I recently attended the Activision Games for Girls Summit that was held in the Chicagoland area.  I’m glad I did because I learned about many products that are sure to be big hits with the grade schoolers and tweens this holiday season.

Here is a preview of the hot game titles for girls that were showcased at the summit:

Lalaloopsy for Nintendo DS

Reunite all the familiar Lalaloopsy dolls with their lost pets to build incredible friendships and unlock exciting crafting activities.

Zoobles for Nintendo DS

Care for and nurture these lovable companions while exploring 6 distinct lands in Zooble Isle, each featuring a diverse range of characters.

ZhuZhu Babies for Nintendo DS

Travel around the world and visit exotic cities with the ZhuZhu Babies to help find Razz and bring him home safe and sound.

Squinkies 2 for Nintendo DS

Learn to navigate the mall in a quest to invite the other lovable Squinkies to a fantastic Squinkies party. Collect magic coins along the way and unlock secret characters.

Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo for Nintendo DS

Explore the Wooly Wilderness in search for rare Moshlings to add to your Moshling zoo.

Last but not least, one toy/game that I know my kids are highly looking forward to playing with is Wappy the dog and Nintendo DS game.

Wappy Dog and game for Nintendo DS

Connect Wappy, the robotic pet toy with the virtual world.  Care for and raise Wappy, the interactive puppy to adulthood through an immersive experience communicated through the Nintendo DS.

Any of these games would make great gifts for tweens grade school age children.  Christmas is just a few days away!  Are any of these games something you would consider putting under your tree?

We think Billy Kelly is most hilarious. Not only is he hilariously witty, he’s also a do-gooder and we like do-gooders.

Check out BK’s newest EP, Dear Santa Claus and you guessed it…it’s an EP full of Christmas songs!

Here is a video for the song Glebells Jing! off of the EP:

Big deal, right? Well…YEAH! It IS a big deal, especially when you’re purchasing it for a good cause (I just bought my copy). Check it:

All proceeds from the sale of this 5-song EP will be donated to Camp Victory, a wonderful non-profit camp for wonderful kids who are chronically ill or physically challenged.

The EP consists of these five cheery, holidayish songs

1. That’s How You Know It’s Christmas
2. A Doozy of a Christmas Eve
3. Dear Santa Claus
4. Glebells Jing!
5. Let’s Make Christmas Last

Dear Santa Claus is available on iTunes and Amazon. All the ohwayoh!

Rudolph Camera ($)

Just like the Grinch camera. More photo fun! Turn people into rudolph, misfit toys, and even have your picture taken with the scary Bumble!

Christmas Fun – All In One, Holiday Spirit, Interactive Songs and Games for Children (entertainment) (free)

The title of the app says it all.  What it doesn’t say is that it’s just a sneak peek at the full, “paid” version.  Fun for the toddlers.  I’m not going to lie, it’s definitely cheesy.

Christmas Tale (book) (free)

Cute interactive storybook app for kids.  It comes from the same company who created the Christmas Shareable app in Part 1.  I must say, this one is way less cheesy and worth checking out if you have kids.

A Christmas Santa (game) (free)

This game is hands-down my absolute favorite Christmas app.  Besides the fact that the Santa in this game looks like he came straight outta South Park, the game is great, mindless fun.  All you have to do is launch Santa and help him fly as far as he can through the air.  My kids think it’s hilarious when Santa drops smack into the snowy bank below him.  You need this app.

Starbucks Cup Magic (interactive/entertainment) (free)

If you hit up Starbucks this holiday season, you can use this app to bring your cup to life.  Sort of.  I guess it’s neat or whatever.

Shop Advisor (informational) (free)

Shopping advice, bar code scanning, gift ideas, etc.  While I don’t rely heavily on just one deal-finding app, this one is nice to have and refer to when you’re in the gift-giving spirit.

