Connor's favorite things!

I figured today would be the perfect day for me to announce my top holiday picks for the year. All the items listed are separated by category and are in no particular order. These items come from my reviews from throughout the year and as well as items we have in testing now that may not have a review in yet. Every item selected either Connor or myself have personally tested and we give them our complete thumbs up! Most if the items included have links to review there are still just a few we still need to present to you in a full review but I wanted to get the list to you guys now. Check back as we finish up the reviews and offer a few giveaways to boot! The picture to the left is of Connor last Christmas in front of our tree!

Babies - New Parents :

• Polka Dot Papoose Slings - beautiful, comfortable my favorite pouch sling hands down.
• Sleepy Wrap - if your looking for a wrap this one is like wearing your favorite tee shirt its so soft and stretchy you'll be tempted to keep wearing it even when the baby is asleep.
• KozyPal - every mom needs a shopping cart cover, I got mine after Connor was older and I seriously had one of those "How did I ever live without this?" moments not even a week later.
• DadGear - The coolest diaper bags for the men in your life or really hip moms!
• Lycheeline - Beautiful simple diaper bags that are as gorgeous as purses as they are diaper bags. I don't go anywhere without mine as I use it as my purse and diaper bag and I can't even tell you how many girls track me down to ask me where I got it.
  
• Baby Star - Affordable, beautiful, and modern children's bedding and supplies. I'd still kill to own one of their crib sets.
• Tripp Trapp - You wont be able to decide if its furniture or a high chair and it converts to a full sized adult chair as well.
• Baby Legs - no baby should grow up without at least one pair. I'm not sure how we survived without them!
• Evenflo Babysuite - The smallest folding pack in play I have seen yet, a necessity for road trips as you will thank me later when your Babysuite doesn't take up the entire trunk.
• Blessed Nest Pillow - The perfect nursing pillow as it will be your best friend while your nursing or even if your not as people have the misconception that nursing pillows are good just for breast feeding. Believe me everyone wanted to use mine just as a comfortable place to hold the baby or even feed him a bottle. This one however will find a use in your home far past the baby years.
• A fabulous stroller - Ok I had the hardest time deciding on which stroller to include so let me say this, a stroller is a extension of your daily life. If your a mom on the go who values space saving and wants a full featured stroller that is still compact the Microlite Toro is absolutely your stroller. However if your a mom that needs all the bells and whistles and luxury and comfort is your goal and you want something just grand the Bumbleride Indie is by far the Cadillac of strollers. If you are going to splurge on any baby purchase I'd hands down say the item to splurge on is most certainly your stroller. Even if that means you have to cut back somewhere else you won't regret it.
  

Toddlers :

• Art and Activity Backpack by Piggy Story - I've seen some creative ways to store crayons but this cute little backpack will store all of your art supplies and markers for toddlers on the go. Great for entertaining a toddler anywhere. Comes in great boy and girl friendly patterns.
• Olive Kids - Ok Olive Kids is not just for toddlers but if your looking for a bedding set to get your child excited about moving to a big boy bed or just a cool floor pillow for watching TV seriously Olive Kids should be your first place anytime your looking for something cool for your kids bedroom. It's incredibly affordable as well!
• Plan Toys - I'm not sure I can pick a favorite from plan toys but if I was hard pressed to decide what would be the perfect gift for any toddler it would have to be the dancing alligator!
• Kettler Trike - Seriously if your thinking of investing in a Trike for Christmas I am still shouting from the treetops how amazingly beautiful and awesome my Kettler Trike is! Built for a lifetime it will be the treasured companion to your toddler and is durable enough to be passed down to several children.
• Yookidoo Discovery Playhouse - The coolest little play tent that will keep your toddlers busy for hours. I was sold the first day we took it out of the box as Connor played with it without a peep from noon till his three pm nap time and I pretty much had to drag him out of it.
• Wowwee Alive Cubs - Connor is convinced his Wowwee alive cub is real and spends hours "talking" talking to him and dragging him from room to room. Beyond cute and really a good introduction to a child's first pet its part interactive robot part cuddly plush. I'm classifying this one as toddler as Connor adores it but older kids will like them as well! Review and giveaway coming!
• Jack and Lily - Connor just about ripped the packaging to shred when he saw his new shoes from Jack and Lily. Ever since its been a struggle to take them off his feet. I'm still beyond impressed with these incredibly well made and sturdy toddler shoes! Review coming!
• Haba Blocks - I once told the press rep for Haba that I would scream like a little girl if a box of Haba blocks came in for review. Needless to say I still feel the urge to lick them every time I see them. Haba makes the most delicious blocks and toys you could ever imagine. Trust me looking through the Haba catalog is the equivalent of being a guest at Willy Wonkas factory as far as I'm concerned. Sign me up for the entire collection please.
• Bumblebird - If your looking for some adorable artwork for your child's room or a special friend for them to call their own head on over and check out Stanley and his friends. Connor's friend Stanley has been one of his favorite bedmates since the moment he arrived.
  

