At once ingenious, practical, adorable and high quality, here are the big trends for Christmas 2018, according to the experts at Charlotte and Charlie:
Long live wood!
Forget plastic: natural wood has been all the rage for a few years now. And companies are offering a variety of toys and accessories made of sustainable wood that will last for years. This trend is also part of the nostalgia movement: parents will be able to relive the memories of the wooden toys they themselves received, but this time in an improved version!
In terms of colors, two styles are emerging: soft, organic shades for toddlers and brightly painted wood for action-oriented toys.
Among our favorites, we find in store new models of teepees from the "signature collection" of Babilles et Babioles , a beautiful company from Quebec. We also like the activity cubes that promote the development of fine motor skills in toddlers, like this model of little insects from the Hape brand . Finally, impossible to resist this fawn carrier from Le Toy Van (photo).
It's rolling!
Small cars are certainly a classic. That's why Charlotte and Charlie's boutiques are offering even more models this year. But how can you renew this fascination with driving? With these great ideas!
Traveling parents can pass on their passion with this camper from Le Toy Van.
For several years, the high-performance Maxi Micro evolutionary scooter has been a hit with children aged 5 to 11.
A new product that catches the eye: the flexible Way to play road (photo) , which adheres to all surfaces. Children can even place it in the snow or on the sand. A wipe with a cloth and off they go again!
Let's play as a family
In recent years, board games seem to be popular again among Quebec families. Fostering relationships and communication between generations and family members, these games are also a way to have a good time while developing a healthy competitive spirit.
Discover this new series of games listed by age from Ravensburger at Charlotte and Charlie.
Another new feature is the addition of several board games and boards revisited by Janod for children, such as chess (photo) , checkers, ludo, etc.
Let the music play
Musical toys are always popular with children, who love to discover new sounds, learn to play an instrument (for older children) or simply let loose! A word of advice: choose a toy with an adjustable sound. This will avoid a lot of headaches!
Among the vast selection, we remember this musical set of four instruments made of wood, from Hape .
We fell in love with the Hape brand ukulele .
Or why not a wooden battery (photo) !
To imitate is to play
It is well known that between the ages of 2 and 5, toddlers like to imitate their parents. It is not surprising that dolls, play kitchens, building blocks and a host of toys reproducing everyday objects remain safe bets, year after year. These toys have multiple functions: developing fine motor skills, exploring imaginary worlds, asserting themselves and encouraging autonomy, among other things.
Still as popular, the Corolle doll is diversifying even more each year, with new models.
"Do you want ketchup on your pâté?" Your child can improvise as a mini-chef with this retro-style wooden kitchenette from the Happy Days brand .
We love the Twistiti watches (photo) which help children learn to tell the time: the animal models are perfect for children aged 3 and over, while the number models are for children aged 6 and over.
Soft stuffed animals
Stuffed animals, dolls and plush toys are always good sellers at this time of year. Why? Because they have a reassuring effect on young children, even calming. They become the child's friend, confidant, ally and can even comfort him when he is upset.
We love the Kaloo doll collection, easy to handle and cuddle for little ones. There are even models of boy dolls .
Timeless, Jellycat stuffed animals are among the softest and most comforting in their category. Young and old alike love to snuggle up to them!
We love the reversible Liliputiens puppets (photo) which also allow you to create, mime and tell your own stories.
Christmas galore
Even before Christmas Eve, we unwrap these objects with holiday prints and themes to fully experience the Christmas atmosphere:
Little Unicorn Happy Holidays Cotton Muslin Blankets.
The beautiful Christmas stockings from Velvet Moustache , a beautiful Quebec company. Psst! The plaid model is brand new!
Petit Lem's must-have Christmas pajamas.
In the Christmas stocking
What to put in the Christmas stocking? There are certainly more original things than candy and socks. Find little attentions, smart accessories and travel-sized toys that will make your children's eyes shine.
Attention nostalgics: kaleidoscopes are back! The manufacturer Moulin Roty offers pretty models to admire the colors and shapes. Another smart object from the brand is the story lamp , which will replace the book before bedtime. To discover with the family!
Toddlers are all about sensations: they crave colors, sounds, and textures, as well as small shapes that they can easily grab. We love Skip Hop's avocado-shaped activity toy that attaches to the stroller, Bulle's rattles to chew on - made of wood and silicone -, as well as Loulou Lollipop's teething toys and pacifier clips .
Got a little space left in the Christmas stocking? Slip in this set of Pico Christmas temporary tattoos .
For more gift ideas, check out the Holiday Shop section.
Happy shopping!
