Holiday Gift Guide ... Think of the Kids

When it comes to buying gifts for Christmas, kids can often be the hardest. In our family, we try to live by the four gift philosophy (something you need/something to read/something you desire/some type of attire). Our clothing is usually pajamas and is usually opened on Christmas Eve. Deciding what to buy them though, that isn't always as easy. So ... here is my 2014 gift guide for kids.

Personalization

Children LOVE to see gifts that are just for them. My son was given a shirt once and it had his name on it. While it wasn't originally made for him (his friend had found it at a garage sale and thought of him), he loved it. He wore it FOREVER because it had HIS name on the shirt. It amazes me how simple children can be. Anyone could have given him a shirt ... but a shirt with his name on it was just that much cooler.

Books - This holiday season consider purchasing a personalized book. One company that I like is I See Me! They offer books that you can personalize with your child's name. As your child is reading the book, the character's name is your child's name. They have already put together a Holiday Gift Guide to make parent's life easier. Right now they are offering 15% off with the promo code 15read.

Bags - If your children are like mine, they require a "quiet bag" for the car and church. It is even nice to have them when we are going to a sibling's concert. Cinch bags are our favorite because they are light weight and carry a lot. They also are simple to open and close for my toddlers. Instead of just buying them a simple bag, consider purchasing one that you can personalize with their name or what it's use will be. Thirty-One offers cinch bags in gender neutral, girl, and boy designs (if your child cares). You have the option to personalize them as well!

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Clothing

When it comes to getting your children clothing, you can go with both expensive or cheap. We usually splurge a little more when it comes to our kids clothing because there is a resale value on the items ... AND we have three girls! We want clothing that we can pass down without worrying. We love shopping Gymboree sales, but I am also beginning to fall in love with some of the sets found at Tea. You can also find really good deals at Zulily and KidSteals.

Toys

Let's be honest, most kids WANT toys. So the battle becomes, which toys do you get. Here are the hot toys for 2014.

The Spin Master's Zoomer Dino is a dinosaur that you can tame. He is hilarious and the learning curve is low. I would go into more detail, but a fellow blogger has done an AWESOME video review that says it all!

If your child loves robots, then MiP 2 Personal Robot is the perfect gift. This robot uses two wheels to balance on and requires 4 AAA batteries. It is extremely interactive and has built-in modes ... BUT you can download more fun via iOS and Android. MiP dances and also has an accessory tray available. Some of the games MiP performs include mazes, stacking, and balancing. It is compatible with Bluetooth 4.0 devices.

In the age of technology, having a tablet designed for children is better than giving your child your tablet. Enter the Kurio Xtreme Android Tablet. You can choose between a blue bumper and a pink bumper. It comes with 10 games, but you have access to the Play Store where you can download standard Android apps. It is 7" and has a touchscreen. Everything you expect with an Android tablet, you will find on this device. The bumpers offer protection to handle children. You will find 16 GB of memory and parental controls to keep your child busy and safe.

I gave a review on the Nerf Rebelle bow earlier this year, but I have heard REALLY good reviews coming from the Nerf Mega ThunderBow Blaster. I will state that I think the string issue looks the same as the Rebelle, so maybe there is a learning curve we haven't gotten. None-the-less, this is one of the hottest gifts this year and I KNOW my son will want one!

You KNEW that there would be a Frozen toy on the gift guide. If you didn't, you should have. The Disney Frozen Snow Glow Elsa doll is one that will keep your child captivated for hours. With the push of a button on the necklace, Elsa lights up, sings, and has several phrases she says from the movie. She has an English and a Spanish setting. You will get the doll with moving arms and the Olaf accessory figure. You WILL need to purchase 3 AAA batteries, as they are not included.

What is on your child's wish list?