Preschool :

• Eeboo Matching Game - I'm still taken back by how gorgeous this matching game is, its certainly not the same cheap looking flimsy cardboard game I had when I was growing up.
• Animal Scrabble - I've been recommending this game to parents everywhere. Animal Scrabble is sort of a modified tag game that can be played with one to multiple players and is a perfect activity for those rainy days when the kids are climbing the walls. Trust me.
• Baby Leo Cape - My crime fighter wears diapers, enough said! Connor's alternate identity is Super Captain Diapey Pants and he would wear his Baby Leo Cape to bed if we let him. The perfect toy for ages 2+ any child that ever dreamed that they were a super hero will totally flip when they see their new Baby Leo Cape.
• Vtech KidiJamz Studio - The perfect companion for any future rock star, you can play your own music and record it directly to the kid friendly MP3 player that is included. Talk about cool Connor can't leave it alone. Full Review Coming!
  
• Delingos - My favorite plush friends, unique, eye catching, they spark the imagination and are sure to be a big hit. I mean what kid can claim they have a lobster as a best friend?
• Aardvark Books - Customizable books made with your own kid's pictures staring them! Connor absolutely loves his and it was the first book he really took a lot of interest in.
• Bambolletta Dolls - If your looking for something very special for a little girl in your life consider getting her a custom made doll all her own. They are truly little works of art!
• Wibbly Woo - Speaking of dolls every little boy deserves a special friend all his own. I can think one that really would make any little one feel safe.
• Thomas the Train Pirates Cove - Got a train lover on your Christmas list? The Thomas The Train Pirates Cove is my favorite train set thus far. Lots to do and totally compatible with most other wooden train systems it will win the hearts of all your little conductors!
• SmarteBear - In my opinion this is the one toy that should have been on the tops of everyone's Christmas wish list that you may have never even heard of. Smartebear is one of the most intelligent preschool toys I have ever seen. He plays games, tells stories, and even works as a mp3 player. Parents can load whatever programming you want on him via a USB port. The child then interacts with him by squeezing his paws. Simply brilliant.
  
• Eleven and See Kai Run Shoes - Ok I know we are all on a budget this year and clothing is not usually my first choice of Christmas gifts but trust me when I say a pair of shoes from Eleven or See Kai Run will make your child the envy of the playground. Gorgeous and from what my testers have told me they are incredibly comfortable as well. I seriously want a pair in my size.
• Radioflyer Wagon - I can not even tell you how many adult men have told me that their favorite toy growing up was their wooden Radioflyer wagon. Hands down we recommend the Radioflyer All Terrain Cargo Wagon!
  

Kids :

• Rhino Rampage - This has been a total hit among my testers and was one of the easiest games to teach a group of kids between the ages of five and nine which I might add they all enjoyed equally. Perfect for a group or just two players.
• Tribot - Only the coolest robot on the market right now. He will guard your room, tell jokes, and seriously impress the neighbor kids. Full Review Coming!
  
• Laser Tag - One of my favorite toys growing up its back and better than ever. The whole family will enjoy this one even mom if you get her to play! Full Review Coming!
  
• Discovery FRS Walkie Talkie - Might I add that I am still upset that they did not make these when I was a kid? Perfect for any adventure and a great way to stay in touch if you plan on doing any camping over the summer. They are as good as the big ones just smaller.
• Room Tech Beingz - The Room Tech Beingz series from Hasbro has to be one of the coolest things I have seen. Made up of an alarm clock and a lamp they both talk to each other wirelessly and come alive. The Alarm opens his mouth and bashes his hands and the clock raises his head and glows by command of the alarm. Cool on their own as well its a fun way to wake up!
  

