The countdown to the holidays is on. Woo hoo! We know first hand what a difference a quality stroller can make to  family travels, especially those that involve planes, and those dreaded “in-transit” periods. The Silver Cross Fizz is a great choice for travel as it ticks all those essential boxes of being ultra light-weight (4.5kgs), carry basket and umbrella fold. It  has the option of reclining back, which is such a useful feature when kiddies get over-tired pn journeys and need their naps.

This week we’re giving away a Silver Cross Fizz Stroller in Eclipse to one member of our bebe online community. To enter you just need to become a Facebook Fan and answer the question - What is your favourite Family Friendly Holiday Destination? You will see the competition post on our Facebook Wall here: www.facebook.com/bebeonline

Competition closes 3/12 at 6pm.  Good luck!

Advent calendars are a great way to help kids understand how long they have to wait until Christmas.  We still have ours from last year and whilst I’m looking forward to getting it down from the cupboard over the weekend, the thought of Liam starting each day with a 6am  piece of chocolate doesn’t sit 100% with my nutritional values!

This morning stumbled upon a great craft website (www.kidscraftweekly.com) that shares ideas for making your own advent calendar. Great concept for the crafty types (and those that have the time between now and Monday). What they also suggested is including a fun family activity for each day from December 1 – 24. We love these ideas, and that I may perhaps mix up our calender this year – an edible  treat one day followed by a fun activity the next. Before we all know it, Christmas will be here and we’ve all celebrated the lead up in a fun way as a family (woo hoo!).

Advent Calender Activity Ideas

1. Paint everyone’s toenails
2. Have hot chocolate with all the fixings (we might do milkshakes if it’s too hot)
3. Star gazing
4. Give everyone crazy hairstyles
5. Backyard cricket
6. Go out for sushi
7. Have an indoor picnic
8. Write letters to Father Christmas
9. Use puppets to tell bedtime story
10. Have breakfast for dinner (I am thinking pancakes)
11. Make decorations for the tree
12. Have a camp out around the christmas tree
13. Pack a picnic dinner and have it at a park (or Botanical Gardens)
14. Fancy dress for dinner time
15. Wrap a toy and take it to a charity christmas tree
16. Make handmade gift tags for relatives
17. Fish and Chips for dinner down at the beach
18. Fold origami for the christmas tree
19. Dance like crazy to music
20. Watch a christmas movie with popcorn
21. Go out for gelati
22. Take Grandparents out to see the Christmas lights
23. Have a bubble bath
24. Special christmas Eve treat TBA

 Our Nici Wild Plush Toys are a popular sleep companion. We want to know What is your secret to getting your little one to sleep? Share it with us on Facebook  and go into draw to win a Nici Wild Prize Pack valued at $240, which includes the four 50cm Nici Toys that you see above plus their own cotton carry bag. Closes midnight 26/11. Goodluck!

Enter this competition on our facebook page; www.facebook.com/bebeonline

See the Nici Plush Range here: http://www.bebeonline.com.au/shop/Nici

Congratulations to Alma Griffiths who is the winner of this prize (this contest has now closed)

Top Gifts for 2-4 Year Olds are for the real movers and shakers. From educational, to pretend play and just plane speed racing, your little one will love these favourites. Click on the listing below for more information on these top picks.

1. Plan Toys Parking Garage, $159.95

2. Mini Scooter, $119.95

3 .Teepee, $229.95

4. Plan Toys Pirate Ship, $99.95

5. Melissa and Doug Beginner Pattern Blocks, $39.95

 6. Plan Toys Chalet Dolls House, $369.95

7. Green Toys Eco Friendly Tea-Set, $59.95

8. Bajo Wooden Piggy Bank, $49.95

9. G-Bike, $299.95

10. DwellStudio Coated Apron, $35.95

We’re loving our range of Toddler Gifts this year - with quality brands such as Bajo, Plan Toys, Brio, Green Toys and Melissa & Doug all making it again into this years Top Picks! Click on the item in the list below to link through to more information about the product.

1. Kid’s Earth, $59.95

2. Plan Toys Solid Drum, $34.95

3. Bajo Rocket Stacker, $67.95

4. Brio Pull Along Giraffe, $39.95

5. Plan Toys Pull-Apart Sheep, $39.95

6. Brio Crane & Loads gift Pack, $59.95

7. Bajo Tree Stacker, $57.95

8. Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube, $29.95

9. Plan Toys Oval Xylophone, $39.95

10. Green Toys Eco-Friendly Dump Truck, $64.95

The results are in for this year’s Top Ten Gifts for Baby’s First Christmas! These toys are not only our favourites but more importantly they’re your favourites. They’ve made the list as they’re regarded the highest by you!

