2007 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts under $75

The second installment of the Babygadget 2007 holiday guide focuses on gifts under $75 (and most under $50)...and not surprisingly, features a lot of toys. Here are mostly new finds (and a few favorites from the past year).

I haven't seen very many toy rocking horses before, and this one from Bajo toys is so cheery in sunny yellow. $25.99 (Jenna).

Who can resist these adorable wool elf slippers, especially around the holidays! Felted from repurposed sweaters by master cobbler Jennifer Fay, these magical booties feature cashmere innersoles and non-skid leather soles. Also available in green and blue. $50 (Justine).

The wooden set of construction vehicles was one of my favourite finds of the year. Like every other Pintoy product, they just look so appealing and robust and you won't do much better for a midprice gift. Sadly, I was unable to locate a retailer in the US, but do contact us if you know differently. Meanwhile, Letterbox do deliver internationally - and don't charge tax outside Europe - but I'd act fast. £19.99 (Myf).

I really can't think of a better gift than this Neckies scarf from Oeuf. I scored one of these scarves at a Modern Tots sample sale and started putting it on Baby C when she was a newborn last winter. She's still wearing it now that she's 1, and she'll probably be able to wear it for 2 more years still (or more!). Can you think of another article of clothing with that much longevity? Well worth the $33 (Jenna).

There's nothing quite like a drum kit to help kids work out those winter weather crazies. We've gone through a couple of those little plastic drum sets - but this wooden one from Plan Toys looks like it will hold up a lot better! This kit includes a large and small drum, mallets, a cymbal, and all are made of preservative-free rubber wood. $49.95 (Ben)

Baby C received this blanket for her birthday from the folks at Giggle and it is one of the nicest fleece blankets I have seen. She's been using it in her crib ever since and it's keeping her warm during cold nights. The photos don't do it justice, but it's so soft, thick and plush with berber fleece lining the blanket on one side, and stripes on the other. The cool thing about this blanket? It's recycled from soda pop bottles. $58 (Jenna).

This holiday season I'm buying this adorable brush and dust pan set for my little spiller who, fortunately is also an enthusiastic cleaner as well. The pint-sized pan features a festive enamel coating, while the brush has a hardwood handle with natural bristles. $12.90 (Justine).

This sweet book about a boy's quest for his own star from Oliver Jeffers is the Kid's new favorite bedtime story. $11.55 (Jenna).

We recently featured this felt mailbox playset and now I've discovered that there is a Letters to Santa playset to match! This set contains 2 felt envelopes, 2 postcards, and 13 stamps and messages, all made from felt and velcro. $18.00 (Ben)

A tea set that comes in its own attractive suitcase: that's sure to please any toddler. Made of tin, it's more tactile than plastic, and less breakable than china. Plus it has unlimited clattering potential. £24.99 (Myf).

Pull-toys are such a hit with toddlers and this brightly colored turtle from Vilac also doubles as stacking rings. $30 (Jenna).

Perfect for baby's first Christmas is this festive ensemble from Sckoon organics. Each set includes wrap-me-body onesie, bonnet, elf pants and soft doll. All 100% organic; dyed with metal free, environmentally friendly dyes. $68 (Justine).

If you're having a hard time explaining how there's a Father Christmas in every mall, these perhaps aren't the gift for you: there are five of them. On the other hand, if rolling a Christmas pudding at several fat Santas and snowmen is your idea of festive fun, bring it on! Available in the UK and most of Europe only, £8.99 (Myf).

This sturdy stainless steel cutlery set of aquatic sealife is pretty unusual...and thus a great gift. $20 (Jenna).

That sudden craze for dinosaurs which seems to descend on all three-year-olds need not mean that your home is beseiged by ugly plastic models. Not if you choose the DinoZone range, that is. I love their solidity and cartoony looks; they also come with 'environments' which just about means they can pass for educational. Mini's Toyshop deliver internationally within 14 days; Dinozone products seem to be widely available from other UK retailers too, so it might pay to browse until you find one that offers quick dispatch. £14.99 (Myf).

Watch your kid bounce around with these fun space hopper toys. $45 (Jenna).

I wrote about Kristiana Pärn's whimsical prints earlier this year, but some like this charming number above, are so appropriate for the holidays, that they're worth revisiting. Dated, signed and printed on enhanced matte paper with archival inks, Kristiana's prints are always limited run, so you're gift is guaranteed to be unique. $20 (Justine).

Habitat in the UK always come out with a fantastic gift range for Christmas. This set of Skyscraper building blocks, which transforms into a marble run if laid out correctly, was on offer last year too, and I scored one in the January sales. My verdict: great, even for my two year old, who loved the blocks and could understand the basics of making the marble run, too. Plus, and this is rare with baby toys, it kept the adults entertained. Sadly Habitat *still* do not offer online shopping (I think I may even have noted this last year). Readers in New Zealand and Europe can at least scope the products before going out to shop. £20 (Myf).

This 5 layered rabbit puzzle is one of my favorites - each layer reveal a smaller, different colored rabbit underneath. $25 (Jenna).

Keep baby warm and snug this holiday season with this dear bunting blanket. Made of cozy cotton flannel, it comes in pink or blue. $49 (Justine).

It's a creative gift and a new holiday tradition all in one. Cut out the sweets with this Felt Gingerbread House from Twinkle Kids. There are 100 decorations...and no baking! $55 (Ben)