buy this, not that!

have you ever seen those "eat this, not that!" links or books? they offer you the healthier choices to pick at restaurants and fast food places.

well, in the midst of the shopping frenzy of this season, i offer you a few buy this, not that! options...
a few of my friends have etsy shops chock full of cuteness. what could be better than handmade gifts?

tricia is one of my sister's best friends, and sells the sweetest things for little ones. (the name of her shop, sweeter than sweets is appropriate!) my favorite are the hooded towel and washcloth sets, which are so reasonably priced and so cute!

so cute for a boy or girl-and only twenty dollars! love all of these.

or a cute headband...

there are also tons of cute clips

like these.

next up? small fry crafts.

my friend ren handsews these adorable little soft friends.

m and ruby have quite a collection of these, and just love them. 

made out of felt, they are the only stuffed friends that populate m's room that i think are cute too!

perfect little stocking stuffer!

(love the little xo)

if you don't need or want any more stuffed friends in your house, you can buy some little (but super strong) magnets:

i don't know about your little one, but m is obsessed with magnets these days!

last up, my friend nicole runs deliajude the shoppe!

i've raved before about her garland of the month club, because it is the easiest way to have joy pop up in your mailbox once a month. they are perfect to keep or pass along to a friend, and they slip right into a card for easy mailing to long distance friends. i love them.

you never know what kind of garland will show up!

she also has other great crafting odds and ends, 

like bakers twine 

or

mini clothespins

or

make a bunting yourself!

(just a few options for non-big box shopping...happy gifting!)

do you have any favorite etsy shops i should know about?