Telling It Like It Is» Holidays

It’s The Thought That Counts – Thoughtful Gift Giving

Lin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:38 +0000

When giving gifts for any occasion, it’s the thought that counts. Being a thoughtful gift giver means we have taken the time to carefully think about the gift recipient’s personal interests, needs, wants, likes and dislikes, in order to find an appropriate gift to give from the heart.

Being thoughtful is defined by personal qualities like being kind, giving, considerate, attentive, appreciative, helpful, caring, loving, and giving mindful thought towards the comfort and good of others. Kids learn the thought counts very early in life, and teachers appreciate thoughtful gifts from schoolchildren, so why are thoughtful gifts given such a bad rap?

“You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for others – something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.” – Albert Schweitzer

It’s The Thought That Counts

There are many ways to be thoughtful and kind in our daily lives that have nothing to do with giving gifts to others for birthdays, Christmas, Hannukah, other holidays and special occasions. I personally enjoy sending special cards to people I love and care about, perhaps a “just because” or “thinking of you” card, always remembering to send Christmas, birthday or anniversary cards to those on our list.

Why send cards? Because I can and want to, and because it’s just one more way for me to show loved ones they are being thought of and cared for throughout the year. Being thoughtful and giving towards others does not only include close friends and family, but also our neighbors and complete strangers we’ve never met before, perhaps while performing random acts of kindness from a caring, giving, charitable heart.

Thoughtful gifts do not have to be expensive and gifts do not have to be for any specific occasion. Well thought out gifts show a person you’ve been thinking about them, how well you know them and want to buy a gift for them that they will like and genuinely appreciate, even if it’s a cheap gift.

When we think of others and kindly put them ahead of ourselves, we reduce our thoughts about ourselves and our own ego, especially if the giving act is done without expectations. When we accept gifts with genuine gratitude, regardless of whether we like the gift or not, we reduce thoughts about ourselves and our ego. This is a spiritual benefit of giving and receiving.

Whose thought counts? The quote “it’s the thought that counts” expresses the thought process and good heart condition of a thoughtful gift giver, but not necessarily that of the gift recipient. The idiom that acknowledges thoughtfulness and kindness on the part of a gift giver is far too often given a negative connotation.

“People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway. The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind. Think big anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People really need help but may attack if you help them. Help people anyway. Give the world the best you have and you might get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.” – Dr. Kent M. Keith (The Paradoxical Commandments)

Practical or “safe” gifts can be misinterpreted as a sign of not caring about the person being gifted, or wrongly interpreted as being given purely out of obligation, rather than a desire to give nice gifts. Intentions are sometimes questioned, false assumptions and judgments are made as to why the gift is being given at all.

The Art of Receiving – Gift Etiquette

Receiving gifts properly in an art form, and it is a joy for people to give freely to others, but many are not comfortable with the etiquette for receiving a gift. There is an art to receiving gifts, compliments or money, and while most of us give quite easily, some feel especially uncomfortable or unworthy of receiving gifts. The psychology and science behind “it’s the thought that counts” and the art of receiving is discussed by Ode Magazine, explaining how receiving may be harder than giving for various reasons, but can lead to even greater personal and spiritual growth.

The receiver of gifts should always remember that an effort was made, no matter how big or small. It is good etiquette and good manners to accept a gift graciously and to say thank you. To choose the perfect gift that a gift receiver will enjoy and will be happy to receive, we have to tune into that person, carefully listen to what they have to say, and take notice of what they need or want for Christmas gifts or birthdays that are within the budget.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Inconsiderate, negative attitudes on the part of a gift recipient might be expressed with words or implication that mean the gift(s) received “wasn’t at all what the person wanted from you; it’s cheap but okay and will do just fine; at least you tried; it’s better than nothing; the thought is appreciated but……”

Such negative responses are a clear sign of an unappreciative, inconsiderate person, who does not understand or care about the real meaning of it’s the thought that counts and what being a thoughtful, gracious receiver of gifts is all about. Be positive and giving towards others anyway, give from the heart and make it personal.

When receiving a gift, always say a heartfelt, sincere Thank You for the gift received. It doesn’t matter how large or small a gift is, how little a gift may cost; what is important is the feeling or thoughtfulness that the giver is expressing with his or her gift.

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa

If someone buys a gift for you that you don’t like, but they did it out of love, that should still be acknowledged. No one should judge a gift based on the assumed value of the item or how much a gift costs, but appreciate the gift given that has thought and feeling behind it. If you’re given an inexpensive gift that someone put a lot of time, thought and work into, you should be just as appreciative as if the person gave you an expensive diamond ring.

