Let’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.
