PureWow: The 35 Best Gifts for 2-Year-Old

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At one year of age, most tots are content to sit on a floor mat and knock around a bunch of multi-colored cups. But those days are decidedly over once they reach the two-year mark. We’re in the Toddler Zone™. Now, you have to consider a lot more than just choking-hazard avoidance when choosing a gift. After all, 2-year-olds are famously fickle, and because their verbal and emotional skills are developing so rapidly, they require more stimulation than they used to. They also have—*gasp*—opinions and preferences, which makes them scary customers.

Fear not, we considered over a hundred toddler-appropriate products from our own playrooms and research, as well as surveyed our extensive toddler-chasing networks to create this curated, 35-item list of gifts for 2-year-olds. So whether you’re shopping for someone else’s child or eager to find a toy that will keep your own offspring occupied for (at minimum, fingers crossed) 15 minutes, got you covered. From Washable Tempera Paint Sticks ($10) to a Woom Balance Bike ($249), check out our list specifically designed to take the guesswork out of toddler-pleasing.

How We Chose the Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

Two-year-olds have a reputation for big feelings, big outbursts and big opinions. They might just be more volatile than radioactive plutonium. So, in order to protect you from an explosive tantrum, we brought you the best toys, books, stuffies and more from our own lives—and excluded the things gathering dust in the attic. We also painstakingly pored over reviews of top sellers, taking into account quality, function, return policy and of course, age-appropriateness.

Where to Find the Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

Want endless options with easy returns? Big box e-commerce sites like Amazon, Walmart and Target are great spots to scour for gifts. For unique or personalized gifts, we love Uncommon Goods and Etsy. For access to customer service, sometimes it’s best to purchase directly from the independent brand, like Hanna Andersson or Woom. We also love shops that give back, like The Elephant Project, where certain purchases go directly to helping wildlife.

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BEST GIFT THAT GIVES BACK

17. The Elephant Project’s Kiki, Tembo or Lulu

  • What We Like: proceeds benefit animals, teaches empathy

  • What We Don't Like: nothing

  • Return Policy: final sale

Meet Kiki, Tembo, Oba and Lulu. They’re 8-inch-tall stuffies, and when you buy one, 100 percent of net proceeds go to organizations that help each type of animal. For example, if you buy Kiki or Tembo the elephants, your purchase can help fight the poaching crisis and provide care to injured, abandoned, orphaned and abused elephants. If you go with Oba the lion, your purchase benefits big cats in need. And if you opt for Lulu the dog, you’ll help save dogs from abuse and neglect in the United States and abroad. (They’re also available in bundles if you can’t choose.) While the nitty gritty details might be a little intense for your 2-year-old, they’ll certainly be all ears for “helping elephants” and love toting their new little dolls around.

Manhattan's Top Tastemakers & Philanthropists Share Their Guide To Giving

Celebrated for their expert eye, we asked some of Manhattan's top tastemakers and power philanthropists to share their guide to giving.

OLIVIA CHANTECAILLE

“I think the spirit of giving has always been important, perhaps now it feels more prominent because of the current crucial state of our planet,” says Olivia Chantecaille. “People are very aware and thankfully want to make a positive impact on the wellbeing of all and our future generations.” As the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Chantecaille, Chantecaille crafts collections that support a variety of causes including Marine Conservation Institute, Cheetah Conservation Fund, Yellowstone Forever, amongst many others. “Since our first Les Papillons collection in 2006 that supported the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Chantecaille has created 110 conservation inspired products that have supported 35 philanthropy groups focused on endangered species, wild land and oceans and the local people. We work very closely with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which helps to rescue wild, orphaned, baby elephants, as well as protect wild lands from poachers. This fall we worked with the American Wild Horse Campaign to help protect our country’s very own wild mustangs that are meant to live freely on our protected public lands.” The glow getter encourages all to make a difference if they follow their heart. “There is so much good in the world and good intentions. If someone truly cares about a cause their genuine feeling will have significant ripple effects.” Here, she offers her guide to giving.

PureWow: 61 Totally Unique Gifts Your Best Friend Will Love, No Matter the Holiday

Your best friend knows you better than anyone. (Who else would rock with you to Backstreet Boys on any given Wednesday night?) And over the years, she’s been there for you no matter what. All of which means it’s always a good time to treat her to something special. To help you find the best gifts for best friends, we researched nearly 150 products, eventually narrowing our list down to 61. And while we’re partial to this handy wine aerator($60) and these ultra soothing CBD bath salts ($38), we’d happily snag any of the below presents for our besties.

How We Chose the Best Gifts for Best Friends

We chose these gifts based on our personal experiences with many of the products as well as deep dives into the customer reviews of others. While choosing our list, we considered value (How much bang-for-the-buck do you get?), durability (Will it last? Does it need to?) and of course the “wow” factor you’re looking for when shopping for a gift. Specifically, we looked at: 

  • Budget: Everyone has a different financial situation, so we made sure to include BFF-worthy gifts at a variety of price points. 

