Marshmallow Christmas Madness from Maps Toys

Having a play battle with your mates, forget last year’s crazes the only toy shooters you’ll need in 2012 are the Marshmallow Blasters from Maps Toys – the sweetest shooters around!

The unique Bow & Mallow is part of the Marshmallow Fun Company range and fires real marshmallows at your target showering them with edible bullets. Just load up your bow with mini marshmallows, draw back the arrow, aim and fire up to 30 feet. The Bow & Mallow is suitable for ages 3+ shoots out tasty treats in quick succession beating your opponent into a sugary submission! RRP £22.99.

The Bow & Mallow can be loaded with any brand of fresh mini marshmallows which are available online and at speciality food retailers. The shooters compress different shapes of marshmallow as they enter the nozzle and they spring back into place once fired.

If you want a blaster with real attitude the Classic Blaster is the ultimate way to get sweet revenge on your foes. Firing large marshmallows up to 40 feet, the audible POP as the soft sweets fly from the barrel is awesome. The blaster is perfect for older and children (aged 14+) and of course the big kids in every family. RRP £21.99.

Completing the trio of tasty toy weapons is a Classic Crossbow. This cool piece of kit (suitable for ages 5+) is sure to be the ‘sugar’ hit of Christmas! RRP £19.99.

The full Marshmallow Fun Company range is available from Amazon.

(www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Marshmallow+Fun+Company+)

A magical Christmas adventure for your children from Itsyourstory!

Take your children on a magical adventure to the North Pole with this wonderful book from Itsyourstory!

The truly unique Christmas story combines a child's photograph throughout, so they'll be able to really immerse themselves in the festive fun!

Children will love to see themselves as the main character in the book. Watch the delight on their faces as they discover a Snowman packed double-decker bus in their garden on Christmas morning and follow them as they transform into an elf to help Santa Claus save Christmas.

Your little one will be transfixed by the story which sees them help wrap and deliver all of Santa Claus’ presents. Will they make it back home before everyone wakes up? And will their family believe that they helped save Christmas?

The book features the child’s photograph on every page of the book along with their name. In addition, it includes personal information about the child such as their address, name of a special friend and family members. You can also include a personal message at the front of the book to make this special Christmas present a book to treasure forever.

Earlier this year, Itsyourstory ran a competition to rename their loveable Snowman and the winner Alexandra Rossiter from Minehead chose the mystical Zamber Frost! As part of her prize, Alexandra’s name will be on the front cover for a year – so you’ll be getting a unique collector’s item too!

Priced at £12.50 for the A5 version and £17.50 for the A4 version, this book is available exclusively from www.itsyourstory.co.uk. The last date for Christmas orders is 18 December.      

Christmas outfits with a difference

Renowned for their photo-personalised children’s books for many years, Itsyourstory are adding a new twist to their range for Christmas 2012. Their brand new range of photo-personalised children’s t-shirts and tops make fantastic presents for your little ones and solve Christmas outfit dilemmas!

The high-quality clothes feature your child as different characters with their name emblazoned below. Choose from a beautiful princess for your wannabe monarchs and an astronaut for an out of this world t-shirt. There’s also a super-cute fairy to spread Christmas joy and if your child is into all things medieval, they will love the Knight T-shirt. Finally the hero of the family will enjoy strutting around in their very own superhero t-shirt.

The range includes organic cotton babygrows, long-sleeve and short-sleeve t-shirts, polo shirts and a zipped hoody.

This present is sure to become the talking point of Christmas day and will be the envy of all their friends.

The babygrows and t-shirts are priced at £14.99, the polo shirt at £19.99 and the hoody at £24.99. Sizes range from 0-6 months to 12-14 years. The last date for Christmas delivery is 18^th December. Available exclusively to www.itsyourstory.co.uk.

Special Delivery from Santa!

The anticipation of Christmas can be almost as exciting as the day itself, so let Itsyourstory add to the thrill with this unique photo-personalised letter from the big man himself.

Each letter is personalised to feature the child's address, the name of two of their friends, their age and a uniquely personal PS at the bottom of the letter. This will create even more magic as it is written by the sender and relates to something personal in their lives eg – how well they’re doing at school, getting a new pet etc. The letter also reveals which friend or family member has asked Father Christmas to get in touch.

