Our 5 Under $25

If it takes a village to raise a child, then all those villagers need to be remembered over the holidays (and guess who’s doing the shopping). So in an effort to help moms everywhere find something for the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker (never mind the teachers, the babysitters, the coaches and the kids’ new BFFs), here’s our annual Top Five Under $25 gift guide.

For the Cousins, the Kid Next Door and Your Kids’ Friends With Parents Who Insist on Buying Your Kids a Gift
Mealtime’s more special (and more stylish) with a personalized Name Your Place placemat, a creative collaboration from Name Your Tune and Grace Announcements. There are 30 different and gorgeous designs to choose from, including nine interactive learning designs which can help with learning the alphabet and colours (children can write on them with dry-erase or washable markers). Available single-sided ($12) or double-sided ($18), your only problem will be choosing which design you want. (Available at www.nameyourtune.ca)


For the Teacher
Bound in a striking, robin’s egg blue hardcover with golden print, the One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book diary ($18.79) includes enough gilded-edge pages to fit five years worth of memories, classroom antics, or lessons learned and a handy ribbon to mark where the last memo was made. The 365 daily entries appear five times on each page, allowing the diary keeper to revisit prior years’ memories while capturing their latest thoughts. (Available from www.amazon.ca)


For the Moms’ Group Secret Santa Exchange
Even before the global financial meltdown last year made the British WWII motivational slogan ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ so popular, we always thought it was a perfect motto for moms. So get her something from Keep Calm and Carry On to inspire her to get through her hectic day. Choose from posters ($19), totes ($15) t-shirts ($25), magnets ($4) and note cards ($4.50). (Available at www.keepcalmandcarryon.ca)

For the Babysitter
You might feel a little out of touch with the teen market these days, but you can never go wrong with a combination that includes saving the environment and Lululemon. So thank her for all the care she shares with your family with the Lululemon Go-Go Shopper (love the name almost as much as the $20 price). It’s the perfect combination of eco and chic. (Available at www.lululemon.com)


For the Hockey Coach, ‘Snow Guy’ or the Crossing Guard
What Canadian man wouldn’t be proud to sport a toque inspired by the traditional Canadian work sock from POOK. For the more fashion-forward guy, choose the original Pook Toque, complete with two socks hanging down the back. The less stylish might prefer the sleeker beanie-style Pook Toque II or the Pook Dukes, cozy sock-based mitts, and hockey fans from across Canada will love the Hockey Sockey, fleece-lined hats made from hockey socks. Choose your favourite team colours. All products are $26 including tax and shipping. (Available at www.pooktoque.com)


Last Minute Addition for the Last Minute Invitation
There’s something particularly savvy about a gift you can pick up at the grocery store and that’s why we snuck in a sixth idea: the PC Home Crystal Decanter ($24.99). With its high-end design (inspired by some of the finest glassmakers in the world), it makes a great addition to the home of any host or hostess with the mostest. (Available at Superstore, Loblaw and where President’s Choice products are sold, www.presidentschoice.ca)

So check your list one more time—our list should help you make quite a dent in it.

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