Blog Posts by MomFinds

Okay, before you get all up in arms, hear me out. My daughter is only two. If I don't put up a Christmas tree or wrap a single present or play any Christmas carols, she'll have no idea anything is awry. So I've been thinking, why stress out trying to get her the hottest holiday toys when she probably won't even realize if I wrap toys she already has?

I know, part of me thinks it's genius, but part of me thinks it's totally cruel. But I am still a little sour from our Halloween debacle. She was so excited in the weeks leading up to Halloween about being a cupcake and trick or treating that I splurged on a $50 Halloween costume. When October 31 came, she was in the worst mood, didn't want to wear the costume and slept through trick or treating. Talk about a bust... and a waste!

So for Christmas, I'm seriously considering getting her two new toys and calling it a day. Why fight the crowds for a Sing-A-Ma-Jig or a Disney Princess & Me Doll when she already has a ton of toys

What better way to help kids count down the days to Christmas than a cool advent calendar? It sure beats crossing out days on a wall calendar, and it just might be the thing to keep them on their best behavior to get (or stay) on Santa's "Nice" list.

Not sure where to start? Check out these three fun kids' advent calendars even adults will love.

LEGO City Advent Calendar ($35)
Playmobil Advent Calendar ($19)


Eric Carle's Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar ($11)

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Thought you've seen all the Silly Bandz there is to see? Wrong! Check out these swanky Marc Jacobs Silly Bandz that are so popular, you'll be lucky to find them in stock.

The set of five spells out 'MARC' with an apple thrown in, and features gold-plated logo charms hanging on each bracelet. They're a little more grown up than your standard Silly Bandz, but still just as fun. Makes for a perfect holiday gift for your big girl (who's old enough to know not to put those charms in her mouth)...or for yourself (so you can stop wearing your kid's Silly Bandz!).

Price: $15

Get Yours: shopbop.com

Get more stylish personalized mom jewelry in our buying guides.

Yes, I know, the mere mention of a baby's first Christmas ornament does evoke a certain Hallmark 1991 porcelain angel ornament image, but there are tons of cute personalized Christmas ornaments out there now. Really! Plus, they make a very sweet gift for a baby born near the holidays (or just one celebrating Christmas for the first time).

Take a look at these that are sure to make this year's tree extra special.

This embroidered bird felt ornament might be the sweetest thing on the tree. Comes in a keepsake bag with the year embroidered on it.

These adorable Christmas ornaments not only make a great baby gift, but can be personalized any way you want them.

The other side of this hand painted ornament ($32) can be personalized with the date and the baby's name for a unique keepsake--no two are exactly alike.

I read somewhere that there's less than 50 days until Christmas, which is a decent amount of time to get all my shopping done. But then I checked the calendar and realized that there is less than a month until Hanukkah. Ooh, not so much time to shop for all my Hanukkah gifts-we celebrate both holidays in my house, so it gets really busy with kids' toys this time of year!

If you haven't yet started thinking about the Festival of Lights, use these three fun Hanukkah toys for little kids to get you moving.

This KidKraft Chanukah Set helps teach kids about the holiday's traditions with a menorah, dreidel, six coins, two potato latkes, a spatula, pan, and a storage bag.

This Fisher-Price Little People Hanukkah Play Set includes six Little People figures and an entire dining room and kitchen scene to play out the holiday's festivities.

The classic game of dominos gets festive with these Chanukah Dominos that feature all the food, toys and important symbols that

I can never decide what time of year is my favorite--summer or these last two months of the year leading up to New Year's. I love all the celebrations, all the food and of course, all the occasions to get dressed up. And for me, that totally includes taking the pic I'll use on our holiday cards. I'm staging our holiday card picture this weekend and I can't wait.

(We're shooting a special pic just for this card--it's one of my top five contenders this year.)

But yesterday I was talking with some of my co-workers and it turns out only one other person sends out holiday cards. Say what?! One person even went so far to say that they are a waste.

Obviously, I beg to differ.

I am chained to my email and Facebook and Twitter as much as the next person, but that's why I relish putting something in the mailbox for my friends and family. Whenever I send someone a handwritten letter or thank you note, they always say it feels a little more serious, dare I say even more special,

I have a confession to make: I love shopping, but I never go shopping on Black Friday. Shopping is a fun activity for me and beating down mobs of people to get the last Sing-a-Ma-Jig is not fun...at all.

But this year will be different. Why? Because tons of stores are bringing their Black Friday deals online. All I have to do is stay up until midnight or set my alarm clock (a.k.a. my daughter) to wake me up by 5 a.m. and I can get the best online deals right in my PJs.

Any other time I'd keep my shopping strategies to myself, but because this is the season of giving, I will share (a few, wink wink). Commit these 14 tips to memory (or print them out) and you'll win big this Black Friday.

1. Make a list. Before Black Friday arrives, know who you need to buy for and what you'd like to get him/her. Check people off as you order their gifts.

2. Watch out for deals in disguise. Some stores (like Gap) charge more for items online than they do in stores.

3. Aim

Okay, Halloween is out of the way and now the holiday season is in full swing. If your kid hasn't already started nagging you about what they expect under the tree this Christmas, it's only a matter of time.

Every year, we round up what are sure to be the hottest holiday toys and this year we're going all out. With your help, of course. We know what our kids (and the kids in their class, and in our neighborhoods) are asking for, but what about your kids? What toys are already on your must-get list for Black Friday?

We'll give you a sneak peek at what will be on our annual sold-out list, but only if you leave what you think will be sellouts this year in the comments. Deal?

Here are three you better get now:

Imaginext Bigfoot the Monster: He walks, he talks and he even flips! Once your child sees Bigfoot the Monster in action, he/she will be begging for one.

Sing-A-Ma-Jig: One of these singing plush toys is a treat, but together Sing-a-Ma-Jigs sing harmony!