Holiday Shopping Guide 2014

It's that magical time of year where we all hunt for perfect gifts that will inspire and delight.

Our elves have been hard at work for the past 11 months identifying what's worthy of a spot beneath your tree (or next to your menorah). We've got solutions for your toughest giftgiving conundrums--and maybe even a few things you'll want to add to YOUR list. Trust us.

We know you're busy. We know you want to dazzle. As you click through our biggest and best holiday guide know that it is mom-tested and kid-approved.

Happy holidays and I hope you all find yourselves on the "nice" list.

Cheers, Nicole After months of planning, countless hours curating our picks and too many coees to count, I am thrilled beyond words that it is finally time to share this amazing Shopping Guide. We know you have lots of budgeting, list-making and browsing to do before making your holiday purchases and I truly believe this is a valuable tool in the process.

In addition to literally hundreds of gift ideas we are honored to share interviews with amazing tastemakers who we admire and respect. I’m also excited to share a family cocktail recipe that is perfect for the holidays.

Happy shopping!

Happy Holidays, Kate

(c) 2014 MOMTRENDS MEDIA LLC Kate Marsh Lord Editor-in-Chief

Nicole Feliciano Publiasher

Brooke Stewart Sales Director

Patti Murphy

Creative Director

DIY

gift

for the kids

Splurge 3 Stocking Stuffers 5 Books 7 Toys Under $25 8 2014 Hot Toys 9 Baby’s First Christmas 11 Battery Free Play 13 Royalty-in-Training 14 Subscription Boxes 15 Minecraft 17 Tech for Kids 18 STEM Toys 20 Get Moving 21 American Girl 22 Board Games 32

for the grownups on your list New Mom 12 Subscription Boxes 16 Holiday Host 26 Foodie 30 Grandparent 31 Stylish Mama 33 Best in Beauty 34 Woman Who Has Everything 36 Your BFF (or You!) 37 Technology Geek 39 Man Who Has Everything 40

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house & home Holiday Clothes 23 Pajamas Tradition 24 Cocktail Recipe 25 Cards & Decor 27 Printable & Gift Idea 41

trendsetters 7 Soleil Moon Frye 13 Jordan Reid 20 Pam Ginocchio 30 Sheri Gurock 36 Rosie Pope 39 DeNai Jones

favorite holiday cocktail page 25

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the BIG one

Personalized Flyer Plane

Bungalow Play Home

TeePee Drum Set 3

Newport Doll House

Rocket Modular Builder

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Snap!

Farmhouse Kitchen

Take test photos the night before the big reveal to capture the best reaction shot.

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you’re never too old for a

stocking

STOCKING stuffers

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5

Soleil Moon Frye

Soleil Moon Frye is widely known as star of the 1980s TV series Punky Brewster. In 2008, she launched The Little Seed, her eco-friendly clothing line for kids; and in 2011, released her book, “Happy Chaos: From Punky to Parenting and My Perfectly Imperfect Adventures in Between.” She shares parenting tips as Target’s Mommy Ambassador and on her website, Moonfrye.com. Soleil resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Jason and their three kids, Poet, Jagger and Lyric.

WHAT IS ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST? Anything homemade or that allows my family quality time together. We purchase art supplies like Kid Made Modern for the girls to make awesome homemade presents. I love seeing what they come up with!

FAVORITE FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITION? We get ready for the holidays by decorating the house and cooking and baking together as a family – and we buy all our supplies on a family shopping trip to Target. On Christmas Day, we open our stockings and see what Santa brought us and usually spend the day just being grateful to be together and enjoying the moments as a family. Last year, we looked around and saw how much food we had from all the holiday celebrations. As a family, we drove down to skid row to bring it to the LA Mission on Christmas night. It was a really fantastic way to teach the kids that giving back is one of the best parts of the holiday season.

