Welcome to my First Annual Gift Guide! I’m going to create a list here of great gifts and must-have for moms who have kids with special needs and special diets. Disclaimer: All links are my affiliate links.
for yourself…
Sure, I put this last because I know you put yourself last too. You won’t be able to help those kids unless you are at the top of your game, and that means you need to take of yourself. Here are some great products for a “Time Out” for Mom:
Non-Toxic Skincare |
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NYR Organic is my favorite skincare! It’s completely non-toxic and most of their products are organic. Check out their products at my shop and learn why I sell it!
Check out our special holiday gifs collection just for this year too!
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in the kitchen…
Now, I know there are PLENTY of moms who shudder at the thought of getting appliances, but I also know that when you are cooking for kids on a special diet or to improve brain function, about 80% of your life becomes diet-related work. You NEED tools to make it easier.
The KitchenAid Mixer |
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We simply could not live without our KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer !This is must-have for anyone on a gluten-free diet. And the more you eliminate, the more you’ll use this. Not only can you mix up your batters; you can also cream, whip, chop, blend and make ice cream. You can even make your own gluten-free sausage! Of course, this depends on which attachments you get. |
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If she has one… KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment! |
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My Wish List KitchenAid RVSA Slicer/Shredder Attachment for Stand Mixers: Having a veggie chopper attachment sure would make my life easier! Can you say, POTATO CHIPS? |
A Good Blender & Food Processor |
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We own the Cuisinart BFP-603 SmartPower Deluxe Blender and Food Processor . Because it’s a combo, it’s a great value. Believe me, you’ll need both a blender and a food processor – and this makes the MOST yummy hummus – from the recipe right in the package. We need a new food processing cannister ourselves, because we were too rough with it (the clip that locks the processing container down on top broke – still works fine, we just have to hold the top). That said, the motor is a strong work horse for the price and it’s one of those things that goes on regular discounts for Black Friday. |
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My Wish List I would like ONE great workhorse, plus if it can make soup on it’s own, I’m sold! I’m wishing for either a Blendtec Blender  or a Vitamix Turbo. Both are big bucks powerhouses that can make soup and chop grain (with the right blades). Either works for me! |
Non Toxic Cookware |
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| If you’re just starting on this journey, you may not realize or may be just learning about how toxic traditional cookware is. That why we use cast iron. The Lodge 5-Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set really is everything you need to get started with a cast iron cooking set. It’s a darn good deal right now too, and it might be heavy to ship, but you can chuck that nasty old chemical-coated cookware. It comes with plenty of instructions on how to season and treat it – and believe, I put my cookware through the MILL, and seasoning recovers it even after I’ve my worst. Lodge is readily available at Target and Walmart if you need additional pieces and they sell everything – I mean EVERYTHING – you can think of in cast iron too. | |
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Wish List I am dying to try Xtrema Ceramic Cookware  , which I hear is the safest cookware, but it costs a pretty penny. |
for the kids…
If your child has special needs, typical toys are fine, but what’s better is toys that she can really relate to, that really get played with properly and in creative ways, that bring a real smile to his face. These are the toys and tools that really brought out the best in my kids:
A Tablet |
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I can’t go on ENOUGH about how this one single device – an iPad 2 – has changed Zoe’s life for the better. I really can’t, but that’s just me. If you want to buy ONE large dollar tool for your child, this should be it. (*If you CAN’T afford one, see my note below where to apply if you have a child with autism.) Wish List Proloquo2Go: This speech app has broken barriers for my child in so many ways at school! I wish I could afford to put it on our iPad, but not so far. We also need a Childproof iPad Cover  Why didn’t we buy this sooner?? |
Construction Toys |
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LEGO’S!!! Need I say more? Zoe, who has such an affinity for food, particularly loved the LEGO Friends Downtown Bakery set. And naturally, there’s plenty for boys to like too. |
