I didn’t want to give you a list of the hottest DVDs of the season, because well, you know what they are already.  I wanted to introduce you to some little treasures I’ve come across that you should get.

I have two kids that are always on the go. Madison, my 4 year old, never ever stops. She literally bounces off the walls 24-7. Will is a tad more laid back, but at 18 months, he really is on the go most of the time. A great DVD I found to help wind both kids down is Zen Baby. I wish I came across this DVD when my kids were younger, because I would have loved to start using it then.  This DVD is full of relaxing music and awesome images:  baby faces, bees, clouds, grass, water, and bubbles just to name a few.  Zen Baby has also received six awards since its release including the Dr. Toy Best Children’s Products and the National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval.  This is also the perfect length; it holds Madison’s attention and that is a difficult feat.  I even have found that it has inspired my kids to take a closer look at things.  This is a great movie to watch right before bedtime, naptime, or just when the kids needs to sit down and take a break.

The Child King is about a boy with Down’s syndrome who takes his little brother to the North Pole to find Santa Claus.  The younger brother has his doubt about Santa, and Jeremy, the older brother, was to prove it to him.  This is a great movie that teaches the importance of reaching for the stars.  This is something I definitely want to install in my children — that everything is possible.  Besides this being a great movie, all proceeds from the DVD sales are donated to individuals and organizations that help those with intellectual disabilities.  I don’t want to give away whether or not they find Santa, but this should definitely be on your holiday watching list.

Do you have a pressure cooker and would like to learn how to use it? A pressure cooker is one of the things we ask for; yet, we have no idea how to use it effectively. Pressure Cooking: A Fresh Look, Delicious Dinners in Minutes has now come to the rescue.  While you are watching this 75 minute DVD, you will actually feel like you are in a cooking class.  Jill Nussinow has been teaching pressure cooking for over 12 years, so she definitely knows her stuff.  Did you know that vegetable soup cooks in just 3 minutes in a pressure cooker?  I didn’t either!  You also reduce your energy usage, by using a pressure cooker.  I also love that she showed me if I could boil water, than I could use a pressure cooker.  It isn’t any harder than that.  I also love that this DVD gives you 14 recipes to try including Hot Cereal with Cranberries, Apples, and Walnuts (which only takes 3 minutes to make!).   If you own a pressure cooker, this is a DVD you definitely need to add to your collection.

We all know we need to exercise more.  However, the majority of us gets into a rut and we quit.  Heading into 2009, how many of us have New Years Resolutions that involve getting healthier?  Moving Free Longevity Solution is the answer to all of us who find most of the other DVDs and prgrams out there too demanding.  If you are looking for videos that you can actually do and follow, these are it.  It is a slower approach that has more easily attainable short term goals.  Do you have five minutes a day to dedicate towards excerise?  Then you can do this program.

You start with the Ease-In DVD which has 6 workouts (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minute workouts).  You do the 5 minute workout until it feels like it is too easy.  Then you move up to the 10 minute workout, and just keep repeating.  Once 30 minutes seems too easy, then you are ready to move up.  This is where most fitness programs start at.  Now you are ready for Cardio Dance Level One, Strength Level 1, and Flexibility Level 1.  Level 2 for all of these DVDs is coming out in 2009.  This is an exercise program that we can all follow and pick up at any point in our lives.

These DVDs all would make great additions to anyone’s DVD collection.  Make sure you go check them out.

Build A Bear has outdone itself this year.  I though they had some of the cutest stuffed animals before this year.  However, with their introduction of Hal and Holly Moose, they have truly outdone themselves.  These have to be the cutest stuffed animals they have.  You can dress them in holiday gear or even street clothes.  You get the book about them for free if you buy both (otherwise, the book is $15.99).   The book lets us know that Hal is a dreamer who wants to fly with Santa’s reindeer.  Holly is a inventor who is always there to help her brother on all of his adventures.  Like all Build A Bears, these are a high quality stuffed animal that will stand the wear and tear of your children.

If you are looking for a great holiday gift for the kids who has everything, Hal and Holly Moose definitely fit the bill!

Im Not Santa! is a cute book about a case of mistaken identity.  It takes a visit from the Jolly Old Man himself to sort this out.  This book is perfect for any little kids that have short attention spans.  It is simple and to the point.  The illustrations are great too.   I would actually say that this is more of a picture book than a story book.  This is under a series of books by the author.  Some other great choices would be Im Not Cute! and Im Not Scared!

Until recently, I had never heard of the Cole Family Christmas.  However, this is a story that has been passed down from generation to generation.  Hazel Kendle, 88, told the story to her granddaughter who got it down on paper for all of us to enjoy.  More than 20 family members have had their hand in making this book come alive to us new to the story.

Hazel was one of the nine Cole children in the story.  The tale is based on what really happened that Christmas when they were allowed to pick what they wanted from Santa from the Sears catalog.  Since the Cole family were poor, this was an event that did not happen often.  Unfortunately, a blizzard hit, and they ended up with a snowy Christmas surprise instead.

The back story of this book alone made me want to read this book myself.  It truly shows the importance of getting your family history down on paper, so others can enjoy the stories you know and love.  This book is for 10 – 12 years old.  However, we have been reading it to our kids (who are 4 and 1).  The chapters are short enough that we can read one a night and still keep their interest.  Now, I read it in one sitting and loved it.  My kids like the illustrations too.

This book is about the true spirit of Christmas and is a must read for everyone.

I never thought Braincandy would infiltrate my household like it has. My 4 year old and my 1 year old are absolutely in love with the Hear My World DVD from Braincandy. My daughter (the 4 year old) has begged me to buy the rest of the series. That is how much she enjoys this movie.

Now this DVD does not go by Hear My World in this house.  Instead, it is referred to as the ear movie (can you figure out why?).  The movie is all about the sounds you hear.  There is a lot of singing and they have short little skits.  My kids love it.  The skits are just long enough to hold their attention.  Every time the singing starts, Will (my 1 year old) starts dancing.  It is both cute and funny at the same time.

The great part of these movies is that they are both learning and not realizing it.  Braincandy has won 35 awards and industry endorsements, so they must be doing something right!  I know that Madison goes around singing their theme song “Braincandy” that plays at the beginning of the video.  I know Santa will be bringing some of these videos come Christmas time at my house.  If you need an awesome present, definitely look into getting some of these DVDs.