Holiday Gift Guide 2016 #MWCGiftGuide

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Welcome to the Mommies with Cents Holiday Gift Guide 2016!  Here you’ll find lots of gift suggestions, some of them based on my favorite products from past reviews, some of them new products to the market and everything in between!  I know a lot of people are hard to shop for so I want to make your shopping easy this year!  This post will be updated on an ongoing basis throughout the holiday season.

My Friend Cayla Interactive Doll — This is the ultimate gift for any doll lover. Cayla is a high tech toy that my youngest daughter completely fell in love with.  Seriously, like love at first sight.  She might look like an ordinary doll but she is far from ordinary.  With a bluetooth connection and wi-fi she comes to life.  You can read my full review here.

Springfield Doll — Don’t want to spring for an American Girl Doll?  An 18″ Springfield doll is a great alternative, especially for a “beginner”.  Super affordable at around $20, leaves lots of budget left for clothes and accessories.  Look for matching girl/doll outfits! Find out more here.

Box4Blox — This is a must-have for any Lego lover!  It not only holds a LOT of bricks but it works sort of like a coin sorter sorting pieces by size.  This makes it a lot easier for kids to find the parts they are looking for when constructing their masterpieces. A unique and useful gift boy moms and kids will appreciate!  Read my full review here.

Kidz Bop — All three of my kids love these CDs and quite honestly, my hubby and I do too!  All of the songs are current hits sung by kids, for kids.  We rotate the last few releases on a pretty continuous basis. Be sure to check out Kidz Bop Christmas Wish List for 14 holiday favorites.

TAG The Art Game — Watch this video to see how to play!  This game comes with art supplies and inspires creativity even in those that think they have none! When you’re finished with the game, you’ll have a beautiful piece of art to hang.  Designed for players of all ages and any number of players making it great for parties.  Winner of several awards including Dr. Toy’s Best Picks 2015!

The Original Christmas Classics Anniversary Collector’s Edition Gift Set — This must-own collection features the 45th Anniversary editions of Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town and Frosty the Snowman, plus Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition, Frosty Returns, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, The Little Drummer Boy, and Cricket on the Hearth!

Really Big Coloring Poster by Pirasta —This giant poster is the ultimate fun project for anyone who likes to color; just spread it on the floor or hang it on the wall and invite everyone to join in. It makes a mega-awesome party project and is a great way to introduce art and encourage collaboration, or just a good reason to shut off the TV, get creative and go crazy with color.

Chill Factor Slushy Maker — Chill Factor Squeeze cup slushy maker is a unique slushy maker which allows you to make delicious slushies in seconds! No ice, no blenders, no mess! So easy to use all you have to do is put it in the freezer, wait to freeze then add your preferred chilled drink and squeeze!

Magformers — This gender-neutral toy reinforces STEM Education so they toy is not only fun, but educational too.  Just click, connect and create!  Little builders will enjoy the bright colorful pieces and the way they click together while older builders will enjoy the tech sets with parts that actually move!  Read my full review here.

Giant Inflatable Soccer Ball — Kids will literally have a ball with this super fun GIANT inflatable soccer ball!  It’s 4 feet tall so definitely an outdoor toy that’s fun to bounce around the yard, kick and chase.  It’s a unique gift that kids will remember for years to come!

Reactorz Light Up Balls — Another super fun ball is the line of Reactorz.  These balls light up when you play with them!  Choose from a wide variety including football, basketball, soccer balls and more!  You can read my full review here.

Juke24 —Juke24 was specially designed for kids to enrich their learning and development.  Research has shown that hearing stories, reading books and singing songs repetitively is beneficial. With Juke24, parents can create content for children that is easily accessible.  There are 24 buttons each reserved for your own stories, music or special messages.  They’ve made it easier than ever to load this content onto Juke24 by offering several different methods to upload: CD, computer, smartphone, laptop, flash drive, or by simply recording it via the included microphone.  Read my full review here.