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Laser Pegs! I really like the Laser Pegs 16-in-1 Mythology Building Set. Very like Lego’s only they light up! |
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Zombies and construction? Amelia will be so happy, so we are getting the KRE-O CityVille Invasion Police Station Zombie Defense Set. If your kid is into zombies and heros, this is the bomb. |
Videos |
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Tinker Bell movies are my TOP recommendations for girls with autism. She’s a TINKER!! She has no problem connecting and lining up things like paper clips, screws, ball joints, etc. Sound familiar? And she makes beautiful, necessary stuff out of it while getting into all kinds of scrapes. Sound familiar? Yea, here too. And you’ll love the Peter Pan references. Zoe also adores Celtic music now, thanks to these films, and the new one comes out in the spring…with pirates! The movies:
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My kids love these films! They are just laugh-out-loud funny, but this has an interesting plot about finding love and being aware of deception. Is the engineering aspect a bit of a stretch? 😉
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Portable Gaming System |
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Amelia may not have autism, but she does have Down syndrome and learning disabilities. That’s why her Nintendo 3DS was such a great toy for her last year! In addition to having its own camera, so I can encourage her photo skills when we bought Brave for Nintendo DS for her, she got SO excited! She’s played for a goodly portion of this year (recently moved onto other games), but it’s taught her problem solving, faster reaction times and more. I know we’re supposed to be keeping kids away from games but -wait, what? No, we’re not. We’re supposed to be giving them the tools they want to succeed! So what if it’s not an education app, if the result is the same. |
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This little tablet has a durable cover (with or without handle) and a separate area for kids. So it’s great for moms and kids, and you can lock them out of the general tablet area. Even better? The apps! It comes with two invention apps – great for teaching kids with autism to build things and solve problems, a create app, and Amelia’s favorite, the hair cutting app. |
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Wish List: She really wants Angry Birds Star Wars 3DS  and we are so on board! |
Girl ToysI don’t have a boy, so you’ll have to go with the above mention! |
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I’m not a gun/weapon gal, but I think crossbows qualify as sports! Plus with the popularity of Merida and Katniss, what better gift can you get for a girl? The Nerf Rebelle Crossbow is a must-give for Amelia! She played with it all day yesterday at a toy event, and I can’t wait to see her face when she opens it at home. Teach your child aim, accuracy and targetting – great skills for any child. |
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The Littlest Pet Shop was a favorite of Zoe for years! She still plays with the pets and we’ve collected a whole range of them. This year, I like Littlest Pet Shop Circus Playset. Too adorable! |
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We have not yet hooked up our Furby Boom dolls, but I’m excited too! These guys talk to each other and interact with the live Furby App, a free download that lets you do things like “shower” Furby. You know I love apps, so apps + toys = yay! So excited to get started… |
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Wish List
You already know that Zoe loves Peppa Pig, so when she ran up to the Fisher-Price Peppa Pig: Peek ‘n Surprise Playhouse display in Toys R Us, I HAD to put this on her list! Also check out: |
(my favorite)
*Where to apply for an iPad for your child with autism:
- http://www.letschatautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/GiveawayApplication.pdf
- http://www.autism-society.org/news/funding-for-ipads.html
- http://itaalk.org/resources/fundingsources.html
- www.smallstepsinspeech.org
Carrie says
Such great ideas, Gina. I’m seriously *thisclose* to purchasing a tablet for my kids. I think it will help both my kids so much in terms of focusing and engaging with learning games. And I’m looking forward to seeing my kids’ faces on Christmas morning when they unwrap the Furby!
Gina B says
Well, between Black Friday, pre- and post-sales, Cyber Monday, and sales events going on for the next 10 days, I bet you can get a great deal on a tablet this week! Check out bfads.net and search what you want, they have the latest items.
Gina B says
Thanks Jamie! Feel free to use it all year 🙂
Gina B says
Well, that’s true! But it’s been my experience that these are perfect for my family 🙂
Gina B says
Hm, good question! I wonder…Maybe go on Twitter and ask them?
Mommahunt16 says
Looks like a great list for any kid!