Holiday shopping can feel like a chore. HVP is making it easier for you with our annual Holiday Gift Guide. Everything is tested and approved by our staff. Here are our top picks for your family and friends.
Baby gear
Grabease All Over Bib
This bib is too cool. It covers so much surface area that no matter what your little one does, clean up is sure to be a breeze. Just pull over your child's head and stick their arms through the holes provided. The bottom is gathered with elastic to help hold it over the high chair tray. It's made of a lightweight water and stain resistant fabric with adorable designs. There's also an outline for the plate and utensils. Machine wash and hang dry. It's an absolute must for parents with a child learning to eat.
Buy at Grabease for $26.99
Buckle Me Baby Car Seat Sleep Sack
This cute little vest-like sack is designed for fast and easy transitions in the car seat, in the stroller, and wherever you go. It's made from cozy, soft, microfleece sleep sack has a two-way zipper that allows for easy access to car seat harnesses, stroller buckles and more. If your baby sleeps in the car like my grandson does, you can just take them out and put them right into their crib with no hassles. This comes in 3 sizes from newborn to 18 months.
Buy at Buckle Me Baby Coats for $39.99
Cool clothes for folks with special needs
Befree zipOns Youth Heavyweight Adaptive Pants
You can't make dressing your loved one much easier. These pants are lightweight but sturdy and have zippers all the way up both legs. You can actually open them up completely to make putting them on simple and quick. You can also adjust the zippers to accommodate braces, casts, etc. Plus the zippers are covered for maximum comfort. They come in sizes for kids and adults. Youth sizes are XS to XL. Adult sizes run from XS to 3XL. You can also order heavy- or lightweight.
Buy at Befree from $39.99 - $59.99
Books for everybody
Woo Woo Baby is a series of spiritual and holistic books for modern babies from Gibbs Smith Publisher. Here are three:
Chakras by Neil Clark
This beautifully illustrated board book will not only help your child learn chakras, it will also teach them colors, and help them learn about themselves. The publisher describes this book as "This sweet guide will introduce babies to the 7 chakras: root chakra, sacral chakra, solar plexus chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, third eye chakra, and crown chakra. Highlighting the colors, qualities, and emotions associated with each chakra, this book will empower even the youngest readers to be in touch with their amazing energy centers."
Buy from Gibbs Smith for $14.99
Astrology by Neil Clark
This colorful book is sturdy goes through each sun sign with illustrations and brief description of the basic characteristics of each. It also teaches little ones about the 12 constellations that correspond with each sign. It's fun, cute, and sure delight your child.
Buy from Gibbs Smith for $14.99
Crystals by Woo Woo Baby
Kids love sparkly, shiny things and this book doesn't disappoint. The author shares eight crystals and describes the powers they possess. This book can help your baby grow and thrive in everyday situations like sharing with friends, learning to read, or calming their bodies before bedtime.
Buy from Gibbs Smith for $14.99
Houseplant Hookups: All the Dirt You Need to Find a Perfect Match by Agatha Isabel
Got a plant lover in your circle of friends and family? This book is sure to delight. The author likens the choice of plants to a dating app. The bios (descriptions) are funny and written from the POV of the plant itself. You will find illustrations, the name of the plant, light needs, and lots more info. It's easy to read and understand. A great gift for adults or kids just starting out.
Buy from Gibbs Smith for $17.99
Gotcha Day by Greg Murray
Heartwarming, adorable photos of dogs and stories fill these pages. Anyone in your family is sure to be enamored with the pups in this sweet book. Read all about their adoption and why they are so precious to their people. This is a must-give to the dog lover in your life.
Buy from Gibbs Smith for $18.99
Fun and Games
S is For Santa Puzzle Gibbs Smith
Add some good cheer to family night with this fun 500 piece puzzle. Featuring an adorable Santa in illustrator Greg Paprocki’s signature vintage style, this playful puzzle is perfect for all ages. The finished puzzle is 19.5" x 14". The pieces come in a plastic zip bag so your pieces don't end up all over the house.
Buy from Gibbs Smith for $16.99
Dinosaurs - Skeletal Systems puzzles from Eeboo
There are 4 puzzles in this set including a spinosaurus, triceratops, stegosaurus, and tyrannosaurus rex. The most amazing part of finishing these puzzles is that the skeletal systems glow in the dark. Each dinosaur is only 36 pieces and they are large enough to make it easy for little hands to put together. All of the pieces come in one compostable, biodegradable and non-toxic bag. This will help kick your kids' sorting skills into high gear. Bonus, each puzzle has 2 sides that have zig zag lines of different colors, 2 colors per puzzle. Challenge your older kids to put together the flip sides. I may not be a little kid, but these were lots of fun to put together and then see the glow-in-the-dark bones.
