Holiday Gift Giving Guide 2017

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year…or so the song goes. If you are one of the many who are agonizing over what to get all those special people on your gift list, you may be feeling more stress than at other times of the year. Fear not, there are many great gift options – at every price point. 
    Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanza the three major winter holidays, are all reasonably close this year. Having looked through websites, ads, magazines, catalogues (full disclosure I still LOVE catalogues) commercials and more, there is a lot out there from which to choose. 
    For the smallest recipients, LeapFrog’s Picnic Basket will both teach and entertain your baby or toddler. Pidoko Kids Pound & Tap Bench with Pull Out Xylophone will bring out the early musician in your baby. Fisher Price has a new robot, Think & Learn. Teach N Tag Movi, that is considered a top choice. Tickle Me Elmo is making a big comeback guaranteed to bring about big giggles. Paw Patrol’s Sea Patroller will be a big hit for fans of the show, as will Coco’s Guitar from the Disney Pixar film hitting theatres on Thanksgiving.  The biggest comeback award goes to Teddy Ruxpin, a toy that sent moms and dads into a tailspin in an effort to find one before the holidays.  
    School-aged children will be delighted to receive a package of Fingerlings Glitter Monkeys this holiday season. Perhaps one of the hottest items of the year, you can buy a single monkey or packages of varying sizes. Project MC2 has several new science experiment kits, all with some fashion flair, to pique the interest of girls everywhere into STEM based activities. Your pet lovers will have a blast with either the Little Live Pets Cuddles My Dream Kitten or Roarin’ Tyler the Playful Tiger, both of which are on top holiday lists everywhere. Hatchimals, which made their grand entrance for Christmas in 2016, are back with Hatchimals Surprise. Lets all hope there is more stock available this time around! Squishies are still quite popular (I admit that this one escapes me, but they are a good add-on if you need something extra). Back in the realm of retro comebacks, my favorite toy is back on the market…Barbie’s Dreamhouse is back and the whole house has been renovated. Add a doll or two and playtime will be underway! Laser X Two Player Laser Tag Gaming System is another hot item to consider. If music is  their thing, Sound Moovz music and motion device, a Bluetooth enables wristband, is a great choice. Star Wars-themed anything will be a big hit with the new installment in the franchise coming out mid-December. Running close behind are the toys from DC Comics. From Legos to figures and games, there is a great deal from which to choose.
    For adolescents, there are a lot of choices out there too. Is he a gamer? Call of Duty WWII for either Xbox or PlayStation is the hot choice. Is there a Star Wars fan on your list? Consider an app controlled android of either R2D2 or BB-8. Is there a future spa devotee in your midst? You simply cannot go wrong with a basket of products from Lush offering bath bombs, lotions, masques, and other skin care products. You can make a gift basket or purchase a pre-packaged gift set. Tech speaks to both teen guys and girls…ear buds, phone cases, and other accessories (think pop-sockets) will all be very well received. 
    Gift baskets are a great idea, theme a basket for your gift-getter then go for it.  It can be themed with books, junk food, sports, spa, sweets, puzzles, gift cards, teddy bears and much more. The only limit is your imagination. You can create something for every budget.
    Have a great guy for whom you need to shop? Think of his hobbies and likes. That can give you a place to start. If he works really hard, consider a plush bathrobe. If he’s a golfer, create a basket of golfing accessories…a little bit of everything he will need on the course. If he’s a watch hound, consider a personalized case to hold his favorite watches. Does he love toys? Drones are more popular than ever.  A bottle of his favorite drink with two glasses can be the perfect gift set too. If he’s truly hard to shop for, consider a certificate to try an activity he’s talked about. 
    Remember the lovely lady on your list. This is a chance to show her how special she is. She may be the one regularly doing most of the shopping, so consider a spurge item – an item which she wouldn’t normally treat herself.  Consider a beautiful purse, a gift card to buy shoes, or a fabulous scarf or shawl. If she doesn’t get much time to unwind, perhaps she would enjoy a night at a local theatre, a paint night to show her creative side, or a spa day with a friend. If she is a lover of flowers, she might enjoy a subscription to the Flower of the Month Club. There are clubs for all tastes, so if that doesn’t speak to her, consider the Book, Chocolate, Disney, or Ipsy box of the month. 
    Don’t forget the family quadrupeds too. Whether you choose catnip or cat dancers, bones or biscuits, you will be a hero for remembering a gift for the furbabies in the house. 
    Wishing you happy shopping adventures! Whether online, in the mall, at boutiques or winter fairs, enjoy the process, not just the one day with the family or friends. You will give yourself the best gift of all – a season full of happy memories.