  • Diversity: The best part about friendships is that everybody is different. Not every bestie will appreciate the same thing, so we found tons of presents for all types of people, ranging from the pregnant friend to the long-distance gal pal.

  • Accessibility: We stuck to retailers that we know and love, and everybody can access.

  • Customer ratings and reviews: In order to land on our list, every item had to have a 4-star rating or higher from buyers. We scoured reviews to ensure users were happy with their purchases.

  • Personal experience: Over the years, we at PureWow have definitely given (and received!) some amazing gifts. We’ve added a ton of our favorites throughout, like this sweet Birthday Wish candle ($30).

BEST UNIQUE GIFT FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND

24. The Elephant Project Stuffed Animal

  • What We Like: it’s a gift that gives back

  • What We Don’t Like: you can’t choose which nonprofit the money goes to

  • Return Policy: not stated

This all-female company is on a mission to save the elephants — 100% of the net proceeds from every purchase go to non-profits that care for orphaned, abused and injured elephants. Not only will she cherish the sweet stuffed animal you choose for her (or, you know, give it to her niece), but she’ll also know your friendship played a part in helping keep the elephant population alive.

CountryLiving: 51 Best Gifts for Any and Every 10 Year Old Girl

As reviewed by the experts themselves: 10 year-old girls.

Gifting for any girl can be tough, whether they're 2 or 72. But tweens might just take the cake when it comes to the hard-to-gift-for category. Somewhere in the gray area of too old for toys they just played with a few years ago and too young for the makeup and tech accessories their older, teenage siblings have on their wishlists, it's a tough demographic to nail down. 

Fortunately, we asked the experts to weigh in here, with those experts being our own editors' kids. Because who knows what a 10 year-old girl wants better than a 10 year-old girl? Whether they love spending their afternoons outside, prefer the quiet solitude of a good book, or are all in on the latest trends, every type of gal is covered on this list. But, the truth is, while she may seem like an enigma to you right now, 10 year-old girls really haven't changed that much, which is why we were also sure to include more than a few classic gifts on this list too, like some family-favorite board games. 

Just in case you were worried her tastes might run a little too high for your budget, fear not: there's tons of 10 year-old girl approved and budget-friendly picks on this list. And if you're shopping last minute, not to worry. We won't tell her you procrastinated and we have tons of gifts on this list that qualify for 2-day delivery on Amazon! And if you're on the hunt for the perfect gift for another kiddo on your list, we've got you covered with these popular gift guides.

Best Gifts for 10 Year Old Girls

Purewow: 60 Unique Gifts for Grandma, From a Pet Portrait to a Personalized Apron

Nana, grandma, grammy—no matter what you call your beloved grandmother, she deserves a gift that’s as special as she is. To get an idea of what she really wants, we asked the grandmas in our lives to tell us what presents would truly make their day.

Whether she’s an avid gardener, morning walker, TV binger or bookworm—there’s a gift on this list that is perfectly personalized for her. From a fancy KitchenAid stand mixer ($450) to a custom pet portrait (from $70), here are 60 gifts for grandma (or your mom, if the gift is “from the kids”) that she’ll appreciate and *actually* use.

How We Chose the Best Gifts for Grandma

To cull this list, we polled the grandmothers in our lives, asking them about products and services they’d love to receive. Then, we scrupulously researched the available options at our favorite, editor-approved brands, taking into account buyer reviews, price points and return policies. We also recommended products that our editors have personally tested, vetted and loved.

After Saving Thousands of Elephants from Captivity, The Elephant Project Debuts “Lulu” to Raise Proceeds for Dogs Tormented by China’s Black-Market Meat Trade

Despite being man’s best friend for thousands of years, dogs still face unbearable cruelty all over the globe. From the millions of strays scavenging for food in India to the pups poorly bred in puppy mills across in the U.S., not every pooch is given the luxury of a cozy bed and an endlessly-filled water bowl. When it comes to the dogs living an existence of torment and despair, perhaps there is no worse example than the harrowing meat trade in China. Despite the official declaration in 2020 from the government that outlawed the use of dogs for livestock, every year thousands of dogs are stolen, kidnapped, or picked up as strays to be sold to black-market slaughterhouses where they meet their gruesome fate. 

Kristina McKean, Founder and CEO of The Elephant Project, the Santa Barbara-based philanthropic toy company that donates all the proceeds from its plushies to animal rescue efforts, is using the power of the company’s latest stuffed animal, Lulu, to raise awareness and funds for these dogs in need. A long-time animal lover, McKean founded the company in 2017 after witnessing the cruelty of tourist elephant rides in Thailand — with a goal to donate all the sales of her toys to the elephant sanctuaries, orphanages, and aligned organizations that are committed to their saving and rehabilitation. Since founding the company, she has released three elephant plushies that have aided in bringing hundreds of elephants to proper sanctuaries where they can be given the livelihood they deserve. Now, McKean is taking this same approach to support organizations dedicated to re-homing rescued dogs from the cruel underground meat-trade in China. 

