happy father's day: gifts for all dads

Most guys claim they don't "need" anything, but when Father's Day comes around, there are plenty of gift ideas for the women in their lives to choose from. Here are some favorites...

Not just another tie! Votre Vu's Tie One Off gift set ($63; a $93 value) includes these must-have, travel-sized products: · Formule 1 Men’s 3-in-1 Hair, Face and Body Wash · Habitude Men’s Daily Face Crème (SPF 15) · Beau Baume Organic Shave Balm · Ten Gauge Health & Energy Slam (Five 2.5 oz. bottles). Go to http://www.votrevu.com/ to order.

He'll never have to have a bad hair day again with Sculpt Wax ($22). Light-reflecting shine polymers to give hold, separation and definition. Dry hair, then twist, bend and shape into desired style. Peyton Manning and Josh Duhamel are fans. Get some for dad at http://www.emmettcooperhaircare.com/.

If he already has an iPad, get him a case to tote it in. TARGUS introduces iPad cases ($49.99 each) designed to protect it while you're on the go. They come in multiple color options, including black, blue, brown, and plum, and have a new A7 Neoprene Sleeve that holds up to 17" widescreen laptops. Available via http://www.targus.com/.

Make sure he doesn't neglect his feet! The Pedicure Salon Kit ($9.99) from Kiss contains a Toenail Clipper, Cuticle Nipper, Foot & Brush Stone, Cuticle Pusher & Cleaner, Toe Separators, 4-Way Bugger, Nail File and Manicure Sticks--all basic necessities. Available at www.beautyonlinesupply.com.

If he prefers the slightly scruffy look but still wants to appear well-groomed, give him the Remington Complete Grooming System ($19.99). It has a wide trimmer, a fine trimmer, and 16 different comb lengths to trim any beard length. At Target, Walmart and www.remingtonproducts.com.

Don't let him sweat the shaving routine. Give him the BLACK OPAL Razor Bump Solution Shave System ($21.95)--complete with Anti-Bump Cleanser, Anti-Bump Shave Gel and Anti-Bump Treatment for smooth, soft, non-irritated skin. Go to www.BlackOpalBeauty.com, enter promo code DAD20 at checkout and receive free shipping on your entire order.

earth day: eco-friendly gifts for kids

In celebration of Earth Day, there are plenty of earth-friendly gifts to give this month. Here are some of my favorites, from GiftHero.com. And by the way, Gift Hero includes a complimentary reusable gift bag with every eco-friendly product you order this month. So start shopping!

Eco Stars

Eco Stars by Miss Brittany ($10) are made with crayons collected from the National Crayon Recycle Program. Each box contains 20 star-shaped, solid colored crayons made from 100% recycled crayons--a nice change from the standard stick types. Eco Stars are made in the USA and are nontoxic and the packaging is made from 100% recycled materials as well.

Organic Earth Dough

This limited edition of Miss Brittany's Organic Earth Dough honors the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd, 2010. The pack contains two 7 oz. containers of blue and green organic fun dough swirled together to look like the planet Earth. (My kids tried to make their own with regular play dough but it just didn't seem to work out as well!)Organic Fun Dough is handmade in the USA from the most high quality organic and all natural ingredients available.

Magic School Bus Kit

The newest Magic School Bus Kit ($20) from the Young Scientist's Club! Ms. Frizzzle and her students take young scientists on a wild ride by going green with experiments and activities that can Save our Earth! Kids can recreate the water cycle, build a compost tube, shrink plastic, magically make packing peanuts disappear, decompose food with fungus, form pulp, create new paper, design recycled paper shapes, learn about the 3 R's and much more. Let them be their own Sid the Science Kids!

For more great eco-gift ideas, go to www.gifthero.com.

vday gift guide: fit to be tied

How you spend your Valentine's Day is up to you--whether you choose to partake in a romantic dinner or get a little raunchy. But here's a way to get all tied up and still keep things pretty G-rated. KRIMSON by Kwame ($75+), the newest ties to hit the market, is an executive neckwear line targeted to “Generation X” professionals who are not looking to wear their father’s ties. Kwame, a Harvard graduate and contestant on the first season of The Apprentice, founded the line. His exceptional personal style and business savvy is what makes it so successful. NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and ESPN’s Tony Reali are fans. Your significant other can be too. Look for Krimson by Kwame ties at Macy’s and Belks department stores nationwide.

