If you are anything like me I like to get a head start on Christmas shopping especially for the kids because they are my favorite to shop for!  The joy and excitement that Christmas brings them makes me so happy.  I get such a thrill out of trying to find the perfect gifts for them. Today I thought I would share a few toys we own and love that would be great gifts for your little ones.

|| Building Blocks

I am a
huge fan of Melissa and Doug Products.  I like that they are wooden and
not too flashy or loud.  Some of the talking plastic toys drive me nuts.  

I gave Sterling these for Christmas last year and we play with them all the time.

Even Frances Moon loves these!  These blocks are so sturdy and will last for years.  Now they come in all natural color which I really like.

Another favorite in our house is puzzles.  Sterling still loves the big Melissa and Doug puzzles. Whenever he has friends over that is what they want to do (for like 10 minutes then they move on, must be a boy thing never entertained for long).

|| Dinosaur Floor Puzzle

If you have kids between the ages of 1-2 these smaller puzzles that make sounds are great for teaching them animals.  We own a few of them and love them.

|| Animal Noise Puzzle

also comes in a vehicle noise puzzle.

I am that Mom that loves books and loves giving books as gifts.   I swear it has made my kids love books too and that makes me happy.  Sterling loves story time at night, so much so in fact that is frequently his punishment if he acts up he loses story time.

A few of our current favorite books:

Where the Wild Things Are | Flora and the Flamingo | The Little Engine that Could |

Corduroy | Harold and the Purple Crayon|  Good Night Moon | Runaway Bunny

and if you don’t own the book The Tickle Monster, it is a must!  This is one of Sterling’s favorite books and we read it often!  He loves being tickled with the blue gloves it comes with.  This makes a wonderful gift.

|| Tickle Monster Book

Sterling is a child that loves to dress up. After having him I quickly learned it was so easy to find costumes for girls but difficult to find ones for boys.  Thank goodness for Melissa and Doug.  We have a bin in his room filled with costumes he can play with.  I think it is a great way for them to use their imaginations.  This pirate one is on heavy rotation always.

|| Pirate Costume

We also have the doctor costume.  It is pretty adorable.  and the great thing about these costumes is they can wear them for several years.  This is Sterling when he was probably around 3 and almost 2 years later it still fits him and he loves it.

|| Doctor Costume

They also have these other different costumes.  I am tempted to get Sterling the chef one because he loves cooking with me.  He is always wanting to wear my aprons so I think it would be perfect and you can get their name monogrammed on the apron!

Fireman | Knight | Police Officer | Chef

I know this seems random but Sterling has a globe in his room that he loves.  We look at it almost everyday.  He is so curious about other countries and where places are.  I think it is a great educational and fun toy.   This globe is especially cool because it lights up.

|| Globe

Both of my kids love stuffed animals and I have to say Jellycats are some of our favorites.
We have this Giraffe and Hippo.  They make great stocking stuffers or to sit out from Santa.  You can view all the different animals here. 
Giraffe (on sale) | Hippo

Sterling has been begging me for this game.  We bought it as a gift for one of his friends and it is all he can talk about.  This will be under the tree for him for sure!

|| Rock Em Sock Em

If you are curious these are a few things I am getting the kids this year from Santa.    

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Nordstrom has such a great toy and gift selection this year, they really stepped up their game.   Nordstrom even compiled a section with all their best toys and gifts you can shop it here.

Any other recommendations of stuff your kids love?

this post was sponsored by Nordstrom all thoughts and opinions are my own always.

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