Alternative Gifts For Toddlers

When I think about all the lovely gifts Eliot has received since he was born, they have mainly been toys, clothes and books. So, I thought I'd do a bit of an alternative gift guide for toddlers this festive season!

 

First up is the Organix Goodies Christmas selection box, suitable for toddlers over 12 months. Eliot and I are both fans of the Organix Goodies range and this is a perfect gift/stocking filler if you want to go for a healthier option of sweet treats. With Organix's 'No Junk promise', you can be confident you are gifting something that is far more healthier than the usual chocolate pressies on offer. All Organix products are organic, have no added salt, processed sugars, colours or flavours.

Not only is this selection box full of snacks free from 'nasties', you can also turn the box into a Goodies Winter farm scene!

It contains...

·         Organix Goodies Organic Raspberry & Apple Fruit Moos

·         Organix Goodies Organic Blackcurrant & Apple Fruit Stars

·         Organix Goodies Organic Mini Gingerbread Men

·         Organix Goodies Organic Alphabet Biscuits

·         Organix Goodies Organic Raspberry & Apple Soft Oaty Bar

The Organix Goodies selection box is priced at £2.99 and available from Asda, Boots and Ocado.

Next up is the Toddler feeding set from OXO Tot. I just think this is a great alternative gift for tots who are usually overloaded with toys. I believe a high quality feeding set is required for little ones learning to self feed and the OXO Tot set speaks volumes.

The set contains...

 ·         Fork & Spoon

·         Plate

 

 ·         Bowl with lid

 

 I've reviewed this set, you can read more about it here.

 

Personally I don't think you can go wrong with a personalised wooden gift and I adore this personalised box set of puzzles from Ace catalogue. I recently came across Ace Catalogue and discovered their range of personalised gifts. I think puzzles are great as they can be educational as well as helping develop fine motor skills. The bright colours are appealing but my personal fave is the hand puzzle. When teaching I've come across many children who are still confused about their right and left, I think it's ideal for helping establish that knowledge from an early age. 

 

Last but by all means not least is the Munchkin Bubble Blower. The reason I've added this to my gift guide is simple. Eliot loves bubbles, Eliot loves bath time. It's a win win product for us! This is definitely on my list to buy once we're all moved and settled. It looks like great fun and of course fantastic for a bit of sensory play.

 

What toddler gifts are on your list?

 

* I have not been paid to feature any of this products. I received a Organix Goodies selection box in return for featuring it and I previously received the OXO Tot set in return for a review.

 

 

OXO Tot 4 Piece Feeding Set Review

 Today on the blog I'm sharing the OXO Tot Toddler Feeding Set. I was super excited to receive the set and let Eliot put it through its paces. Having worked with OXO Tot before, I knew I would be receiving the highest quality products and I was not disappointed!

 It's a four piece set consisting of plate, bowl, fork and spoon, each with their own unique features designed to make self feeding an easier task for toddlers.
The fork and spoon have non slip handles and are designed with a flat area to prevent them from rolling off on to the floor.

 The plate boasts a removable ring which is designed to help toddlers guide their food onto the cutlery and minimise any food spills. Once your tot has mastered the art of feeding themselves with the cutlery, the ring can be removed. It also features a non slip base making it a doddle for toddlers to learn to feed themselves independently without their dish sliding all over the place.
Eliot's not quite there with feeding himself completely independently. However, as you can see in the photo he is pretty confident. It's getting the food on to the cutlery which he still needs help with.



The bowl is perfect for cereal, snacks and pasta, it comes with a snap on lid which is ideal for storing leftovers or taking snacks on the go. It is designed with 'straight side walls' to assist toddlers with guiding their food on to their cutlery. Like the plate it has a non slip base, meaning it stays firmly in place when your toddler is putting food on their fork/spoon.

 

We have been really impressed with the OXO Tot feeding set, I love how the look is simple yet sleek and stylish. The design of each piece is really helping Eliot on his journey to self feed with cutlery, which you can see in the photos.
All pieces are dishwasher safe and are free from BPA, PVA and phthalate.
As with the other OXO Tot products I've tried, the quality is outstanding. I 100% recommend trying out the OXO Tot range if you haven't already! You can purchase from sites such as Amazon and other retailers.

Have you tried any of the OXO Tot range?

* I was sent the product for the purpose of the review, all opinions are honest and my own


First Year Favourites-Essential Baby Items & Tips When buying



 



I like many other mums, went crazy baby shopping when I was pregnant. I bought far too many baby clothes and other unnecessary bits and bobs, so I thought I'd make a vlog featuring my favourite essential baby items. I realise not all will be 'essential' to some parents but the items featured are what I found essential for us, my favourite baby essentials! I haven't included any of the 'big' items in the vlog just the little things that make a difference!