holiday gift guide: give annabel karmel

Uggh! I start getting frustrated every day at about 4 PM. That's about the time I have to start thinking about making dinner for the family. All four of us! What happened to the good 'ol days when single-girl-me could go to the movies and count my small portion of popcorn sans butter as my dinner allotment. Now not a day goes by without four tiny eyes staring up at me saying, "I'm hungry. Is dinner ready yet??!" The worst part is, I feel like I know how to whip up a few basics and I stick to them since I don't have much time to start creating new dishes. Thankfully, leading nutritionist and children's book author Annabel Karmel comes through with the book, Favorite Family Meals, and there are enough pages to feed my kids (and husband!) for at least a few months. Not only does she offer delicious easy-to-make recipes--everything from soups and pizzas, to vegetarian dishes and desserts--but she also features plenty of tips, like preventing tooth decay, offering healthy protein suggestions, encouraging weight maintenance in kids and lunch box ideas (there's also a Lunch Boxes and Snacks book too!) Find both, as well as Karmel's other great titles at www.annabelkarmel.com.

holiday gift guide: give Gift Hero

It's 11 PM on December 21st and you still haven't finished shopping for the kids' gifts. Use the next hour wisely: Go to www.gifthero.com, check off the rest of the items on your list and your kids will get them in time for Christmas Eve. Gift Hero offers a vast selection of toys, games and puzzles for kids ages 2-10 at your fingertips. In addition, if you're traveling for the holidays, the company will ship your gifts for you. No extra baggage required. The best part: How cute is the bag they come in? So here's the deal: Procrastination is so 2009. Click on www.gifthero.com now and start shopping!

holiday gift guide: give Splendid Littles

Who doesn't want to have the best-dressed kid on the block? There are so many cute clothing companies out there so when a celebrity--who can splurge on practically anything--chooses one over the others, we want to see what's so special about it. Nicole Richie has been dressing her kids, Harlow and Sparrow, in Splendid Littles and was recently photographed with her family, including Sparrow wearing a Splendid Littles striped onesie. Turns out the clothing brand offers lots of adorable options when it comes to baby clothing, including the three-piece thermal romper set shown here ($99). There are cute tiered dresses and leggings and tunics for toddler girls, plus long-sleeve fleeces and hoodies for toddler boys. Replenish your kids' wardrobes or shop for yourself (think cozy leggings, thermal henley tops and pjs too). Buy all your holiday baby gifts at www.splendid.com.

holiday gift guide: give Redken

There are tons of gift sets out there for women but what about the men in your life? Don't they deserve something just as special? Redken saves the day with two great grooming kits. The Grooming Essentials Gift Set ($21; pictured here) is the all in one kit designed to gently cleanse hair and skin. It includes Redken For Men go clean daily care shampoo to hydrate the scalp, and strengthen the hair, grip tight holding gel that provides excellent control and shine without flaking when styling hair, and cleanse acid balancing cleansing bar to gently cleanse, smooth and refresh the skin. Or pick up the Mint Essentials Travel Kit ($12.50) for all his travel needs. The four products from the Redken For Men Mint Active Line all come in travel sizes that are airport security friendly: mint clean shampoo, cool finish conditioner, mint fix sweat-resist gel, and new mint rush hair & body wash. There's also a sample packet of mint shape forming paste to keep his style in place. Visit www.redken.com to locate a Redken For Men salon in your area.

holiday gift guide: give ACE

It's easy to get wrapped up in holiday shopping for the kids but don't forget your significant other. If he's anything like mine, he won't want anything excessive and won't be happy with something he doesn't really need, like the ACE Dual Action Trimmer ($21.99). Not only will it keep his face smooth and groomed, but it also features a two-sided trim system with a rotating head for nose and ear hair and a reciprocating head for sideburns, facial and neck hair. Granted, you may not need or want to know all these details of your husband's private grooming routine but he'll be impressed. Find it at www.amazon.com or www.drugstore.com. get more info at www.AceForMen.com.

holiday gift guide: give kiddimoto

How cute is this? Available in baby blue and seafoam green too, the new Scooter ($169.99) by Kiddimoto is every two- to six-year-old kid's dream holiday gift. (The Chopper comes in a black and silver combo).

I remember wearing my favorite white flared jeans when learning to ride a bike, and getting the extra fabric from one pant leg caught in the chain. Kids today have nothing of the sort to fear. Kiddimoto's Scooters, made from renewable birch plywood, have no pedals, chains or gears to get hurt on. And their unique build makes them ideal for kids to learn balance and steering and improve their motor skills.

