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So far here's a list of holiday shopping favorites:

Etsy

Mountain Rose Herbs - Lucy desperately wanted to make lip balm as gifts, so when Amy linked to this shop back in October, we placed an order. I'll write more about that later. It's been the inspiration for many other projects and most excitingly, our spring science plans. Big trouble fun.

Blueberry Forest - This spot seems to have the best prices on Haba etc. I am completely in love with the Russian block set. It is all I can think about, but I can't talk myself into ordering it. Yet. They also clearly state the country of origin - Some of the Haba stuff is MIC.

Casey's Wood Products Amanda linked to this a few weeks ago. I couldn't resist the Christmas trees, the bee hive, the teeny-tiny dishes which would be perfect for pretend tea time. And the acorns, of course. I may screw in a loop for Christmas decorations. Or I may not. They are so beautiful as is.

Another fun Christmas time find: You know those tree blocks? Well they're expensive and not completely practical for us. But I asked my husband to bring home as many fir Christmas tree stumps as he can (the nurseries cut a few inches off the bottom of fresh trees so they'll "drink" better. Pine is a bit rough, but my children are really enjoying building and playing with the fir stumps. They are a bit sappy and rough, but it matters not. When they dry I'll take my orbital sander and smooth them out a bit. The nurseries usually just toss the stumps. They may not give them to you or they may not have any on hand, but it's worth asking. My Dad sent over some scrap lumber to use as kindling and the children loved playing with the rougher, odd shapes as opposed to square blocks. It has been the same story with the tree blocks. Interesting.

There are so many other ideas for shopping and handmade goods that I can't share because my family reads this site. I'm so happy to find these shops, all thanks to linky bloggers.

Comments

[Kellie]

You know my dad builds cabinets and the girls' favorite thing to do when we're visiting is to go into his shop and play with all the wood scraps and sawdust. They love to make cities, buildings and letters out of them. If I were to spend $75 on a nice set of blocks, they would probably play with them once and never touch them again.

[Jennifer]

The idea of the natural fir blocks recycled from something that is so available at this time of year is terrific!

[Mary G.]

Oh thanks! Now you've blown my santa budget and ideas .... I really like that Blueberry Forest site but dh works for the Catholic church!!!!!

Maybe they'll have after-Christmas sales (which is why I think my parents -- and now all my siblings and I -- do our stockings on Little Christmas - Jan 6th, Feast of the Epiphany -- to make FULL USE of after Christmas sales!

Blessings for a thoroughly wondrous time on Christmas morn!

[Heather]

I LOVE Etsy. They have some wonderfully talented people there. I also have a little teeny tiny shop that I wish I could update more frequently. :) I have started doing my Christmas shopping there. I LOVE those wood blocks, so nice!

[Kathy]

As Cozy as Spring's looking a little winter-y. I love the tree!