American Girl Holiday Gift Guide 2014

After weeks of studying the American Girl catalogue and browsing through the American Girl Store, I've finally come up with my 2014 American Girl holiday gift guide -- and this year, I'm all about the clothes!  Of course, as I say every year, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING American Girl would make a great gift, and the best gift is what your girl really wants -- but if she can't make up her mind, or if you want to surprise her, here are my top picks for 2014:

Splurges

First up, the presents for girls who have been very, very good! The Happy Holiday Dress (with matching doll dress) pictured in the photo above would make the perfect holiday outfit.  For an extra special holiday event, throw in the matching doll outfit!  Of course, if you're lucky enough to live near and American Girl Store, make sure you snap up the Ruby Ball Gown set,  which is only available in stores.  It features a white fur coat and a long ballgown with a glittery gold top and red tulle skirt, plus gold shoes and a ruby and diamond tiara. Unfortunately, there's no matching girl outfit.

My favorite matching girl-doll casual outfit this year is the Winter White Outfit.  I love the solid white color and the layered pieces!  I'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of the knit shorts, but my fashionista sister (who lives in London) assures me they are all the rage, so I'll tolerate them on the doll -- fortunately, the matching girl outfit has a skirt instead of shorts!

I think the main reason that all my AG gift picks are clothing items is the new BeForever girls' line.  I adore the way the girls' outfits are inspired by the dolls outfits, rather than being carbon copies of them.  Our girls don't live in the 17th, 18th, 19th or 20th centuries, after all, and they don't want to wear costumes every day!  And those colors! Those bright, beautiful colors! All the BeForever girls' outfits are great, but my four favorites are Samantha, Josefina, Kit, and Addy. I'm sure any little girl would be thrilled to wear any of those outfits.

Samantha's pink Victorian outfit is way too frilly for modern girls to play in, but the matching girls' dress loses the puffed sleeves and lacy collar, so it's still pretty, but less frilly.  I love how the model is wearing it with red sneakers!

The Josefina girl's dress takes Josefina's traditional Mexican American outfit and gives it a modern, boho vibe. No need for the shawl because it has longer sleeves to keep your girl warm on chilly days!

Kit's dress just screams Spring and Summer -- just perfect for an Easter Egg Hunt or Summer Picnic!  I like that the matching girls' outfit loses the huge red neckline buttons but keeps the Peter Pan collar.

The Addy doll dress is beautiful, but it has a distinct schoolmarmish air -- plus, no one wears petticoats!  I love how the matching girl's dress was reimagined as a sleeveless dress, but still keeps the beautiful blue color, the black trim, the black shoulder bows, and the gathered bodice.  This is one great party dress!

Savings

If you can't shell out the big bucks but still want to give a present that will thrill your girl, don't worry. American Girl has plenty of presents for every budget. Here are my top 3 value presents:

I'm so happy that Samantha is back, but I sure do miss her plaid schoolgirl outfit!  If your girl is missing that outfit too, you'll still have Samantha's Holiday Set to console her. It comes with not only a dress, but a tea set as well.

Most of the American Girl doll clothes come in sets, but you can buy separates from the GOTY 2014 Isabelle for $8-$14 per piece!  It's a great way to mix and match to suit both style and budget.  My favorites are  Isabelle's Wrap Sweater, Shrug Pants, and Coral Sweater.... but don't forget, they'll only be here as long as Isabelle is here. In other words, they'll be gone at the end of the month!

I just had to add Addie's pretty Plaid Summer Set -- it's on sale for just $13!!!  Hopefully by the time you read this, you'll still be able to buy it, because like all of American Girl's sale items, it won't last long.

The Service Dog Set is the only item on my holiday list that isn't an item of clothing or an accessory  I just love the fact that American Girl appeals to girls of all ages and abilities.  You can buy this service dog, braces, headgear, glasses, a cast, a wheelchair -- you can even purchase special American Girl dolls without hair! -- to help your girl identify with her American Girl doll.