Magic Sketch — Magic Sketch is a Boogie Board combined with some tools and other materials to keep kids entertained.  This Boogie Board tablet snaps into a case.  It comes with 3 stamps, a stamp roller and three drawing tools.  It also comes with a set of 60 cards: 20 Learning Stencils, 20 Game Stencils and 20 Art Stencils.  These cards fit behind the Boogie Board and can be seen through the board itself for tracing, writing or game playing. When you write on the Magic Sketch it’s in rainbow which is a really cool feature.  The flexible LCD screen erases with the touch of a button like magic.  It’s very durable and virtually kid proof.  It will withstand dropping, tossing and spills (it’s water resistant).  Read my full review here.

Brick Build Books — These books are must-have for any Lego lover on your holiday shopping list.  Each one has step by step directions for building 40 different designs with common bricks they’re likely to already have in their stash.  This opens up the world of building with Lego and offers hours of fun!

Modeling Clay with 3 Basic Shapes Book — Pair this book with a few packs of clay and your little artist will be set to make all sorts of adorable pieces with step by step directions using just 3 basic shapes.  It’s perfect for the beginner and offers the opportunity to get creative!

River Rose Doll & Book —Perfect for any toddler or new baby on your holiday shopping list, Kelly Clarkson’s new book and doll are extra adorable when paired together.  Squeeze the dolls hand to hear Kelly Clarkson’s melodic voice sing a soothing lullaby.  The matching book is beautifully illustrated and definitely gift worth!  See my video review here.

Nintendo 3DS —This year, Nintendo is offering their new black and white Nintendo 3DS system for only $99.99!  The game system is adorned with elements from the Mushroom Kingdom which launches on Black Friday.

There are lots of options to go along with the 3DS game system including top-rated and classic games.  Games feature super cool eye-tracking 3D gameplay and amiibo functionality.  Sure to be popular games this year are Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon which just recently launched, as well Super Mario Maker which will launch on December 2.

Skylanders Imaginators empowers players to unleash their imaginations by giving them the freedom to create their own Skylander character, plus support of all 300+ Skylanders from previous games. The game will also feature Sensei toys and characters including this year’s guest stars Crash Bandicoot, Dr. Neo Cortex and Kaos. Fans can also create on-the-go with the free Skylanders Creator App (select iOS and Android devices), offering the same in-game character creation tools plus the option to bring creations to life as a t-shirt, 2-D playable card, or a fully playable 3-D printed Skylanders Imaginators toy! 

Razer Kaken Pro Headphones — perfect for the gamer or music lover the Kraken will provide kids with perfectly balanced sound to listen to their music, movies or games in the backseat during a roadtrip and provides enough comfort that they can wear it four hours without complaint! My favorite feature of these headphones is thee fully retractable microphone boom that not only pulls out from the left ear cup as and when you need it, but its flexible design that gives you the freedom to adjust it to your exact needs.  Razer Kraken headphones come in fun colors that the kids will love and makes great gift for teens looking for some cool gear!

LED Colorful Flashing Finger Lighting Gloves —  These gloves are SO fun and make a great gift or stocking stuffer.  The feature 6 different modes with 7 colors of LED lighting.  Change between colors and modes like “flashing” by pressing the button on the wrist.  The gloves are powered by 4 CR2032 batteries which are included and also replaceable!

Young Living Essential Oils — What does every woman want?  A happy, healthy home!  Essential oils are great for keeping your family healthy, filling your home with wonderful fragrance and balancing emotional wellbeing. A starter kit would make a fabulous gift but I would be happy to personally help you find just the right products for anyone on your list. Feel free to reach out to me directly on Facebook or via email mommieswithcents at gmail.com for more information. 

PeachSkinSheets — Good sheets are essential for a restful slumber and PeachSkinSheets are my favorite because they are so velvety soft! They have a great selection of beautiful colors that are on trend and there’s sure to be one to match your bedding sets.  PeachSkinSheets has a free swatch program so you can check out the colors and feel the awesome texture of the fabric so you know exactly what you’re buying.    PeachSkinSheets has everything I look for in a sheet set — they feel nice, they fit well and they are affordably priced.  They make a great gift!