BEST GIFT YOU EVER GAVE? My husband loves anything that has to do with music. A few years ago I bought him a Sonos, which was a big hit. An easy and thoughtful gift this year would be the Beats by Dre Solo 2 Headphones ($199.99)

IT GIFT FOR KIDS THIS YEAR? I always try to make sure gadgets and toys have an additional component like creative play or learning. The LeapFrog LeapTV Educational Active Video Gaming System ($149.99) has educational videos to get the girls excited about learning and get them moving around with interactive activities.

ARE YOU ON THE NICE OR NAUGHTY LIST THIS YEAR? The nice list! This has been a special year with the addition of Lyric to our family, and I am so excited to have our wonderful and growing family celebrate the holidays together this year.

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7

The Joy of Reading

Under

$25

Crayola Paint Maker

Kids will love the Little Tikes Splish Splash Sink and Stove with its real working faucet and tons of kitchen accessories! Only $19.99!

Tool Belt

Sushi Set

Green Toys Ferry Boat

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Hot Toys

Chuggington StackTrack

LeapTV Video Game System

Let’s Imagine Elmo

Hess 50th Anniversary Truck 9

Snow Glow Elsa

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best bets Transformers Stomp & Chomp

Hot Wheels R/C Flying Car GoGo My Walkin’ Pup

Simon Swipe Game Doc McStuffins Mobile Cart

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First Christmas Personalized Ornament

Mabel's Labels durable, personalized labels make the perfect addition to any holiday gift. Label all of the new toys, clothes and electronics to make sure everything comes home where it belongs!

Sit to Stand Cruiser

Celebrate Firsts First Christmas Onesie 11

Personalized Stocking

Jordan Reid started Ramshackle Glam in 2010 to focus to her true passions – fashion, beauty, entertaining, home décor, and DIY. She recently published her first book, “The New Mom’s Haphazard Guide to Almost Having It All”, and is currently working on her second from her home in Connecticut.

WHAT IS ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST THIS YEAR? Maison Martin Margiela Four Finger Rings - I love the cigar-band-ring-on-every-finger look. I also wouldn't toss the Clare Vivier oversize leopard clutch out of bed...but I don't have a ton of places to carry a fancy purse to these days, what with the newborn baby and all.

DO YOU BAKE ANYTHING SPECIAL AT THE HOLIDAYS? My number-one way to simplify entertaining is to bake up a whole bunch of loaf cakes and then stick them in the freezer, so all I have to do if someone drops by is defrost one and there you go: I can pretend to be a totally fancy, prepared hostess.

FAVORITE FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITION? Every year we take a day trip to Nyack, New York and visit a Christmas shop to pick up an ornament that symbolizes the past year for each of us (last year, I got a pencil to symbolize the publication of my first book, and my husband got a studious owl because he enrolled in business school).

BEST GIFT YOU EVER GAVE? My husband is a musician - he used to be the keyboardist for the band Harlem Shakes - and last year for his birthday I surprised him with a piano (and recorded the surprise with a hidden camera, obviously, because that's how I roll).

ARE YOU ON THE NICE OR NAUGHTY LIST THIS YEAR? Depends who you ask ;)

Gifts for a New Mom

BATTERY-FREE play

Wild Wings Dress Up

Band in a Box City Playmat

Floor Puzzle Mooshka Doll 13

Tinkertoy Essentials Set

Royalty in Training

Star Sisters Book Tea Set

CHARM IT! Bracelet

Cardboard Castle Personalized Stickers

The Obsession Explained

“I like princesses because they are girly with their hair all done up and they wear makeup and fancy dresses and get to dance at royal balls!�

Ariana, age 6

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Subscription Boxes

DELIVER AWESOME

Nerd Block, Jr: toys

Koala Crate: preschool crafts

Little Passports: global adventure

Space Scouts monthly subscription club for kids is a delightful learning adventure aimed at discovering the wonders of the universe! Each month your child will explore a new place in space -- stepping into the worlds of space exploration, space science, and astronomy.

