Parenting Pink’s 2009 “Pink” Gift Guide for Girls

November 12, 2009 by Elizabeth Donovan, M. A.
Filed under Pink Product Reviews

It’s that time of year again when Parenting Pink rolls out the red – we mean PINK – carpet to help parents everywhere find the hottest trends, coolest crazes, and preferably ‘pink’ holiday items for your daughters. Mindful of an ever-changing economy, we’ve chosen items that fit every budget for every type of girl on your list. No need to scour the internet, sale fliers, and long, crowded aisles at Toys R Us or Best Buy – we’ve done the shopping for you! Parenting Pink has teamed with some of the hottest vendors in the business of “girl fun” to make finding the perfect gift for your daughter fun, easy, and affordable!

A Few Of Our Favorite Must-Have PINK THINGS this Season:

iHome iP9 Colortunes 'Hot Pink' Clock Radio & Audio System

iHome iP9 Colortunes ‘Hot Pink’ Clock Radio & Audio System for iPhone & iPod.

What tween or teenage girl wouldn’t want to see this ultra cool gadget sitting under the tree on Christmas morning? For that matter, what parent wouldn’t want one of these high-tech babies? The iP9 is an innovative clock radio for iPhone & iPod designed to shield annoying iPhone/mobile phone GSM noise. She’ll never miss a call again (and we all know how important that is to teenage girls) while her phone is docked safely in this hot pink station!

The iHome iP9 has a variety of super cool features like a dual alarms that can be set to custom play lists or buzzer and can be set for week and weekend alarms; a full function remote – perfect for when she doesn’t want to get out of bed to change her tunes; the station works with most iPod and iPhone models so everyone in the family can dock their iPod and drop their favorite tunes; and EQ and balance controls for the ultimate sounds system (beware parents, you may have to ask her to ‘turn it down’ a few times). This totally chic an innovate clock radio and audio system from iHome is at the top of it’s game in home audio and a must-have gadget for tweens and teens. And iHome is priced respectably at $99.99 – a price that is affordable and impressive given what competitors charge for similar items.

Parenting Pink found that the speaker sound was incredible for something so small and we liked the fact that the iHome is compact to reduce clutter on your counter and user friendly. What will your daughter love most about receiving one of these? You. Plain and simple. For more information on this great gadget or to purchase, see ihomeaudio.com.

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Award Winning Journal Buddies for Girls

Journal Buddies.

Put a little self-esteem under the Christmas tree this year! Fostering our daughter’s sense of self-worth and self esteem is something vital to her healthy development. Study after study has shown that girls self-esteem drops dramatically around the age of 8-9 just when they start feeling apprehensive about the way they look and how others perceive them. Award winning author ofJournal Buddies, Jill Schoenberg, has created a wonderful way to help girls explore their feelings as well as develop a healthy, lifelong love of journaling!

Journal Buddies is available in both a “girl” and “boy” version and includes three sections – Sharing, Creative Journaling, and Kindness. Each writing activity encourages girls to jot down their experiences honestly and to explore how they are feeling. As an adolescent psychotherapist, I especially like the emphasis on “positive thinking” in Journal Buddies. The activities help girls take their negative feelings and learn to think about them differently – a very important step toward self-awareness. There are three important rules to this journal: Criticism and put-downs are not allowed, do your best to complete the journal; and have fun! Girls will enjoy the activities and find that when they’ve completed the journal, they’ve discovered a ’sense of self’ they never knew existed! For additional information or to purchase Journal Buddies for Girls or Boys, please see: www.journalbuddies.com.

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Solano Power-to-Prevent-Dryer

Solano “Power to Prevent” Limited Edition Pink Hairdryer.

If you have a tween or teen daughter living in your house, then you are probably well aware of the necessity for a hair dryer. But the nonchalant, drab hair dryer of previous generations has thankfully gotten a new update with a hot pink twist – one that makes blow drying your hair fabulous, fashionable, and charitable.

Power to Prevent hairdryer is sponsored by Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), a national, nonprofit organization located outside Philadelphia. In the true spirit of ‘giving,’ Solano International, the manufactures, will be making an annual donation to LBBC’s education and support programs. So every time a “Power to Prevent” hairdryer that is purchased, someone with breast cancer is helped. And really, isn’t that what the holiday spirit is all about?

