An Ethical Gift Guide // Gender Neutral Gifts for Kids.

I had quite a few requests for a more gender neutral gift guide and I loved looking around for this. My big girl doesn't have a penchant for pretty or glitter and prefers to run free and come home muddy and exhausted from her adventures. Here are some lovely and timeless gifts for boys and girls of many ages.

1. Fanny + Alexander are a very cool small business creating high quality keepsake toys. This adorable satchel would be perfect for the many adventures of childhood.

2. The original A frame tent, The Natural Wonder Tent is the perfect hideaway for quiet play or stealthy adventures. Made by one of our favourite Australian brands, Such Great Heights.

3. This apron set, made in the USA by Oddette Williams lets little people help in the kitchen or create mud cakes outside. Find it at the creative and cool shop, Mercimilo.

4. Sustainably made and educational, these wooden scales aim to please big and little people. From Shorties.

5. Answering the question, "What lies beneath", this beautiful story adventures into the world below the surface. Find it at Flora and Henri.

6. BOBO. BOBO. BOBO. Y'all know how deep my love runs for this brand. This pink and mustard jumper is perfect post beach in summer and to cosy up in winter.

7. Perfect tea party kit. Shorties.

8. A bug hotel to create a home to study and observe the movements of incredible insects. Found at Fawn Shoppe.

9. Unisex sandals. Classic, timeless and well made. From Tiny People Shop.

10. A beuatifully crafted kit of child sized tools from French toymaker Moulin Roty. Find them at Flora and Henri. There is a smaller version at HoneyBee Toys.

11. A star sleep suit from Aussie brand Thread Store. Swoon.

12. A Jess Brown Doll. We have three of these rag dolls and I have restitched parts and made them clothing for many adventures. Piper has a boy doll on her list this year.

13. This treehouse is buildable and sustainably made. So open ended it can be used as a fairy home, a pirate's ship, a medieval castle, an animal shelter...the list is endless. A toy that would last for many generations to come. Clever Santa! Find it at the amazing HoneyBee Toys.

One more to come, for those with a penchant for glitter!
♡

An Ethical Gift Guide // 5-7 year old.

I LOVE getting my Christmas on. From choosing gifts to advent activities (hello hot cocoas at sunset on the beach!) this really is a magical time of year. Last year I created a much loved gift guide for both my girls and thought it would be nice to share some more inspirations in case Santa is a bit stumped. Do enjoy!

BEST: The PolkaDotClub Classic Bear. Made by a second generation toy maker this heirloom bear is sure to be cherished on many adventures and passed on to your grandchildren one day. The lavender is divine.

1: A wheely basket for storing and pulling treasures around by Olli and Ella.

2: Maileg Mum and Dad Mice from Wild and Whimsical Things. Hands down the current most treasured toys in our home for both my girls.

3: The BonBon porcelain jar for hiding tiny treasures from KidoStore.

4: Mabo MaryJane Clogs handmade in Sweden.

5: Nailmatic Lipbalm and Polish 97% natural and made in France (oh la la) from Wild and Whimsical Things.

6: A linen apron dress from Yoli & Otis. Timeless and beautiful and coveting it hard.

7: Summer and Storm Calming crystal necklace.

8: Acorn Willow Hat from My Messy Room.

9: The George Truck from Such Great Heights. Piper loves driving her little toys around the house, away on caravan holidays and tucking them into sleep in the back of the pickup. This beautifully handmade truck should cover all the bases.

10: Jumper no15 in Flame, organic wool and handmade by Babaã.

11: Sunnies by Sons & Daughters. Swoon.

12: Grimms Fairydoor. Help the fairies find a way to visit your sleeping babes. From Honeybee Toys.

❤

Want, Need, Wear, Read // An Ethical Gift Guide for 5-7 year olds.

I can hardly believe that we have already marched into November with Christmas and the holiday season a hop, skip and a jump away. I love Christmas. As food is a main love language for me, the chance to spend time with those close to us, eating, drinking and generally celebrating life is a wonderful thing.

The other thing I love is coming up with ideas and inspirations for gifts for our girls. I love that there is so much potential in choosing toys and items that will inspire and extend our kids and this guide holds those ideas in mind. Ethical, beautiful, meaningful and certainly blurring traditional gender lines. Stepping away from the commercial plastic, fantastic and into heirloom toys and belongings. Items you and your child will covet and cherish and eventually, should we be so lucky, will be passed along to grandchildren. Although some of these items carry a heavier price tag than what you can quickly buy in bigger shops, I beg you to consider purchasing much less but consciously and carefully. You may be surprised with how much more you can invest in a few beautiful things than many cheaper ones.

