I couldn't resist sharing pictures of the two gifts we bought Little Eco for Christmas.

This gorgeous doll is a Little Jenny Wren Doll handmade by Jenny Marshall. I knew this doll was going to be gorgeous as i've long admired Jenny's dolls, however I wasn't prepared for just how sweet she is in real life. She's 100% natural, with cotton skin, wool stuffing, and all natural fibre hair and clothing. 

She even has hand knitted underwear. I felt a little weird taking photos of a dolls underwear, but they are too cute not to share. She also comes with a nightie. 

Yellow is Little Eco's favourite colour. She's going to absolutely love her.

The other gift was an alternative for a not-so-eco toy that Little Eco wanted. She spotted a plastic battery operated cash register in the supermarket a few weeks ago (have you noticed how at this time of year toys get spread across multiple isles so that they are impossible to avoid?). A 'cash register is now all she wants from santa. So I went in search of a timber one, and found this beauty at Honeybee Toys.

This natural wooden cash register has buttons to press, a bell that rings, dials to turn, paper receipts to issue, a place to store coins, and even comes with a scanner and credit card swipe.

I don't think any child would prefer the plastic battery operated alternative.

I love that both these toys could easily last long enough for Little Eco's children and grandchildren to play with them.

Last minute on-line eco toy shopping.

I've just noticed, if you order from Honeybee Toys by today (or by Monday for those of you in metro Melbourne or Sydney) you will have your order before christmas. 

While i'm sharing toy shop love, i'll mention two other on-line toy shops I love: Dragonfly Toys and Spiral Garden. Have you found any other great on-line natural play toy shops?

Just remember, too many toys will simply overwhelm your child

In this frantic lead-up to christmas, just remember, Kids really don't want or need loads of gifts. Just a few carefully chosen gifts is more than enough. We're only giving Little Eco the above two gifts and a christmas stocking. I was about to go on a last minute stocking-stuffer spending spree. Thankfully I stopped myself. Instead i'll be filling Little Eco's stocking with a few small sweets and some craft supplies.

I hope you are enjoying your christmas preparations and aren't getting caught up in the shopping frenzie. I'm avoiding it by simply staying away from the shops.

I'm off to make some gingerbread for a few teacher thank you gifts.

P.S. Isis has finished her Tea zine. I've ordered a copy already and can't wait to get it. It's available from her Etsy store and is full of recipes, tutorials, stories, facts and all things tea. And of course, being an Isis creation, it's made of 100% recycled paper with a 100% recycled cover.

P.S.S Check out the lovely giveaway over at Bambinosteps. It closes tomorrow Friday 17th so be quick. I love her unpaper towels and gift tags.

P.S.S.S. ecoMILF's recent update on a tv free childhood has inspired me to put our TV away AGAIN. Somehow it creeped back into our lives over the past few weeks.