Stocking Stuffers

Even my stocking stuffer picks are clothes!  Okay, technically they're accessories, but hey, they're still for American Girl dolls to wear!  My top 3 stocking stuffers are hair extensions, which are perfect for any girl who wishes she had Isabelle's pink-tipped hair extensions for her own American Girl Dolls.  Those are only available with the Isabelle doll, but for all other American Girl dolls, you can purchase Accent Braid Clips, Clip-on Buns, or Ponytails, which come in a variety of hair colors and clip on to any doll's hair.

Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Holiday Gift Guide 2012: Holiday movies to watch

The holidays are full of traditions.  Here's a great one: add a holiday DVD to your gift list and present it to your family on that special morning.   Then, after all the presents have been unwrapped, after the ham and turkey have been eaten, gather the family for a holiday movie night!  A roaring fire, a cozy blanket, a bucket of popcorn and a fun holiday DVD are all you need to give the gift of some family time and make some magical memories.  Here are some classic holiday DVDs (and a couple of new favorites!) to watch:

	The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas : Sure to be a holiday favorite for the entire family for years to come, this adventure finds the Cat in the Hat, Nick and Sally on a journey around the world to help a lost reindeer find his way home to Freezeyourknees Snowland in time for Christmas. On the way, the Thinga-ma-jigger breaks down, and they depend on a variety of animals – from African bush elephants to bottlenose dolphins to red crabs – and their remarkable abilities to help them make an amazing journey home. ** Giveaway alert:  Enter to win the DVD at the end of this post!
	Now perhaps the most beloved American film, It's a Wonderful Life continues to weave its special magic.  George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas! Will guardian angel Clarence be able to convince George to return to his family and forget suicide?
	The Christmas Classics we used to watch on TV in the 70's are now available in a single DVD: Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, The Little Drummer Boy
	A Charlie Brown Christmas: Repelled by the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find the true meaning of Christmas.
	Dino Dan 'Twas A Dinosaur: follow the adventures of paleontologist-in-training Dan Henderson as he learns what might have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, tracks down a Euplocephalus, and gives the poem "The Night Before Christmas" a new spin! * Giveaway alert:  enter to win a holiday DVD gift pack featuring 5 holiday DVDs!

Win a Cat in the Hat DVD
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a DVD copy of The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas

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Check out the Bonggamom Finds Holiday Gift Guide for 2012: gifts for all ages & stages (plus giveaways!)http://ow.ly/fezLR

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The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on Dec 6, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on Dec 7 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US  residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here


Disclosure: I have reviewed select items in this gift guide in the past.  Inclusion in this guide was based solely on my personal preferences; no review samples or compensation were received for this gift guide post.  Giveaway prize was provided by NCircle Entertainment.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.


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Holiday Gift Guide 2012: Personalized Products

Do you have someone on your gift list every single year? Does it seem like you've already given every present left to give? When in doubt, give a personalized gift.  It's much more special than a gift card, and even if they already have the same item, making it personal makes it special.  The simple act of adding a name, or even an initial -- to a mug, a bracelet, a set of notecards -- lets them know they're not just one of 12 people who got the same gift because it came cheaper by the dozen.  Here are some of my favorite personalized gifts:

