Two important announcements on this Holiday-giving focused post. First, we have a winner in our Craftsbury Kids giveaway. Congrats, Michelle R! It's nice to ba able to give something back to my readers too.

Next, the Mommy Poppins Holiday Toy Swap & Drive is ON!

When my children were very young I had a wonderful neighbor who became a dear friend. They were of Italian heritage and had similar aged children. We shared holidays with each other for years. We went to their house to trim the tree, hang the Advent Calendar, bake Christmas cookies and eat a 7 fish dinner Christmas Eve and they came to our house to light the menorah, eat latkes and open presents. These memories have always stayed with my family though eventually they moved and life took us in separate directions. Mrs. D passed away this year so I wrote to her husband asking him for her Christmas cookie recipes. Now I will share them with you. Mrs D's Traditional Italian Christmas Cookie Recipes:

Worrying about lead paint, the environment, and the extinction of small, local businesses and artisans is not the only reason to look for alternatives to big box stores and toys. How about the pure pleasure of giving and having absolutely melt-in-your-mouth beautiful, simple, hand-crafted, heirloom toys that will inspire kids to use their imaginations and instill a sense of magic and wonder?

Craftsbury Kids is a mother-owned company selling toys, art, clothing, and decor for parents who are looking for something different than the cookie cutter, mass-produced flashy electronic toys. Most everything is handcrafted by independent artisans and small cottage industries. You can even shop by categories of toys Made in The USA, Made in Europe and Fair Trade if you like.

Yadda. Yadda. Yadda. All I know is I get weak in the knees when I look at their Holiday Gift Guide.

My favorite page is the Warm Fuzzies. As far as I'm concerned, every child should have one of these froggie hats. I'm writing to Hillary right now to suggest we put it in law.

My son would love this toy wooden helicopter, but honestly I'm not sure I would care if he ever played with it or not. It would give me so much pleasure just to see such a beautiful toy sitting there on his, or my, shelf every day.