As a parent, you want toys that are more than just entertaining—you want toys that will foster your child’s imagination and creativity as well as help them learn. These building blocks from Melissa & Doug do just that.

While it’s exceedingly simple, this 44-piece set can be arranged into an infinite numbers of buildings and structures, teaching your child to plan and experiment, and giving them a window into the world of physics and geometry. Children love the classic design of these well-crafted blocks, and will have hours of fun making new buildings then tearing them down again!

The set also includes a 12” x 15” x 4.5” wooden storage crate, encouraging youngsters to clean up after they’re done playing. And wood is a naturally germ-resistant material, so parents should have no qualms letting their children play with or even chew on these wooden toys. Why not get a set of wood blocks for your child today!

It seems like everywhere I go now I see BabyBjorn Carriers on new moms and professional nannies alike. And why not? They’re so clever! My good friend had a baby a few months ago. I had seen so many of BabyBjorn’s products in parks and walking down the street that I thought it would make a neat gift idea. Well she hasn’t stopped thanking me! The straps on the BabyBjorn Carriers are wide and extra padded so they’re comfortable, even on long outings.

But my favorite feature is the flap in the front that folds down so that babies old enough can face outwards and see the world, or turn around and face mommy for a nice mid-day nap. Another great feature about these products is that they cultivate closeness and touch between mom and baby, which makes baby feel happy and secure all day long. Also, she doesn’t look as though she has got on some bulky, ugly, contraption all day. Quite the opposite, the BabyBjorn Active Carrier has a sporty classic look that keeps her from looking like a child’s toy herself.

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about BabyBjorn is that they always manage to incorporate a certain sense of style into whatever they make. In fact, my friend loved the baby carrier so much that she did a little research of her own and ordered the Babysitter 1-2-3. It’s the perfect seat for baby and its clean and modern design is so stylish I tend to forget it’s a seat for the kids. BabyBjorn also makes a smart toilet trainer that is designed just for little ones and has an adjustable wheel built in to snugly fit any toilet seat. The BabyBjorn carrier was the perfect gift for my friend. So perfect, in fact, that even her husband has no qualms about taking the baby for the day!

Have a baby shower coming up? Not sure what to get the mother-to-be or her new bundle of joy? We’ve put together this list of greatest hits to help you out.

1.) Little Giraffe Luxe Faux Fur Blankets.

These amazing blankets are a huge sensation right now, and are definitely our most popular items. You’ve probably seen them all over the place since celebrities can’t seem to stop buying them for their babies. I have to say, this is one trend I will happily join in on myself, and when you buy one for that precious bundle of joy, you’ll see why. I promise you’ll want to keep one for yourself! Plus they come in a wide variety of colors, so whether you know the new mother’s nursery colors or not, you can’t go wrong. There may be nothing softer than a baby, but the Little Giraffe Luxe comes very close. Buy one and try it out, I promise you will not be disappointed! Plus, you can make this gift truly unique with a specially monogrammed name or initials on the blanket’s edge. How much sweeter could a baby gift get?

2.) Barefoot Dreams Nap-to-Go.

The Barefoot Dreams Nap-to-Go Set is simply amazing. It is my favorite Barefoot Dream’s gift to give. This amazing little set includes a soft and fuzzy CozyChic chenille blanket and a squishy-soft satin pillow. Any parent will tell you of the difficulty of getting a child to sleep in an unfamiliar setting. With the Nap-to-Go, they can take their favorite sleepy time cuddles with them wherever they go. This one is sure to be a hit for years to come.

3.) Organic Anything.

Everything is going green! Not only is organic great for the environment, but its super safe for baby too. Luckily there is a very wide variety of organic cotton baby goods to choose from. Check out the Coyuchi Natural Baby Blanket, it’s incredibly soft, and the Playful Lion Jumpsuit, the embroidered details are super cute! We also have tons of other organic bedding and clothing for baby in many different styles, proving that going green isn’t just ecological, it’s trendy too!

4.) Halo Sleepsacks and Cloud b Lullabags.

What better gift can you give a new parent than piece of mind? With Halo SleepSacks and Cloud b Lullabags, they get just that. You see, loose bedding in the crib increases the chance of baby re-breathing, that’s the re-inhalation of carbon dioxide, and suffocation, both of which are linked to the development of SIDS. That’s pretty dangerous stuff. That’s why Halo and Cloud b created wearable blankets. Their blankets keep babies snuggly and warm and allow baby to move around without the risk of loose bedding. Truly Award winning ideas! Try the Cloud b Lullabag, for a temperature controlled blanket ,and the Halo Swaddle, for a cozy night’s rest.

5.) Trumpette Baby Socks.

Whether you’re shopping for a little girl or little boy, you can not go wrong with Trumpette. These little socks are the most adorable things you have ever seen, guaranteed! And, they have non-slip soles, so they keep baby’s feet soft and safe! They come in a huge variety of patterns and colors, each with an adorable little gift box, ready for the baby shower. Whether the socks or the box is cuter is still an object of much debate around here.

