There are a lot of fun ideas from Simple Human for those hard to shop for people on your list!  The products are all clean and modern and perfect for either a minimalist or someone that loves gadgets.  Most people know Simple Human for the great trash cans but they also make a variety of other products like  soap dispensers, kitchen organizers and shower caddies.

The sensor soap pump in particular is interesting as you just run your hand under and the soap comes out.  This can also be used for lotion and provides and super clean way to store bathroom or kitchen essentials.  We actually have the soap dispenser which we use for our toddler’s bathroom.  The sensor was much easier for her to use than a regular soap pump.  It blinks for 20 seconds as well which has been helpful in teaching her to properly wash her hands.  The pumps do require batteries and you can purchase it from Amazon for $38.

This would also be a perfect gift for an at home chef since the soap is hands free.  It is a perfect item for the kitchen as you don’t have to worry about spreading bacteria or cross contaminating other items.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

I have had my eye on various play kitchens for awhile now.  My toddler loves to “help” mommy in the kitchen and I hate discouraging her interest but it just isn’t safe most of the time.  I went to visit a friend recently and her girls were still playing with their play kitchen 5 years after she bought it.  So this is a bit of an investment but I figured if I would get years of use, I might as well get a good one.  We don’t buy a lot of toys for our girls- but the ones I do buy I try to make sure they are good quality and will stand up to a lot of use.

So we were very excited to have the opportunity to try the Step2 Lifestyle Deluxe Play Kitchen.  I love that this is a toy that stimulates my daughter’s imagination and also creates active play.  Step 2 makes a whole line of kitchens that range from $99 to $249.  Step2 also has a product selector to help you decide which kitchen is best suited for your family.

The nice thing about these kitchens is that they come with a number of accessories- the Lifestyle Deluxe came with a 38 piece accessory kit with everything from silverware to a little phone!  So the little accessories can really add up when you calculate the cost of a kitchen- to have these included is fantastic.

The other great thing about this kitchen is that it is pretty small.  We actually put ours along the wall of our kitchen and it fits nicely.  Adriana can “cook” away while I am cooking and she gets quite a kick out of loading the dishwasher and talking on her phone.  It is actually very charming because she has taken to serving me coffee every morning from her play kitchen-along with her play knife to stir it with.  It took about 40 minutes total to assemble but that was including  the help of a 2 year old-so it would probably normally take about 25 minutes or so.

The kitchen also has appliances that make noises, an overhead light and a little pull out sprayer on the faucet! So it is really a gourmet kitchen for your little one.

You can buy the Lifestyle Deluxe Play Kitchen from Amazon HERE for $235 (and note it has 5 star reviews) or for $199 on sale at Step2 HERE.  There are a lot of less expensive versions of play kitchens but the Step 2 is extremely durable so this one will really last. Also, there are a number of darling items on the Step2 web site besides just kitchens.  There is a real projects workshop that is $49.99 HERE and I can tell you my daughter would love to have this to help Daddy or Grandpa in the garage!

******

You can also register with Step 2 and from Dec 2-Dec 13 they are sending out coupon codes for various products on the site!

Also make sure to take a few minutes to register for a pretty spectacular giveaway!  A grand prize winner will receive an entire kitchen suite thanks to Frigidaire PLUS the Step 2 kitchen of your choice for your little one!!

A second prize winner will receive the Step 2 kitchen of your choice and the 3rd prize winner gets a $50 gift card to Step 2!  Whoo hoo!  The contest ends on 12/4 so you’ll have to hurry!

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

The Wow Wee RoboRover is a perfect toy for children ages 8 and up or for a more mature child at heart.  This robot is highly interactive- with a simple to use remote control.  As your child plays with him, the relationship will grow and his personality comes out!  He has a working headlight that can be used to light the way at night or just for a little extra company at bedtime. 

Roborover detects items in his path and can easily navigate around obstacles.  His eyes light up and he will even comment on his surroundings.

The MSRP on Roborover is $79.99 and he can be purchased from Wow Wee or from Amazon.  This toy is sure to provide hours of entertainment.  Not only does he love to explore but he can also be set to follow your child around.  You can get more information and watch a demo video of the Roborover right HERE.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

 The Wow Wee Alive Mini Cubs are baby animals that are plush and interactive with your child. You can choose a leopard cub, panda, white tiger or mini lion cub. When you stroke their heads they respond by blinking their eyes and making cub sounds. The mini cubs also come with a bottle of milk that your child can feed them with.  After they have a snack, the cub will fall asleep making soft noises.  These are gentle little animals that are so charming- they even come with their own adoption certificates!

At just 8 inches tall the minis are a perfect toy for children ages 3 and up.  This would be a great toy to teach a child to care for an animal or as an alternative to a real pet!  The MSRP is $19.99 and they can be purchased from Wow Wee or from Amazon.