Solano’s Power to Prevent dryer has power and prestige. Parenting Pink also appreciated it’s light-weight design and ability to dry hair faster than many comparable hair dryers. At 1875 watts, with three temperature settings and two speeds, your daughter can enjoy blowing her lovely locks quickly and efficiently while someone, somewhere in the world will get the help they need to fight breast cancer. Now that’s a pink product we should all get behind! The Power to Prevent hair dryer retails for $119.00 nationwide. For more information or to purchase the Power to Prevent Hairdryer, see solanopower.com

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Girls Inc. Reversible Dog Tag

Girl’s Inc. Reversible Dog Tag

Ok, so this product is red instead of pink. Close enough for us! These trendy dog tags by Girls Inc. make the perfect stocking stuffer for your fashion conscious tween or teen daughter. And the message they portray, STRONG, SMART, and BOLD, goes to the heart of why Parenting Pink was founded – and why your daughter will feel empowered wearing it! Girls Inc. is a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. With roots dating to 1864, Girls Inc has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Girls Inc. programs help girls confront societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives. This holiday season inspire your daughter while donating to a great ‘girl’ cause!

Girls Inc. has a variety of ‘girl power’ items in their online store like t -shirts, wrist bands, and sweat shirts all at affordable prices (under $40) and with proceeds from sales going directly to help girls who need it most in your community.This holiday season inspire your daughter while donating to a great ‘girl’ cause! For more information or to purchase a Girls Inc. product, please see www.girlsinc.org.

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Sugar Mama Basket

Sugar Factory’s Treat Baskets

Take one good look at the picture of the “Sugar Mama” basket and you know you have just found a slice of tasty treat heaven! Take a second look and you’ll instantly realize that this is every tween and teen girl’s dream come true! The Sugar Factory, with a flagship store in Las Vegas, is home to the “Signature Series Couture Lollipop” and every kind of deliciously yummy sugar concoction you can dream up. Take their simply sinful chocolate treats (Dark Peanut Butter Pretzel Nuggets – yum), gummy delights (Tart n’ Tangy Sugar Factory Cherry Drink cone) and signature couture lollipops for example – it’s no wonder they have a huge celebrity following! Yes, the likes of Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, Lauren Conrad, all find wickedly good treats at Sugar Factory! Trust us, this little piece of sugar paradise is your one-stop shop for goodies for your girl this holiday season!

One of Sugar Factory’s finest offerings is their gift baskets perfect for every girl (and boy) on your holiday list. Sugar Factory’s gift baskets make our holiday list because not only are they delicious and unique, but they offer parents and relatives of tough-to-buy-for tweens and teens the perfect solution. Sugar Factory gift treat baskets also come in a wide price range ($29-$125) so it’s easy to fit them into your holiday shopping budget this year. Parenting Pink recommends the Bubble Pop Basket (perfect for you gum-chewing teen), the “Mean Green” for those girls who like sharp and tangy treats, and the Sugar Mama (pictured at the right) for that special mama (we can attest that everything in this basket is fabulous and mom approved!). For more information on Sugar Factory’s tasty treats or to purchase something yummy, please see: Sugarfactory.com.

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GE Hot Pink Digital Camera

GE Hot Pink GE A1050 Digital Camera.

Ready, Set…Click! Taking pictures this holiday season has never been more fun using the Hot Pink GE Digital Camera! Think of the fun your daughter will have clicking shots Christmas morning. What makes this GE camera so absolutely ‘cool’ besides the hot pink color? The GE A1050 Camera offers a wide-ranging variety of cool gadgets and digital imaging to make your daughter’s picture-taking dreams a reality!

The GE Hot Pink Digital Camera includes the latest photo-imaging technology with a sleek, cool and compact design tween and teen girls will fall in love with. Posting high quality digital images on Facebook or MySpace has never been so easy or fun! The GE A1050 includes dynamic features like: pan-capture panorama feature, 5X optical zoom lens, 10.1-megapixel resolution, smile, face and blink detection, image stabilization, red-eye removal, and auto adjust brightness LCD. And if you have a daughter or special girl in your life who’s not ‘into’ pink, GE offers this cool digital camera in black, red, hot pink, and silver. We found the camera to be light and compact, but with the ability to create sharp, digital images with the click of a button. This powerful little camera packs a powerful punch at a very reasonable price of $99.00! Grab one for yourself and one for your daughter! For additional information or to find a store to purchase the GE A1050 Digital Camera, please see: www.general-imaging.com.

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Pink Bears Infant Footed Coverall

Hatley Pink Bear Collection.

Holy Holiday Season! We’ve got a treat for you! Hatley’s Pink Bear Collection is here to keep your girls stylish, snuggly soft, and looking better than ever! The Hately Pink Bear Collection, as featured in Oprah Magazine (October 2009), is a hot clothing line for girls (ages 0-adult) and their mamas! If you are looking for a truly wonderful, cute, and cozy gift for that special girl in your life, then Hatley’s is the place to go for special “pink” apparel.

