Whether you’ve got older kiddos for whom to buy or younger ones, We’ve got some ideas… Let’s talk about some of the hottest items, toys and otherwise, for the kids on our lists. You can see my picks below, Kristin’s here and Erika’s here! Happy Shopping!!

I’m sure you’ve heard all the rage about Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop toys, right? My daughter especially enjoys her Littlest Pet Shop pets… She so lovingly sets up each one, in their “homes,” and plays with them for hours!

The new Digital Planner is something she will flip over receiving for Christmas… not only will it allow her to store all of her aunts’, uncles’ and cousins’ phone numbers and keep track of fun activities, but she can also play over 25 games and care for her pets like never before!

Air Hog makes the only cars that can climb walls, and the Zero Gravity Micro Car is not only small, but it is super fast! So, forget about those remote control cars that just scoot across the ground for the older boys… These Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro cars moves in three dimensions. This amazing car moves across the ground, up the wall, and even upside down on the ceiling, by using a specially designed suction device. Now, this is a remote control car even I get excited about!

And for the younger Littlest Pet Shop lovers, treat them to a VIP of their very own! These plush pets are as cuddly as they are loveable. There are several pets from which to choose and each one has a secret code hidden in its collar. With this code you can help your new little pet owner unlock exclusive games, activities and lots of other cool surprises!

What’s fast, fun and flippable? The Bounce Back Racer, that’s what! Supercharge your toddler’s need for speed (and controlling things) with this chunky, two-in-one R/C vehicle. My younger boys had a blast sending this orange and red sports car racing forwards or backwards, and racing the vehicle over obstacles to make it flip over! A plus is that with the soft, squishy body and oversized rubber tires kids can take this speedster for a spin without hurting your walls, feet and floors!

With the Vtech V.Motion (also known as the “Wii for babies”), this educational gaming system is designed to keep kiddos aged three to seven amused and motivated for hours at a time. My young kiddos have tons of fun using the wireless controller to solve puzzles and win races, all the while practicing hand eye coordination. Games and toys that mix with play with learning always get a thumbs up from me!

Looking for gifts that add fun and pizzazz to any room? How about Room Tech Beingz? With alarm clocks that dance and lamps that smile, the kids on your shopping list are sure to be thrilled to put these fun and functional Beingz on their night stand or desk.

I missed out on the virtual pet craze in the 90s (too old without kids of my own, I guess) and have a hard time spelling Tamagotchi even now! What I do know is that, for the first time ever, kiddos can raise multiple Tamagotchi characters in one egg with the Tamagotchi Connection V5 . Raise siblings with differing personalities, tastes, and hobbies. The new challenge of the Familitchi toy will surely raise the bar on the Tamagotchi experience for fans old and new alike!

Win it!

Enter to win a Tamagotchi Connection V5 Familitchi!

Here’s how to enter:

• Leave me a comment on this post, by 9pm on December 12th, telling me who you would give this virtual game to, and why.

• Be sure you visit this post, to grab my Gift Guide button, for extra entries!

One lucky commenter will be chosen at random and notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comment.

Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake is sure to be a hit this Christmas. This magical dance adventure would make a wonderful gift for your little ballerina. It’s sure to mesmerize her, as it has mine, while it inspires and stimulates her young mind.

(You can see my full review here.)

Win it!

Enter to win a copy of Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake!

Here’s how to enter:

• Leave me a comment on this post, by 9pm on December 12th, telling me about your little princess.

• Be sure you visit this post, to grab my Gift Guide button, for extra entries!

One lucky commenter will be chosen at random and notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comment.

Are you looking for a gift for a little guy who loves to play on the computer? Both educational and fun, Jumpstart 3D Virtual World is perfect for ages 3-5. In My First Adventure, your little explorer can run, jump and swim through an amazing 3D virtual world.

Josh, my 4 year old, really enjoys playing My First Adventure. He created a character that looks like him, he’s designed his own house in a fun and musical neighborhood, and loves exploring this 3D world. I like the fact that he is practicing recognition of his letters and shapes, all the while having fun!

Just a few days ago JumpStart.com was introduced as a place to enjoy a fully interactive, safe, 3D virtual world. This new family membership model includes a multitude of benefits to kids including unlimited access to the entire JumpStart Virtual World for all kids in the family, downloadable game content, printable coloring sheets, movies & music videos, and the ability to earn rewards that can be used in the real world.