Buy from Eeboo for $26.99
I Never Forget a Face Memory & Matching Game from Eeboo
Teaching diversity is super important in my family. This matching game for young kids is right up our alley. The cards have warm and engaging faces of kids from 24 countries. My granddaughter thinks it is awesome! The game will also help your child develop patience and memory skills. Put this on your gift list this year.
Buy from Eeboo for $21.99
Beat The Parents Disney Edition Board Game from Spin Master Games
Kids and parents team up, make a wager, and then challenge one another with their knowledge of Disney movies. Players draw cards and complete an activity or draw a picture on one of the dry erase boards from the clues they are given. The first team to cross the finish line wins!
Buy on Amazon for $17.99 or Barnes & Noble and Big Lots for $19.99
Tech Deck, 25th Anniversary 8-Pack Fingerboards
My son loved his Tech Deck boards when he was a kid. Now that he is an uncle, he is introducing his nephew to them too. He spent hours doing all kinds of tricks and stunts with his collection. Your young skater will love them too. This anniversary pack offers up 8 assembled boards with different shapes and authentic graphics from real brands. Plus, you get 2 sticker sheets to totally customize your boards. It also comes with a small action figure and a tool to swap out the wheels for a truly customized board. Be sure to pick this up for the skater in your family.
Buy on Amazon and Target for $24.99
Batman Adventures, Batman Action Figure
Everybody in our home is a Batman fan. This cool action figure is a 12" fully articulated doll that any fan is sure to love. Not only that, he comes with 16 accessories to dress and arm him to the teeth. This guy is well-made and will stand up to lots of play. Be sure to pick up one for your Batman lover this season.
Buy on Amazon for $14.99 and Walmart for $15.99
Sharks Color Pencil & Sketchbook Bundle from Eeboo
If you have a budding artist, this will give them a great start to using their imagination to create their masterpieces. The drawing pad has 60 high-quality bright white pages. The pencil set has 12 bright colors, a sharpener and are thick enough for smaller hands to draw with easily. Get your kiddo on the path to a bright and artistic future.
Buy at Eeboo for $17.99
Stylin'
Cuffed Beanie from Ski Like a Girl
Make your daughter the coolest shredder on the block with this adorable and comfy beanie. It's toasty warm and one of my favorite shades of gray so it goes with pretty much everything. Made from acrylic/polyester, it keeps you warm without itching. This company make tons of ski wear for women and girls from long sleeved T's to head gear and more. The company was formed to encourage and support girls *everywhere* to follow their dreams.
Buy at Ski Like a Girl for $30
Going Green
Countertop Garden Kit from Watex
This countertop garden kit is just the ticket for growing herbs in your kitchen or adding a little green anywhere in your home. It's preassembled and easy to use. What makes it so cool is the base has a watering hole at the top and a tray to catch excess water at the bottom. The Root Watering system helps with the gradual release of water to the plants and keep them from overwatering and root rot. The water when poured from top into the desktop trickles down and each pot gets a certain amount in the reservoir while the excess goes down in the bottom tray which can be taken out to throw any excess water. Your counter stays clean and your plants stay healthy. You also get 8 3" pots and nursery bags. This is a great gift for the plant lover in your life.
Buy at Watex for $50
Watermelon Peperomia from Plants for Pet Parents
I was very excited to receive this plant. It is non-toxic to dogs and cats and is super easy to care for. This plant is beautiful. It was packed very well to avoid damage. It even had a little patch on the side, presumably to give it a little heat since it has been so cold. The company only sells plants that are safe for pets and have a selection of over 100. You can also get pots, hangars, care items, and some fun merch. Definitely put this company on your list for unique and awesome gifts.
Buy at Plants for Pet Parents for $32
Cool Stuff
Ceramic Mug from Grandma Power
Got a groovy Grandma? Here is the gift just for her. This cool mug has flowers with Grandma Power written inside. I love the bright red on the inside and handle, but you can choose from six different colors. This company also makes all kinds of cool stuff for us baby boomer grands. You can get shirts, phone covers, bags, and lots more. If you have a hip grandma, this is the place for you to find them a fun little present.
Buy at cafepress for $17.99
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