After enduring about a dozen top ten picks from magazines, newspapers, websites and more, it is high time someone chooses toys that are both affordable, sustainable and will last beyond Christmas morning. As a parent myself, there is a lot of agonizing choices when it comes to toys because there is a lot of pressure from your kids (even my three year old was making a list!) The toy has to be both "cool" and useful.

My first pick is for ages 4 and up:

The Leapster game module from Leap Pad is a combination of a video game and learning toy. Cars, Finding Nemo, and I Spy continue to be fun even though the toy itself is now two years old. The durability of the machine is incredible. It has survived all the torture that a two year old, and now five year old, can put it through. This toy is first rate and well worth the investment. One word of caution, do not purchase the "My First Leapster" or "Little Leapster" as they burn through batteries, and kids loose interest in them within a few weeks. The Leapster remains fun because it has the video game aspect.

Mothers everywhere will appreciate the fact that when your husband goes Christmas shopping for the boys, inevitably the toys he picks will be ones that he will play with too. Which is why I have to nominate Air Hogs Havoc Heli Alien Invasion as this years top pick for all. Manufactures recommend ages nine and up, but kids as young as five can be taught to operate the devise with parental guidance (read: parents will have to play with the kids, but don’t be surprised if you want to play with it just as much as the kids). It is an absolute blast to shoot another helicopter out of the sky! It is like Battleship only cool. A side note: don’t purchase this item on EBay because with shipping it will cost you more than it would in a national store chain. Often the price is more expensive and there are not as many incentives (like Site-to-Store free pick-up) from retailers like Wal-Mart and Toy’s-R-Us.

My third pick is for girls ages 3 and up. Available at the Costco website, the Doll Crib with Canopy and High Chair set is both inexpensive and nice enough to stand the test of time. It is a toy that once outgrown, can be saved for future generations to love.

Both boys and girls ages 2 and up both love tents and tunnels. Sold through almost every retailer on-line and in stores, it is important to do research before picking one that is right for your home and the use level of your kids (i.e. kids that like to climb and wrestle will need a stronger fabric and seam structure than kids that uses the fort as a "house"). These structures range in price from about $40.00 - $500.00.

If you are still unsure of a gift, just get Lego’s. Lego’s are a sure bet for both boys and girls ages 2 and up. This toy is virtually indestructible, inexpensive, and provides fine motor development absolutely essential for healthy growth. There is no such thing as "too many" and the hours of imaginative play are well worth the money. Pick the sets that best coincide with the age of the recipient. Stick with the actual "Lego" brand because they only work with their own kind.

Musical instruments are both fun, and functional. Boys and girls love to create music and dance from the time they are about 9 months old. Fortunately, there are toys out there that can also improve the living conditions of those in 3rd world countries. SERRV international (formerly A Greater Gift) has a wide range of flutes, drums, and maracas that are suitable for every age and skill. My almost two year old has been playing with a bongo drum for about six months now. Other good choices are My First Acoustic Guitar, and mini-piano’s/keyboards. The best part about choosing music is that it never goes out of style and will create a life-long appreciation for a fine art.

Choosing gifts for a child should never be about volume or what is advertised most on television. Gifts should reflect each child’s personality, interests, and create an appreciation for the world around them. It is better to invest in a couple of really functional toys than spend hundreds of dollars on gifts that will be abandoned as soon as a couple of pieces are lost.

Hannah Jennings is a mother of two boys and the Co-Owner of Nectar of Life Organic Coffee Company. She is a master of gift giving and hand-crafts beautiful Gift Baskets. You can solve your Christmas gift giving by purchasing her gift baskets at their website, www.nectaroflife.com.

Article Source: Top Toy Pick for Kids 2008 - How to Buy Gifts for Kids This Christmas

When we give a gift, we like to think that the person who receives the gift will treasure the gift like no other. We imagine the person thinking fondly of us each time they either glance at the gift or pick it up to use.

But if we’re honest, many of us secretly fear that we’ll wake up on December 26th to find that the gift we so excitedly gave on December 25th is listed on eBay®. And the seller is none other than the person to whom we gave the gift.

How can we choose a gift that will become a cherished present by our loved one rather than a featured item on the auctioneer’s web site? To help improve your gift’s chance of being a treasure, consider these helpful tips:

1. Go for Unusual, But Not Out-in-Left-Field. You obviously want to give a give that the recipient doesn’t already have. And you’d like it to be a surprise. However, if your gift is too far afield from the interests of the receiver, she or he probably won’t consider it a “keeper.” Stay well within the range of the receiver’s interests.

2. Avoid the Overly Practical. Years ago I heard of a man who gave his wife a vacuum cleaner for a gift. She didn’t find the present very imaginative or satisfying. Nor did she appreciate the not-so-subtle suggestion that housework was her inborn area of expertise. I can only imagine that this poor man was invited to share the couch with the vacuum cleaner for a couple nights.

3. Don’t Undergive to a Serious Hobbyist. It makes sense that we would want to give a hobbyist something related to her or his deep interests. However, if we are not familiar with the subtleties of the hobby, we may give an item that is considered inferior by the standards of neck-deep enthusiasts. This would be somewhat like giving a toy guitar to a rock star. Either be sure you know very specifically what the hobbyist would enjoy, or pick a gift in another area of interest.

4. Ask the Intended Recipient for Ideas. I know. Asking takes out all the fun. It ruins the surprise. But an anticipated gift is better than eBay-advertised gift. And if you can draw out a long list of ideas from the recipient, you can save some elements of the surprise, since the person won’t know which item you’ll choose.