Check out the entire collection of Kiddimotos at www.kiddimotousa.com.

holiday gift guide: give tech toys

If you're not a techie at heart but want to give your kids the latest innovations around, let Skype Resident Tech Expert Jamie Sorcher do your holiday shopping for you. I love his picks for tech toys under $50...

Freetalk BuddyCam for Skype ($19.99)

We've tried video cams that you hook up to your computer and haven't found one that works well. So if you don't want to deal with voice delay or unclear imaging, try Skype's free video calling. It's a great way for kids to say hello to grandma all year-round.

www.skypelookbook.com

Zhu Zhu high-tech pet hamster ($10)

There's no way our kids are getting a dog, not at this stage at least! A great alternative: Furry interactive hamsters that react to your touch, coo and purr. Stock up on triple-A batteries too while you're at it! http://zhuzhupets.com/main.html

Leapfrog Tag ($49.99)

The Tag Reading System revolutionizes the reading experience for children ages 4 to 8 by bringing storybooks to life. My son used it from age 2 to 2.5 when he started reading on his own. I'm sure it helped him learn to read at such a young age. And my daughter loves the Tag Junior--she just turned two! Definitely worth the investment... http://www.leapfrog.com/en/shop/tag_library.html

Targus Sport Netbook Case, the CVR215 ($25).

Planning on leaving home for the holidays? Designed for an on-the-go user, this netbook case from Targus is perfect for carrying just the essentials. And these days there are a lot of them!

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.aspx?sku=CVR215

Griffin Technology’s Volume-Limiting Headphones for kids ($40).

Want to have some adult talk during the long family car ride home? MyPhones are safe, comfortable, and customizable over-the-ear headphones geared towards children ages 3 to 12. The volume doesn't get higher than what's recommended by auditory health organizations. And your kids can personalize them with their own unique designs. Check out http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/myphones

And don’t forget, that with Coupons.com, you can take advantage of various virtual clippings, right at your fingertips!

www.coupons.com

holiday gift guide: give mini social

Need a great kid's gift but don't know where to turn? Theminisocial.com has quite a selection--and they're all pretty unique items. Founders and children's shopping experts Dominque MacPherson and Melinda Marinack share some budget-friendly gifts for all the kids on your list. For under $25: Hair clips from Giddy Giddy ($5), Wooden Animalz ($4) and Jazzy Toes Socks ($12.50). For under $99: Babush Slippers from Zid Zid ($40), Dante Beatrix Backpacks (dinosaur, $42). If you want to splurge, check out these find for over $100: Custom Prints from Ida Pearle ($158), Bla Bla Giant Dolls ($130--shown here) and Chaiken Mommy Bags ($240). Go to www.theminisocial.com now to place your order.

gift-a-day holiday gift guide

check out kidandcaboodle's
holiday gift guide,
featuring a gift idea every day
for the month of
december.

happy
holidays!

animal magnetism

Zucchini may be something your kids tend to leave on their plates when they're finished with dinner. But Zoocchini will likely make a more lasting impression. In addition to plush stuffed animals in friendly critter designs, the company offers decorative, dining and bath products in three adorable categories: choose from the Barnyard, Ocean and Safari collections. The animals, which come in colorful buckets, make a great brithday gift. The incredibly thick area rugs feature easy to clean designs that pop. And the Melamine Dinner Sets, which include plates, bowls, sippy cups with lids and utensils, are BPA- and Phthalate- free. All of the items are available in the three adorable collections so you can choose from a lovable lion, a quirky cow, a magical mermaid, and many others. When it comes to gift-giving, it sure beats another outfit from The Gap. And if you're buying for yourself or your kids, the rugs are my favorite. I just haven't splurged on one yet since they're all so cute, I can't decide which one to buy. Go to www.zoocchini.com to find a shop near you that carries these products, then stop by and choose your favorite friends.

gifts from memory lane

If thoughts of your childhood bring back memories of Shrinky Dinks, LightBrights and Cabbage Patch Kids, you'll love Sonny Boutique--a new online shop with special, handpicked gifts for babies, children and moms alike.

Founded by fashion veteran Rene Sbrocco, the boutique offers a collection of toys to appease the most nostalgic among us. From Maplewood teethers, to delicate artisan mobiles, to multifunctional baby wraps made from organic fabrics, each item is handpicked for its old world charm and modern practicality. Pick up a bag of crayon rocks ($8--Crayons not made by Crayola? C'mon!), a heavy metal onesie ($20--you won't find this at Baby Gap!), a Peanuts Thermos ($25--you'll have to explain to your kids who the characters are before you use it!) or some vintage books ($8 each--definitely collectors' items).