Hatley was founded in a small lakeside village of Hatley by Alice Oldlan. Inspired by nature and wildife, she’s created the Hatley designs herself and takes special care to make each piece unique and special. From seasonal lines to mainstay classics, from cozy pjs to totes & tees – Hatley’s got you and your daughter covered! What’s even better than Hately’s super cool Pink Bear Collection? Hatley is an “environmentally conscious” company that has taken steps to ensure that their line of gift products and apparel use materials that are safe and environmentally sound. In particular, Parenting Pink recommends the Pink Bears Infant Fleece Bundler (43.99), Infant Pink Horse Snow Bundler ($80), Pink Bears Infant Footed Coverall (28.99); Pink Bears Tween Shorts and Tank Pajama Set ($36.30), and the matching mama Pink Bears PJ pants and matching tank top (32.99 and 21.99). They are all cozy, 100% cotton, and snugly soft. Everything is machine washable, especially important for baby clothing (lots of spit & drool). So go ahead, check out Hatley and grab a treat for yourself and all of the other special little girls in your life. For additional information about Hatley or to purchase some of their wonderful Pink Bear Collection, please see: hatleystore.com.

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Torino Pink Boot by Sorel

“Torino” Hot Pink Boots by Sorel.

Sorel’s Torino black and pink cutties are ‘love at first sight’ for tween and teen girls this year! Trust us, they are one of the hottest Hollywood trends this season and have the pedigree to prove it. The Torino has been spotted on Kristen Stewart’s stylish toes (Bella from Twilight) which in the eyes of your tween or teen daughter, makes them worth every penny. But buying a product should not be held to Hollywood standards alone. You’ll find that these chic, super cool, modern boots prove to be as practical as they are fashion forward.

Sorel Torino boots have a stylish textile quilted upper, durable rubber bottom, and soft, fleece lining that keep toes comfortable, warm, and oh-so-stylish. Thinsulate insulation protects feet from the cold winter temperatures and wet, drizzling rain. The Torino boot is the perfect ‘all in one’ fashion statement because it is practical for frigid, snowy days and cool enough to wear to school. Your daughter’s tootsies will stay warm and she’ll stay happy. Did I say daughter? Truth is moms, aunts, nieces, and yes, even grandma – want to see a pair of these Torino’s sitting under the tree! Pair these chic boots with some faded jeans and you’re all set to star in Twilight – or at least an cool adventure of your own!

Torino boots retail for $95 and are available in women’s sizes 5-12. For additional information or to purchase a pair of Torino boots, please see: www.sorel.com.

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Hello Kitty MP3 Player

Hello Kitty Digital MP3 Player.

Hello Kitty is back from her 70’s debut and all the rage among girls of every age this year! Sakar (the manufacturer) combines cool ‘girly gadget’ with a chic, pink design. The 2GB Hello Kitty MP3 Player allows girls to listen to all of their favorite music while being able to show off their favorite fashion statement – Hello Kitty.

The Hello Kitty MP3 player comes with three super cool face plates (pink, white and red,featuring Hello Kitty) that can be snapped on and a pair of pink headphones. The head phones ran a bit big for my 6 year old, but you can easily purchase an extra pair to fit your child’s head. The MP3 player is powered by AAA batteries and the 1 GB unit is able to hold up to 1360 different songs or play for about 65 hours. In addition, a built in microphone is available for voice recording (a cool option for girls who like to hear themselves talk!). While the Hello Kitty MP3 player isn’t as powerful as an iPod, for the price point of $39.99, it’s a great option for a girl’s first MP3 player – and a fashionable option at that!

For additional information about the Hello Kitty 1 GB MP3 player, please see: Sakar.com. This player can also be purchased at Toys R Us and Wal-mart.

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Flower Front Alarm Clock & Nightlight

Ok to Wake! Alarm Clock and night light.

Time to WAKE UP! Are you tired of trying to awaken your sleeping beauty on those bright and early school days? Looking forward to ’sleeping in’ over the holidays? This holiday, give the gift that keeps giving…MORE SLEEP! The Ok to Wake! Alarm Clock is perfect for toddlers and big girls since it’s features are made to grow with your daughter. The clock changes color from soft yellow to green to help younger children learn when it’s time to get up. For older girls who want to learn how to get up on their own, there is fully-functional alarm clock with snooze. And trust me, as a mom of 3, it works! My 4 year old daughter was excited to wait until the light turned green light before she came in to wake me. That was worth another 30 minutes of precious sleep and anything that can do that for parents gets the Parenting Pink seal of approval!