“Giving whether it be of time, labor, affection, advice, gifts, or whatever, is one of life’s greatest pleasures.” – Rebecca Russell

With a little creativity and planning, coming up with ideas on how to be thoughtful about gift-giving and finding meaningful gifts for Christmas, birthdays or any occasion becomes easier. The best presents are always the ones that directly think of the recipient, heartfelt and genuine gift giving. That’s the real meaning behind it’s the thought that counts and what matters most.

Similar Posts:

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

2012 New Year’s Resolutions Or Setting Attainable Goals

Lin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:54 +0000

We all know that once Christmas finishes, that’s when everyone starts thinking of their silly, quirky and even serious New Year’s Resolutions. They usually tend to be the same every year, since come February you gave up and quit, so a New Year means a new start to what you wanted Last Year.

For most women they tend to be about losing weight or even simply eating better. For men, I believe it tends to be more about quitting drinking if they tend to over-indulge. But whatever the case may be, I think we’re all guilty of not completing the year before’s resolution(s).

To keep things simple for myself, I decided I’m not going to set a New Year’s Resolution. Why should I tell myself, “I should do this…” or, “I should try that…” when I know that I’m going to completely forget about it fairly soon? I tend to set general goals for myself throughout a year that I know I can (and WILL) actually accomplish, instead of waiting till the beginning of a new year to say, “I’m going to do [this] this year”.

My boyfriend and I decided around November that we REALLY needed to get ourselves into college and pursue some type of career. Why should we wait for January to roll around to get ourselves started looking at colleges? It was something that desperately needed to be done, and now it’s been accomplished.

We’re both enrolled at DeVry University, with me pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Web Graphic Design, and him pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Networking. Although I’m nervous for school to start, because I don’t know 100% what to expect from college, I’m glad that we set a goal and actually did it, instead of starting to and then not actually doing it.

I know, maybe I should set my Resolution to be something like getting a 3.0+ GPA, or getting on the Dean’s list for sweet grades. That’s all good and dandy, but that’s just something to I’m going to strive for automatically. When I was a freshman in high school, for my first semester I got a 3.8GPA, so I know that I can easily get a 3.0 or even my old 3.8 GPA if I really wanted to. I had it then, so I can get it now.

Since I’m pregnant with my second child, maybe I should set something around being the best mom to two kids I could possibly be. Why, though? I KNOW I’m going to be the best mom to my two kids, so I’m not going to bother making it a New Year’s Resolution. Maybe I should set it for something a little more difficult like being a manager at a company? That might actually be reachable if I was currently working, or if someone would hire a 4 month pregnant woman. Maybe my boyfriend should set it as his New Year’s Resolution to be the manager at his job? That’s ALWAYS been his goal, so why should he make that his Resolution?

To me, Resolutions are just silly, something that typically goes in one ear and out the other. If you can set yourself a goal to something that’s going to be attainable, it should be attainable within 3-4 months. After that 4th or even 5th month, you entirely forgot that you even had a resolution, let alone remembering what it was that your goal was supposed to be. I wonder, though, who even began this tradition of setting goals that only 12% of the population actually succeed in?

Men tend to achieve their goals when they’re set in smaller chunks like losing a pound a week, instead of just general losing weight. Women tend to achieve their goals when they make it a public thing and have people backing them up and supporting them throughout the year to achieve said goal. So why don’t people publicize their short-term resolutions more-so than their obnoxious long-term resolutions? Maybe if people did that then the success rate would increase and the failure rate would decrease?

I’m not judging those people who actually put some serious thought into their Resolutions and actually do everything they can to achieve it. For those people who make silly resolutions with no desire to actually give it a shot, why even make a resolution to begin with? I think the idea behind making Resolutions are good and should be done all year, instead of just once a year. A whole year’s resolution should be to set small goals for you throughout the year, instead of just one massive goal that will fail within a couple months.

Maybe it’s just me and my own self determination to get things done (with a little encouragement from time to time) that I don’t see the need to set a New Year’s Resolution every single year, or maybe I just see no real need. Whatever the case may be, if you want to set a Resolution, by all means, go ahead. My only word of advice would be to just make sure it’s actually attainable in a short period of time instead of something that would be attainable next November or December.

Guest post written and submitted by Heather P. If you’re on Twitter, you can follow Heather P, and engage with her and fellow Hush Hush fans and Twilight book fans.

Similar Posts:

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

Baby Christmas Gifts – Personalized Baby Gifts – Christmas Gift Ideas For Baby Girls and Boys

Lin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:00:46 +0000

Choosing baby Christmas gifts for newborn babies, or growing baby girls or boys up to age two, is pretty easy. The pictured Plush Turtle Ball Pit Baby Toy Playcenter is a great gift for babies 6 months to 3 years old. Sit baby inside the Turtle Activity Bag’s soft shell and fill it with the set of 25 Play Balls, or zip the turtle up to discover other fun activities on the outside of its shell.