1.Nici Tiger, $24.95

2.Little Alouette Gigi Giraffe Teething Toy, $29.95

3. Alimrose Monkey Squeeker Toy, $16.95

4. Bajo Frog Rattle, $21.95

5. Charlie Harper’s ABCs Board Book, $21.95

6. Mamas & Papas Rock & Ride Gulliver  Horse, $229.95

7. Skip Hop Funky Farmyard Animal Ball Trio, $39.95

8. Uncle Goose Alphabet Blocks, $84.95

9. Brio Bell Rattle, $14.95 

10. Personalised Melamine Plate, $49.95

About three years or so ago I was visiting a baby store in New Zealand and noticed their counter featured large clear bowls full of Amber Teething necklaces. “Why they’re pretty necklaces” I commented to the sales rep. She politely responded “ They are sweet, but they’re actually for preventing teething pain”.  I got the feeling she said this at least twice a day. My son was well and truly past his teething phase, so it was not something I gave any further thought to. Shortly after this whilst on a buying trip in Europe,  I saw more of these necklaces – in fact every pharmacy I came across had Amber necklaces bulk stacked on counters… Perhaps there’s something in this, I thought…

It was when my second child started to show signs of teething a few months back (that;s her in the pic!) that I gave more thought to amber as I had read a lot about the potential negative affects of Panadol and other over the counter pain relievers. Despite being very open to Natural Therapies, I was a little sceptical at first – how can something that is not  ingested provide pain relief?  It was after speaking with mums who had more than one child and had tried everything else” (as had I with my eldest), and now swear by amber, that I thought it can’t hurt to try it, right?

Here I find myself typing away, with my seven month old teething baby peacefully sleeping on my lap, wearing her amber necklace. I can honestly say, in our case IT WORKS. If only I’d known about this with my eldest, many tears (both him and myself!)  and sleepless nights may well have been prevented.

So HOW does amber work?

Amber is a natural substance from trees. It is actually fossilised sap. Remember in the movie Jurassic park when excavators were looking for amber with ancient mosquitoes inside? Well, this is the same stuff…but sans the mosquitoes.  It has been used for a long time in European countries for its natural pain relief and natural anti-inflammatory properties due to the slow release of its natural oils upon the warming of the stone from the skin. The active constituent present in the resin is called succinic acid, this is what your body absorbs.

All over Europe, amber has been used to help with certain ailments such as the pain and inflammation caused by teething - hence the big counter displays at pharmacies. It has been such a prized possession that for some time, pieces of it were used as currency. It is not intended for chewing but to wear close to the skin during the day (ie under supervision).

Read more about the properties of Amber Teething Necklaces here…

We’re now on Facebook and would love you to join our community! As a facebook fan you’ll be eligible for exclusive Facebook competitions and sales as well as be the first to know about exciting mother-baby finds.

We’re running a Facebook Sweepstakes whereby just by being a fan you go into the draw to win a $200 bebe gift voucher for use online or in store. Competition is drawn on December 12th and announced on facebook.

Find bebe on facebook: www.facebook.com/bebeonline

Abacus, $19.95

Why save  this little gem for doctors waiting room play? Get the poor kid one of his own.

Monkey Squeeker, $19.95

If your little one’s face doesn’t delight in joy at this cheeky toy, you’ve really got your work cut out.

Eco Saucer, $15.95

Your conscience will agree with this frisbee, made from recycled milk jugs for good green fun.

Princess Cup, $9.95

The perfect cup to serve that inner Princess. There’s also plates on bowls if The Cup Don’t Serve-eth.

Rainbow Stacker, 16.95

A classic childhood toy for intriguing play. Naturally, its made from wood.

Robot Plate. $12.95

What  little boy that doesn’t dig robots? With four to choose from, no meal will ever be the same.

Alphabet Stacking Blocks, $19.95

This is one toy that your toddler will actually pack up post-play! Watch them enjoy nesting each block within one another back into their storage box.

Chunky Farm Puzzle, $19.95

These animals can be forgiven for being chunky – not only are they perfect for little fingers, but they also stand up on their own for pretend play!

Owl Toy Squeeker, $19.95

This Owl toy is so filled with character that he will satisfy with endless amusement no matter what the age. He! He! (that’s us, laughing).

Squirrel Pram Toy $14.95

If you thought all pram and car seat toys were cheesy, you’re soooo wrong. Both your baby and the style police will love these.

We have been stocking Branberry’s blankets for over six years now and are still so impressed with their consistently high quality and soft feel. We also have regular “branberry” customers that visit us yearly in store to pick up a Branberry blanket for overseas baby gifts (Branberry blankets are still proudly made in Australia).

The new Art Deco cot blankets have caught my eye - I love the design as it is modern yet still has a classic element. They are made from 70% combed cotton and30% fine merino, making them a perfect choice for all year round. Im considering the pink one, but must get this one authorised by hubby as we do have a fare share of beautiful cot blankets (I apparently “collect cot blankets like handbags”).

Check out the full Branberry blanket range here…