Dear Diary,

This year, Caitlynn is getting clothes for Christmas. Of course, Santa will leave toys under the tree, but in addition, Old Saint Nick will bring some new looks for the New Year. If your kids are anything like mine, shirts, shoes and dresses didn’t make an appearance on their wish lists. That’s why I logged onto Zutano’s website. The Vermont-based designer of children’s clothing, nursery bedding, décor, toys and furniture is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with colorful and creative prints. And I found five things that kids will want under the tree! Here’s how you can give the gift of fashion and imagination.

Go Grocery Shopping

Zutano Owl Purse

Caitlynn’s favorite activity is pretend play. She entertains herself for hours shopping throughout our apartment and whipping up delicious dinners at her kid kitchen. After she goes grocery shopping, I pretend I’m the cashier and scan her items. I swipe her credit card–old hotel keys or expired American Express cards. With this little cat purse, she can keep her cards, coins and other treasures in one place. It’s also the perfect bag to take when we go this little kiddy goes to the real life market.

Walk in the Jungle

Walking in the Jungle

If you haven’t heard Super Simple Song’s hit Walking and the Jungle, add it to your You Tube playlist! The song marches a group of children through the jungle filled with lions, tigers and bears. Your little one will fit right in wearing something from Zutano’s furry collection. The vests, jackets and suits are furry and fabulous! This piece even appeared on the cover on American Baby!

Build a Snowman

Build a Snowman

The more it snows the more my daughter and nephews want to play outside. I never think Caitlynn is warm enough, even when she’s sweating! This unisex bomber hat will keep her toasty while building a snowman in the dead of winter. The faux fur flaps Velcro under her chin. If she gets too warm, I can flip the flaps to the top of her head.

Pitch a Tent

Pitch a Tent

This summer, Caitlynn went camping with her father for the first time. She caught a fish, rode in a canoe and slept outside in a tent. Mommy on the other hand isn’t quite the great outdoorsman. Nevertheless, we have great fun camping out in our living room. Zutano’s Fox and Friends prints for boys are perfect picks for the camping theme. There are also animal items in the girls’ department.

Grow a Garden

Grow a Garden

Living in a sky rise has its ups and downs. We get a great view of the park, but we don’t get our own backyard. So to bring the outdoors indoors, we grow a little garden. Ok, it was a Chia Pet! Next, we’re going to try to grow our own herbs. This Bee My Friend loop shirt should give us some flower power to turn the seed into a crop!

Hey DFTM Fam—How are you sparking your child’s imagination with their winter wardrobe? What are your favorite pretend activities to play? Share your answer and enter to win a $100 Zutano.com gift card!

Disclosure: Diary of a First Time Mom partnered with Zutano to create this holiday wish list. Although some form of compensation was received, all opinions remain my own.

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About The Author

Vlog Mom/DFTM Creator

Not long ago, Heather Hopson hosted a television show in the Cayman Islands. Today, she's back home writing a different kind of story as a new mom. In her 15 years working as a professional journalist, this by far is her best assignment! Growing up, she dreamed of becoming Oprah Winfrey. She was the features editor for her school’s newspaper and a teen talk show host for her city’s most popular radio station. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. After graduation, she worked as a television producer and reporter at CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates throughout the U.S. Instead of heading to Chicago to join Ms. Winfrey on her set, she bought a plane ticket to the Cayman Islands instead. She arrived five days before a category five hurricane! She lived in paradise for seven years, hosted an award-winning television show and traveled the globe with a government delegation. She also served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and spearheaded a Send a Kid to Camp campaign. Then, she relocated to Washington, D.C. to obtain a teaching certification and instruct 8th grade reading at a high needs middle school. She later returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA to raise her daughter Caitlynn, now 4-years-old. During her 10-month-stint as a stay-at-home mom, Caitlynn inspired her to create this blog, and Diary of a First Time Mom was born on Mother’s Day 2012. Two years later, she expanded the family to include 20+ writers. Currently, Heather serves as the communications director at Allies for Children. In addition, she is the owner of Motor Mouth Multimedia, which ranked #49 in Startup Nation’s Home-Based 100 Competition sponsored by Discover Card and Sam’s Club. Recently, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments selected Heather to receive an Emerging Black Artist award to develop Diary of a First Time Mom.

8 Responses

  1. MJ
    MJ

    Cute post. Funny the Hubs just said we should dress the kids up in their flannel PJs and roast marshmallows on our deck. I know Big Z would love to pretend she’s camping. Love the ideas you suggested.

    Reply
  2. Shannon

    Thanks for all the good reads. Bray cant wait to see his lil girl! Happy holidays!

    Reply
  3. Rana Jeree

    I am sparking their fashion sense by the things that they always make crafts with which is glitter! We love playing teacher together as well as doctor!

    Reply
  5. mami2jcn

    My daughter loves to dress up like a kitten with a kitty hat and gloves set she has.

    Reply
  6. jenmalonee

    I let me sons pick out what they want to wear sometimes, even if it doesn’t match I let them wear it sometimes. My kids like to just dance around and go on adventure hunts.

    Reply
  7. Melody Arredondo

    My kids love to dress themselves. They are usually clashing but they get a lot of fun out of it. We love playing with old Halloween costumes (they love their old Buzz and Woody ones) and playing house together.

    Reply
  8. kelly

    My daughter enjoys animal themes in her clothing such as dogs and cats. She likes to pretend she is a vet sometimes.

    Reply

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