Even though I did go 'crazy' when baby buying, there are a few tips I'd thought I'd share that enabled me to save quite a bit of money! (especially on some of those larger items)

Tips

• Find out when the next baby & toddler events are on at supermarkets, you can bag some real bargains!
• ALWAYS shop around (including online) and compare prices to find the best deal
• Shops like Mothercare hold expectant parent evenings and offer extra discounts (I bought our pushchair from Mothercare on one of these evenings and got an extra 10% off an already reduced item!)
• Wait for end of season sales
• Find out if any ex-display items are for sale (I could have bought a Silver Cross Surf with carrycot for £250)
• Use ebay (I bought our Mama's & Papas cotbed, changing unit and wardrobe set brand new and saved £95 on the stores reduced price!)
• Coupons, coupons, coupons, use them or lose them!
• Join up with baby clubs such as Boots, Cow & Gate, Aptamil etc for discounts and freebies

 What were your favourite essentials?

 

 

My first year faves...

 



OXO Tot Sippy Cup Set Review

I've been lucky enough to try out another fab OXO tot product, the Sippy Cup Set in Aqua. I've previously reviewed and loved the 'on the go spoon' and 'divided plate' which you can read about here.

 The sippy cup set is suitable from 6 months and has a total of four pieces to help your little one transition from a sippy cup to a cup without handles. It has many great features including being free from BPA, phthalate and PVC. It has a leak proof valve to help prevent any spills and also releases pressure for comfortable sipping. And one of my faves, it can be placed in the top rack of a dishwasher.

As you can see in the photos you get a lid with a spout and a training lid which has a removable insert.

The handles are easily removed for cleaning and when you're tot is ready for the next stage.

You can see how the cup can be used in different ways to move towards an easy transition.

Eliot has been a bit of a pickle (lazy) when using a cup for water, he preferred one of us to assist when requiring a drink. Lately he has been more enthusiastic to do it himself and I thank the chunky handles on the OXO tot sippy cup! They are just the right size for a little one to grasp comfortably. He also seems to prefer the spout as he needs to suck on it for the valve to release the water rather than it spilling out uncontrollably like it has with some cups.

I also love that it is translucent, you can clearly read the measure on either side and see how much your baby has drunk.

Using the cup whilst out and about.

I definitely recommend this cup, not only does it have fantastic features, the quality is outstanding compared to other cups I have tried.  I continue to be impressed with high standards OXO reflect in their goods.

You can purchase the 'Sippy Cup Set' in aqua, green or raspberry  from retailers such as Kiddicare priced at £!0. Use OXO's Store Locator  to find your nearest retailer.

Have you tried any of the OXO tot products yet?

* I was sent the product in exchange for a review.  All views are entirely my own


Oxo Tot Weaning Tools Review

When I received a tweet from OXO TOT offering me the chance to review their weaning tools, of course I was more than happy! I'd read other reviews and browsed their products at the baby show back in October. I'd been impressed with what I read and saw!

I received a lovely recommendation of what items would be suitable for us at this stage of the weaning process, the On the go feeding spoon and the Divided feeding dish . 

However I was even lucky enough to choose what I'd like to review and went with the on the go spoon and the divided plate. I chose the plate as I planned to start some baby led weaning and thought it would be great for when Eliot was older. I was particularly drawn to it as it has portion sizes of protein, carbs and veg measured for you. This is great to help make sure your little one is getting a balanced meal! It may not be exactly what I need for Eliot now but I chose it because I knew it would be a mealtime must that would grow with him.

..

I have enjoyed using it and it's brought to light that I may have been giving Eliot too much of protein or carbs so this factor has been incredibly helpful! I have found it very reassuring.  Even though on a recent visit to the health visitor I was told to 'feed him as much as wants' I am not comfortable with this as I believe he would eat until he popped! I certainly do not want to stretch his stomach.

A polished off dinner!

It is Sturdy and hardwearing, sure to survive baby/toddler fun/tantrums when it's flung to the floor while your back is turned for that split second!

I have loved using the on the go spoon both at home and whilst out. It has been perfect when we're out and about. The plastic case means it remains nice and clean prior to use and keeps your change bag smear free after meal time too. Again it is extremely well made. The shape of the tip is angled for easy feeding and soft for little ones mouths, yet not flimsy like other weaning spoons I have used.

Out & about!

When Eliot is older I will be purchasing the Cutlery to match his plate!

Have you used Oxo Tot products?

 *These products were sent to us for the purpose of this review. All opinions & views are my own.