The display is “easy to read” and the color changing option helped my 4 year old understand when she could “come wake me up.” This cool clock comes with two different colored bezels (green bug and PINK flower). In addition, this savvy little clock comes equipped with a built-in nap timer, perfect for little girls who still need to snooze in the afternoon. Everything from sound, to light, to bezels can be fully customized by parents. Now that’s one super cool clock! The OK to Wake! Alarm clock retails for $29.99. and is now offering a $5 coupon code to ParentingPink.com readers, so you can get this cool clock for a really great price! Just use the coupon code “PINK”. Coupon good through 11/30/09. For more information or to purchase the Ok to Wake! Alarm Clock, please see: americaninnovative.com.

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Mad Gab's Cranberry Moose Smooch

Mad Gab's Baby Moose Balm

Mad Gab Body Products.

Mad Bag Body Products are simply ‘the balm!’ This holiday season treat yourself and your daughter to something delightfully unique and delicious! Mad Gab’s “wildly natural body care” products are the perfect stocking stuffer for the whole family. These super sassy products pack the right amount of punch when it comes to everything from their famed, Moose Smooch lip balm to their “Sleepy Monkey Balm” to help calm babies at night. All of Mad Gab’s products are natural and are made from rich ingredients like Olive Oil, Sweet almond oil, Shea butter, Beeswax, and Vitamin E – ensuring that parents and their daughters lips, skin, and little bums are properly cared for and smelling yummy all season long!

And did we mention variety? Mad Gab has products perfect for everyone on your list. Their best sellers include: lip balm, sunscreen, hand & body balms, foot balm, sleep balm, and belly and baby balm. All in simply delicious flavors like vanilla, cranberry, lavender, and even, candy cane! I found that the Cranberry Lobster Hand Preserver actually help heal my dry skin and smelled simply sensational. Everything in their online store is very reasonably priced from $3 – $7! Try finding body products of this calibur for that kinda price! So pucker up this holiday season and share your smooches with a little Mad Gab!

For additional information about Mad Gab products or to purchase some, see: madgabs.com.

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Pink Monster Ragaland Shirt

Polkadot Patch “Little Pink Raglan Monster” Shirt.

Got an adorable little pink monster in your house this year for the holidays? Why not treat your little ‘wild thing’ to a super funky shirt by Polkadot Patch Boutique! Celebrate your daughter’s uniqueness by giving her something other than the typical princess attire. She can still enjoy the colors pink and purple, but with a cool twist. This t-shirt is super soft and available for girls sizes 2T-8 yrs and guarantees to make your daughter growl with delight. The Polkadot Patch monster shirt is made of 100% pre-washed cotton for a wonderful fit that is both comfortable, washable, and oh-so-stylish. All three of my daughters, ages 2-6, fell in love with this little monster of a shirt making it the perfect choice for girls of different ages. At $38.00 it’s a “grrrrrrrrr-eat” splurge for your own little pink monster and one that she can wear all year long. Polkadot Patch also carries lots of other kid-friendly funky items so there is certainly something for everyone on your list! The Pink Monster Shirt retails for $38.00. For more information or to purchase a Polkadot Patch Monster Shirt or other products, please see: www.polkadotpatch.com.

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Ruffle Butts Woven Pink Bloomer

Ruffle Butts.

The holidays wouldn’t quite be the same without a cute set of Ruffle Butts running around the house, now would it? RuffleButts.com is the place to head this holiday season if you have a little girl to buy for on your list. From diaper covers, to trendy t-shirts, to ruffle pants and tops, Ruffle Butts has your little girl ‘covered’ – literally. One of our favorite items are their pink ruffle diaper covers that can be personalized especially for your little one. Each bloomer is made of 100% cotton for a comfortable fit on your little girl’s tush and easy to slip on and off. Ease and comfort are two of the most important things for busy moms and dads and Ruffle Butts enables your daughter to look adorably stylish without all the fuss. Just slip these pink bloomers on and go!

One of the unique features of these ruffly bloomers is that they can be personalized with your little girl’s name or saying. Grandparents can get creative this holiday season by giving their granddaughters bloomers with “Gammie’s Angel” embroidered on the tush or whatever else you can dream up. And let’s be honest, as parents and caregivers we give these cute gifts for our benefit as well as our child’s. There’s nothing quite as cute as seeing your toddler wobble off with “Daddy’s Girl” on her tush. Priceless. Bloomers range from $17-25 (depending on whether or not you get them monogrammed) and run 3-6 months – 2T (toddler) sizes.