To celebrate the launch, JumpStart is hosting a Jumpee (avatar) contest for three months starting in mid-December where kids can create their own avatars and submit them online at JumpStart.com for a chance to win prizes daily, including free annual memberships, Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii. One grand prize winner will be chosen to have their Jumpee star in a future JumpStart Virtual World adventure and receive a college scholarship from JumpStart.

Win it!

Enter to win a copy of Jumpstart 3D Virtual World: My First Adventure!

Here’s how to enter:

• Leave me a comment on this post, by 9pm on December 12th, telling me about your favorite family game, and why it’s your favorite.

• Be sure you visit this post, to grab my Gift Guide button, for extra entries!

• One lucky commenter will be chosen at random and notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comment.

I stayed away from the crowds and madness this morning, but in honor of Black Friday, I have posted a widget below, created by Megan Calhoun of TwitterMoms fame, that includes 250+ mom-powered alternatives to big box retailers. You’ll find literally hundreds of places to shop (and great gift ideas) here, all of which are listed in the TwitterMoms Holiday Catalog.

Shopping is easy — just click any link to visit the site directly.

A great alternative to fighting the crazies!

Whether you are looking for games, CDs, or DVDs that tap in to your music loving senses, you are sure to find something that hits the spot with my suggestions below!

Wii Music has us all moving our bodies and making music. Up to four of us jam together using the Wii Remote and Balance Board. There are over 60 instruments available to play in Wii Music… Strum to play guitar, banjo, and sitar! Drum to play jazz drums, congas, and snare drums! Hammer away to play piano, vibraphone, and marimba!

Unlike most music games, Wii Music doesn’t make you use many complex buttons. You only need to imitate playing the instrument, making it easy for the kiddos to play.

With Wii Music you can blaze through a rock take on Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” or put a classical spin on “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” or even transform Nintendo songs like the Super Mario Bros. theme into a Latin-American number. The song list is only a takeoff point – it’s how you improvise with the songs that matters!

Wii Music is fun the whole family will enjoy!

One to One Network allowed me to review Linda Eder ‘s most recent CD, The Other Side of Me. I’m still not exactly sure what I think of it, but perhaps you will really enjoy it…

A disciple of Barbra Streisand early on, Eder gradually forged her own vocal style on Broadway, and eventually branched out from show tunes to include pop standards, light swing, and adult contemporary balladry in her repertoire.

The Other Side of Me contains a sound that borders on pop country music and a soulful Christian sound. You can listen to
clips from Linda Eder’s 10th album here.

*Enter to win The Other Side of Me autographed CD and autographed T-shirt or hat

Who doesn’t love Seal? With his newest album, Soul, he has captured the very heart of classic soul songs. Each song on this album evokes their own drama, emotion and romance.

I pop in this CD, or click on one of the widgets found on all of my favorite blogs (I have one, too, over there ->), and all of my stress just melts away! Love it!

With 12 soul classics, Soul is sure to please.

*Enter to win a copy of Seal’s CD, Soul, as well as an ipod retro mini speaker

I was also introduced to Il Divo by the One to One Network, and I have to say they are quite the treat!

I was surprised to discover that Il Divo were initially brought together by pop impresario Simon Cowell in 2004, following an extensive worldwide audition process. The virtuoso blending of operatic technique with romantic and popular song took the world by storm, with sales of over 22 million. Their first three albums, ‘Il Divo’, ‘Ancora’ and ‘Siempre’ scored 36 number 1 chart positions across 26 countries.

The Christmas Collection consists of 10 amazing songs, most of which are currently my favorites. With only a few of them being Christmas songs, this album can be enjoyed all year long, but you can bet we will listen to it often this Holiday season.

Il Divo’s newest album, The Promise, was released in the USA on the 18th of November. It is said to be their richest and most diverse album to date. I have yet to watch the DVD that was part of the Deluxe Edition, but I’m sure it will be quite the treat!

*Enter to win The Promise CD/DVD and The Christmas Collection CD

For more great Holiday gift ideas, visit my bloggy pals, Erika and Kristin… Between the three of us we are sure to help you choose the perfect gift for everyone on your shopping list this year!