Christmas gifts for babies and toddlers can be personalized in many ways, perhaps with a gift of a personalized newborn “babies first Christmas” ornament with the child’s name engraved on it, to be hung on the xmas tree or used as gift wrap decoration attached to a pretty decorative bow.

Babies always need new clothes, shoes and toys, as they grow out of things so fast. Warm winter clothes or holiday-themed baby outfits are always a welcomed and appreciated Christmas gifts for little kids. Baby toys (rattles, push-and-pull toys, blocks, puzzles, “noisy” musical toys, soft plush toys, dolls, bath toys, toy cars and trains, ride-on toys etc) always tend to be at the top of the list of what to give babies for Christmas. Many of the classic toys from years gone by are still extremely popular toys to gift boy or girl babies and toddlers.

Many baby gifts can be personalized with the child’s name, birth date etc, so whenever I’m planning on buying and ordering gifts to be personalized, my first stop is to browse the many gift ideas that can be personalized at this website called Personal Creations. Personal Creations personalized gifts for newborn infants, babies, toddlers, older kids and adults are of high quality, with great attention to detail and very reasonable prices. I cannot recommend them highly enough for anyone wishing to buy personalized gifts.

Baby toy gift sets are a great bargain when searching for baby gifts at incredibly low prices, versus buying gift items for babies and toddlers individually at usually higher prices than you’d find by buying a gift set. Many gifts for babies or toddlers are not only cheap but well made, quality toys or gifts under 25 to 50 dollars, and many cost less than 10 dollars for bargain hunters. The pictured image of the 6-piece baby toy gift set by the Sassy baby and toddler toy company is a perfect example of how buying a gift set can be much cheaper than buying each item separately.

Baby gyms and activity playmats make a great Christmas gift for babies and newborns. Toy companies like Baby Einstein, Fisher Price and others offer many different styles, colors, shapes and designs of baby playmats for infants and older babies to enjoy playing on and discover colors, textures, shapes and more. The pictured baby playmat is the Baby Einstein Caterpillar and Friends Play Gym, which is a large, soft, machine washable play mat featuring classical music, dancing lights and 6 activities. The star-shaped electronic toy attaches to play gyms, baby carrier, and most cribs, and has baby motion activated lights and 8 classical melodies. The set also includes a plush dog chime, ring rattle, discovery cards with real life imagery, Frog rattle with bead chaser, leaf-shaped water-filled teether, and large baby safe mirror.

Toys and gifts for babies that help encourage learning skills, such as learning how to stand and walk, are among the best gifts to give a baby for Christmas or any other occasion. This Vtech – Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker shown pictured on the left is one amongst many walker toys that assist babies in learning how to go from a sitting position to standing and walking, and the many positive ratings for this baby toy by Vtech says it all. The Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker keeps baby on track by teaching shapes, colors, animals and music, plus there are three spinning flowers, five piano keys, colorful rollers, three light-up shape sorters and a telephone handset.

Designed for babies 6 months old to 3-year-old toddler children, this LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table includes 15 15 activities and over 40 songs and melodies in both English and Spanish! This colorful LeapFrog brand toy is an interactive learning station introduces babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers to early reading, math and language development skills through fun and engaging activities. Turn on the music mode and the child can enjoy listening, moving and dancing to 40 songs including nursery rhymes, upbeat dance tunes and real instrument sounds. Young children will learn letters A to Z; how to count from 1 to 10, colors and shapes, and much more.

Classic push toys, like this Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Corn Popper Push Toy for 1 year old to 5 year old children brings back lots of great memories of when my children were little and had great fun playing with “corn popper” toys. Every toddler should have one of these to enjoy. The Push Toy Corn Popper has a long blue handle, making great popping sounds as it rolls along on two brightly colored red/orange wheels as it bounces brightly colored balls inside a clear plastic bubble that’s mounted above the wheels. It’s a great toy for beginner walkers and it’s considered by many to be a great classic toy for many reasons. Babies, toddlers and preschool age children have a blast with corn popper toys, and no, they’re not “very noisy” where parents might become annoyed.

Fisher Price toys include some of the best quality toys on the market, and this Fisher-Price Amazing Animals Sing and Go Choo-Choo is as cute as they come. Designed for children 6 months old up to 3 years old, this motorized train with 3 animal friends included helps baby’s and kids learn about animals through songs and play. The train’s engine lights up, plays music and sounds, and each animal and train car is full of fun and rewarding activities-like movable, clicking joints, textured feet, teethable ears, rattles and more.

As a great fan of Melissa & Doug toys for kids that are strong and durable to last a long time, this soft Plush Rainbow Stacker by Melissa and Doug toy company is a must-have for babies and toddlers. Recommended and designed for babies 9 months old and up, the soft and plush stacking toy includes five multi-textured pieces, each of which rattle, jingle, squeak or crinkle, plus a color-coded stacking post. All the pieces are constructed of high quality velour and corduroy for strength and durability. Whether you’re shopping for infant babies, toddlers or preschool age children, you just can’t go wrong with Melissa and Doug toys and products for kids, and they deserve every toy award they’ve ever won.