An Origami Christmas Tree Learning Experience (informational) (free)

Learn how to make an Origami Christmas Tree.  Please note: you’ll actually need real paper to be able to make the tree.  Or, if you’re really that lazy, you can just tap through and watch as the friendly iPhone app robot makes one for you.

iSnowflake Lite (interactive) (free)

The app itself is kind of wonky.  I had placed my “cuts” and the app crashed on me…twice before I could finish.  Just like making paper snowflakes, old school-style.  However, I would recommend just making them old school style instead of dealing with them vanishing before you can finish them.  So frustrating.  Plus, you can’t hang these ones up all over the house.  Here’s one I made:

Letters for Santa (book) ($)

This is an iPad only app that I received a promotional code for.  I haven’t been able to check it out because I don’t have an iPad.  Looks cute from iTunes.  If anyone checks it out, let me know how you like it.

Angry Santa! (game) (free)

Pissed off at someone?  Relieve stress as you help Santa flick Elves across the forest.  Enjoy a nice holiday tune while doing it.  Yeah, that’s about it for this one.

Hope after reading my posts you found something new and entertaining for your iPhone or iPad!

*Check out Christmas iPhone Apps – Part 1 for the rest of the Christmas apps.

(Click on any of the app icons to be taken directly to that app in iTunes)

Toca Hair Salon – Christmas Gift (interactive app) (free)

This one can be fun for the kids or maybe for you, if you ever wanted to try your hand at being a beautician.  See how awesome I made Santa Claus look?  I’m sure he’ll be back for more…

moreNoel (camera) (free)

This is a very simple camera app with just a few features to spruce up your holiday pictures.  I use it sometimes to make my pictures look “dream-like”, such as this one:

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (story app) ($)

If you have kids around, this is a great story app to have.  It’ll give them something to do in the car on the way to Grandma’s house. You can pair it with the Grinch Camera App:

Dr. Seuss Camera – The Grinch Edition (camera) ($)

Pure entertainment.  Take pictures of unsuspecting party-goers.  You can do things like this:

Cut the Rope: Holiday Gift (game) (free)

Cut the Rope is a cute, challenging game.  The goal is to feed Om Nom (the green, booger-like thing) candy.  Takes some strategic thinking.

Christmas Wallpapers & Backgrounds with Xmas Glow Effects (entertainment) (free)

So, if you’re into this sort of thing, you’ll like the option of picking from a seemingly endless amount of backgrounds for your iPhone or iPad.

Christmas Shareable Book – Wacky Version – The Coolest Interactive Story Greeting Book (entertainment) (free)

This app is ridiculous.  It’s the epitome of cheesy apps.  I think you can send greetings to people from it but I don’t really know.  I didn’t get that far.

Cityville Holiday Town (entertainment) (free)

If you like those interactive community-building ‘Ville games, this app is for you.  My six year old really digs it.

Jingle All The Way (interactive/book) (free)

Very cute, quality app from Hallmark.  Fun for the kids.  It has a story and other interactive features.

123 Sticker: Free Musical Sticker Book (Christmas Edition) (interactive) (free)

Another one for the kids.  It’s a sticker book.  You can take the “stickers” and decorate the scenes.  The app comes with six scenes, two of them are winter-related.  You only get the Christmas tree scene for free, pay for the rest.  Eh…

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (book) ($)

A classic.  This interactive book is narrated and if you tap on the characters, you will hear the original voices from the claymation tv special.

*Click here for Christmas iPhone Apps Part 2!

Now, I like me some Josh Caterer songs all year round but more specifically, right now at Christmastime.  Josh just put out a new Christmas EP called The Heart of Christmas.  You should own it, like, now.  It’s perfect tree-trimming and gift-opening holiday music.  Another one of my favorite holiday albums also happens to be from Josh and his old band, Duvall.  I do highly recommend checking out that album, as well (O Holy Night).

Back to the brand new EP.  Love it.  Knew I would.  Know you will too.  It’s $4.95 via iTunes or $4.45 via Amazon – but if you’re really cool (like us), you’ll purchase it along with a t-shirt or ornament (or both) from Josh’s webstore.  Josh is cool, too.  Did you know that he’s the singer of the legendary Chicago punk band Smoking Popes?  So, yeah.  He’s also got that going for him.