We hope this helps you in picking something out for that upcoming shower!

I can’t tell you how many times growing up I heard my parents say, “They just don’t make toys like they used to.” And until I started working here at Sleepy Time Store, I believed them. When my parents first came into the showroom here in Atlanta, they were thrilled to see toys that they recognized from their childhood. No, we don’t sell consignment toys; we carry toys by an amazing company called Schylling.

Schylling makes recreations of the toys that many of us grew up with. You remember that Tin Wind-up Duck on the Bike, Sea Monkeys, or tin airplanes? Schylling makes all of those and more! Browse through the Schylling Toys and you will surely catch yourself saying, “I used to play with that!”

These vintage-looking toys may appeal to you because of your memories, but kids love them too! They seem to find the unique look of Schylling’s retro toys refreshing after being inundated with new-fangled, walking, talking, light-up toys every day.

Not all of Schylling’s toys are vintage recreations, so Curious George lovers rejoice! Schylling also makes a handful of products featuring your child’s favorite television and book characters. So whether you are looking for Thomas the Tank Engine, Curious George, or Madeline, Schylling has something to offer. Plus Schylling offers lots of other traditional toys like jewelry boxes, tea sets, and tons of toy robots!

One of the products that kids seem to go absolutely crazy over is the Rocket Balloon with Pump. The entire toy is simply pumping colorful balloons up and watching them whistle as they shoot across the sky, but children can’t get enough of it. If you are looking for a never-fail gift, the Rocket Balloon with Pump will please any child of any age.

Schylling toys will definitely be a big hit in any home. You will love the kitschy, retro look of the toys, and your child will love playing with them. Classic toys like these never go out of style. I guess they do still make toys like they used to.

Everyone knows what it’s like to have a hard time leaving bed in the morning—what could be more comfortable? Well I had a similar problem: I didn’t want to leave the house in the morning because I knew I would have to leave my super-soft Barefoot Dreams robe behind. I bought it for myself a few months ago and since then I haven’t been able to leave it be!

I wake up in the morning, have my coffee and read the newspaper, all in my lovely, comforting Barefoot Dreams robe. All of this comfort makes me wish I could take it with me to work. Given the lack of professionalism in that fashion statement, however, I decided to let the robe stay home. Well, no longer do I have to miss my Barefoot Dreams robe at the office and while running around town because I just received my Barefoot Dreams Hoodie!

Not only is it just as soft and comforting as all of the other Barefoot Dreams products, but it is completely wearable. It’s made of the same material so you know it’s easy to take care of—all those coffee stains go straight in the wash and come out softer than they were going in! Also it comes in so many stylish and practical colors that I had no trouble at all finding one that would match my wardrobe.

I especially love the Barefoot Dreams Hoodie when it starts to get a little bit cold. Unlike all of my other jackets and sweaters, which are heavy and weigh me down while they keep me warm, this hoodie is incredibly light-weight and allows me to move freely while still keeping me comfortably cozy. Not to mention, it’s so stylish that no one knows that it’s really the softest thing around! I highly recommend this as a gift to any friend, I mean who wouldn’t love a good snuggle all day long?

What is so ugly about Uglydolls? I ask myself that every time I take a look at these little guys. I mean, sure, they are a far cry from the traditional stuffed animal, but I think they’re cute! And I am not alone- kids love them!

Uglydolls are artist designed and created and each doll is handmade, so they are all unique in their own little way. They also each have their own personality and story to go along with them, often filled with an adorable love of cookies and cute hobbys. My favorite doll is Secret Mission Ice Bat. He is a little bat who live in an icebox in an ice cave and turns everything he touches to ice, but he warms my heart with his simple charm. He is on a mission to steal your snacks.

Uglydolls really do have their own element of cute, and they are soft and cuddly, too. I know a lot of customers say their sons especially love collecting the Uglydoll Keychains to hang on their bookbags for schools, which is a great way for them to identify their own bags. With a name like Uglydolls, you would not suspect them to be so popular, but just one look at the critters and you’ll see why they are. They were even the 2006 Toy Industy of America’s Special Toy of the Year!

I know I plan on giving a few Uglydolls as Christmas presents this year to friends and family. I’m sure my sister would love a Bop’n’Beep or Cinko! These little fellows may be unconventional, but that is a huge part of their charm. They are unique and make a wonderful alternative to the toys kids see everyday. Besides, they teach a great lesson: there is nothing wrong with being a little ugly. In fact, this ugly is cute!

Kids usually dread rainy days. They can’t go outside and run barefoot through the grass, or play on the swings or any of the fun stuff they’re used to doing. What’s more, they become resistant and tend to resent us for wanting to dress them in proper rain gear so that they don’t get sick. Well, I think I’ve found the solution to all of that. Kidorable Rain Gear is the way to go.