“I hope that with the introduction of Lulu and the animals before her, we can encourage a compassionate mindset in people of all ages, fostering empathy and nurturing a sense of responsibility for animals in need,” said McKean. “With an array of beautiful pups of every breed seeking homes, we truly have the power to make a meaningful difference by providing these precious animals with a safe and loving environment.” 

Earlier this year, McKean was able to visit the source of her company’s initial inspiration, Elephant Nature Park, where she finally greeted many of the elephants that The Elephant Project played a key role in saving. During her journey, she had the opportunity to meet the beloved Baby Chaba, a rescued baby elephant and the real-world living counterpart to The Elephant Project’s SaveUs™ collection mini plushie. She also shadowed the work of Lek Chailert, Founder of Elephant Nature Park, who serves as an ongoing source of inspiration to McKean due to her relentless efforts to rescue and take care of thousands of animals from elephants, cats, dogs, horses, monkeys, and more. Despite McKean’s renewed hope in the ability of those like her and Chailert to bring all suffering animals to a place of safety and shelter, she was reminded of the continuous cruel conditions taking place in Thailand, as she witnessed a popular “riding camp” where elephants are chained and treated horribly with bullhooks— a gut-wrenching reminder of why The Elephant Project remains committed to its mission at hand.

“We want to maintain a true, real-time understanding of the work these nonprofits are doing and the various ways our community can get involved through a toy purchase or a direct donation, and beyond,” McKean said in the aftermath of her visit to Thailand. “Ultimately, that’s our core business goal: to support these organizations and amplify the impact they’re having on the protection of these precious creatures.” 

In the latest effort to aid the organizations dedicated to protecting the innocent animals of our planet, The Elephant project is unveiling Lulu— the 8-inch long adorable, huggable plushie that proudly bears the message “Adopt, Don’t Shop” on her hangtag. McKean’s inspiration for Lulu came after observing the remarkable efforts of the women at Slaughterhouse Survivors, an organization dedicated to aiding dogs affected by China’s ongoing meat trade. The California-based nonprofit has been rescuing these tortured pups since 2016, having successfully rescued more than 4,500 dogs since— working with the locals in Harbin, China who embrace the mission of bringing these precious pups the protection and well-being they need. 

The launch of Lulu represents the company’s efforts to make a tangible and meaningful difference in the lives of dogs in rescues and shelters across the United States and beyond. The new plush toy was carefully crafted out of the softest plush fabric, making it a great gift for kids to serve as their cuddly companions. More importantly, McKean vows to use all the proceeds from Lulu’s sales to support local and international animal rescue initiatives, with a heavy emphasis on helping rehome the abused dogs in China. 

“Creating Lulu and others before her was no easy task,” continued McKean. “We constantly strive for quality and focus on detail with every creation. We hope her release prompts us all to remember the importance of adopting and fostering, ultimately contributing to a brighter future for dogs who make incredible companions.” 

You can support the company’s efforts by purchasing Lulu or any of the other available plush toys by visiting https://www.theelephantproject.com.

Thrifty Nifty Mommy: The BEST Gifts for Kids Who Love Animals – Over 45 Gift Ideas!

If you’re shopping for gifts for kids who love animals, you’ve come to the right place! My kids are animal lovers. Truly, they just LOVE animals! They love to visit the zoo and often play with animal toys at our house. We have 2 dogs, a hamster, and a fish, and they love their pets so much. I know that lots of other children love animals too, so today I wanted to share a list of the BEST gifts for kids who love animals. 

Save The Herd: Kiki + Tembo + Baby Chaba Bundle — The Elephant Project

Photo Credit: www.theelephantproject.com

Any child who loves animals is sure to love this gift! Not only are they getting an adorable stuffed elephant, but you can also tell them that when you purchase one of these adorable stuffed elephants, 100% of net proceeds go to various organizations that help aid in fighting the poaching crisis and also provide care to injured, abandoned, orphaned, and abused elephants!

Kiki is an 8" stuffed elephant doll made out of soft grey fabric and a beautiful pink dress. Tembo, meaning 'elephant' in Swahili, is an 8" stuffed elephant doll made out of soft grey fabric and green overalls. Chaba is the newest addition to the herd.

You can purchase these adorable elephants individually or as a group.

Nice News: Buy an Elephant, Save an Elephant

These stuffed animals are more than just the perfect gift for a young person in your life — they can also enact positive change. When you purchase the adorable elephants Kiki or Tembo, 100% of the net proceeds go to organizations that help fight the poaching crisis.

The money also goes toward aiding injured, abandoned, orphaned, and abused elephants. You can help The Elephant Project continue to improve and save the lives of many elephants, from babies to elders, that would otherwise continue to suffer or die due to greed, inhumane treatment, competition for resources, and loss of critical habitats.

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You can now also find us in Diani Boutique in Santa Barbara and Beverly Hills Hotel.
and online at Maisonette, and Gifts for Good.