Gifts ideas from this issue…

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Play kitchen accessories that meet Sway specs

Something they want, something they need

…something to wear, something to read! I deeply appreciate this popular adage (source unknown?) to bring focus to holiday shopping for little ones. It’s easy to ~go bananas~ on presents. Speaking as a totally mature adult person, kids toys are insaaaanely cool. Children’s books are often hilarious and heartwarming, there are TINY WOODEN ESPRESSO MACHINES??, and don’t even get me started on the chaotic and cute prints on jammies, play mats and clothes. But too much material stuff is overwhelming for kids & parents & caregivers alike…not to mention expensive. So four special finds is a great place to start & finish. Here are some things we own, have gifted, or are on this year’s wishlist, curated using Sway’s standards.

Something they want

Stand Mixer Set, PlanToys: $28
This set is nearly double the price on the PlanToys site, so…*adds to TJ Maxx cart*…anyway, we’re in our play kitchen era over here and it is glorious. PlanToys is a go-to for play food & appliances: the brand states that they use rubberwood, formaldehyde-free glues, organic pigments and water-based dyes. There are plenty of wood toys out there but Plan Toys is one of few companies that is forthcoming about their glue. 👌 Details!

Bath Crayons, kitpas: $8
Turns out, the bath is an excellent place for doodling. These came recommended by a local kids shop near us as a universal toddler HIT and they weren’t lying. We got them for a friend’s daughter (HIII, V) and she has become a soapy Cézanne.

Reversible Chair and Table Playset, Piccalio: $329
A splurge for sure. Are you there Santa? It’s me, Jennifer. Piccalio’s kid furniture is made from solid wood with zero-VOC finishes and formaldehyde-free glue. Sway specs to a tee! Plus, look at the color ways.

Something they need

A PFAS-free winter gear edit! Should I do a whole PFAS-free toddler clothing guide in January? Pls reply & let me know. Also, look back on our PFAS coverage with the Green Science Policy Institute for more info on why it’s worth it to avoid this class of chemicals in any waterproof gear for little ones (and everyone).

Baby Snow Pile Jacket, Patagonia: $149
All of Patagonia’s new styles, beginning in spring of this year, are made without intentionally added PFAS. (Read more about their phaseout process.) We got our Snow Pile Jacket from Backcountry because there are always coupon codes kickin’ around, but check the Patagonia website to shop for gently used coats. Facebook Marketplace & Poshmark are also good places to stalk for high quality toddler outerwear, and I’ve seen this exact coat listed pretty frequently. Size up to hopefully keep this one for two full winter seasons.

Kids’ Merino Wool & Organic Cotton Balaclava, Reima: $50
Wool, organic cotton, and a little elastane. Pom poms. Reima stands ten toes down on being PFAS-free, so you might want to poke around their waterproof jackets & snowsuits, too.

Water-Repellent All-In-1 Suit, H&M: $44
H&M is one of the earliest adopters of PFAS bans in clothing, going all the way back to 2013. This snowsuit is waterproofed with BIONIC-FINISH ECO.

Something to wear

HannaJams, Hanna Anderson: $27 (on sale!)
This might be a hot take, but IMO, the only clothing suitable for holiday gifting = PAJAMAS. Let the people lounge. Hanna Anderson’s 100% organic cotton jammies, certified to both the Global Organic Textile Standard and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, align perfectly with Sway’s specs for textiles. If there’s one place to focus on organic cotton clothing for your kids, from an exposure perspective, it’s sleepwear.

Footed Sleeper | Sleeper | Pajama Set

Something to read

Thank You by Jarvis: $10.49
A lovely little exploration of gratitude. Tis the season!

Nanette’s Baguette by Mo Willems: $11.11
I have never laughed harder reading to my child. A friend gifted us this book and was it an instant classic? “YOU BET!”

Little Witch Hazel by Phoebe Wahl: $15.62
This isn’t LWH’s first appearance in the Sway newsletter, nor will it be her last. There’s a chapter for all four seasons, and even the intricately illustrated endpaper is worth a good long look. A deeply special keepsake book. 🍄

When in doubt, CRAFT

As promised, a short list of holiday crafts that I’ve delighted in making over the years. I can vouch: they’re fun, and yield fairly good results. 😇

Ornament-painting: This how-to video pertains to ceramic ornaments, but those are way too fragile for this household. I used this exact process for wood ornaments instead, ensuring they can get dropped and occasionally tossed (by a toddler) with no harm done. ;)
Wreath-making: You don’t need a how-to for this one, just a wreath ring from a craft store, floral wire, and garland from Trader Joe’s. Then throw a bow on it!
Air dry clay: The world is your oyster! Make magnets, ornaments, candle holders…GO OFF. Mine are half done…will report back.
A beeeeautiful place to stash your phone: My last rec is to cover a tiny cardboard box in pretty paper (I used a baby shoe box) and use it as a “phone jail” for unplugged evenings. Give these to friends & fam as a wink wink nudge nudge that you’d like to spend phone-free time with them. Truly, once my phone goes into the box, I stop reaching for it. Because I can’t. 😂

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Happy holidays!
Jennifer @ Sway

☺️ Gifts for little ones