Similar Posts:

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

Melissa and Doug Toys – Most Popular Melissa and Doug Wooden Toys, Puzzles, Kitchen, Castles

Lin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00:28 +0000

When it comes to buying Christmas gifts for kids, the very popular toys by Melissa & Doug rate very highly amongst kids, parents and gift-givers. Melissa & Doug toys are some of the most popular, most durable and most wanted toys on the market. That should come as no surprise to die-hard Melissa and Doug fans, considering how popular the Melissa & Doug Art Easel has been for quite some time, and continues to be on the top of the heap of best selling toy products for kids.

From beautiful puzzles to wooden toys, to adorable puppets, lifelike plush to wacky magic, hand-crafted baby toys to stunning dollhouses, kitchens and castles, the Melissa & Doug toy company mission is to bring value-priced, quality playthings into children’s lives. Most fans of Melissa & Doug are very familiar with the pretend play food that go wonderfully with the kitchen sets, numerous arts and crafts, fun educational toys, but Melissa and Doug are regularly creating many new great toys for kids to enjoy.

Melissa & Doug Giant Plush toys for kids of all ages are just some of the many great toys made by Melissa and Doug. For those not very familiar with all of the great toys and products made by Melissa & Doug, take a look at several of the most popular, best selling Melissa and Doug toys, puzzles, arts and crafts, kitchens and castles young children have fun playing with.

Best Selling Melissa & Doug Toys

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel – Designed for children 3 years old and up, the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Easel, children can create art with paint, chalk, pens, crayons, markers, and more, all at one convenient station. The deluxe easel features a bi-fold wood frame with two art stations, one on each side, which allows two children to work at one time. It’s also designed to let children experiment with several different art media: on one side is a chalkboard, on the other is a dry erase board, and in between the two easel sides is a dowel for holding a butcher paper roll (sold separately). The trays and art boards are held in place with screws that have large plastic knobs for easy loosening and tightening, and parents and caregivers will appreciate the easel’s easy-to-clean design.

Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks – Recommended for children 3 years old and up, this set of solid wooden blocks will engage toddlers and children for hours on end. Every toddler and young child should have at least one good quality, durable solid wooden block set in their toy collection. This wooden blocks set includes 60 precision-cut, standard-shaped, solid wooden blocks and feature smooth, rounded edges and are housed in a convenient, sturdy wooden storage crate. Each block is sanded to an ultra-smooth finish and features smooth, rounded edges so your child can play safely. The blocks are made of 100% hardwoods, with no fillers, paints, or varnishes, adding to your peace of mind. Included in the set are all the classic wooden-block shapes that allow children’s imaginations and engineering skills run wild as they build bridges, towers, houses and more. The blocks are packaged in a handsome, durable wooden storage crate that will help you keep the blocks stored in between building sessions, and help you keep them in your family for years to come.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Folding Princess Castle – Recommended for kids 3 years old up to 12 years old, this adorable wooden princess castle allows young girls (or even boys) to rule a kingdom with their own castle! Beautifully made play castle with solid, wooden construction, and features hand-painted accents, two removable turrets, balconies, flying buttress, and a working drawbridge! Melissa & Doug also offer a magnificent solid wood Folding Medieval Castle featuring extensive hand-painted accents, a working drawbridge and trap door, colorful courtyard, balconies and removable turret. Strong and durable toys that will last for many years is what you’ll find in toys by Melissa & Doug, and the many positive consumer reviews of Melissa and Doug toys will have you sold on these great, quality toys.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench – Children three years and older will delight in swinging a hammer or driving a screw on Melissa & Doug’s Wooden Project Workbench. This solid pine bench is sturdy enough for kids to use as a real workstation for hobbies and crafts. Included with this workbench are instructions for projects that you and your child can build together. Practical and fun, the Wooden Project Workbench will provide years of utilitarian entertainment for your little carpenter. At 20 inches in height, the flat, sturdy, spacious bench is designed for kids to comfortably stand and work, the workbench looks like a miniature version of the one you might already have in your garage or basement workshop. Wooden Project Workbench pieces, two Allen wrenches, toy saw, sawing board, wrench, screwdriver, hammer, 12 bolts, 12 nuts, 4 wheels, 4 hubs, 4 connector blocks, 4 nails, 14 building strips, and instructions are included. Melissa & Doug has become one of the most popular toy makers in the world. Its toys have garnered dozens of awards and have been widely featured in national media.