Moms :

• Little Giraffe Robe - I am not even a robe person but I feel like a princess in my Little Giraffe Robe. I can't even decide if the outside or inside is softer with a satin exterior and a deliciously soft interior you'll want to wear it to bed.
• Baby Emi - Simple Customizable jewelry pieces for you, your babies, and your little princesses.
• Le Creuset - The ultimate in cookware, built to last a lifetime every cook would jump for joy to own a piece.
• Vado - My favorite portable video camera. Its light, its cute, and its easy to use. Nothing is better to quickly take out of your purse and shoot videos of the kids doing something cute!
• Ice.com - There are so many options at Ice.com it will make your head spin but personally my current favorite is the sky blue topaz tennis bracelet!
• 2LittleStars Adult Throw - I have an obsession with blankets and the 2LittleStars adult throw is hands down my new favorite. You will want to snuggle under it all day and it rivals the most luxurious baby blankets I have ever seen just in an adult size. The only problem is everyone in the house will want it!
  
• Julian & Co - I had a particularly rough labor with some complications so Connor's birthday is a victory as far as I am concerned and I love to share it with the world. Julian & Co keeps me connected to him with the beautiful customizable jewelry pieces. I most certainly have a Julian & Co Galleria Circle Pendant on my own holiday wish list!
  

Family :

• Uno Flash - Uno has been one of our favorite party games as long as I can remember, this new edition will challenge even the best Uno players. Great for a game night with the kids or perfect for an adult party. You can set the difficulty level accordingly.
• Briarpatch Games - I can not pick a favorite over at Briarpatch. They publish great and unusual board games that will keep the entire family entertained. As Connor grows I have promised myself that we will have two traditions one will be to have a nightly dinner at the table and the other will be to have a weekly game night. Family's that play together stay together after all right? heh.
  

Grandparents :

• Casio EZ-Z80 - I see to many grandparents walking around with clunky old cameras. Suprise the grandparents with a great camera at a reasonable price that is super easy to use!
• Busybodybook - If your parents are as busy as mine are they will highly appreciate a great planner to keep track of all the grandkid's events, doctors appointments, and birthdays!
• Little Windows - For the crafty grandmother, she can make her own picture necklaces of her grandchildren for herself or for gifts. Its addicting!
  

Dads :

• Space Pen - For every guy who appreciates a great pen, the Space Pen is no ordinary pen it will write upside down, in the rain, and in space. It was the feature of an entire Seinfield episode!
• Mimobot - Every guy I know has completely freaked out when they saw my Domo USB drive from Mimobots. Get one that fits his personality and all the guys at the office will be jealous.
• Chumby - The ultimate gadget as far as I'm concerned. This little friendly looking gadget moonlights as a alarm clock but it hides a secret. Chumby is truly an internet device, read the news, listen to music, play games, see your pictures of facebook. Something is being added every day. Totally affordable and beyond cool, Chumby has to be the coolest invention since the internet itself.
• Road Mice - Is the man in your life a total car nut? Give him a Road Mice which is quite literally a wireless usb mouse that is shaped like their favorite cars. They even have working head lights. Now if I can only convince Connor to keep his hands off of it! heh.
  

Stocking Stuffers - Inexpensive Gifts :

• Vilac Cars - far prettier in person than in pictures the Vilac series of hand held cars are eye catching, affordable, and portable. I keep one of Connor's in my purse for him to play anywhere we go. Review coming!
• My Mommy Tote - The coolest board book known to man, what does your child always want to get into? Your purse!! This book simulates what kids love about Mommy's purse in a kid friendly book that even mom's will want to play with. Review coming!
• Imagiplay Puzzle Playsets - These puzzles are part blocks and each piece is its own little plaything but put them together and you have a fabulous puzzle!
  
• Meebas - Fun little electronic pets that hide a cool plush surprise! You will want all of them!

If your like many of us that are hurting this holiday season make a list of toys and items that are most important to you to have. Consider buying gifts that will last such as wooden toys, books, board games. These items have a longer lifespan and can be repurposed to a new child later. About 90% of the toys Connor will be recieving this year are wooden, do not take batteries, and come from sustainable sources. Though he will be getting a few important battery operated items as well I'm a huge believer in fostering creativity so toys that encourage creative play have always been at the top of my list. Every item I choose for our gift guides have been tested personally and I recommend fully from my own personal experiences and the reactions I've seen from Connor and our other testers.

I'd love to hear from you guys what you will be giving your kids for Christmas this year and what toys you think should be at the top of everyone's wish list. As a special treat I am putting together a little gift basket of items from our review closet to help out one lucky family this holiday season!!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Review my holiday gift guide and tell me which item on the gift guide is your favorite and why, as well as what you plan on buying for your kids this holiday season.
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
  • For an extra entry :
  • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
  • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
  • One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
  • This contest will end Dec 30th at midnight!