Win Christmas this year with 11 gifts that no kid can resist
The holidays are here, and we’ve got plenty of gift ideas to keep everyone happy. Skip to gifts for: Pets, cooks and the socially conscious as well as those who are into health & wellness, home décor and amazing experiences. And you’ll find even more holiday gift ideas here.
Sweet treats
Feeling stuck putting just an orange in the stocking of someone with food allergies? A Real Treat Candy Boutique has chocolates and caramels, gummies and more for people who can’t eat gluten or sugar, as well as for vegans, paleo dieters and those with allergies. Owner Vanessa Hughes was motivated by her child’s food restrictions but found treats for kids of all ages, including beautifully packaged dehydrated fruit, raw chocolate bars from Fine and Raw, and dairy-free caramels. 70 cents and up. 2724 Main St., Santa Monica. www.arealtreat.com
AZ.I.AM Girlz yoga doll
Asana is a doll in hot pink leggings and headband who can do downward dog and more. She can be positioned in a full range of motion, including back bends. She has a favorite pose, color and charity. And she comes with hand weights, a yoga mat and Pilates ball. The company says it hopes to teach girls to love themselves as they are — and to love yoga. $29.95, www.aziamgirlz.com
MasterChef Junior cooking essentials set
However you may feel about someone calling a 6-year-old a “chef,” it’s never too early for kids to start learning how to cook. Wicked Cool Toys, in cooperation with Fox TV’s “MasterChef Junior” show, has a package of child-friendly cooking utensils to help get them started. They get a cutting board, a mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, spatulas, tongs, etc. Oh, and there’s also a MasterChef Junior apron. Everything comes in playful, Day-Glo orange. And no, in case you were wondering, there are no bright orange Crocs. Gordon Ramsay hosts this one. At selected Wal-Marts, $24.95 for MasterChef essentials, $19.95 for other sets.
Contemporary Kitchen
The Contemporary Kitchen play ensemble from Whitney Brothers includes a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, laundry unit, stove and sink. The fixtures are so realistic they may inspire your kids to do the dishes. Crafted from birch laminate with nontoxic, UV finish. $1,185. www.whitneybros.com/product-catalog/15
Bug Motel
Stacks of pine, plywood and bamboo tubes become a safe haven for your favorite beneficial insects — bees, ladybugs and earwigs — in this sweet bug house. $47. www.uncommongoods.com/product/bug-motel
Field Tent
Kids can pretend they are on their own naturalist expedition in Kalon Studio’s Field Tent made of wood, leather and canvas. Available in two canvas options including railroad (striped) and natural. With leather detailing and a window that can be closed or tied open, the tent is roomy enough for play or sleepovers. $320. kalonstudios.com/shop/field-tent
Paloma Teeter Totter
The Paloma Teeter Totter is handcrafted by Los Angeles designer Ink & Wood using environmentally friendly birch plywood and water-based paint and finishes. (And, yes, it’s strong enough for two rockers.) $320. Available in six colors at Plastica and Ink & Wood. www.inkandwood.com/shop/the-paloma
Write On Chalk Board
Hung on the wall, the Write On Chalk Board designed by Michael Garman offers easy access for writing, drawing and playing. It’s crafted of blackboard and felt or available in whiteboard. $350. kindermodern.com
Reclaimed wood tree swing seat
Made of reclaimed old-growth pine from a 19th century Philadelphia building, the repurposed tree swing from husband-and-wife designers Peg and Awl feels especially of-the-moment. $200. pegandawlbuilt.com/products/olde-fashioned-tree-swing?variant=150989682
Plush bald eagle wings
It is possible that your child does not need a set of plush bald eagle wings? (We didn’t think so.) The wings, from Adventure Kids, have a wingspan of 52 inches. And once little Suzy has gone to bed, they might work at your late-night costume party as well. $10.47 and higher, depending on the source. Los Angeles Natural History Museum, shop.nhm.org; www.sears.com; and Amazon.
Hexbug AquaBot smart fish
If you can’t have a real fish, perhaps the Hexbug AquaBot 2.0 is the next best thing. At least you won’t have to clean the bowl. $12.99 and higher, depending on the source. Los Angeles Natural History Museum, shop.nhm.org, Target and Amazon.
MORE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES: Experiences | Pets | Foodies | Home | Health| Gifts that give | Tech | Books | Travel gear
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