Melissa & Doug Classic Deluxe Kitchen – This little chef’s dream kitchen is recommended for children 3 to 7 years old, where young kids can prepare, cook, clean and create in this gorgeous wooden kitchen. This sturdy and durable deluxe kitchen set by Melissa & Doug includes a sturdy stovetop, roomy refrigerator, fancy freezer, see-through oven with knobs that turn, microwave with turntable, spacious sink, sizeable storage, beautiful detailing and bright, colorful graphics, all for an exceptional price. When it comes to buying a play kitchen set for kids, this is a kitchen set that has few rivals in terms of safety features, durability, and overall design. The stove dials and sink faucet and assemblies turn freely, which make it easy for the kids to use. Each of the doors is held shut by an adjustable plastic door latch that provides just enough tension to keep them from swinging freely but still easy for the kids to open. With rounded corners all around, children won’t have to worry about sharp edges. The stove, microwave, and refrigerator each feature simply painted details, such as timers, temperature gauges and a ice maker.

Melissa & Doug 4 Puzzle Pack with Storage Case – Recommended for children 24 months and up, four of Melissa & Doug’s most popular learning puzzles are included in this 4-pack puzzle set, plus a convenient wooden storage case. With their oversized “chunky” peg pieces, bright colors, and fun themes, these puzzles make a perfect introduction to playing with puzzles for kids in their toddler years beginning at age two. Each piece is thick-cut and includes a peg, making them easier for little fingers to manipulate. Each of the four wooden puzzles is handcrafted and brightly painted. And as with all of their products, Melissa & Doug states that this toy is made with non-toxic coatings and meets, or exceeds, US toy testing standards.

Melissa & Doug Monster Plush Bowling Game – This adorable bowling game for little kids as young as two is a perfect Christmas gift for little tykes, especially to enjoy playing with indoors during the cold winter months. Toddlers can learn coordination skills as they learn how to play the classic game of bowling with 6 brightly colored, soft and light-weight plush monster bowling pins and ball. The Monster Bowling set includes six fuzzy, soft pins; one beastly ball; a zippered carrying case to neatly store pieces when playtime is over.

These toys by Melissa & Doug are just a sampling of the many different types and styles of toys Melissa and Doug make for kids to enjoy, that are strong and durable and last a long time. Melissa & Doug’s wooden toys are magnificently designed for strength and durability, and any child who receives a toy gift from Melissa and Doug’s company will be thrilled beyond their imagination.

Similar Posts:

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

Christmas Bikes For Kids – Best Selling Kids Bikes and Motorized Kids Cars

Lin — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:00:18 +0000

One of the most popular Christmas gifts to give kids is a brand new bike. Children’s bikes, scooters, ride-on toys and electronic battery-operated cars for kids rate high on many kids wishlists at Christmastime. With the many Black Friday and Cyber Monday discount sales going on, now is the time to buy a kids bike, scooter or motorized vehicle for kids of all ages to enjoy riding on.

Knowing what the best selling bikes and electronic cars for kids are helps to reduce the confusion of what bike, scooter or electronic car to buy for the kid on your Christmas list. Oftentimes the “best selling” Christmas toys or gifts for kids and those deemed to be the “most popular” don’t have the same gift items listed. If you’re looking to buy a kids car or bike for Christmas, browse this list of the best selling kids bikes and motorized cars for kids before making your purchase, because the discount deals are virtually limitless.

Best Selling Bikes and Electric Cars For Kids

Strider PREbike Balance Running Bike – Designed for children, ages 1 to 5, the Strider running bike holds several advantages over ordinary beginner’s bikes. With the Strider PREbike, there are no “tricycle tip-overs” or “training-wheel wobbles” to create a fear, hesitancy, or dislike of bike riding. The Strider running bike helps toddlers learn balance and coordination before pedaling, which develops glittering confidence. The Strider teaches your child balance, coordination and develops glittering confidence. Trikes and bikes with training wheels don’t. Traditional bicycles place too much of the focus on learning to pedal–skimping on developing your child’s motor skills. And tricycles are heavy, clunky and difficult for kids to control. Color choices are blue, red, yellow, orange, pink or green.

YBIKE Balance Bike – Designed for kids 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 years old, the YBIKE Balance Bike is designed to help young toddler kids learn to ride a bike with good balance and coordination skills. The bike’s safety-oriented design helps kids learn the basics of riding without risking injury. The front wheel is considerably farther forward than on most children’s bikes, creating a bigger turning circle, making it less likely that kids will fall over the front when turning. The pair of back wheels makes the bike easier to balance while still allowing the child to lean side to side when turning. Each time your child rides, he or she will come closer to understanding how a real bike works. In addition, the back wheels are partially covered by the seat, keeping kids from riding over their feet, and the YBike’s large wheels and high ground clearance let kids ride safely on almost any terrain, including pavement, grass, or even sand.