Nutri Ninja Auto iQ — The latest model works like a blender, juicer and food processor in one!  I personally love the sip & go cups for awesome smoothies or blended coffee drinks.  It’s so fast and easy to use!  Find out more here.

Ninja Coffee Bar— Never get between a mom and her coffee!  This coffee maker can be set to brew so it’s ready before you even get out of bed.  Choose to brew just as much as you need from a single cup to a whole carafe. Brew the perfect cup every time!  Find out more here.

Nume Curling Wands & Hair Stylers — These curling wands are very high quality and perfect for gift giving.  Best of all, Nume offers some super deep discounts around the holidays!

Silk’N Flash&Go Express — With Home Pulsed Light (HPL) Technology, the new Silk’n Flash&Go Express light-based device removes hair all over the body, including the face, with permanent results. Up to two times faster than other devices on the market, this FDA-cleared beauty buy is a lifetime solution for hair removal – no ingrown hairs, no razor burn, and no refill cartridges. The applicator targets any area that requires treatment; no area is too big or small. You can safely use on sensitive areas including the upper lip, underarms, bikini line and even the toes!

Silk’n FaceFX and Age-Defying Moisturizer with Squalene —Knock out wrinkles with this 1-2 combo. This dynamic duo provides the most effective at-home anti-aging treatment out there – and is painless and simple. Begin with the FaceFX, a device that targets wrinkles, enlarged pores and dark spots with fractional red light therapy and deep thermal heating. By delivering professional results in just five minute sessions, it easily helps maintain a youthful complexion by stimulating collagen and making skin absolutely radiant.

Used in tandem with the incredibly potent Age-Defying Moisturizer, you’ll see a softer, more hydrated complexion through the power of Squalene – a derivative of natural oils found in olives. The moisturizer is able to get deep into pores in order to tackle signs of aging, lifting and tightening skin.

Bamboo Cutting Board — This cutting board is beautiful and would make a great hostess gift, gift for newlyweds or new home owner.  It comes with 3 matching bamboo serving utensils (large spoon, fork, spatula).  It will look gorgeous sitting on your counter and is very functional too!  Use it for meal prep, slicing apples or even as a cheese board.  This thick and sturdy cutting board features a groove which was designed to catch juices while cutting and contain the mess. I think it also adds to the design! Right now you can save 20% on your purchase with code gift1250 at checkout on Amazon.

Wildkin Duffle Bag —This carry-on bag features a large main compartment.  It is fully lined for durability and easy cleaning.  The shoulder strap is adjustable and detachable making this a versatile bag for traveling.  It’s the perfect size for overnight or weekend trips.  I love the bright and bold colors and patterns of this one but it’s also available in other colors and patterns and Wildkin also offers other styles and sizes of bags.

MelodySusie Gel Polish Set — The MelodySusie offers an easy one step process for getting a long lasting manicure.  Features include:

•  With Mixed LED UV Light Beads, Pro24W Smart Nail Dryer can cure both UV and LED gel nail polish efficiently.
• 3 Kinds of pre-set time controls (30s, 90s, 120s), you can choose the proper time according to your needs
• User friendly: With Automatic Sensor Design, If you want to stop curing the nails ahead of time settled, you just need to pull your hand out
• Eye-friendly: The white light of the curing lamp does no harm to your eyes.

See my full review here.

Pipcorn — My husband LOVES this stuff.  He’s going to be so excited when I give him a whole box of his favorites including Pipcorn kernals and bags of Pipcorn in Sea Salt and Truffle. Pipcorn is a delicious mini popcorn that is certified vegan, gluten free, non-GMO, whole grain and high in fiber! Pipcorn made it on Oprah’s List of Favorite Things so the Hubs is not alone in his love of this awesome snack. Pipcorn would make a fun and unique gift for almost anyone on your holiday shopping list.  Gift the kernels with some gourmet seasonings and take your present to the next level! You can read my full review here.

