Here are the items I'm recommending this holiday season:
Unicef Cards: At $13 for a box of 12, it's not much more costly than the dollar store, and a portion of your price goes to support a good cause.
Bell's Big Move: This is a book with a read-along CD, and the dog responds to certain phrases. Frannie's getting this one for Christmas, which I think is particularly appropriate since the dog we used to have was named Belle, and although another family adopted her five years ago, Frannie still included her in the first family portrait she drew at school this year. ($34.95)
Mini Instant Scrapbook Kit: The perfect size for 4 x 6 photos, this little book comes with 20 Christmas-themed scrapbook pages and a little package of decorative attachments. ($14.95)
Talking Mistletoe: This motion-activated decoration would be fun to have up at a party, though with "8 flirty fun sayings" this one's not for the kids: "Where I come from, we do everything in French...you know what I mean, don't you?", "Did you make the naughty list this year? Well, there's still time!", "I wish you a Merry Kissmas!"
Wireless Children's Angel Choir: This is not your ordinary choir... and my girls are loving these! We received "Michael" and "Faith", two of four choir members who can sing songs on their own, or sway and harmonize with the other angels' songs. Whichever choir member you activate first takes the lead and the others follow. Ours perform "Joy To The World", "Silent Night", "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". Each angel is $14.95 with any purchase.
Light-Up Frame: This cute battery-operated 4 x 6 frame has lights that can blink for 1 minute or 1 hour, depending on how long you press the button. ($24.95).
Disclosure: I was provided with the items above for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.