Priced at just £4.50, the Father Christmas photo-personalised letter is available exclusively from www.Itsyourstory.co.uk. Customers can choose from two letter designs featuring the child alongside Rudolf or Father Christmas. The letter arrives in a Christmas-themed envelope addressed to the child and complete with a North Pole stamp. What better way to build the excitement in the run up to Christmas!

Orders will be taken from September. Last delivery date before Christmas is December 18th.

(EDITOR: Orders are being taken now, from 1st September! So what are you waiting for? Click on the above link and start early with your Chirstmas purchases!)

Who needs Selection Boxes this Christmas? Not us!

Forget naff selection boxes and same old, same old tins of chocolates this Christmas – treat your loved ones to a unique Christmas Confectionery gift from BabyBlooms.

The Chocolate Flower Bouquets are a beautiful gesture and the festive bright colours will brighten Christmas morning. Priced at £34.00, the Hearts and Flowers Chocolate arrangements comprise tasty chocolate flowers and hearts and will delight the lucky recipient. Eight chocolate Lollipops and 24 sweet dragee hearts mean there are enough to share (if you want to) and the arrangement comes luxuriously packaged so are perfect to send directly to loved ones you won’t see this Christmas.

What better way to wow your Christmas guests than with the collection of brand new sweet and chocolate trees from BabyBlooms. Looking just like a real topiary creation, the sugary shrubbery is a truly unique way to welcome your loved ones on Christmas day and make an ideal gift for relatives and friends with a sweet tooth.

Treat yourself and others to the Chocolate Truffle Tree which features perfectly rounded scrumptious truffles in the shape of a delightful tree decoration. The Malteser Drizzle Tree includes everyone’s favourite light chocolate treat and guests will love to help themselves. Younger loved ones won’t be able to resist the Haribo Tree – this delicious arrangement includes all your favourite Haribo sweets including cola bottles, fried eggs and many more.

Each tree comes in two sizes which are priced from around £30. Prices available on request from www.babyblooms.co.uk. So go on treat yourself to an extra special tree this Christmas.

Gorgeous gifts for your little ones this Christmas

If you have run out of places to shop for your little ones this Christmas, look no further than BabyBlooms (www.babyblooms.co.uk). 

Renowned for their baby clothing bouquets, BabyBlooms also have an array of unique gifts for children of all ages.

The adorable Pull Along Toys are sure to become your baby’s constant companion. Choose from a Hedgehog with a delicate leaf on the end of its lead, a Ladybird with a pretty flower, a Dog with a soft bone and a Cat with a cute fish attached to its lead. What’s more, you can remove the sturdy, wooden wheels to create a cuddly soft toy. Each Pull Along is priced at £16.99.

Little ones will love the collection of stylish, soft animals. The handmade cotton large multi-coloured Elephant is made of strong woven cloth that will survive the rough and tumble of toddler play. The brightly coloured check fabric will also make a beautiful addition to any nursery this Christmas. Priced at £22.00, the Elephant can also be complemented with the colourful Giraffe which is just £13.00.

Treat the little girl in your life to the Fold & Go Dolls House and keep them entertained at home and on the move. The perfectly pink house features two wooden dolls and a selection of detailed wooden furniture. The house comes with a handy carry handle and folds down so girls can carry and play with it anywhere. Priced at £35.00.

The Billy Magnetic Dress Up Set is a great stocking filler for little boys. Priced at just £11.99, you can dress Billy up in a range of outfits including a Police Officer, Superhero, Knight, Fireman, Construction Worker or Pirate he is ready for adventure at a moment's notice. The set includes, a magnetic wooden dress-up figure with stand and 26 magnetic pieces of clothing for pretend play. Suitable for ages 3+, the price also includes gift wrap.

Traditional rag dolls always make treasured gifts whatever the occasion and BabyBlooms have a lovely range in all shapes and sizes that make great stocking fillers. The beautiful Ballerina Doll comes in both 19cm (£5.50) and 40cm (£12.50). Her pretty pink outfit and features will make her a budding ballet dancer’s best friend! The Blue Rose Rag Dolls also come in two sizes and for those still feeling patriotic at Christmas, the 40cm Rag Doll Soldier is kitted out in traditional red and black uniform and wears a dinky furry hat (£12.50)!