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grownups, too!

Foodstirs: kitchen

SPARKBOX Toys: toys

pley: LEGOs

Bluum: baby & mom 16

MINECRAFT The Obsession Explained “Minecraft is a world made of blocks. I like Minecraft because there are so many cool creations that you can make. There’s also a mode where you just try to survive - and it never ends!”

Minecraft Video Game

Jack, age 7

Magnets

Masters of Minecraft Fiction Book Series

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Light Up Torch

Animal Toys

TECH

for kids

ASUS VivoTab Note 8

SparkUp Magical Reader

VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch

Buddy Phone Headphones

Nikon CoolPix

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Pam Ginocchio founded Project Nursery, the ultimate children’s design resource, with her friend Melisa Fluhr. She lives in the heart of San Francisco, CA and is a multi-tasking mom to three tots: Gigi (8), Gray (6) and Sloane (3). The duo recently launched the Project Nursery: The Shop and when you outgrow the nursery head to Project Junior.

WHAT IS ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST? I'm a sucker for bling so every time the holidays roll around I'm always hoping for something sparkly to add to my jewelry box. I've been obsessed with anything rose gold and I've been eyeing this cool X Ring by EF Collection. Fingers Crossed!

DO YOU BAKE ANYTHING SPECIAL AT THE HOLIDAYS? We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas so there are definitely a few nights with latkes on the menu! I'm also a pretty good baker so I always spend at least one long afternoon baking holiday cookies with the kids. Their favorite cookies to decorate are good old sugar cookies because I let them set up the wackiest toppings bar they can dream up with all sorts of candies and frosting. My favorite combo is chocolate, chocolate chip cookie with white frosting and crushed candy cane on top. Yum.

FAVORITE FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITION? The day after Christmas we pack up the car and head to Hog Island Oyster Co in Tamales Bay for a low key, friends and family oysters and leftovers picnic. It's always so much fun and a great way to relax after what is always a packed couple of days.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIE? No brainer. “Love Actually.”

IT GIFT FOR KIDS THIS YEAR? For my little one - Giant Stuffed Giraffe For my big kids - Kindle Fire XD

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STEM Toys

build, learn, have fun

MagnaTiles Solid GS Set

Goldie Blox and the Dunk Tank

Snap Circuits Strobe & Sound

Hexbug Robotics Construction Set Tinker Crate by Kiwi Crate

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Let’s GO! Give the quality gift that gets kids exercising!

Great for getting to school or around the neighborhood in style, the smooth-gliding Maxi Scooter is the perfect present for ages 5 through 12.

Ezy Roller Build-a-Trike

Racecar Tee 21

Strider Bike

Holiday Dress Up

Gymboree Holiday Charmer 
 & Handsome Houndstooth Appaman Fine Tailoring

Hanna Andersson Snowy Sweden

Ralph Lauren Bear Sweaters 23

Matilda Jane Holiday Collection

Carter’s Snug Fit PJs

Chasing Fireflies Personalized PJs

make PJs a

tradition

Old Navy PJ Set

Hanna Andersson Very Merry Pajamas

Skyler Luna Pajamas

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y a d i l o H cipe e R

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for the Host

with the Most Paisley OrnamentGift Mugs

Cochine Scented Candle Hickory Farms Gift Box

Initial Ornament

Liquor Flavored Trues 26

Celebrate

the season Minted's Ornament Holiday Card doubles as a gift and card in one! Available in several ornate shapes with luxe linen ribbon included. Minted also oers free styled recipient address printing in the famed Minted Envelope for all of their holiday cards.

Sequin Pillows Advent Village

My Holly Ornament 27

Personalized Wrapping Paper

Custom Garden Flag

Snowflake Dinnerware

Handcrafted Menorah

Gelt Platter

Platter & Plates Photo Cards

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Magic Beans was founded in 2004 by husband and wife team Eli and Sheri Gurock. The Gurocks conceived the idea while Sheri was pregnant with her second child. They envisioned a retail experience designed for kids and optimized for parents, a place that would balance the fresh and new with the tried and true.