	I made my first Shutterfly photo book ($12.99 and up) in 2009, and I've been a big fan ever since.  Their software makes it so easy to add photos, and you can customize layouts, text and icons to your heart's content. For my mother-in-law's birthday I gave her a photo book of our holiday together in Belgium, and she was overjoyed to the point of tears. ** Giveaway alert:  Enter to win a free Shutterfly photo book at the end of this post!
	Photo canvases are gorgeous, and they're more inexpensive than you think!  Believe it or not, 8x10 canvases from Mailpix.com start at just $35! You don't have to give people photos of your kids: how about a photo of the Eiffel Tower to remind them of that perfect Paris holiday? ** Giveaway alert: I'm giving away a personalized 8x10 photo canvas from MailPix.com!
	I've always been a sucker for personalized ornaments.  I love the clay cartoon ornaments you get at craft fairs where they write your names down, but if you can't find them at a craft fair, you can get them from Personal Creations ($10 and up).  They have options for different-sized families (usually 1 through 5 family members), and you can personalize them with first names, family names, or year.
	Tired of cheap stocking stuffers that take up space and get thrown away after a week? Name labels make a practical alternative. The Mabel's Labels Tween Pack ($21) has a variety of designs, so they're not only practical, they're cool.
	I'm so in love with the individual monster letters in this Psychobaby personalized monster tees ($26), I not only gave a shout out to them in my Babies & Toddlers Gift Guide, I had to include them in this Personalized gift guide as well!  If monsters aren't your thing, check out the other personalized clothing at Psychobaby's Custom Shop. * Giveaway alert:  enter to win a personalized monster tee from Psychobaby at my Babies & Toddlers Holiday Gift Guide!

Win a Shutterfly photo book!
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a code good for a free hardcover, 8x8, 20-page Shutterfly photo book (shiping and taxes not included).

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me which Shutterfly product you would most like to give as a present this holiday season.

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RT @bonggafinds Check out the Bonggamom Finds Holiday Gift Guide for 2012: gifts for all ages & stages (plus giveaways!)   http://ow.ly/fezLR

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The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on Dec 2, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on Dec 3 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US  residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

Disclosure: I have reviewed select items in this gift guide in the past.  Inclusion in this guide was based solely on my personal preferences; no review samples or compensation were received for this gift guide post. Free Shutterfly photo book code was provided by Shutterfly for a past promotion.  Free Shutterfly photo book code does not include shipping or taxes and expires on Dec. 31, 2012.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.



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Giveaway: American Girl Gift Guide 2012

** Giveaway alert!  Enter to win an assortment of American Girl craft stickers -- see details at the bottom of this post.

I know, I know.  ANYTHING and EVERYTHING American Girl would make a great holiday gift for girls!  I don't know of any little girl (and a few big girls like me!) who would say no to any of American Girl's dolls, doll clothes, accessories, playsets or books.  But let's get real: unless your last name is Gates or Zuckerberg or Hilton, you probably won't be able to get everything in the catalog, so you've got to make some tough choices.

That's where the American Girl Gift Guide can help.  No one knows their products like they do, so they've done the searching for you and come up with a list of Top Gifts for Girls.  But you know your girl best, so American Girl also has tools to help parents search for the perfect present.  You can search by interests, age and price.  You can check out the top-rated customer items and award-winning products. You can even have your daughter create a wish list and gift registry, and share it with family and friends.

If you're still overwhelmed by the choices, check out my top American Girl gift ideas below, or my 2011 American Girl Gift Guide!

For Girls who've been Really, Really Good
Here are some great ideas for the One Big Gift that she runs to open first.  Pay attention, mom & dad, or grandma or Godfather Drosselmeyer!

	Of course, the best American Girl doll for your child is the one she wants -- I recommend reading a few of the historical novels to get a feel for which historical character she likes best.  But I have to put in a word for the 2012 Doll of the Year, McKenna ($105), because she's only around for 2012.  And also because she has the shiniest, neatest, easiest-to-comb, never-tangles hair. Trust me, that will be important after 4 years of playing with the doll and brushing her hair!
	Yes, I know McKenna's Loft Bed Set ($225) is backordered till 2013, but there's a reason -- because it's simply the coolest doll bed ever. It'ts every girl's dream bed, and if your daughter can't have the real thing, I'm sure she'd be happy to wait a couple of months to get it for her doll.
	The new Winter Chalet ($150) is an adorable doll house, filled with neat details and special touches.  I like that it's not too huge and bulky, so it doesn't need to be in a huge playroom or bedroom.
	If you're lucky enough to live near an American Girl Place store, give your little girl the gift of an experience and a memory with a Day Out at American Girl!  You can have lunch at the American Girl Cafe, have her doll's hair done at the Doll Hair Salon, or have her photo taken with her doll to look like she's on the cover of the American Girl Magazine. The stores carry special souvenir items that aren't available in the catalog or online, so at the end of the day you can pick up a small memento of a very special day together.

