Sadly the Scholastic Store closed in January 2015. In my opinion the Scholastic Store in SoHo is one of the better kid stores in New York City. Whether I am looking for books, toys or a last minute birthday party present, I know I can always find something of quality at the Scholastic Store. Most of the toys and books are educational as well as being fun. They've just done a complete overhaul of the store making this great shopping experience even better.

Read more to find out some of the changes at the Scholastic Store in SoHo, some last minute gift ideas.

If this is not the hot giving opportunity of the year, then it certainly should be. The One Laptop Per Child project is the coolest thing on so many levels. If you haven't heard of it, here's the gist: some smart people have created a laptop that is cheap enough, rugged enough, energy efficient enough, and wired enough to be perfectly designed to give to children in developing nations to help them connect with the world and get the education they need to grow into modern world citizens.

Why is this the best giving opportunity this Holiday Season? Until December 31, 2007 you can buy a laptop for a child in a developing nation and get a laptop for a child in your life. The give one, get one promotion costs only $399 and is 50% deductable. Not only does it include a great laptop, perfect for a child, but it comes with a free year of TMobile wireless. That in and of itself is almost worth the price of the program because it gives you free wireless, just about anywhere.

[THIS POST WAS UPDATED NOV 2008]
By now, we all know the benefits to shopping from small, local retailers rather than big box stores, but the main reason should always be because you find more unique, wonderful things to buy in a more enjoyable shopping experience.

To that end, Dani has brought you some recommendations of great new stores in Brooklyn and Queens to do your Holiday gift shopping this year. And to make sure that buying from Mom and Pop is a great shopping experience Buy in Brooklyn is hosting a Snowflake Celebration the first two Thursdays in December (Thursday, December 4th and 11th) where local Park Slope retailers will offer special discounts, promotions, and in-store refreshments to shoppers. Last year the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music performed concerts, carolers wandered the streets, and snow machines dusted the sidewalks to set the mood. More about that after Dani's recommendations:

Two stores in Brooklyn & one in Queens with great gifts for the holidays will remind you that NY shopping exists outside of Manhattan. While you're there explore a little & enjoys some food & fun.

Go to Brooklyn.... Take the A or C train to the Hoyt/Schermerhorn stop in Brooklyn. Just around the block on the corner of Bond St. & State St. is Blue Ribbon General Store which opened in September. They have tons of great gifts for kids (and adults). Make sure to check out their "grab bag" bins that are filled with all kinds of treats perfect for stuffing those stockings and would be a great resource for kids birthday goody bags as well. Along with clever toys from Eeboo, Crocodile Creek, Toysmith and Melissa and Doug, they carry tons of puzzles, art supplies and books. They also have lots of kids cooking kits that will come in handy on those inside days that we're always talking about.

Grab your bags & head down Atlantic Avenue and make a note to tell Santa about all the fabulous clothing shops that have opened there. You can take a break and grab some delicious falafel on homemade pita bread at Bedouin Tent. They also make fabulous pizzas that are really kid friendly on that same pita. You'll also pass Downtown Atlantic which carries some of the most delicious cupcakes around. Grab a couple to take home!

After you're finished, make your way to Exit 9, 127 Smith Street. This store has a great selection of really original offerings from old fashioned gag gifts to housewares to really stylish fashion accessories. One of my favorites is the old fashioned phone receiver that plugs into your cell allowing you to talk the old fashioned way. This store is perfect for everyone on your list with stuff for older kids, teenagers & adults as well. It's packed with really inventive gift ideas and lots off stuff from a variety of designers & artists. They also have a really cool selection of baby gifts & shower gifts so this place could be a valuable resource year round.

Queens.... Get in some for some shopping & then grab a bite at one of the great Chinese, Korean, or other southeast Asian restaurants that abound in Flushing. ToyQube & Gallery (Flushing Mall 133-31 39th ave. #F36) is located in Flushing a few blocks from the 7 train. This store carries the best & brightest toys that you'll never see in toys r us. Kid Robot might be a recognizable name to some with older kids, but if you’ve never heard of them they are one of many colorful inventive figurines from Japan, Hong Kong & other faraway places. For those with younger kids they also have Yo Gabba Gabba Dolls.

It’s a store but also a gallery so you can be inspired by the creativeness of these toys that are worlds away from the average toy store counterparts. The store also carries skate accessories, sneakers and lifestyle accessories. Your cool? quotient will definitely grow after visiting this store with the tweens & teens in your life. You might even take home something for yourself.

To get a preview of all the wonderful things you can expect to find for sale at the Snowflake Celebration, check out the Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn Holiday Shopping Guide which shows some of the highlights and diverse finds you'll find while strolling down both Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue in Park Slope.

For a full listing of all the special deals, discounts and offerings of the Snowflake Celebration visit Buy in Brooklyn.

If you’re looking for perfect clothes for a little boy for the Holidays, check out the Burwell sample sale. All Burwell New York pieces are design, cut, and sewn in the heart of the garment district using the finest traditional fabrics, such as herringbone, cotton velveteen, cashmere and super soft corduroy from mill in England, Italy, Spain and Japan. Vintage-inspired details are added, like the antique brass and pewter buttons, or the faux-fur collar on the peacoat.

Grand Central Kaleidoscope Laser Light Show

It's like a free activity advent calendar. One little gem for every day to help you pass the time until Christmas vacation!

Looking for more fun stuff? Check out the Holiday Guide.

Mon., Dec. 10: Kaleidoscope Light Show and Holiday Trains at Grand Central

Tues., Dec. 11: AudraRox performs at the Madison Square Park Tree Lighting

I don't usually post on the weekends, but there has been so much to post about and I just haven't been able to get to it all. I'll be posting today and tomorrow. Here's a roundup of a bunch of random activities for this weekend and upcoming week.

Broadway is back. I went to see Is He Dead?, a new Mark Twain play. You can find discounts for this and other shows, like The Grinch at NewYorkology.com.

I stumbled upon a really cool after-school and camp program, Wild Blue. It dubs itself as a geography-oriented exploration and adventure center for children aged 3-11. They are having an Open House today, Sat., Dec. 8th from 10am to 12pm or 2-4pm at 401 East 76th St with activities for kids, and examples of some of the experiences their explorers have been through. If any one goes to this and wants to report back, or knows about this program, I'd love to hear about it.

The Mommy Poppins Holiday Toy Swap & Drive is ON!