In a week, I'll be heading home for the holidays (SFO to EWR) for the first time in three years. I was inspired to put together this goodie bag of local favorites for friends and family (note: my budget will mean one item per loved one). The good thing about these is that you don't need to live in the Bay Area to enjoy — you can order them all online. Here's to a little taste of my adopted hometown and a happy holiday! More

When I saw this play kitchen in Sue & Graeme's Eclectic Victorian Townhouse it reminded me the one I had as a kid — a simple, classically styled set where I could get lost in a world of pretend cooking. I think I owe much of my love of all things nesting to that first pretend kitchen. Inspired by nostalgia, I found the source for this little kitchen and also rounded up a few others. More

From babies to toddlers, kids are fascinated with toys that move. There is no end of toy vehicles to chose from in the marketplace, and sometimes it can get overwhelming figuring out what to select for longevity and daily use. Here are some selections that we love and our children can't get enough of. More

Don't know what to get your friends this holiday? Well, if they drink at all (or even if they don't, but love those Cokes in the old-school bottles), they could probably use one of these bottle openers. I have one, but it seems that whenever I have a hankering for a cold one, I can never find the darn thing. Plus, using one of these beautiful, design-y bottle openers will make popping the top off your favorite beverage that much more satisfying. More

One thing I've noticed with my toddler and other pre-schoolers we know is that they love to imitate life and help out, even if the "helping" is pretend play. The child-size tools and toys we have in our home get a lot of use, and it's been great to role-play with him. It never ceases to amaze me how much young ones so happily copy parents in our sometimes mundane daily tasks (I know, just wait until they are older!).
More

A few years ago, my friends and I did a gift exchange where we had a dollar limit, plus a color restriction: red! It was a worthy challenge and got us into the spirit of the season. The gifts couldn't just be anything red, they had to suit the receiver as well, obviously, and it was a fun activity to share. I made a list of some of my favorite items, from scarlet and ruby, to get you inspired for shopping! More

There's something magical about putting a pencil to paper - it may start as a simple line but can transform into a world bursting with all of the color and imagination your little one can muster. Art supplies are a toy little ones never tire of, because they can create something new each time they pull out a crisp new piece of paper. Here are over twenty fun gifts you can buy your little one that will encourage their creativity: More

To pull together our gift guides this year we're asking the experts: YOU! You know best what gifts your children have enjoyed at different stages of their lives. Share your wisdom with fellow parents, aunties, uncles, and grandparents. Bikes, art supplies, science kits, marble runs? More

We asked and you answered: what are the best gifts for babies? After all, babies are cute, but they don't do all that much. They are as amused by their own hands as a toy. Many readers reported that they aren't giving their young babies much of anything for the holidays, but if you are an auntie, uncle, grandparent or friend to a young baby you may not want to forego a gift altogether. Here are ten parent-endorsed ideas:

More

Little ones have a natural curiosity and desire to explore and learn about the world around them. Peeking under rocks, studying bugs, and hiding out in tents are favorite pastimes of little boys and girls alike. Here are thirty lovely gifts in all shapes, sizes, and prices that will encourage your budding scientists and explorers.

More