For additional information about Ruffle Butts or to purchase something for your daughter’s tushy, please see: RuffleButts.com

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Princess Savings Bank

Princess Money Manager Coin Bank.

One of the most important lessons we can teach our daughters is how to budget and save. The Princess Money Manager Bank by Little Flower Products makes saving fun, easy, and fashionable! The bank is divided into three ’saving’ compartments: save, spend, share, and features a tiara that spins, empowering a princess to make good decisions saving and spending their money.

The bank is large and has a cute design and slogans like “A Princess Loves to Spend Wisely” and “A Princess Loves to Save” that will inspire your daughter to learn how to create and stick to a budget. My 6 year old found it easy to use and liked the fact that she could still “see” her money through the clear plastic. It’s never too early for your daughter to learn how to manage her finances, so this cool bank is great for girls of all ages! This holiday season give your daughter the gift of “money management.” The Princess Money Manager Coin Bank retails for $39.99.

For additional information about this product, please see: www.aprincesslovestosave.com.

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Fashion 101

FASHION 101 by Erika Stalder.

Move over Project Runway! Now girls everywhere can get the inside scoop on the latest tween & teen fashion! Fashion 101 by Erika Stalder proves to be a fun, engaging, and perfect read for girls who are interested in all-things-fashion. If you’ve got a tween or teen girl on your holiday shopping list who loves fashion, then Fashion 101 is the perfect gift! This book is packed full of fun-facts, history, and how-to’s. Fashion 101 not only gives your daughter the inside scoop on fashion trends, but also shows her how to “make it work!” It has more than 300 illustrations and offers the total scoop on underwear, outerwear, accessories, and everything in between.

Fashion 101 also provides girls with insight into the historical context of fashion, advice, guidance, and the ability to create a ‘look’ that’s unique to her own personality – not someone else’s! Plus, girls get the low-down on celebrity style and how to accessorize what they wear to fit their own style. This book is perfect for girls who are into ‘fashion’ and those who aspire to become designers. Another subtle perk of giving the gift of fashion this season? There are great tips to help your daughter figure out what to wear with her new t-shirt other than that leather mini skirt you absolutely hate! Fashion 101 retails for $17.95 at Zest Books. For additional information or to purchase Fashion 101, please see: www.zestbooks.net

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Juicy Couture BFF Sunglasses

Juicy Couture BFF Strass Sunglasses.

Wanna splurge this year? Then check out the ultimate teen girl gift – the Limited Edition Juicy Couture BFF Strass glasses available at Solstice Sunglass Boutique. Just look at these babies – takes your pink breathe away, doesn’t it? Juicy Couture is one of the hottest designers today and they have created the ultimate teen sensation, the newly released, BFF sunglasses. These oversized ‘Jackie O’ style frames include beautiful brown gradient lenses for your fashion-forward teen. The cute frame templates are adorned with pink enamel peace signs encrusted with Swarovski crystals. Oooh-la-la!

What girl wouldn’t want to pop a pair of these glamorous glasses on as she sunbathes as she’s texting her BFF by the pool? For that matter, what MOM wouldn’t want a pair???? If you’re in the mood for a higher priced item, the Juicy Couture BFF Strass glasses will win you bonus brownie-points with your teen (not that you need them, but it’s nice to have some in reserve).This style is available in Juicy Couture Boutiques, Solstice Sunglass Boutiques, and major department stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $120. So, go ahead – wear your sunglasses at night, during the day, or whenever the mood strikes you! For more information about where you can purchase a pair, please see: www.solsticestores.com.

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Snapfish Pink Collage Blanket

HP Snapfish Pink Photo Blanket

Wrap up this holiday season with a gift that keeps on giving. Make this holiday extra special by creating a personlized keepsake for your daughter, granddaughter, or other special little lady in your life. Snapfish.com makes it easy to upload your photos to create lots of unique gifts, including their new Pink Collage Photo Blanket. This soft, cozy fleece photo collage blanket can include up to 30 photos. Gift-givers can also choose the blanket color, and add a personal message that ensures she will remember you whenever she uses it!

The Snapfish Pink Photo Collage Blanket is a light-weight throw that makes a thoughtful gift for girls of all ages. She can take it with her to snuggle up in bed or tote it to a slumber party. And don’t worry when she spills chocolate sauce or chocolate milk on it – this cute blanket is machine washable – photos and all! For additional information or to purchase the HP Snapfish Photo Collage Blanket, please see: Snapfish.com.