While I completely dig all five songs on the EP, Conroy the Gingerbread Boy happens to be a personal favorite.  It’s about, you guessed it, a gingerbread boy.  It’s a cute and quirky song about a gingerbread cookie boy that comes to life – not because of a magic hat but because of red hots for his eyes!  Just listen to the song and you and your kids will get a laugh out of it, just like we do.

I am hoping to catch Josh on tour at his acoustic performance in Chicago this December.  If I do, I will be sure to share some video footage, as he puts on a great show.

*And, of course, I couldn’t think of a better time to shamelessly plug Eric’s Christmas songs.  It’s been a rough month, as he was just laid off from his job.  I, for one, am happy he took some time to record these festive songs for us.  We’re not going to let this bump in the road spoil our holiday.  These acoustic cover songs are a little traditional (think White Christmas and Silent Night), a little punky (think Alkaline Trio and Dear Landlord), and there’s also one original.  You can get them for free here.  Please show him some love, peeps.  He’s @cystsfts on Twitter.

Peace and go get Josh’s new EP!

Check out the following apps and have some fun:

Rudolph Camera – .99 this week through iTunes (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad compatible)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer digital book – 1.99 this week through iTunes (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad compatible)

Tacky’s Christmas digital book – 1.99 this week through iTunes (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad compatible)

Grinchmas! game – .99 through iTunes (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad compatible)

Dr. Seuss Camera – The Grinch Edition – .99 through iTunes (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad compatible)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! digital book – 1.99 this week through iTunes (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad compatible)

The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree digital book – 1.99 this week through iTunes (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad compatible)

*We were sent free promo codes to check out the above apps.  All of the apps are fun for the whole family and that is our honest opinion!

I couldn’t let this holiday slip by without showcasing some ridiculous, yet awesome gifts.  Feast your eyes on the items below and tell me they wouldn’t make for great laughs on Christmas morning.

The iPlunge stand for your iPhone/iPod/iTouch/iAnything.  Odd, yet so awesome.  Fixin’ to get myself one of these.

iPlunge – around $7 or $8 bucks.

Salt and Pepper robots = AWESOME.

“Please pass the salt and pepper.” “Hold on, they’ll be right over.  You may need to redirect and wind them up fifty times but they’ll get there.”

Wind-up Salt and Pepper Robots – Under $20 bucks.

Pooping Santa Candy = fabulous.  I suppose any item related to pooping is funny, in my book.

Pooping Santa Candy – Under $10 bucks.

Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer = AWESOME.  If a ninja can’t sanitize your toothbrush, then, no one can.

Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer – Just under $30.

Frog necklace = HUH?  I suppose if you like to wear jewelry and you have kids, this might be a good option but as a mother, I can’t say that I would have any good reason to wear this chunky frog necklace.

Froggie Choker – $129

Camera lens mug = AWESOME.  However, be aware that you may start to confuse your “real” camera lenses with this mug.  Just sayin’.

Canon or Nikon camera lens mugs – prices vary. (Generally under $60.)

Unicorn savings bank.  NICE.  Way to go and build up her hopes and dreams just to crush them in the end.  WTF?

“I’m savin’ up for a unicorn!” bank – $10.

Coal soap.  At this point, WHY NOT?!  The person who gives his kid the unicorn savings bank should be given the coal soap.

Santa’s Lump of Coal Christmas Soap – under $10.

Hidden wall safe = AWESOME.  I would have five of these in every room of my house, just to hide candy.

Hidden wall safe – Under $10.

Bacon lip balm.  Bacon pop corn.  Bacon soap.  Anything bacon is AWESOME.  Give the gift of bacon this holiday season.

Bacon flavored lip balm – Under $5
Bacon flavored popcorn – Around $20
Bacon soap – Under $10

I have seen this “game” advertised numerous times over the past few months.  One word: CREEPY.  “Hey! Let’s shove a bunch of hamburgers down this pig’s throat!”

Pop the Pig game – between $50-$60 bucks.