WHAT’S ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST THIS YEAR? A new iPad Mini - the screen "mysteriously" cracked on my old one and none of the kids will 'fess up!

DO YOU BAKE ANYTHING SPECIAL AT THE HOLIDAYS? I used to be an avid baker and would put together boxes of holiday treats for all the employees at Magic Beans. It was a huge project! But over the past 18 months, my family has moved over to eating very clean - few or no grains, no gluten, no dairy, no refined sugar. So my baking has changed a lot. I still love to bake though, and am working on a recipe for grain-free gingerbread cookies. Wish me luck.

FAVORITE FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITION? We celebrate Chanukah, and I love gathering as a family each evening and lighting the candles. But we also are big fans of Christmas and especially all the delicious foods that come along with it, so instead of ordering Chinese food on Christmas Eve, we will often cook Kosher versions of some traditional Christmas recipes.

IT GIFT FOR KIDS THIS YEAR? We are really excited about the SparkUp Reader for this holiday season. It's this really cool technology that allows you to record yourself reading your child's favorite books. There's a built-in camera, so the audio is always aligned with the page the child is looking at. It's amazing for kids who love to hear the same book over and over again, or for grandparents who live far away, or parents who are deployed or traveling for business. We think this is going to be a big hit.

ARE YOU ON THE NICE OR NAUGHTY LIST THIS YEAR? Oh gosh, I hope I'm on the nice list. But I have two pre-teen daughters, so best not to ask them for their opinion.

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Kiss

the Cook

Hello Fresh Delivery Keurig 2.0

Vitamix Blender

Personalized Cutting Board

Stainless Steel Mandoline

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great

Grand parent

GIFTS Photo Cube

Personalize

a

PagePendant Heart

Gourmet Dried Fruit and Nut Tray

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Personalized Hometown Puzzle

from customizable jewelry line Carved Creations.

Select names and birthstones, creating a one of a kind gift that loved ones will cherish during the holidays and throughout the year.

Instagram Photo Book

family GAME NIGHT

adults

ONLY

holiday of champions!

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Elements of

Style

You loved it for spring, now wear it in black for fall. Our favorite CAbi Needle Lace Shell, and best-seller, is perfect for a sleek look under suits, or worn back to soft summer skirts as a great transition piece.

Chic Backpack 33

Statement Necklace

Moto Boots

Flattering Skinny Jeans

BEST in

Beauty Clarisonic Mia 2 Tria Age-Defying Laser

bareMinerals The Big Top Makeup Studio Palette

Makeup Pouch Hormonal breakouts are such a bummer.

Apothederm速 Acne Clarifying Treatment is power packed to help fight blemishes and help prevent future breakouts. Non-drying and helps to provide hydration to skin instead of stripping it away like other products.

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London-born entrepreneur and mother of four, Rosie Pope is the creative force behind Rosie Pope Maternity and Rosie Pope Baby, her maternity and baby clothing and accessories line, with stores in Santa Monica and New York’s Upper East Side and the Tribeca neighborhood. The high-demand and popularity of the Rosie Pope brand peaked interest from top resellers and her collections are now sold Internationally. Rosie Pope Maternity and Rosie Pope Baby is now dubbed one of the top-selling, boutique maternity brands. Pope is one of the most successful and trusted parenting lifestyle experts in the world and has further expanded her brand with MomPrep, a premier roster of classes for moms and moms-to-be that offer extensive workshops and seminars for prenatal, postpartum and parenting education.

WHAT IS ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST? MOMogram jewelry from Katherine Kane!

DO YOU BAKE ANYTHING SPECIAL AT THE HOLIDAYS? Gingerbread men. I like to decorate them like each member of the our family! The kids love it.