For Every American Girl
If your girl already has an American Girl, these gifts will make great additions to her collection.  These are great gifts from aunts, uncles and parents.

	The holidays will feel even more special when her doll is all dressed up for the occasion!  Either the Purple Party Outfit ($36)or the Rosy Red Outfit ($36) are sure to get your little girl in a festive mood.
	I love how American Girl has clothes and accessories that match a wide range of girls' interests, from soccer to ballet to music to snowboarding.  If you have a fearless snowboarder on your hands, it will be a lot easier to easier to her drag home from a day of carving the slopes if she knows she can continue her snowboarding adventures with her American Girl doll. With this adorable Snowboard Outfit ($34) and Snowboard Gear ($38) set, she'll have all she needs to feed her imagination.
	American Girl dolls are just as well traveled as their owners -- they have been to grandma's house, friend's sleepovers, summers by the beach and everywhere around the globe!  The Starry Doll Carrier ($58) is a great way to keep your daughter's American Girl doll and clothes organized and in one place wherever she travels.

For Bookworms
Here are some gifts to feed a budding hobby. or get girls excited to read.  These are great for your daughter's best friends and cousins!

	Girls love American Girl Magazine, and a subscription ($22.95 for 1 year) is the gift that keeps on giving all throughout the year.
	Whether your travel plans will take you halfway around the world or halfway around the block, the world can be your daughter's oyster with the Doll Travel activity kit ($21.95).    It has a bunch of doll-sized travel accessories like maps and passports so she and her American Girl doll can travel anywhere they want!
	The Caroline boxed set ($39) is the perfect way to travel back in time and see what life was like during the War of 1812.  Girls can follow the adventures of American Girl's newest historical character, Caroline Abbott and be inspired by the courage and spirit of a girl who's not so very different from them.  The boxed set even includes a board game for girls to play.

Stocking Stuffers
Yes, you can find American Girl gifts for under $25, under $15, even under $10!

	Every doll needs a pair of City Sunglasses ($8) to shield her from the paparazzi.
	A girl -- even if she's a doll -- can never have too many pairs of shoes, and they're certainly small enough to fit in even the tiniest stocking or advent calendar.  Even Imelda Marcos would covet these Silver Heels ($12)!
	The Bored No More! quiz book ($9.99) is the perfect way to entertain girls at a sleepover, in a car or on a plane.  That's just one of the dozens of American Girl activity books to choose from -- check them all out!

One last tip:  always, always check the Sale section of the American Girl website -- they have some incredible deals!  Happy shopping!


Win American Girl Stickers
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive an assortment of American Girl stickers (approx. value $15-$20).

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me which American Girl product you would most like to give as a present this holiday season.

Bonus Entries

1) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (5 entries)

2) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

3) Pin this giveaway on your Pinterest board (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

4) "Like Bonggamom Finds" on Facebook and tell me which item on my American Girl gift guide you would most like to give/receive (1 entry)

5) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this (1 entry):
RT @bonggafinds Check out the Bonggamom Finds Holiday Gift Guide for 2012: gifts for all ages & stages (plus giveaways!)   http://ow.ly/fezLR

6) Follow @shop_psychobaby on Twitter and tweet this (1 entry):

RT @bonggafinds Enter to win an American Girl craft sticker pack!  Giveaway ends 12/11 at http://ow.ly/fqe4X   #giveaways

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on Dec 10, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on Dec 11 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US  residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

Disclosure: I have reviewed select items in this gift guide in the past.  Inclusion in this guide was based solely on my personal preferences; no review samples or compensation were received for this gift guide post. Giveaway prize is provided at my own expense.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2012: Babies and Toddlers

