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Holiday gifts under $25 for parents traveling with a baby or young child
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If you’re still scratching your head about what to get the new parents in your life, remember that nothing says, “I love you and I really, really want you to come visit with your whole cute little family,” like a gift that eases travel with babies or young children. If you're a traveling parent yourself, or look forward to being one in the new year, you can forward this list without blushing because each of these gifts can be purchased for $25 or less.
Once the baby outgrows his infant car seat, travel takes on a whole new challenge: Lugging the toddler car seat. There are many solutions to help ease travel with car seats, particularly for air travel, but this is one of the simplest and most affordable you’ll find. The Traveling Toddler is simply a strap system that attaches your child’s toddler (or convertible) car seat to your rolling carry-on, using the LATCH attachments at the sides and tether over the top. The only requirement is that your rolling suitcase has a handle that locks in place (as most do). Your child can ride strapped into his own car seat as you steer car seat and carry-on in front of you like a stroller. It’s very helpful in getting through the train station or airport, but it’s especially helpful if you’ll be traveling solo with your child and need to get your toddler, car seat, and a carry-on to the gate.
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Cloud b Sleep Sheep On the Go ($18.95)
Soothing nature sounds can be helpful enough during baby's sleep time at home, but they are especially appreciated by parents during travel. The Cloud b Sleep Sheep can help muffle the sounds of three generations of holiday revelers under one roof, diminish the din of street noise outside the hotel window, and simply lend some familiarity to naptimes in strange places like airports and on trains. He provides 4 soothing sounds from nature and doubles as a soft cuddly travel toy, complete with Velcro for attaching to car seat and stroller.
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Star Kids Snack & Play Travel Tray ($19.99)
As the self-confessed owner of multiple travel trays (life savers), I’ve found that this one seems to get the most consistent use. I love it for the large surface area that’s big enough for coloring books or multiple toys, and that the edge is tall enough to truly keep the toys or snacks (or even a rolling sippy cup) on top and within reach. It’s rigid enough to work for drawing, but rolls up to stuff under the stroller or back seat when not needed. Start using it with babies to keep toys in easy reach, keep toddlers entertained with snacks and board books, and you may find you continue to it use on through workbooks and with a portable DVD player for your child traveling in his booster seat.
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Pack less and "vacation" more when your diapers, wipes, infant formula, swim diapers, sunscreen, pool toys, toddler snacks, milk, and juices meet you on arrival. Babies Travel Lite ships baby and toddler supplies to destinations worldwide, and they also offer a great selection of travel gear and accessories for travelers with tots. Visit their site to see all that they offer, and read about my own experience using Babies Travel Lite here. Be sure to tell the lucky parents (or yourself if that's the case) that they can save an extra $5 when they place their order if they use my coupon code "TRAVELS" (not valid for gift certificate purchases), which makes your gift certificate even more valuable. (Remember, you can also enter to win a $100 gift certificate to Babies Travel Lite in the Passports with Purpose Fundraiser on now!)
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Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children ($17.56 on sale now)
Of course, I might be a little biased on this one. But considering that it may help the traveling parents in your life with virtually every trip they’ll take with their child before kindergarten (holiday visits, camping trips, cruise vacations, train trips, road trips, cross-country and overseas flights, and then some), chances are they’ll more than get their money’s worth—or your money’s worth as it may be. Be sure to get your extra 10% off (20% total) with FREE Super Saver Shipping at Amazon by buying from "Travels with Baby Books."
For more gift ideas for traveling parents, see my quick lists:
You may also want to check out these other traveler's gift lists I've enjoyed recently: 7 Gifts to Inspire Your Little Traveler (mostly for school-age children) and Gifts for Traveling Mamas.
Related topics: See Shelly's Helpful hostess gifts from your baby or toddler.
Have a baby or toddler travel dilemma? Email Shelly at examiner(at)travelswithbaby (dot) com or visit www.travelswithbaby.com. Twitter: travelswithbaby
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