Schwinn Boy’s 12-Inch Grit Bike – The Schwinn Boy’s 12-Inch Grit Bike is an ideal bike for the beginner rider, equipped with a parent push handle that actually steers the bike while the child learns how to steer and pedal. This push handle easily is removed when the child learns how to ride alone. Wide street tires make the bike very stable and gives a comfortable ride. The fully enclosed chainguard keeps the child clean and safe. Heavy duty training wheels for stability and a quick release saddle adjustment for growing children. Front and rear fenders keep the road grit off the rider. Includes a watter bottle and cage mounted on the push bar.

Spider-Man Bike with 12-Inch Wheels – Recommended for kids 2 to 5 years old, this Spider-Man-themed 12-inch BMX bike with heavy-duty steel frame is built for stability and comfort, is ideal for bicyclists-in-training thanks to its set of secure training wheels. Features include variety of Spider-Man decals and graphics dispersed throughout the bike, rear coaster brakes for sure stopping, pneumatic 12-inch knobby tires, a reinforced seat, and a fully enclosed chain guard for maximum safety. This 12-inch Spiderman bike is very popular for young kids and is listed among the best selling kids bikes, which can be assembled in under 30 minutes.

PlaSmart PlasmaBike – This PlaSmart PlasmaBike for little toddler kids is a fun ride-on bike that helps to develop balance, coordination and motor skills. It requires no batteries, gears, pedals or training wheels, but is just a fun, encouraging and progressive start to riding bicycles. Children as young as 18 months old can enjoy the freedom of riding without the added complication of training wheels or anxiety of having to hold their balance too long, too early. Unlike most balance bikes, wide wheels assist children in keeping PlasmaBike upright in a stopped or stationary position, giving children added confidence and promoting self-esteem. The wide wheels and limited steering range enhance balancing capabilities and provide a smoother transition to a conventional 2 wheel ride. Weighing less than 8 lbs, the PlasmaBike is lightweight, with a 55-lb weight capacity, and is easy to transport to playgrounds or when the child tuckers out! Color options are Red with black accents, or Black with red accents.

Razor Scooters – Razor scooters are extremely popular ride-on “toys” that come in sizes, weight limitations and colors for kids, tweens and teens, and adult size scooters. Razor kick scooters and electric Razor scooters tops the list of many kids and teens for very good reason. They are Fun! Recommended for ages 5 and older, the pictured Razor A is the original Kick Scooter, will support a rider up to 143 pounds, and is a handy ride-on scooter to get your child from point A to point B much quicker than on foot alone. Color options for the Razor A Kick Scooter are blue, red, green, pink, black, hello kitty and sweetpea.

Best Selling and Most Popular Motorized Electronic Cars for Kids

Power Wheels Disney/Pixar Toy Story 3 Lil’ Quad – Designed for kids 1 to 3 years old, Toy Story fans will enjoy a comfortable ride on this battery-operated quad for little tykes, featuring Buzz Lightyear details and colors. With footrests and a low seat that’s easy to straddle, the Lil’ Quad is designed for the safety and comfort of toddlers. A large button on the right handle bar moves the quad forward at a maximum speed of two miles per hour, while letting go of the button stops the four-wheeler quad from moving. After teaching your child how and when to steer, turn, and stop, he or she will be riding bravely toward the rescue just like their hero Buzz. This adorable riding toy for toddlers can be assembled in about 20 minutes.

Power Wheels Thomas & Friends Thomas the Tank Engine – Recommended for babies/toddlers 12 months old and up, this adorable battery powered Thomas and Friends ride-on toy allows toddlers to go Chugga-Chugga like a choo-choo-train. This toddler-friendly ride-on features step-up sideboard footrests for easy on and off, push-button operation for simple stop and go, a contoured, high-back seat for a secure and comfortable ride, and signature Thomas & Friends styling. It is recommended to ride outdoors only, goes a maximum of 2 miles per hour, and includes a 6-volt battery and charger. Consumer reviews of the Thomas & Friends Tank Engine are very positive, at a very reasonable price for the holiday season.

Power Wheels Disney/Pixar Cars 2 Lightning McQueen – Recommended for kids 3 years old and up (65 lb weight limit), kids can bring the fun and adventure of the hit movie Cars 2 to life, behind the wheel of their very own, talking Lightning McQueen racecar. Cool racecar sound effects and actual voice phrases from the movie add to real driving fun. Designed for outdoor use on hard surfaces and grass, this vehicle features three sound modes that include real Cars 2 movie phrases in English or Spanish and race car sounds, and drives forward and reverse at a maximum speed of 3-1/2 mph. Colorful racing decals, a rear spoiler, and a side-mounted dual exhaust highlight its durable red plastic exterior. And for added safety, the interior features smooth contours and rounded edges to protect against cuts and scratches.