Kidorable understands that kids are little individuals with growing personalities and like to express them every chance they get. They have made the cutest line of umbrellas, towels, rain boots and coats, and backpacks—basically everything a little one could need for stormy weather. I got my niece a set of rain boots and coat with matching umbrella all in the adorable Ladybug style and she just loves it. She’s so attached to it in fact that she even tries to wear it on sunny days! Her brother now has the same items in Dinosaur, but there are lots more like Lotus, Butterfly, Fireman, and Frog. My nephew loves to jump into puddles making roaring noises and pretending he’s a great big t-rex—all while staying safe and dry!

Rain gear is truly a great gift for any little ones in your life. You can show them that you care in a way that expresses who they are while giving them something practical they can use when the weather is dreary. Kidorable raingear looks like nothing else around, my sister tells me that she doesn’t have to worry any more about her little ones coming home with someone else’s raincoats—they know exactly which ones are theirs!

I’m pretty new to the world of baby blankets so when my best friend’s baby shower rolled around I was pretty much at a loss for what to get her. Luckily, I found these adorable Little Giraffe Velvet Blankys. They’re incredibly soft velvet on one side of the blanket and cool satin on the other.

My friend now tells me that her baby loves the blanket because the satin side is cool against her skin, while the velvet side is textured and smooth. Another great thing about these blankets is the huge variety they come in. I found them in smooth velvet as well as a floral velvet and dot velvet, not to mention several different colors. They come in everything from light pastels like lilac to deep colors like slate, which was essential for me as my friend is especially picky about the color scheme in her baby’s room.

I also found these blankets to be a great gift for the friend who loves celebrity sightings and brand names (baby Suri Cruise has been seen with her Little Giraffe Blanket). More importantly, I’ve found that these are truly high quality baby blankets, which any new mom is sure to appreciate. Another way to make them extra special is monogramming, I put her baby’s initials on the blanket so she can look back on it when she’s older as something uniquely hers. Although I must admit, after feeling the baby blanket I bought for my friend, I went out and got a full-sized Little Giraffe Throw for myself—they’re just that soft!

People are always asking me for great gift ideas for baby showers, and my answer is always the same: Trumpette Baby Socks! They really make the perfect gift. The socks are cute enough to stand alone as a small gift, or for a truly decadent gift, add them to a gift basket. Trumpette socks are like the cherry on top!

If you are not familiar with Trumpette Baby Socks you may be thinking, “What makes socks such a good gift?” Well Trumpette socks are cuter than any baby socks you have ever seen. They come in adorable prints like monkeys and camo. My favorites are the ones that look like shoes. For girls there are the darling MaryJane Socks, which look like little black maryjane shoes with colorful socks. For boys the Johnny Socks are my favorite. They look like little sneakers. Babies don’t need to wear stiff rigid shoes anyway, so these socks are perfect for giving the shoe-look while simultaneously providing sock-comfort. And the socks have rubber grips on the bottom, so as babies go from crawling to walking they will not be slipping and sliding.

But cuteness and comfort are not the only reasons I think these socks make such great gifts. The packages are just as great as the socks! Trumpettes come in adorable little boxes that are great for topping off a set of baby gifts. Or if you are just going to give the socks, go with the Perfect Little Dozen or the Perfect Little Ten; they come in adorable little egg cartons! I gave my cousin the perfect little ten for her baby shower and people are still talking about how cute that egg carton of socks was. So, if your looking for a baby gift that never fails, the answer is Trumpette!

The Webkinz craze has swept the nation, and on this occasion I think it is a good thing. I will admit, at first I was skeptical of the craze, but after much begging and pleading I finally gave in and purchased one for my niece—the Clydesdale horse (she just loves horses). Well she took it home and I logged on to the website with her to check it out, and it really is a great thing for kids.

There are lots of games that little ones can play that exercise their thinking skills and help them become goal-oriented. Once they finish playing games they earn KinzCash, which they use to feed and dress their online pets and furnish their rooms with special items. The kids get to feel really involved in their online pets, and when they’re not near a computer, they can take the real thing with them. This way they have a pet all day long! It’s great for kids to feel like they have a companion that they can actually take care of, and good for their self-esteem to know it’s all up to them. Another thing I really liked about Webkinz is how safe the website is. Kids can only interact with each other by sending preset messages, so there’s no threat of unwanted conversation, and there is a Parent’s Site that allows you to monitor your child and set safety settings on their Webkinz interactions.

I have found that taking care of a Webkinz pet is an easy and safe way to teach kids about responsibility. My sister told me that my niece had been asking for a puppy for a long time, and monitoring how well she took care of her Webkinz pet showed her that my niece was ready for a real puppy. Now she has a whole family of pets including a Webkinz Pug to match her new pug puppy!