My girls will be getting one shared larger item this year (Piper has requested Father Christmas deliver "the biggest trampoline in the world") and we will be pooling money from grandparents and family for this item. Then they will get a stocking of little treasures and one item they want, one they need, one to wear and one to read. Sometimes they get two to wear depending on needs but this is the general and magical rule. We are lucky that we don't need for much, in the past this category has been swimming lessons, a lunch box, a school bag and even an electric toothbrush!

I hope you enjoy this year's gift guides. First up is the 5-7 year olds and in a few days 2-5.

Want (1-13), Need (14-16), Wear (17-19), Read ():

1. Pip Rag Doll by Jess Brown from Fawn Shoppe // Piper has a few of these dolls now and they are cherished friends she takes on her endless adventures. They look beautiful sitting on a shelf or a bed but survive endless dirt baths and tree climbing explorations as well. 
2. Binoculars by Fanny & Alexander // Old fashioned, hand crafted and enabling your child to create using imagination and get out into nature to explore.
3. Cosmos Wonder Tent by Such Great Heights // Designed in both Australia and the US and ethically made, these tents are hard wearing and beautiful and perfect for little reading nooks or imaginary rainy day camping trips.
4. Castle Building Set from Spiral Garden // Handmade in Vietnam, under a fair trade scheme, this set comes with many pieces to build a castle and a box to store it away. 
5. Grimms Circle Coloured Spiral from Mr Wold Kids // Made from Alderwood and containing 72 pieces, this mandala can be made inside it's case or played with separately. 
6. Vintage Hot Air Balloon from Oliver's Twisty Tales // These hand made balloons add a beautiful touch of whimsy to a child's room or play space.
7. Classic Vintage Bike from Reid Cycles // These beautiful bikes are made to Australian standards and have optional add ons like baskets and bags. 
8. Wooden Balancing Board from Spiral Garden // Made under a fair trade scheme, the balancing board promotes co-ordination, motor skills and balance and would be a great rainy day busy maker!
9. Dumye Limited Edition Doll from Wild and Whimsical Things // This beautiful doll has a hidden purpose pocket where you can hide love notes and tiny treasures. Purchasing these dolls helps to provide jobs for women in a poverty stricken area of India, are made with minimal environmental impact using organic cotton, natural dyes and recycled materials. Best bit? For every Dumye doll purchased, another is given to an orphan or vulnerable child in need which they make in their own art workshop. If any item holds the spirit of giving...amazing!
10. Bird Call from Dragonfly Toys // This little bird caller is easy to use as it doesn't require little mouths to blow it but twist the metal plug backwards and forwards creating a song that attracts many different birds, not one particular bird. Hand made in New England of birch wood, it would be a great addition to a little explorer's day pack.
11. gg* Oekaki House from Kido Store // A classic drawing board that can be used again and again for jotting notes and budding artists.
12. Recycled Kalimba from Mr Wolf Kids // A classic African instrument, made from a recycled sardine can to entertain little and big people alike.
13. Large Wooden Sailing Boat from Dragonfly Toys // Wooden with a little cotton sail for floating in puddles or even the bathtub.
14. Rose in April Big Grey Basket from Kido Store // Handmade straw basket they will need to store their new treasures!
15. Baby Lapin and Me Lamp from Harley and Soo // Heico lamps are beautifully made and have a warm glow. Every child needs a light to sneak their book reading next to or to flip on to make sure they feel safe and secure in their world.
16. Heirloom Seeds from Biome* // Produced by the Little Veggie Patch Co in Melbourne, packets of seeds should be a part of every child's life. Learning to grow plants and care for our world is one of the most important gifts to give.
17. Ariat Distressed Cowboy Boots from The Stable Door // Piper actually needs these but they fall into the wear category. Every year she gets some high quality boots for the cooler, wetter months and this coming year, these are them. Built to last with room to grow. 
18. Horses Skirt by Bobo Choses // Our favourite clothing brand, their maxi skirts are brilliant any season of the year and this print and mustard colour are timeless.
19. Mini Gardenia Dress by Ace & Jig // Made of 100% cotton in an ethical and sustainable manner in India and aiding it's workers, this dress and brand tick all the boxes. Such a good print too!
20. Jump In Story CD from Dragonfly Toys // Piper no longer naps and while Poppy still needs hers we have a midday mandatory quiet time (where I get a break and a cup of tea!) and rather than plopping Piper in front of a screen, she listens to stories on the computer while colouring or doing puzzles or just being. This CD has four stories and songs of summer. 
21. Bonjour Camille from My Messy Room // One of our all time favourites! Camille adorned in a tutu and hat is so busy, jumping on beds and drawing faces on balloons...
22. Emily and Daisy from Dragonfly Toys // Elsa Beskow is amazing. A springtime story and sure to be a family favourite.

Do you have ideas to add? Do you follow any rules on Christmas or just your budget?

Have a wonderful week.