Tervis Tumblers — With so many sports options, I’ve included these under gifts for men but really they’re for everyone!  In fact I got one for everyone in my family: A Seahawks one for the hubs, a baseball one for my son in his team’s colors, a Popsicle one for my youngest and an emoji one for my oldest daughter.  These insulated cups keep your drinks hot or cold, come in over 8000 designs, and have different options for lids.  Tervis even has custom cups available if you’re looking for a unique gift.  Love these!

The Northwest Blanket — Everyone loves a good blanket but the guys on your list will really appreciate a fuzzy Northwest blanket with their favorite sports team!  There are LOTS to choose from, but of course I highly recommend any of the Seahawks ones.  Go Hawks!  Read my full review here.

Philips Norelco Shaver Series 9000 —Experience the future of shaving with the NEW Philips Norelco Shaver Series 9000, a breakthrough innovation in shaving technology. Because men’s hair grows in every direction, the Philips Norelco Shaver Series 9000 features a unique Contour Detect Technology system which adjusts to the curves of a man’s face and cuts hair in eight different directions simultaneously –for perfection in every pass.

Dollar Shave Club — If your hubby/son/nephew prefers razors, a subscription to Dollar Shave Club would be a fantastic gift!  Choose from three different razors shipping monthly or every other month for a great price!  A little secret — I use these razors and love them.  They’re great for women too!  Your first month is FREE!

 

Chuao Chocolatier — With flavors like Potato Chip, Caramel Apple Crush, Baconluxious, Salted Chocolate Crunch, Honeycomb and Firecracker (featuring Sea salt, a dash of chipotle and popping candy crackle in dark chocolate) there’s something for everyone to love.  Best of all, it’s conveniently available at CVS stores!  Fill their stockings with this premium chocolate and make their holiday season complete!

Surprizamals — Kids are going crazy for these tiny collectible plush toys.  They come completely concealed inside a plastic ball so each one is a surprise! There are 3 different series with 12 different characters. Each character ranges from common to rare and you never know which one your’ll get! Collect them all!  They are currently on sale for a limited time at buy 4 get 1 free so stock up for stocking stuffers!  Surprizamals are available at major retailers including Toys “R” Us and Justice.

Ice Chips “The Good For You Candy” —Made from 100% Birchwood xylitol, which is both dentist and diabetic approved, this candy is the perfect healthy alternative for those with a sweet tooth and come in a variety of fun flavors, including Strawberry Daiquiri, Margarita, Sour Cherry, Berry Mix and Lemon. Cinnamon is one of my personal favorite flavors but there are so many, there’s sure to be something for everyone on your “Nice list”.

Urban Market Bags — Created by two moms and longtime friends, these eco-friendly bags are built to eliminate the hassle of dealing with stains, bulkiness and soiling of other reusable bags all while staying stylish and practical.  One drawstring pack holds 3 completely washable, generously sized bags and is compact enough to fit in your car’s cup holder!  Each nylon bag has long handles for shoulder carrying and is great for everything from groceries to daily outings and activities. The drawstring pack is 5’’ tall and 3.5’’ wide. The bags are 26’’ tall and 12.5’’ wide.  Purchases in packs of three or six in a selection of gorgeous colors at www.urbanmarketbags.com.

EYN Smart Phone Case —EYN cases can fit on most smartphones including the iPhone 4/4S, iPhone 5/5S, iPhone 6 and 6 plus as well as the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android phone. The Eyn cases (which stands for “everything you need”) serves as an all-in-one storage piece for cash, credit cards, keys, and of course, your smart phone. The EYN built-in storage compartment with mirror also serves as protection for your smart phone. The case doubles as a stand to watch videos or play applications with ease. Cases are available in many colors, and each includes a strap to go around your wrist to keep your phone secure.  These cases are built well.  Both my hubby and I love our EYN cases.  So much so that we replaced ours with new ones when they wore out.  For as much wear and tear as our phone cases get, these cases lasted quite awhile and we highly recommend them!

