Holiday Gifts for the Family from MightyNest

(Here is a gift guide from the great folks over at MightyNest, where they feature safer and greener products for families.)

It’s that time of year! Parents are making their lists and checking them twice with gifts that are not only fun, stylish and well-constructed but SAFE for their loved ones.

Enter MightyNest.com, an online store and learning center that makes it quick and easy for parents to find safe, nontoxic products that create a healthier home for their families.

Sparked by the birth of their first child, Kristen and Chris Conn founded MightyNest after spending countless hours and sleepless nights researching products that would be safe for their family. Realizing the information was very difficult to find, it became their mission to share these findings and alleviate the time commitment and frustration for fellow parents.

In addition to tips and advice, MightyNest features the broadest selection of safe products for families. Each item is selected through a meticulous process to ensure items are FREE of toxins and heavy metals like BPA and Lead and to minimize exposure to plastics. Instead, MightyNest’s products are made from natural materials such as organic cotton, stainless steel, glass and natural wood with water-based paints. Kristen and Chris go the extra mile by not only researching the materials but also interviewing each manufacturer and giving products a test-run in their own home. 

For the holidays, we suggest a selection of safe, non-toxic gifts for babies, toddlers, kids and adults that offer peace of mind this season. Each handpicked item is listed below with direct links. 

GIFTS FOR BABIES

• Natural Wood Fish Rattle, $16.99 - http://mightynest.com/shop/toys/baby-toys/natural-wood-fish-rattle
• Organic Veggie Crate, $29.99 - http://mightynest.com/shop/toys/baby-toys/organic-veggie-crate
• Harmonize Organic Hooded Towel, $30 - http://mightynest.com/shop/bath-accessories/hooded-towels-wash-cloths/harmonize-organic-hooded-towel
• Healthy Baby Essentials Gift Set, $119 - http://mightynest.com/shop/healthy-baby/baby-gift-sets/healthy-baby-essentials-kit-for-girl

GIFTS FOR TODDLERS 1-2 YRS

• Oval Xylophone, $21.99 - http://mightynest.com/shop/toys/musical-instruments/oval-xylophone
• Organic Plush Storybook Hippo, 24.99 - http://mightynest.com/shop/toys/dolls-stuffed-animals/organic-plush-storybook-hippo
• Small Nesting Bowls, $28 - http://mightynest.com/shop/toys/blocks-stacking-toys/small-nesting-bowls
• Small Wood Stacker, $28 - http://mightynest.com/shop/toys/blocks-stacking-toys/small-wood-stacker

GIFTS FOR KIDS 3 & UP

• Topozoo Safari Animals, $29.99 - http://mightynest.com/shop/toys/wooden-toys/topozoo-safari-animals
• Recycled Cardboard Playhouse, $46 - http://mightynest.com/shop/toys/imaginary-play/recycled-cardboard-playhouse
• Giant Rainbow Stacker, $78 - http://mightynest.com/shop/toys/blocks-stacking-toys/giant-rainbow-stacker
• Arts and Crafts Kit, $142.88 - http://mightynest.com/shop/art-supplies/kids-arts-and-crafts-kit

GIFTS FOR ADULTS

• Autumn Leaves Glass Candles, $17 - http://mightynest.com/shop/skin-care/for-mama/sol-10-oz-glass-candle-3-scents
• Glass Water Bottle, $20.95 - http://mightynest.com/shop/water-bottles/glass-water-bottle-22oz-6-colors
• Sipp Vacuum Insulated Travel Tumbler, $27.99 - http://mightynest.com/shop/travel-coffee-mugs/sipp-vacuum-insulated-travel-tumbler
• Yoga Essentials Kit, $68.43 - http://mightynest.com/shop/health-safety/yoga-essentials

PS- I write for MightyNest, on the blog on their site.  I was not paid to post this gift guide (I never do paid advertising type posts).  I posted it because I support MightyNest's mission to supply safer, non-toxic, and green products, and I liked how it is broken up into age groups for easier selections.  

Handmade Holidays: God's Eyes

One of my favorite ornaments for the Christmas tree is a somewhat ugly god's eye that my brother made when he was 5.  I fondly remember it decorating every tree of my childhood.  This ornament became part of our family story.

It struck me the other day that making a god's eye would a sweet holiday craft that my girls could do and give as gifts. Not many materials needed, no plastic, not much crafting skill, and not too hard.

Perfect!  Especially for a not so crafty, not so patient person like myself.

I found this video above of a boy making god's eyes with instruction and commentary from his mom.  It turns out I really did need to review how to do it-- I didn't remember the under-over  over-under pattern.  Not that it  matters, because sloppy, colorful god's eyes made by little hands are a treasure, no matter what they look like.

You'll see my girls are very proud of their first god's eyes.  We might even try making them with toothpicks, and larger sticks like shown in the video. I did have to help (and mostly do it for) my three year old, but my five year old was really getting the hang of it.

I want to impress upon my girls that handmade presents mean the most, and that the holiday season doesn't have to mean harried shopping and mass consumption at mega-box stores.

This post is part of the Green Moms Carnival on homemade holiday ideas and family traditions.  Check out it at the The Green Parent next week.  I'm sure the carnival mamas will have lots of great ideas for holidays without all the spending, consuming, and stress.

What are your favorite ideas for homemade gifts for kids to create?

World AIDS Day 2010: New Hope for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

I was moved by this video, and the amazing work of Save the Children and their partner organizations in improving the lives of children affected by AIDS.  Their work is critical and inspiring.  You can click here to request a holiday gift catalog (talk about a gift with meaning!) or here to make a donation.

A donation be a lovely family gift as well, and you can involve small children in counting change around the home to donate to other children in need worldwide.  What a powerful message and learning experience.