fun to shop for birthday girls and boys at these ages! Here are some gift suggestions that will be welcomed by little ones and their parents too!

Amazing Artwork

For first or second birthdays, a keepsake is always appreciated!

Personalized “Big Deal” Print

These clever, customized prints tell it like it is! (Penny People, Personalized Prints, $25)

Not Your Usual Alphabet

Bright and modern framed letters can be selected to spell out a name, initials or other special word! The gray and orange colors are fresh and fun! (Land of Nod*, Kids Elegant Framed Letters, $28)

Toys to Keep them Moving

Stow and Go Activity Cart

This toy combines the interactive toys found on activity cubes with a push toy! There are four sides of fun and a nylon pocket storage space! (Manhattan Toy, Stow and Go Activity Cart, $85)

Push, Pull and Ride by Radio Flyer

Actually three toys in one, this toy can be a wagon, pushcart or ride-on with no tools required! (Radio Flyer, Push, Pull and Ride, $39)

Adorable Socks

These two sock sets are cleverly designed to look like tiny Mary Janes or high top sneakers! Cute and practical, with non-skid bottoms, these socks will match every outfit! (Uncommon Goods*, Mary Jane Infant Socks; Johnny’s Infant Socks, $26)

Birthday Cake Candle Holders

This is an unexpected gift that will be a part of the birthday celebrations for years to come!

Bright and Colorful

Crafted from wood, in bright colors, this set includes two of each number, one through nine. (Ruby’s Farmhouse Boutique, Birthday Cake Candle Holders, $29.99)

Pewter Circus Set

From Reed and Barton, this set of six candleholders is fun and sentimental! (The Silver Gallery, Pewter Circus Set, $38)

Playroom Furnishings

Gifts that make the playroom an organized and entertaining space are fabulous gifts!

Peek-a –Boo Table and Benches

This playroom workhorse features a clean, modern design and a tabletop that flips from a regular top to chalkboard! (Land of Nod*, Kids Reversible White Chalkboard Table, $89.99)

Owyn Toy Box

With little ones, toys seem to accumulate on a daily basis! This toy box gets the job done in a stylish, fresh way with unique features like a divided compartment and small, light easy to lift lids! (Modern Nursery, Owyn Toy Box, $495)

It’s terrific to have this type of shopping occasion and I hope that these ideas will add to the enjoyment!

*Busy Bee Lifestyle is an affiliate of Land of Nod, Uncommon Goods and Modern Nursery.

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Host a Cupcake Themed Birthday Party

Do you have the perfect birthday gift idea for a 1 or 2 year old? I’d love to hear!

Fun Pantone Inspired Products

Host Bee — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 02:00:47 +0000

Fun Products Inspired by the Colors of Pantone!

With the recent announcement of the Color of the Year for 2011, Honeysuckel, I thought that I’d take a look at some of the fun gifts inspired by these classic color charts!

Mugs

Choose your favorite shade from this assortment of ten colors! Or, an entire set of ten! (individual mugs, $14.99)

Travel Accessories

Each one of these items is really practical, but pack a punch of color with creative flair!

Laptop/Messenger Bag, $88
Passport Cover, $23.99
Coin Purse, $16.99
Luggage Tags, $14.99
Wallet, $39.99
Book Bag, $44.99

T-Shirts

Match your preferred strength to the relevant Pantone colour and get that perfect cup every time! (Pantone 4 Coffee T-Shirt, from $25.14)

Cufflinks and Key Rings

Designed to resemble the iconic Pantone chip, these cufflinks and key rings are made of stainless steel and feature coloured enamel in seasonal colors. (Cufflinks, $67; Key Rings, $45)

iPhone and iPad Cases

Bright and colorful, these cases are a fun statement in the world of electronics! Case Scenario, who manufactures these covers, calls the Pantone colors “the color of ideas” which is incredibly inspiring! (iPhone and iPad Cases)

Each one of these items would make a fabulous gift for the creative people in your life – both those who create art and those who are inspired by it! What Pantone color are you?

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