To view the full range of toys and gifts available for all the family, visit www.babyblooms.co.uk

Rocking around the Christmas tree

Stunning new Rockers from Little Bird Told Me

If you’re looking for the ultimate gift for baby and the type that can be passed down through generations, look no further than the stunning collection of infant rockers and rocking horses from Little Bird Told Me.

This Christmas sees the addition of two brand new rockers to the Little Bird Told Me stable and parents won’t be disappointed. The gorgeous Ruby & Belle Rocking Horse is the perfect playmate for little girls. Ruby is a beauty of a horse and features stunning vintage printed fabric in vibrant pinks and a scrunchy faux suede mane and tail. Ruby carries her pretty little friend Belle wherever she goes in an appliquéd pocket on her body. Belle is an adorable rag doll that can be played with separately too. RRP £125.00 and suitable from 12 months.

The Baby Bear Infant Rocker is part of the new Hey Bear, it’s me Bear range and is an ideal first rocker for babies aged 9 months plus. This huggable rocker carries his friend Birdy Bear in his pocket who has lots of stimulating features to delight baby. The sturdy quality wood rocking frame make this a safe and comfortable rocker for novice riders. RRP £88.00.

Little Bird Told Me have designed rockers with both babies and parents in mind. Their newest rockers will transform any nursery into a stylish haven and become the envy of every nursery around. The ultra-modern Dylan & Boo Rocking Horse is set to become a style icon. Dylan is a charming horse who carries his lovable little friend Boo Bear wherever he goes. Dylan's distinctive grey fabric has been designed exclusively for Little Bird Told Me by designer Rosalind Maroney. The cute button print is complemented by a soft, tactile fine wale cord mane and tail - a real show-stopper of a horse, Dylan will be the envy of every nursery. Suitable from 12months plus, Dylan & Boo retails at £125.00.

For parents who prefer to make a splash with colour, the new Doodle & Crumb Infant Rocker is for you and your baby. Suitable for babies aged 9months plus, Doodle is a fun and friendly horse who carries his little friend Crumb the bean horse wherever he goes. His vibrant red button print fabric is also designed by Maroney and is complemented by a faux suede mane and tail. The sturdy dark wood frame comes with detachable foot rests for novice riders. Doodle & Crumb is a totally unique rocker whose contemporary style will stay fresh for years to come. Priced at around £85.00.

Create real nursery envy with the super-stylish Jasper Rocking Horse. The irresistible Jasper is the ultimate gift for older babies this Christmas. Jasper features a classic woven check fabric in shades of chocolate and has a stylised leatherette saddle with stirrups to support little ones. His soft and scrunchy mane and tail are made from strokeable faux suede and he stands proudly on a sturdy wooden bow rocking base. There really is no other rocking horse like Jasper available on the market.

Priced at around £200 he will become the talking point of any nursery and be adored by adults for his charm and sophistication as much as little ones will love him for his play value. Jasper stands at around 55cm and is suitable for infants aged 18months plus.

Cuddly and lovable Bobble & Pip is an Infant Rocker that babies will fall in love with. Bobble's luxurious bouclé fabric body just wants to be stroked and the cute Pip Bean Horse is soft and huggable. Tuck Pip into the pocket on Bobble's side and off you rock! Suitable from 9 months plus and priced at £85.00.

For those who are looking for a fun and funky addition to a child's nursery this festive season, look no further than the Softly Snail Infant Rocker. Suitable for 9 months plus, Softly Snail comes in pretty pink plush fabrics and carries her cosy little house on her back. Her soft house creates a snug, supportive seat and offers a fun storage space to put toys. The rocker also features lots of additions to keep baby amused including hidden squeaks, chimes and crinkles and comes with a separate rattle toy for little hands. Priced at around £85.00.

If you love cute characters then the Caterpillar Infant Rocker is for you. Suitable for 9 months plus, Curious Caterpillar comes in fresh plush fabrics of green, blue and red and has lots for a baby to discover. A soft apple creates a comfortable seat and comes with a lift-up flap which reveals a handy storage section for toys. A separate chime toy peeps out of the apple for little hands to explore. The rocker also features lots of additions to keep baby engaged including hidden squeaks, chimes and crinkles. Priced at around £85.00.

To see these and the whole collection of Infant Rockers and Rocking Horses, visit the Little Bird Told Me website www.littlebirdtoldme.co.uk. Selected rockers are also available from John Lewis, Harrods and Jojo Maman Bebe and selected independent retailers. Last date for website deliveries is 18 December.