My girls have the white tiger cub and it became a fast favorite around here.  My toddler likes to stroke its head while watching movies and listen to it snore.  This is also a great toy to take on trips and is small enough to toss in a bag yet still provides entertainment for your little one.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

Is this gorgeous or what?  I happen to love my Crock Pot.  Next to the coffee maker it is my favorite appliance and has more than justified the investment time and time again.  After all, how many times do you head out to run errands and come home to a nice hot meal perfectly prepared?  I do all the time thanks to my wonderful Crock Pot!  I dump just about everything inside and somehow it almost always turns out perfectly.  I also love that I can use up almost everything in the fridge. I had a stray jar of salsa in the fridge just today and dumped that into the Crock Pot with chicken breast and viola!  Add some Spanish Rice and dinner is ready in minutes.  Plus the house smells wonderful.

Crock Pot has a new line of programmable slow cookers.  These offer touch screen technology to set your cooker according to temperature and time.  You can program the cooker for 20 min or 20 hours in seconds so you never have to worry about overcooking your meal!  The cooker will shut off automatically and has an added feature to stay warm for up to 6 hours!  I think this is an awesome feature in particular for busy moms as you can literally toss dinner into the Crock Pot in the morning and you don’t have to think of it again until dinner.

You can get the new Crock Pot Programmable Slow Cooker from Crock Pot for $129 or from Amazon for $119.  This makes a perfect gift for just about everyone.  I have this on my list for my step mom (who is impossible to buy for!) or this would be a perfect gift for a newlywed.  And by the way- it sounds fancy with the touch screen technology but it literally takes seconds to get this machine running.  You literally plug it in and touch the temperature you want and then set the timer.  Done.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

I like the Go Baby Go line from Fisher Price because the toys not only stimulate but also encourage activity from little ones.  The Bounce and Spin Zebra is a fun toy that toddlers can bounce on and also spin around.  The Zebra also lights up and plays music to really keep your child engaged.  This is a perfect toy for 1-3 year olds and is also gender neutral.  My toddler discovered this toy at her gymnastics class and she seeks it out every single week.  Despite having a huge facility with all sorts of games and toys and even 30 foot long trampolines- this seems to be the item that she gets the most excited about over and over.  This toy will help teach children coordination and balance.  The Zebra locks until a child is completely in the seat- so it is safe for them to climb on and off of by themselves.

The base is very solid so it will hold up to very energetic little ones!  You can get it from Amazon HERE for about $50.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

This is an adorable toy perfect for 3 year old- to 6 year olds (although my 2 year old LOVES this toy). The train will spin around a circle of tracks, on its own or it can lay (and pick up) tracks by itself.  The music is cheerful and is well suited to both boys and girls.

You can see a demonstration of the choo choo right HERE. It retails for about $35 and comes with the train, tracks, two crossing guard signs and Mickey!

You can order the toy HERE from Amazon and make sure to get the Mickey’s Magic Choo Choo DVD as well!

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

This is a very cute little doll for girls 2-10 years old.  The doll comes with a pacifier, blanket, a little dog and bottle so your little one can take good care of her baby!  She knows 60 different phrases and reacts when her hands are touched or the button on her tummy is pushed.  She giggles and says things like “tickle me” or “bottle mama!”

What really makes this doll unique is that she can also go from sitting to standing all by herself and begins to walk!  Should she fall down- she can either get back up or will ask for help.  The doll really interacts with your child- for example if you place her hands in her blanket and touch them simultaneously- she knows it is time to play Peek a Boo!

This doll can be purchased from Amazon for $69.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

Kushies is a whimsical company that makes a variety of items for infants and toddlers.  They have an adorable line of blankets and pillows with characters- like Ella the Elephant pictured here.  The products are excellent quality and provide a lot of stimulation for baby with different noises and textures. 

You will be amazed at how afforable these items are- like the Ella Blanket which is only$11.99. 

This is perfect option for a baby or new mom as each item has such a unique personality. 

You can purchase Kushies direct right HERE.  See my complete review of the products HERE.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

The Mutsy Booster seat is a great option for toddlers on your list.  It is a practical gift that can be used for years.  The bright colors makes these fun for kids and the sleek design makes them a chic addition to kitchen or dining room.  These are very secure on armless chairs and are made of a thick foam rubber to stay nice and comfortable for little ones.  It attaches easily to chairs so it is a great option for dining out!  Read my complete review HERE. 

These can be purchased in a variety of vivid colors for $59 from Mutsy.com HERE (use code mfa10 to save 10%) or from Amazon HERE.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

 The Kokopax Baby Carrier is a great gift for new parents- particularly new Dads.  It is not only a carrier but also has a kickstand and becomes a chair for baby!  A great option for families that spend a lot of time outdoors or travelling. It comes in several fabric choices and includes a storage bag.  Very leightweight and made of durable canvas.   You can see my complete review HERE.

These can be purchased online HERE for $149- use code mfa10 to save 10%.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!

The Dyson DC31 handheld vacuum is a great option for the gadget freak as just looks so cool or for the person that already has everything.  It has ten minutes of run time and the power is unlike any other handheld on the market. I was thinking of getting this for my Dad. You can see my complete review HERE.

You can purchase the DC31 from Target.com for $149 or Amazon.com for $149- although many stores are selling out of this item quickly.

Geta free subscription to Babytalk or American Baby magazine!