FAVORITE FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITION? The Christmas trail. I leave a trail of little goodies leading from the kids rooms all the way to the Christmas tree. They have a basket waiting outside their rooms to fill and it's so wonderful to hear their screams of delight when they wake up and follow the trail Christmas morning!

BEST GIFT YOU EVER GAVE? Oil painting of the sunset over Charleston, South Carolina. It's a favorite place for my husband and I and so the painting is very meaningful.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIE? “Elf on the Shelf.” I love the song "Extravaganza glorious” - I really do!

Gifts that

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give back

Pocket Pouch Star Studs

Pom Pom Hat

A stunning centerpiece for your jewelry collection, the glass-crystal CAbi Princesa was inspired by a vintage estate find and designed to transform with your wardrobe. Remove the three pendants to create a set of brooches and a bracelet or a brooch, two earrings and a bracelet when paired with our Mix & Mingle Vintage Stud Earrings.

Custom GraďŹƒti Bracelet

Metallic Trellis Scarf

Personalized iPhone Case

It’s all about the details

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the

Girlfriend’s Guide to great gifts

Wishing Bracelet Coffee Tumbler

Personalized Notepad 37

Tee

Screenprinted Card

Peace & Love Plates

eil ancy N redit: N Photo C

DeNai Jones is the founding designer and inspiration behind the company’s name (her father gave her the nickname when she was very young) has been the creative force behind Petunia Pickle Bottom since its inception. Inspired by travel, architecture, vintage textiles and a desire to bring style and sophistication to the world of modern parenting, the brand’s bold graphic prints have become the signature of their collections, season after season.

WHAT IS ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST? My husband and I usually just focus on the kids for the holidays, and save our dollars for travel. If I had to pick one thing though, I would maybe add to my Le Creuset vintage-white collection.

FAVORITE FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITION? Gosh, there are so many traditions we’ve created over the years that it’s hard to choose just one! I’d have to say celebrating Christmas Eve. Both sides of our family gather at our house, then we walk to Christmas Eve service. After church, we enjoy a meal together. Truly what I love most about it is having my whole family together and being thankful for what is most important to us.

IT GIFT FOR YOUR KIDS THIS YEAR? They have been loving the Kendama craze. Both of my boys have asked for an upgrade, the Kendama Pro. However, my oldest son did ask for a trip to Costa Rica, and then my youngest followed up with a request to go to Thailand. I think we will opt for the less expensive option- the Kendama Pro it is!

REAL OR FAKE TREE? We generally go for a real tree, but in the past we’ve done an avant-garde tree. We decorated a very large, leafless white-barked birch tree from our cabin. I have to say, it really looked gorgeous!

FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIE? My favorite holiday movie is White Christmas. I just love the nostalgia, the costumes, and the story line, too. I watch it every year!

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Tops in TECH

LED Dimmable Light with Bluetooth Speaker

Microsoft Surface Pro 3

TiVO Roamio Logitech Bemo Social Video Camera Storms and power outages can easily sever your network connection, just when you need it the most. Losing Internet access breaks our line of communication for business operations, news and weather updates, and restricts us from contacting friends and family. The APC BGE90M Back Ups Connect will keep your network up and running for hours and charge your mobile devices as needed.

Gifts for Him

OYO Sports creates buildable minifigures that are designed to replicate the likeness of professional NFL, NHL, and MLB athletes so the biggest (or littlest) sports fans can recreate their favorite moments in sports.

Oru Kayak

Personalized Beer Holder

Bomber All-Mountain Skis

ESPN 30 for 30 Box Set Saddleback Leather Wallet 40

e l b a t n i r P g Easy DIY Gift Idea a T t f i G

Giving a sweet gift doesn’t get any easier. Pick a sweet mug, fill with your favorite hot chocolate, print our tag and it’s ready to go!

DOWNLOAD Click to download our exclusive free holiday printable.

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GIFT-WORTHY MUGS

Snow Day-Worthy

Outerwear from Lands’ End