It has been a while since we've had a baby or toddler in the house, so I don't review too many items for that age group any more.  Once in a while, though, I get an invitation to take a look at a product that just bowls me over with cuteness, and I just have to share it. Here are five of the best for the holidays:

	Thousands of parents look to Cool Mom Picks for, well, cool picks (disclosure: I also work for them), so if Liz and her team of editors say they are in love with Psychobaby, they are definitely worth checking out -- but you only have to browse for a minute to fall in love with their hip, edgy baby & kids clothing.   Their burger tees and bibs are so adorable, but if you simply must have cutesy blue or pink, check out their monster tees in my latest review! ** Update: Giveaway has been extended to December 10! ** Giveaway Alert:  Enter to win a PsychoBaby tee below!
	We had a ton of brightly colored plastic balls when the boys were babies, because they just could not get enough.  We especially loved toys that sent these balls rolling around for the kids to find them.  They would have loved the Leapfrog Peek-a-Shoe Octopus ($29.99) -- toddlers can drop balls into the octopus' top arms and guess which shoe the ball has landed under. As they lift each colored and numbered shoe, the octopus actually tells them which color or number shoe they are lifting!
	When they were toddlers, my kids absolutely loved their electronic Elmo cellphone. But I doubt if any baby would recognize that clamshell phone design today -- so until toy makers can come up with a play touchscreen phone for babies, parents will have to let their 1-year-olds play on their iPods or MP3 players-- or give them Cookie Monster's MP3 Player ($9.99). So cute!
	The Halo Sleep Sack ($39) was one of the best baby-era purchases we ever made.  Zipping our twins up into the Sleep Sack prevented them from ever kicking off their blankets while they slept, and forever eliminated cold feet (which meant more peaceful nights for them, and for me). Back then, Sleep Sacks only came in pink, yellow and blue, so it's nice to see they now come in adorable designs and patterns at Pottery Barn Kids.
	A couple of weeks ago I was browsing through the One Step Ahead Holiday Toy Shop, searching for something to give away for the holidays, when I found and fell in love with this adorable Soft Owl Toy ($17.95). It's a great developmental toy for babies:  both owl feet are teethers, one wing has a mirror, and there are a variety of textures for baby to enjoy.  But it's the design that really gets me.  Maybe I'm being sentimental, but the sight of the mama owl with her wings wrapped protectively around her baby, all warm and cozily snuggled across her chest,  made my insides turn to mush.

Win a PsychoBaby tee
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a personalized PsychoBaby Beastly Babe (for girls) or Beastly Boy (for boys) Monster Tee in their choice of size.

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me which Psychobaby product you would most like to give as a present this holiday season.

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1) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (5 entries)

2) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

3) Pin this giveaway on your Pinterest board (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

4) "Like Bonggamom Finds" on Facebook and tell me which item on my Babies and Toddlers gift guide you would most like to give/receive (1 entry)

5) "Like" Psychobaby on Facebook and write this on their Facebook page wall (1 entry):

I entered to win a personalized Psychobaby Monster Tee on Bonggamom Finds! http://bit.ly/ZCJO7L

6) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this (1 entry):
RT @bonggafinds Check out the Bonggamom Finds Holiday Gift Guide for 2012: gifts for all ages & stages (plus giveaways!)   http://ow.ly/fezLR

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RT @bonggafinds Enter to win a cute, hip personalized Monster Tee from @shop_psychobaby!  Giveaway ends 12/10 at http://bit.ly/ZCJO7L  #giveaways

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on *Dec 10, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on Dec 11 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US  residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

*Update: giveaway has been extended to December 10!

Disclosure: I have reviewed select items in this gift guide in the past.  Inclusion in this guide was based solely on my personal preferences; no review samples or compensation were received for this gift guide post. Giveaway prize is provided by PsychoBaby.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.


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