 

Picture Keeper Connect — One of my favorite gift suggestions this year is the Picture Keeper Connect.  This small but mighty little gadget is perfect for any tween or adult on your holiday shopping list.  This device will simply and quickly back up all of your photos from your phone or computer to free up valuable storage space.  It will put your mind at ease knowing that you have a copy of your precious photos and files.  Tuck ones of these into your stocking or wrap one up for your favorite friend — the recipient is sure to appreciate the practicality of this device that likely provides a solution to a common problem.  You can read my full review here or watch my video review here.

Chibebe Snuggle Pod — The Chibebe Snuggle Pod is a smart gift purchase because it grows with the child for years of use! The Snuggle Pod is a bean bag chair of sorts.  It has an inner bag which you fill with beans.  It comes with two zip on tops — one for babies with a harness to be used from birth and a matching toddler seat without a harness to be used once baby is able to sit unattended.  The covers are washable and come in a variety of colors and adorable prints like this “Hoot” print one with owls on it.  Most of the prints are unisex but extra seats are also available in different colors so you can mix and match as needed.  Read my full review here.

The Poppy Crib Mattress is an excellent choice for health conscious and practical parents. You’ll want your baby’s sleep area to be a safe place to rest. The Brentwood Home crib mattress is free of any chemical fire retardants and has an easy to clean waterproof cover.  My favorite feature of this mattress is that it’s reversible!  One side is firm for your infant and the other side is soft for toddlers.  Simply flip the mattress over when the time is right.  See my full review here.

Sweatpea Changing Pad — This product is also non-toxic (free of phthalates and heavy metals) and easy to clean.  The contoured shape of the changing pad was designed to keep baby comfortable and minimize wiggling during diaper changes.  The specially designed bubble-quit cover gives your baby a tactile experience as they explore the surface with their tiny fingers.  Diaper changes can be messy — the cover is easy to remove for washing or replacement.  Read my full review here.

 

Games are always a fun gift for kids and families.  Below are a few popular ones this year plus some classics that never get old.  All of them are available at Staples.

Pie Face — This game sold out last year it was so popular!  Pie Face is filled with fun and suspense, and somebody’s bound to get surprised! Players load the arm with whipped cream (not included) or the included sponge, then take turns sliding their heads through the mask and spinning the spinner. But, watch out! The game unit could go off at any time giving someone a face full of whipped cream! (Whipped cream not included.)

Scrabble — This classic game is fun to play as a family.  My 9 year old asked for this game after we played it together at the library.  It’s great for helping kids increase their vocabulary, encourage strategic thinking and improving spelling by competing in this challenging game.

Apples to Apples — Over 7 million copies of this game have been sold and it’s a favorite of tweens.  This is another great game for playing as a family or in a group setting.  Play with 4-10 players!

Scribble N’ Play — This LED writing tablet is perfect for the car.  Kids can play games with each other or entertain themselves solo. This set comes with 4 unique stylus tools to create different effects and you can write and draw in multiple colors.  Erase your board with the touch of a button!  All three of my kids LOVE this product!.

All of the games above (and more!) can be found at Staples.

Mouthguard Challenge — This silly game is best suited for teens and up but kids get a kick out of trying on the mouthguard and creating their own silly challenges.  This game will have you laughing until your sides hurt!  See my full review here.

B-Air Fido Max 1 Dog Dryer – Cesar Millan Premier Grooming Collection — If you have a dog, you/they need this product!  Save time and money washing and drying your dogs at home for happier and stress-free pets.  You can use the Fido Max 1 to de-shed your dog’s coat and give your pet a light massage they’re sure to love!  Since dogs have a naturally higher body temperature, this product does not include heat to keep your pet comfortable.  The Fido Max 1 can also be used to blow dirt from your dogs coat without bathing.  Now rainy weather, dips in the pool and dirty walks are no big deal — nothing the Fido Max 1 can’t handle!  Choose from a variety of colors — each comes with several attachments to keep your dog looking good at any time without the high cost of a groomer!

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