5. Create Your Own List of Ideas and Ask for the Receiver’s Thoughts. By telling the receiver what things you have in mind, you can get a pretty good idea, based on reactions, about what will work well. And during the conversation, great new ideas may pop into your head that you don’t even have to mention.

6. If You Need Certainty, Give a Gift That Expires. If you just can bear the thought of your gift ending up on eBay, and you need absolute certainty this won’t happen, give a gift that self-destructs in 15 days. This way, even if your gift goes unappreciated, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing it can’t possibly end up in the hands of a total stranger! (In case you’re wondering, I am kidding with this item.)

Come see a selection ofunique Christmas giftsthat will not go the way of the online auction. Through this Unique Christmas Gifts marketplace, Rob Favero matches Internet consumers with unique products of value.

Article Source:ArticleSpan

By articlespan.com

Welcome to the exciting new world of Monopoly. Every time you travel around the board of the Monopoly Here and Now World Edition, you also travel through six continents. If you’re shopping for a board game that will truly delight your Christmas gift recipients, this new take on a long-time classic is sure to please.

This 21st-century version of the popular classic board game keeps the very best ingredients of classic Monopoly while adding thrilling new twists to the game play. The utilities–water works and the electric company–are now hip new renewable energy sources (solar and wind). The oh-that’s-so-industrial-revolution railroads now include rail, air travel, ocean cruises and space travel. Banking is now effortless thanks to digital electronic banking that keeps track of your transactions.

The electronic banker doesn’t exactly replace a human banker, but it sure makes their job easier. Shove a couple of AA batteries into the banker (um, the electronic one) and it’s ready for business. Monopoly Here and Now World can begin when everyone picks a moving and a credit card.

The electronic banking unit really makes game play simple. Some people (like me) can find that Monopoly banking is somewhat of a chore, but the new electronic system makes everything easy, even fun. The banking unit also rides herd on all the wheeling and dealing that goes on when someone lands on a property they don’t want. It even includes a random auction timer to add even more excitement and chance.

The game comes with six randomly selected mover pieces that bring even more international flair to this hot Christmas gift. Although your game will only come with six moving pieces, there’s a total of 24 mover types available (I sense an eBay opportunity here). You could get any six of the following: Kangaroo, Koala, Surfer, Boomerangs, London Cab, Pretzel, Matador, Windmill, Canadian Mountie, Cowboy Hat, Baseball Glove, Nascar, Inca Mask, Easter Island Moai, Football, Inca Statue, Safari Hat, Egyptian Head Mask, African Mask, Camel, Chinese Dragon, Tuk-Tuk, Russian Dolls, or a Sumo Wrestler.

The cities on the board read like a rock star’s world tour. Your properties are located in Taipei, Tokyo, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Toronto, Rome, Shanghai, Vancouver, Sydney, New York, London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Paris, Belgrade, Cape Town and more.

Monopoly Here and Now World teaches and informs the players during game play. The community chest and chance cards include a selection of international facts and holiday festivals. Every property on the board includes stunning photography from around the world.

Let’s be honest. When the presents are being opened on Christmas morning, the board games may not be the first things played with. But this Monopoly Here and Now World Edition will be a long-term favorite even after Christmas has come and gone. Every family should have one (or more) Monopoly games in the house. Whether this is your first game or a new addition to the family, it’s sure to please everyone.

Review the top Christmas gifts for 2008 at http://www.ChristmasToyReview.com Find lists, reviews and links to the best deals on this year’s best Christmas gifts.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

See pictures of gifts for 2009, along with customer comments, more details and special pricing at
Christmas Gifts For Kids

Christmas time is the perfect time to show your mom how much you love her and appreciate for everything she has given for your all these days. No one is so special than your mom and giving a Christmas gift is something you have to put a lot of thought to give something special she’ll really like.

These are some of the gift ideas that will make a gift special:

GPS Navigator - Make your mom’s trip an easy one by giving her a portable GPS navigation system. GPS systems offer visual and voice directions. Get a good brand navigator which has a bigger screen and clear voice. Some of the good brands are TomTom and Garmin.

Spa Gift Certificate - Mom deserves a relaxing day from her daily chores. Get her a Spa Day Gift Certificate and make her a pleasant day relaxing in the Spa.

Antique Collectibles - If mom enjoys collecting antiques, then give her a rare antique collectible which she will cherish and adds to her collection. Anything which adds up to her collection will be good, but why not try a get a rare collectible. eBay will be a good place to bargain hunt or your local collectible store

Platinum Diamond Pendant Necklace - Who doesn’t like a diamond necklace? Excite her by presenting a platinum diamond pendant necklace of her favorite design. Some of the designs are hearts, circles, modern twist shapes.

Gardening Kit - Mom loves gardening and enjoys growing her own herbs or flowers at home. A good gardening kit will make her gardening experience a pleasant one, with all tools in one kit.

Shiatsu Massage Cushion - After a long day, mom will love to have relaxing massage. A massage cushion can be used on a chair or couch and has adjustable settings so she can choose the level of massage she wants. Homedics shiatsu has one massage cushion which is popular.

Easy Bread Maker - Mom can whip up her favorite home baked bread recipes in no time with an automatic bread machine. All she has to do is add in the ingredients and the machine does all the hard work. There’s nothing like enjoying freshly made bread for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Check Amazon.com to find a good automatic bread maker.

Being with your mom on a Christmas Eve is the biggest gift a mother can have. If you are looking for something unique Christmas gift for mom, please visit our website and find more Christmas Gifts Ideas for Mom.

See pictures of gifts, along with customer comments, more details and special pricing at
Christmas Gifts For Mom