Here are some gift ideas for the babies/toddlers and kids.  Hopefully these ideas will trigger some of your own good ideas if you are currently stumped.

Jump to:

Gift ideas for babies to toddlers
Gift ideas for kids (preschool to kindergarten age)

Gift ideas for babies to toddlers

So cute!
Organic Cotton Veggie Teethers in a Crate – $28 (uncommongoods.com)

My toddler is getting this for Christmas…can’t wait to see her little face! She *adores* Juno and friends.
Juno plush doll – $20 and Musical ABCs Book – $9

This just arrived today…can’t wait to go monster bowling with the girls!
Melissa & Doug Monster Bowling – $2o

Romero’s books are so bright and colorful, I don’t know a baby would wouldn’t totally dig this.
Where is Friendship Bear $10

We have lots of fun with our chunky puzzle…you can stand the animals up and “play” with them, too!
Melissa & Doug Safari Chunky Puzzle – $8-$10

We highly recommend anything from Natural Pod, especially this truck.
Mini Wheel Loader – CAD$28.95 (naturalpod.com)

We use our ChildUp cards with the toddler and the preschooler.
ChildUp – Teach Your Child To Count 10 – $15

Hands down, one of our very favorites. Our “glowie” has been keeping the girls company every night for the past couple of years.
Mobi TykeLight GloMate Plus – $20

Love. Love. Love this book. It still fascinates me (and the kids, of course)
Gallop! A Scanimation Picture Book – $5 +

Gift ideas for the kids (preschool to kindergarten age)

We’ve got Romero’s ABC Playbook and it’s *awesome*. Total fun with books. That’s what I’m talkin’ about.
My Alphabet Playbook – $10

Don’t have this but would love to…since my toddler still thinks that Play Doh is food.
Natural Plant Dye Eco Dough – $25

This Chair game looks like a fun activity…kind of like having Cirque Du Soleil right at your house!
Chair Game – $15

A personalized backpack is a great idea! Especially when three other kids in your kid’s classroom have the same or similar backpacks.
Personalized Backpack – $29.50 (olivekids.com)

I think any preschool girl would *love* to look at herself in her very own little compact.
Hearts (Red) Mirror Compact – $17 (Romero Britto)

Got a future snowboard or ski medalist in the family? Ski goggles by Baby Banz are a must have. A very cool gift!
Baby Banz Ski Banz Goggles – $30

I have a travel pillow from Little Honey and it’s great. What could be better than one for the kiddo in the car?
Kids Travel Pillow – $13 (Little Honey)

My preschooler thinks her Trunki is the bees knees, so, this is a huge personal recommendation of ours!
trunki – $28

I had the opportunity to see this machine in person recently and I think it looks really cool. Great way to teach kids about using money.
Zillionz Real-Money Deluxe ATM – $25

Binoculars. What kid wouldn’t want a pair of binoculars?
Backyard Safari Field Binoculars – $15

I am pleasantly surprised at the CafePress site revamp.  It’s clean and much more pleasing to the eye.  I don’t mind clicking around and checking out all of the fun designs and unique gift ideas.  In my opinion, it’s a lot less generic than it used to be.  They’ve definitely caught up with the times.

Here’s an excellent last-minute gift idea for you.  Go to CafePress and create a customized ornament.  I just created two ornaments (with a promo code that was graciously offered to me by CafePress) for someone very special in my life.  I can’t wait until she opens them!  I have a feeling there will be smiles and happy tears when she lays her eyes on them.  I am really looking forward to checking them out, too.  I don’t doubt the quality will be great, as I have seen other products from CafePress in the past.

Real quick, I’m just going to say that whatever it is that you want to customize, they’ve got it.  Apparel, ornaments, Sigg bottles, stationery, etc.  I’m happy that I’ve been reacquainted with this online store and I’m pleased to direct you their way.

Don’t pass up CafePress this holiday season.  You may be surprised at what unique gifts you can come up with and the person you’re giving the gift to could quite possibly say that you’ve given them the “best gift ever”.