Power Wheels Tough Talking Jeep Wrangler – Designed for kids 3 years old and up, with a maximum weight limit of 130 lbs, the Power Wheels Talking Jeep Wrangler comes equipped with a microphone that includes fun sound effects, a real voice-amplifying speaker, pretend radio, roomy cargo storage in the back, 12 volts of battery power for kids to have fun putting the pedal to the metal! Driver-friendly features include a high speed lock-out for beginners and Power Lock Brakes, with a comfortable, roomy interior for two riders. The Jeep Wrangler is a real driving machine, with two speeds forward (2.5 & 5 mph max.), plus reverse, and rugged tread tires that perform on both hard surfaces and grass. Driving a “real” vehicle gives kids a feeling of independence, accomplishment and self-confidence. Learning how to go forward and backward, change speeds, steer, stop and go is good for the development of motor skills and balance.

Power Wheels Barbie KFX 12V – Recommended for 3 to 6 years old, this pink and powerful Barbie Power Wheels powers through the toughest backyard driving conditions like never before—over ruts, wet grass, gravel, mud and more. Realistic Kawasaki ATV styling and sporty Barbie graphics make it fun to drive, with a twist grip throttle that revs it into high speed. Drives two speeds forward (2.5 and 5 mph), plus reverse. Equipped with high speed lock-out for beginners and power lock brakes. Includes 12-volt battery and charger. Your daughter and little girl on your list will love riding around the driveway on this Barbie vehicle by Fisher-Price. She’ll feel all grown up on this pretty pink bike, which features stylish Barbie decals. The four large wheels ensure she’ll experience a smooth and powerful ride.

Finding Christmas bikes for kids, or the oh-so-popular electronic vehicles and scooters for kids to drive and ride around in, is simply a matter of looking where the best deals and discounts are. Price comparison shopping is always a smart thing to do, especially when many deals on bikes include FREE Shipping!

Similar Posts:

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

Top 10 Christmas Toys for Kids – Affordable Christmas Gifts, Toys and Games for Kids

Lin — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:05:00 +0000

Predictions by major toy makers of what toys for kids will make up the list of hottest toys for Christmas 2011 have been released. The most popular and highly sought after toys and games for kids of all ages, for babies, toddlers, tweens and teens, includes many deep discount Black Friday and Cyber Monday-type sales to help the family budget.

Finding affordable Christmas gifts, gifts for under $25 to $50 and even less than twenty dollars are available if you know where to look. Christmas shopping online, vs physically going shopping in stores and malls, is an extremely efficient and time-saving way of doing price comparisons and finding the absolute best deals on toys, gifts, Christmas wrapping paper, decorations for the home, etc.

Top 10 Most Popular Christmas Toys For Kids

Fijit Friends – Fijit Friends Interactive Toy by Mattel are going to be HUGE sellers for Christmas this year, with young girl’s clamouring for one of these cheerful, dancing, squishy friends that will chat, tell jokes and respond to the mood of your music. Girls can poke and squeeze Fijit’s soft supple skin that enables lifelike movements and fun surprises. Featuring voice recognition, beat detection capabilities, and includes her own original songs, can respond more than 100 built-in phrases and jokes, and perform different dance moves. Designed for children 6 years old and up.

Sesame Street Let’s Rock Elmo – Kids will have lots of fun rocking out with the new interactive Let’s Rock Elmo. Elmo takes the stage singing and making music for kids and preschoolers. Let’s Rock Elmo comes with his own microphone and two instruments, a tambourine and a drum set. Preschoolers can choose which instrument Elmo plays, and he “magically” recognizes which one you give him. Elmo also interacts with other LET’S ROCK instruments (each sold separately); he knows when you’re playing the LET’S ROCK Guitar, Keyboard or Microphone and plays along with you! Let’s Rock Elmo is an ideal Christmas gift for kids from 18-months to 4-years old.

LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet – LeapPad Explorer is the personalized learning tablet just for kids ages 4 to 9 years. This popular interactive learning tablet for kids provides access to 100+ educational digital books, cartridge games, videos, flash cards and apps. A broad curriculum including reading, mathematics, science, geography, art, music, language and culture, health and more – skill levels automatically adjust the challenge to match each child’s pace and remember progress from game to game and book to book. The LeapPad’s built-in camera and video recorders, 5″ touch screen for use with finger or included stylus and 4 apps, allows kids to create animations and fun art to share with family and friends.

Moshi Monsters Talking Plush – Kids will enjoy cuddling up and listening to the Moshi Monsters Plush Talking Poppet Soft Toy. Cute and shy, Poppets are a lot more like adorable pets than the other Moshi Monsters. They love dancing, but only when nobody else is watching. Show this cuddly Moshi Monster how much you love her by giving her a cuddle, and you’ll her her talk, laugh and giggle. This soft toy friend also comes with an Adoption Certificate and a secret code that unlocks a special in-game item. Moshi Monsters Talking Poppet Moshi Soft Toy is a cute and adorable cuddly friend. Suitable for ages 4 and up.