Sbrocco grew up collecting old photographs from her family’s past as a way to piece together the stories she followed as a child. “I’ve always adored the way people were so put together during the 1940’s and I’ve always been drawn to old-fashioned clothing and styles,” says Sbrocco. She decided that her love of vintage fabrics and cuts would best be put to use in a career in fashion. Sbrocco soon found herself working as a wardrobe stylist for some of the biggest names in the industry including Kenneth Cole and Tommy Hilfiger. After 10 years in the fashion industry, Sbrocco began designing baby bibs as gifts for her friends and family, put together a collection of fashionable onesies, vintage toys, and other eclectic products and Sonny Boutique was born.

In addition to making a great gift, each item on the site is socially responsible, whether it is made from sustainable materials or benefits a charitable cause. Go to www.sonnyboutique.com and shop now.

get comfortable

You go out of your way to find super-soft clothes and accessories for your baby--from onesies to blankets, even baby wipes! The creator of the Little Pharo clothing line can relate. Monica used 100% Extra-Long Staple Egyptian Cotton, an extremely luxurious and rare fiber. Her 18-month old son wears Little Pharo jammies or shirts and leggings whenever he is home. He also wears the onesies (sleeveless or short-sleeve in the summer, and long-sleeve in the winter) underneath his clothes because, she says, "what more important place would you want something ultra soft, than against your baby's delicate skin?" Not only are the pieces extra soft, but Monica claims she's washed them dozens of times and they're totally durable. She says they actually get even softer with each wash! "I am still trying to figure out what my son is going to wear when he outgrows the line later this year--it only runs up to 24 months for now!" she says. Choose lightweight summer pieces like rompers or leggings, or pick out your next baby shower gift (try the adorable onesies!) A portion of the proceeds from each Little Pharo garment purchased goes to benefit underprivileged and orphaned children in Africa. Go to www.littlepharo.com to order and enter the coupon code caboodle for a 20% discount off your entire purchase.

present perfect

We've all been there: You've got three kids' birthday parties coming up this weekend and you haven't bought a gift yet. Sure, you could dash over to the Gap and pick up a gift card but you probably won't make a lasting impression. Instead, check out the newly launched website, Gift Hero. Founded by mompreneurs Lisa Fielding and Stefanie Katz-Rothman, it features a unique Gift Finder feature so you can search for the perfect gift by answering three quick questions: What is the birthday child's gender? How old is he/she? What is your price range? In seconds, you will find age/gender appropriate, affordable gifts that are ready to buy and ship! Plus, if you order the ecofriendly gift bag, there is no need for wrapping - just put the gift in the bag, pull the drawstring and head to the party. Another bonus: The birthday child doesn't have to be the only one who's happy to receive your gift. When ordering from Gift Hero, you have the option of adding on a small donation to a children's charity to provide gifts for children whose families can't afford them. Need a last minute gift? Place your order by 11:59pm EST and it will ship the next business day. Check out the site now for great outdoor gifts like mini golf games, darts, rockets, or the popular Sand Play Set (kids can build a castle or dig for buried treasure at the beach or in the sand box). Go to www.gifthero.com to order.

rock on

Whether you live at Baby Gap or swear by hand-me-downs from friends, chances are your kids' wardrobes can use a little boost. You know, one or two fun pieces that give it an edge...so they don't look like every other toddler at the playground. Rock Baby Rock, a high-end infant and toddler clothing line, was created to infuse kids' clothes with fun and energy that was missing from the childrenswear market. Think onesies, t-shirts, hoodies, board shorts, flared and straight legged pants, skirts, jumpers, and tiered or hooded dresses ($34 to $62) in infant sizes three to 12 months and toddler sizes two to four. Soon to be unleashed for Fall: The Wild, Wild Safari collection, designed to spread the love for the world we live in and its animals. Featuring adorable graphics of elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions and zebras, amidst paw prints, stripes and stars, the clothes promote messages like "love, love, love," "to love is to learn," and "knock on the sky and hear me." In the softest fleece, Supima cotton jersey and French terry, as well as brilliant colors like fuschia, carrot, teal, majesty, sunshine, castle rock and cocoa, they add an unexpected pop to any wee outfit. Go to www.rockbabyrock.net for stores and info.