this year, no Christmas cards. (you’re welcome.)

One of the hovering stresses of the Holiday season is, no matter what, dealing with the Christmas card scenario. This year, 7 billion cards will go out and I’m happy to say I canned the whole thing. Instead of feeling guilty, I decided to put the money into something more meaningful and mention the donation in an e-card. Booom. Done. The result? 20 children in India’s Himalayan villages will receive support for a full year and everyone I know won’t have my kids’ faces stuck to the fridge all yr!

If you’d like to see (and pitch in!) this project or find your own, visit Global Giving.

10 Smart Gifts for Preschool / K-1 Development

Here are some awesome brain-boosting gifts you will not feel guilty about purchasing, giving or using over and over. No need for plastic crap- these are really solid choices for preschool through 1st grade.

1. Whose Baby? A puzzle to match baby to mother.

2. Tallest Tree Stacking Boxes Multi-purpose stackers that cover math (sequence) language & science.

3. Pattern Blocks Choose any of these to improve and refine spatial development. For younger children, Melissa and Doug have an excellent Pattern Block activity.

4. Hammer and Tack Game Fine motor development game – fun for older preschoolers and early elem.

5. Multicultural Matching Game A memory building and matching activity.

6. Sandpaper Letters Fine motor and pre-writing skill builders- not really a game but SO helpful when learning letters and sounds. Kids love to trace the letters and make the sounds.

7. Haba Math Game – a self correcting sequencing activity.

8. Stitching Block for pre-writing & fine-motor activity.

9. Sorting and Sequencing pattern/sequence game for quiet play/work time. Ages 4-6.

10. Bob Books for beginning readers. Excellent stocking stuffer!