Angry Birds: Knock On Wood Game by Mattel is a popular board game based on the on the best-selling Angry Birds phone app game. This fun and exciting skill and action game features three Angry Birds, green pigs, one slingshot-style launcher, structure pieces and mission cards for fun family time playing board games. Draw cards, build castles, and knock them down in this hands-on version of the touchscreen hit. First one to 100 points wins! The Angry Birds: Knock on Wood Game brings all the fun of the touchscreen app to a new, tactile playing field for two to four players. This game follows the same goals as the online version: launch the Angry Birds toward the egg-stealing pigs’ wooden castles to destroy them and advance to the next level. With three Angry Birds, four pigs, a variety of “wooden” pieces, and a bird launcher, you can now bring the same action to your living room. 2 to 4 players, five years old and up.

V-Tech Kidizoom Twist Camera – Designed for children three years old and up, the Kidizoom Spin & Smile Digital Camera comes with a built-in flash for indoor shooting as well as a twisting lens for easy self-portraits. A variety of wacky frames, stamps, and other effects will keep your budding photographer entertained. Durable and easy to use, this 2.0 megapixel camera lets kids take and edit photos, record digital video, and play games. The editing feature allows children to add colorful frames, stamps, and wacky effects to their photos. The Kidizoom Twist connects to a television so your child can view her work or play games on the big screen. PC and Mac compatibiility allows you to connect the camera to your computer for storing and sending photos.

Bob The Builder Construction Tower Set – Recommended for kids 3 to 6 years old, this Bob The Builder Construction Site by Fisher Price toy company allows kids to use their imagination in helping Bob the Builder build and construct the biggest project of his life. Kids can use the parts to build City Hall, then use the wrecking ball to knock the building down and start all over again. Transport materials using Manny’s dump truck. Roll the “crawler” crane along then remove the wheels to turn it into a crane tower. Load cinder blocks from the cement mixer into the dump truck and wheel barrow and transport them to the building site. Use the parts to build City Hall, and if you make a mistake, don’t worry – just use the wrecking ball to knock the building down and start all over again! Over 45 pieces including Manny, Rusty, Felipe and Eduardo figures plus a working crane with three attachments (wrecking ball, hook and claw), dump truck, cement loader, cinder blocks, wheelbarrow, shovel and more.

iball 3 Interactive Memory Game – Recommended for kids 6 years old and up, the iball3 is a colourful, exciting, cutting edge electronic interactive brain training memory game. The iball has 6 light buttons and a single LED display. The iball3 can easily be played with by children or adults. The object of the game is to turn on all the lights to the same colour within a specific time. Each iball3 is unique and has a pre-programmed registration number which allows you to compete on a World leader board on the iball3 website. The iball3 has two levels which reset after 90 seconds, which is plenty of time for practice games. The first level of the game (3 lights) must be completed within a time limit of 20 seconds before the iball3 moves to an automatic advancement sequence of 4 lights to level 2. Level 2 must be completed in less than 60 seconds if you want to have a chance of getting onto the World leader board. If the 4 light sequence is completed within 60 seconds you will be rewarded with a unique i-code that can be entered onto the World leader board.

Fur Real Friends Cookie Puppy – The Cookie My Playful Pup is the perfect plush toy pet for kids, and about as close to the real thing as you can get. She barks and wags her tail when you stroke her fur, replies in puppy babble when you tell her she’s been good and moves her head towards you when you squeak her toy bone. Give her cheek a little scratch and she’ll turn toward your hand to ask for more. When you tell her just how sweet she is, she’ll respond with puppy babble. When children put her toy bone in her mouth, she’ll make crunching sounds like she’s chewing it. Recommended for kids 4 years old and up, this soft, adorable cookie puppy is about 14″ tall and kids can either sit her up or pose her front legs so she’s lying down.

The Saturday Fashionistas – Barbie doll fashionistas is a mega-hit with young girls and tweens/teens, and the two-pack doll set including fashionistas Sassie & Sweetie makes the top ten list of hot toys for Christmas 2011. Barbie fashionista dolls are typically sold separately, but the 2-doll set of fashion Barbies is all about friendship and trying on different personalities at a great price. The Barbie doll gift set includes 2 Fashionista dolls and 2 wear and share best friends necklaces so the girl can wear and share with her best friend.

Still needing some inspiration on babies, toddlers and older kids Christmas gift ideas? Do what I do and browse the Best Selling Toys and games on Amazon, as well as the Hot New Releases in games & toys, bikes & scooters etc, for lots of great ideas on what to give kids for Christmas this year.

Similar Posts:

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed: