Educational Toys for Kids

Christmas gift giving has taken on a special significance for me this year. In looking for ways to make gift giving fun again, I came up with a Christmas list I’d like to share.

Top Ten List of Meaningful Christmas Gifts

These gifts made my top ten list of Christmas gift ideas because I’m looking for memorable gifts that will help create, capture and share memories that will far outlast the frenzy of Christmas morning. Since meaningful gifts are determined by the recipient, your list may differ from my suggestions. Hopefully this will help get your creative ideas flowing. Now for my favorite gift and best free resource…

Christmas Gift Idea No. 1:
MP3 Player filled with Music Downloads

I bought my husband the SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8 GB MP3 Player . Less than half the price of a high end iPod, this beautifully styled Fuze MP3 player has any and every feature you could possibly want in a digital music player, including a long 24 hour battery life. In addition to listening to music, you can watch favorite video clips, share photos, or dial into a favorite digital FM radio station. There is even voice recording with built-in microphone so you can record seminars, workshops, or even personal notes to yourself.  This would be great for a student (or for reminding hubby to pick up the wine!)

FREE MUSIC:

To make this gift really memorable, I signed up for a free trial subscription to an online music download site and immediately uploaded over 500 free songs to hubby’s new MP3 player. This will make his gift instantly enjoyable as he travels down memory lane listening to his favorite classic songs on Christmas morning. And it was so easy! This eliminated the time consuming effort of burning his cd collection to the computer and then transferring the songs to the Sansa Fuze MP3 player. Click here to get your own free 14-day trial of Rhapsody and download music for free.

Already own a different MP3 player or iPod? You can still take advantage of this amazing free digital music trial while it lasts.  Click here to get a free 14-day trial of Rhapsody and surprise that special someone with the gift of music.  Since June of this year, Rhapsody digital music has been iPod compatible!

Christmas Gift Idea No. 2:
Shutterfly

Shutterfly is an easy way to get your photos out of your digital camera and into print. But even better is the software they provide to make beautiful, memorable photo books. I’m in the midst of creating such a keepsake for our two granddaughters who shared a very special week with us this summer in the Hocking Hills area of Ohio.

This will be a book they can keep forever and will look back on with fond memories.

You can also create photo calendars, keychains, coffee mugs, mouse pads. Practically anything you can print on, you can personalize with Shutterfly.

View this Photo Book & See More Here

Christmas Gift Idea No. 3:
Netflix

If you haven’t used Netflix to have movie dvds delivered to your door, you don’t know what you are missing. No more hassles trying to get a new release or forgetting a movie until Friday night. Last year I gave subscriptions to Netflix to everyone. I actually think it was the most appreciated gift I gave.  And the memories continued all year.
Grab some popcorn and you’re all set!

Not sure if someone already has a subscription?  It doesn’t matter to Netflix. You can still make a gift to them and extend their subscription or include more movies each month. A gift that would be appreciated by someone who is busy or home bound. Since the movies can be ordered in bulk and put in a queue, it’s a great gift to give someone even if they don’t have a computer. Just pre-order a number of movies to last a month or so.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 4:
LeapFrog Tag Reading System

My grandson, age 4, received this system for his fourth birthday and loves it. Such a unique concept, you put the tag reader over the words of the book and it reads the words out loud to you. This little system makes learning to read fun and I can tell you from first hand experience, my four year old loves it.

“The amazing touch technology of the Tag Reading System encourages a child’s love of reading as words talk, pictures sing and stories live out loud!”

Perfect for children ages 4 to 8. Click here to read reviews or learn more:  LeapFrog® Tag Reading System

Christmas Gift Idea No. 5:
Leapster L-Max Learning Game System

From the same award winning company, LeapFrog, comes the Leapster L-Max Learning Game System. Not only is the hand held video game portable (think long holiday car or plane trips) but it can be linked into the TV for family fun.  All Leapster games are interchangeable, so your children can continue to play any games they might already have, but can also get new tv-compatible games.

Check out reviews and watch the really cute video demo here:  Leapster L-MAX Hardware (TV Feature) Recommended for ages 4 to 10 so they won’t quickly get bored or grow out of this game.

What can I say? This is truly gift giving made easy. Just don’t tell the kids it’s educational. They think it’s a fun video game!  An educational toy kids love.  Santa approved and kid friendly.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 6:
Pandigital 7″ Digital Picture Frame

One of my favorite gifts to give is loading up a digital picture frame with photos. The reason I like the Pandigital model is you can also play videos, music, and even use it as an alarm. It comes with a remote control as well. Great way to keep in touch with loved ones when it’s not possible to get together, as well as for use at the office, or even on your home desk.

What is especially nice is the ability to add to the collection.  Simply send a memory card filled with digital pics you’ve taken throughout the year. This could become an annual gift. Memories are always priceless.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 7:
Sony Digital Book Reader

Digital book readers are hot this year. Mentioned by Oprah as one of her favorite things, the Kindle: Amazon’s Wireless Reading Device is already sold out. (You can get on a waiting list, but the site says it won’t be available until after December 24.)

Many people prefer the Sony Reader to the Kindle anyway. But don’t think you need to purchase the more expensive new 700. The touch screen actually has made that model less desirable. The Sony Digital Book Reader of choice seems to be the Sony PRS-505/LC Blue Digital Book Reader. It’s over $100 cheaper than the newest model. I haven’t personally used this, but I have been told you can even download free ebooks from your local library.  Want to know more?

Click to read Sony Digital Reader Reviews

If you are at all interested, don’t hesitate or you might be disappointed. A bit on the pricey side, this is great for business travelers who are tired of hauling reading material with them everywhere. Now everything is conveniently located in thin reader.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 8:
WebCam

Connections made simple and easy! Keeping in touch has never been simpler. Or more fun.  Whether you have family, friends or colleagues out of state, with the combination of a good webcam and either Skype or Google Talk you are in business. And the phone calls are free.  Not difficult to use, think how much fun it would be for Grandma and Grandpa to watch the children grow, family reunions, sporting events. Wherever you can take your computer, the webcam will work.  Share the memories.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 9:
Crocs RX

Ok, I admit I never understood the attraction of crocs. Until now.  I’m a new believer and real fan! I’ve seen first hand how these comfortable clogs could ease foot pain.

I purchased a pair of therapeutic chocolate Crocs RX for a loved one who suffers from arthritis and pain in his feet. Although these clogs were intended as a Christmas gift, I couldn’t wait. Not expecting miracles, I just had to see if these shoes could help in even some small way.  Now I’m a hero! Gift giving can’t get more memorable than that.  What an awesome Christmas gift for someone who is looking for comfort and relief from aching feet. Think arthritis, bunions, hammertoes, nerve damage, diabetic.  Click here to check out the Crocs Rx here.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 10:
A Present for Me from Zappos!

And now a little gift for me, the one who has done all the shopping!  I love shoes, especially boots, and I absolutely fell in love with these Nine West booties. Unsure of shoe size or taste?  Shop Online E-Gift Certificates at Zappos.com and give the special man or woman in your life the option to choose their own gift.

Did I mention no cost shipping?  Free shipping, both ways. That means no risk buying. If a shoe isn’t a perfect fit, you can always return for free … for up to a year! What a memorable gift of awesome service.

What most people don’t realize is that Zappos is so much more than a shoe store. They have expanded their store to include not only designer shoes but also handbags, clothing, accessories and electronics.

I love Zappos. Be sure to check them out. You’ll be glad you did.

So what about you? What Christmas gift ideas can you share with us?