The 2009 Jolly Holiday Guide: Parent Presents
Wednesday, December 09, 2009Let's not forget the momshells who did nothing but slave, stuff
and serve last month, not to mention the dadtastics who shoveled,
scraped and played Santa this one. Check out Cosmotot's pick
-and-click gift list for 25 goodies that come ready
for Christmas giving.
Revisit the classic Victorian art of silhouetting with help from
the ingenious mom behind Pretty
Faces. Her Elmhurst-based shop will work with you personally to
create customized, timeless silhouette portrait keepsakes fashioned
from your own treasured photos. Each digital creation can be
printed on your choice of stretched canvas, archival art paper,
folded note card or made into a vintage-look contemporary pendant.
Can't wait? Get a digital copy emailed to you. All you have to do
from there is download and print.
Deck the halls with Partylite's Peppermint Delight Tealight House.
Made from hand-painted porcelain, the gingerbread-style votive
holder is styled in glittery white kissed with dark chocolate
accents. Hearts, peppermint sticks, and little gingerbread visitors
add to the holiday fun, while ornate cutouts create a sweet glow.
Enter Cosmotot's Jolly Holiday Partylite Giveaway now
through Dec. 13 at midnight CST to win your own Peppermint Delight
pillar holder and Peppermint Bark pillar candle ($45 value). To
enter, tell me about your family's favorite place to gather during
the holidays. Is it the playroom? The kitchen? Grandma's house? One
random winner will be announced Dec. 14.
Once the halls are taken care of, deck the walls with vinyl decals from Studio JK Vinyl. Each durable, easy-to-apply decal can be customized for color and font, and some, like the scallop family monogram (my personal fave) includes everyone in your brood. Once the holidays have ended, keep everything from ornaments to wrapping paper to baking supplies organized with their personalized labels.
Celebrate the most important part of th
e season (and the reason why you hit the Black
Friday sales at 2 a.m.) with gallery-quality canvas prints that
showcase family from Name Your Design. Perfect for hanging in any
room of the house since no mounting or frame is needed, all are
cutomizable, and covered with an earth-friendly coating that
protects against moisture, humidity, abrasions and fingerprints.
Use CP15 for 15% off anything
in the store until Jan. 31.
English charm and the holidays go hand in hand, and
with delightful paper goods from Belle &
Boo, you can bring a little British kitsch to your home.
Founded by two tea-loving illustrators and best friends, their Elle
& The Snow Dove tags add an elegant hand-crafted touch to
any present. Printed on thick creamy paper with scalloped edges and
colored ribbon, there's plenty of room left for a heartfelt message
on the back. Don't miss the coordinating magnets and greeting cards
in their Christmas collection. Get 10% off
with COSB&B1 throuh Jan. 12. Valid on
one purchase per customer.
Go for something as original as your other half with
personalized keepsake name creations from Sticks and Stones. Inspired by letter forms
naturally
found in nature and architecture, their letters
gallery features a variety of amazing, photographic A to Z images
that everyone from Obama to Oprah have hanging in their homes.
Their newest addition, the letter "i" was photographed in Chicago. Get
free shipping and free gift wrap, plus a limited time offer: Buy
one creation get one at 50% off.
Explore even more gifts that go beyond the holiday season to last into 2010 and beyond.
JuJuBe: Everything in their flagship collection is
rave-worthy, ergonomically designed and so well organized, it'll
make your mommy brain seem brilliant. Don't miss the coordi
nating wallets, MiniBes and Be Right
Back packs.
Crocs: Faux-fur lined, Dutch-style Gretel clogs are my latest outerwear obsession. Free shipping on all orders through Dec. 31.
My Perennial: Handmade wool felt Zip-Ip
Bags in your choice of color and design
combinations make the catchall fashionably portable.
Spanx: Give
the gift of confidence with patterned Tight-End Tights that celebrate the anti-girdle by
gently taming the tummy, trimming the thighs, and making mamas look
hotter than they already are.
Bearhands: Make winter weather bearable with
thinsulate-lined, polar-fleece, oversized paw-style mittens that
have an easy-access palm panel for grabbing coffee, answering your
iPhone or wiping little noses. Use ONL10 for 10% off
through Dec. 31. Check them out up
close at Christkindl Market in Daley Plaza until Dec.
24.
Hallmark: Personalized Photo Plates make for an inimitable holiday accent. My MIL even stole a few from our house to keep as sweet souvenirs. Spend $30, save 30% with HOLIDAY30
Baby Bjorn Organic: New carriers made from certified organic cotton han dle future generations with eco-friendly ca re.
Carrie Dunham: Luxurious, anti-geek
laptop
bags are designed so you can show off the bold,
patterned lining (think Zebra print) without taking the
comp
uter out of its case. Get free
shipping and holiday sale prices
through Jan. 1.
Twisted Silver: Find mixed metal nirvana in the versatile XO Brass Opera necklace. Free shipping on all orders $100 or more.
Spare Soles: Keep these portable ballerina,
fold-and-roll-up flats on hand, and go ahead and wear those
sky-high holiday heels without regret.
Casue Sweets: Indulge in their bestselling Chubby Chip - each decadent
cookie is studded with plus-sized dark, milk and white chocolate
chunks.
vedaDUDE: Don't neglect dad. After all, his skin needs to be fresh and soft for those up close, Eskimo kiss moments with the kids ... or under the mistletoe with you. Use holiday09 for 15% off your order.
Mutsy: The mac daddy of lightweight strollers, otherwise known as the
Transporter, can be used in
commbination with other Mutsy cots and car seats.
Use chipar10 for 10% off.
Lisa Leonard: Create a customized, hand-stamped,
antiqued polished sterling silver Laundry Line necklace to keep mom's loved ones
close to her heart.
tj & co: Custom photo cufflinks make it easy to keep little ones at hand. Use cosmotot15 through Jan. 15 for 15% off your order.
Mommy Tracked: Give the busiest person in the house a hand in the control tower with a comprehensive, one-stop Mom's Ultimate Family Organizer. Freebie: Download all the tools you need to keep a handle on managing motherhood. Click here.
Medela: Show breastfeeding mamas some tender loving care a Breast Care Gift Set packed with essentials.
Red Envelope:
Confirm his regal status as family patriarch with a Frog Prince keychain made from polished-nickel
and 24kt gold plate.
Tatutina: Regardless of whether mom or dad is the resdient kitchen gourmet, both can appreciate a hand-painted (100% non-toxic and lead free), bestselling oven-shaped recipe box to house their index card collection of favorite edibles. Use mom for free shipping.

















Maria Pilar Clark





Partylite Giveaway WINNER!
By Maria Pilar Clark on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
And the winner of Cosmotot's Partylite Giveaway is ... Daniel! Thanks for participating. Please email me at mariapilarclark [!at] yahoo [dot] com with your contact information, including address and phone number so your prize can be shipped out to you right away.