Make the rounds this holiday season with a collection of holiday shoe-ins (I couldn't resist the pun and you won't be able to resist the styles) sure to become year-long favorites.

Necessity is often the mother and father of invention, and when that invention comes courtesy of the parents behind Beba Bean, the end result is innovatively chic, fashionably versatile Sweater Socx. Each 100% cotton pair brings together the best parts of legwarmers, socks and soft soled shoes to create one cozy piece in several boy- and girl-friendly colors and styles (think Ballerina, Rugby Stripe, Cape Cod and Nordic) that keep baby's toes toasty all winter long. Get 20% off your order with CT11/26/09.

Sock meets shoe with Swedish-style Nowali moccasins for babies and toddlers. The soft, sock-like tops stay put while keeping lower legs covered, and the hand-stitched non-slip leather soles make sure no one takes a header while playing reindeer games. Orders over $40 get 10% off + free shipping with HAPPYFEET through Dec. 31.

Bulky boots might be cold weather's usual calling cards, but with Crocs' new Blitzen winter clogs, kids' feet can now benefit from the ergonomic, odor-resistant comfort they love with a warmer, lumberjack twist all year. Made with the same fully molded croslite material as its more summery counterparts, Blitzen adds a plush, removable, machine washable faux fur lining for added coverage. Bonus: Blitzen is compatible with iconic Jibbitz charms and comes in adult sizes with different lining color options for moms and dads, too. Get free shipping on all orders shipped economy through Dec. 31.

Playing fetch day in and day out as shoes are thrown on the floor or find their way into baby's mouth can get old fast. New Zealand-based Bobux launched a line of machine washable soft soles meant to stay on baby's feet, no matter how much she tries to throw them overboard. Made from all natural, chrome-free eco-leather tanned in an environmentally-friendly, baby-safe method, each pair features flexible suede soles, elasticized ankles and funky designs (think pearlized castles, chocolate giraffes, girly monkeys and more) that face baby to promote tactile and visual stimulation. Don't miss their limited edition holiday line offering classic reindeer, penguin, snowflake (my daughter's personal favorite), ballet slipper and angel styles. Get a free PVC + lead-free Silly Billyz fleece pocket bib in your choice of color with a purchase of $25 or more with tealbib or fuchsiabib at checkout.

Move over, Tom, Dick and Harry, and make room for Oskar, Martin and Herman. Swedish shoemaker, Vincent's line of fashion-forward footwear is anything but ordinary, since designers and partners, Thomas and Patrick, take the latest global runway trends from London, Paris, New York and Milan (think Italian racing stripes and Kurbits, a form of Swedish folk art), and translate them into extraordinary treads sized for tots. Their collection of durable and affordable footwear offers growing feet real leather, protective padding, kid-friendly Velcro and roomy toe boxes, not to mention metallics, patent and faux fur looks. Get 20% off all full price styles through Dec. 31 with CHIPAR-20 + free shipping on orders $75 and up.

Moms and dads the world over look forward to that giddy moment when baby first learns to make like Tom and cruise, and with Pediped's flagship line of Originals soft soles and popular Flex rubber-soled styles, they can do it with the American Podiatric Medical Association's seal of approval. Touted as being "the next best thing to bare feet," Pediped shoes contribute to better long-term foot health with soft, cushioned leather soles, a wide toe box, and flexible leather uppers. Premium, non-toxic, eco-grade leather, along with size-to-suit foam insoles and shock-absorbing padded heels promote a child- and planet-friendly design. There are more than 45 boy-and-girl styles to choose from, including everything from houndstooth to red patent to a Couture collection featuring exotic metallic leather skins. Give the ultimate baby shoe fan collectible Pediped ornaments, styled after some of their bestsellers. Get free USPS priority shipping on orders of three pairs or more.

Santa, take note: Going green is branching out to include more than just four-door modes of transportation. Soft sole shoemaker, Robeez, launched two complementary line of hybrid baby shoes, Mini Shoez and Tredz, that provide all of the original features of its flexible, stay-on elastic ankle counterparts, while offering more than 22 new designs (think espresso, bronze, quilted fabrics and red patent), leather construction, a cushioned insole and the added protection of a sturdy, non-slip, suitable-for-outdoors sole. Get free standard ground shipping on any footwear purchase through Dec. 9.

See Kai Run ... and do a little dance. I would too if there was a collection of shoes as fantastic for moms. Each pair in See Kai Run's vast line combines classic forms like Mary Janes and loafers with modern twists (think raspberry suede, faux fur and bronze and gold metallics) without sacrificing basics like flexible rubber soles, leather construction, breathable linings and padded collars that are essential for supporting developing feet. Get free shipping on all orders through Dec. 3.

Based on findings from leading podiatrists and pediatricians, Stride Rite developed a Sensory Response Technology (SRT) collection for early walkers optimizing baby feet biomechanics with eco-friendly materials, feedback pods, multidirectional flexibility and mid-foot support. And, though metallic, suede and shimmery accents may not be medically necessary, they certainly can't hurt. Get free shipping on orders of two pairs or more.

Go for the ultimate in Christmas kitsch with hand-painted shoes from Monkey-Toes. The playful line of mom-created, critter-themed kicks (inspired by her own daughter's long toes) is all about promoting independence with friendly-faced matching sock-and-shoe styles that make the idea of "I do it" actually doable for little hands just learning the ropes. The Monkey-Toes collection consists of five orignal designs - Buzzy Bees, Little Ladies, Spunky Spiders, Leap Frogs and Little Piggies, but always launches limited edition designs for holidays. This year, it's Shivers the Snowman and Rowdy Reindeer. Get 25% off your order with COSMOHOLIDAY through Dec. 31.

What could be more appropos than Charlie Brown at Christmastime? New Balance and United Media, the licensing arm for PEANUTS cartoon strips, got together to launch a co-branded shoe collection for preschoolers and gradeschoolers featuring Charles M. Schulz's popular, and inimitably iconic characters. Each shoe is constructed from premium materials for comfort and breathability, and EVA cushioning in the midsole and heel, along with a solid rubber outsole provide growing feet the support and durability they need. Classic PEANUTS character details (think Charlie Brown, Woodstock, Linus, Snoopy and more) feature a soft tongue lining, bright colors, embroidery and embossing on the upper.

Maria Pilar Clark is a mom times two and Windy City-based writer.

See more of Pilar's stories here.

Contact Pilar at mariapilarclark@yahoo.com

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