Holiday Gift Ideas 2013!

It's here!!! RettGirl.org's 2013 Holiday Gift Ideas!

We have had so many of you ask us about this year's list, and we are so excited about the great things that have been put together here.  There's really something for everyone regardless of your Rett Girl's abilities or age I think you'll find something great here that she will just LOVE! 

This year we have adopted the gift giving philosophy of  "Something to wear, something to read, something you want and something you need."  Plus, we have ideas of how to incorporate fun outings as gifts that can come from mom and dad, aunts and uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas or anyone!  And we didn't forget the stocking stuffers!!!  

Many of the products can be found in Amazon Smile's new charitable site! We have linked them there to make it easy for you! If you designate Girl Power 2 Cure as your charity when you purchase through Amazon Smile, Girl Power 2 Cure will receive .05% of the proceeds.

Something to Wear:  

Adorable Apron:  For ages 4 and up, this is a great way to get your Rett Girl in on some of the Holiday baking!

Herbal Warming Scarf:  This all natural herbal scarf can be warmed in the microwave before heading out to the bus for school! 

Hat with Built in Speakers:  Keep your Rett Girl warm and looking cute with this great hat with built in speakers, just hook up her mp3 player and she's can listen to her music or audio books while out and about this winter! 

Knit Leg Warmers for Girls:  These are soft, adorable and are one size fits all for girls size 4-16.  

Headphone Earmuffs:  Super soft earmuffs with earphones hidden inside.  

Something to Read:  

The I Like Book: Make a new tradition to snuggle up with your Rett Girl and share something you love about her by jotting it down in her book.  A keepsake to cherish forever!

Read With Me Violet:  This cute puppy pal makes reading fun with five interactive, read-aloud books narrated by Violet. Violet responds to every pet, pat, hug and kiss—press a button on Violet’s collar to start reading and pat his head to turn the page.  Violet sings, cuddles and plays lullabyes too!

Turtle Books: TURTLE BOOKS fill the missing gap in children’s literature. Now you have easy-to-read books that honestly talk about what it’s like to be a child with a disability. Warm, colorful illustrations and simple, beautiful stories offer insights in dealing with children who have physical and mental disabilities.

Audible: This company is run by amazon so it's nice and secure.  There are lots of audio book apps these days but this one offers a HUGE library of books from children's to teens to adults and you can customize your membership.  Listen anywhere with android, iPad or iPhone.

Something you Want:  

Touch Magic By LeapFrog:  There are a few versions of this Touch Magic Board from Leap Frog. Takes no effort to make these boards come to life. The surface is completely smooth, no matter where it’s touched it will make sound or music. 

Butterfly Lights:  These lights are perfect for dressing up your Rett Girl's room or hanging in a special spot!
  
Wheelchair Accessory for Dolls:  Your Rett Girl's favorite doll can be just like her with this doll wheelchair.  

Giant Step-On Keyboard:  Great sensory input for our Rett Girls who are able to walk or crawl or who are still learning!  

Just Me Music:  Personalized CD's or DVD's that sing or say your Rett Girl's name!  

Giant Butterfly:  Beautiful hanging butterfly perfect for your Rett Girl's room.  

The Talk Back Mimicking Doggie:  Reward every sound your Rett Girl makes, this cute dog repeats everything in a cartoonish voice.

Butterfly Wind Spinner:  This is a beautiful wind spinner that works with the wind alone outside or enjoy it during the colder months by bringing it inside, Hang it indoors with this battery and watch it spin for hours.

Touch Magic Guitar:  The slightest touch will get this guitar rocking!  

Glow Worm:  This classic glow worm provides comfort at night.  Or check out this adorable Jumbo Glow Seal!

PicWits! Card Game:

Time to get social! Funny photos and caption game! Perfect for eye gaze and switch communication.

Big Hugs Elmo: This amazing hugging Elmo also sings, sleeps gives imagination activities and more!

Something you Need:  

Himalayan Salt Lamp:  To naturally purify the air in your Rett Girl's bedroom or favorite room of the house.  

Fun Bed Sheets:  Everyone needs new sheets, but these are perfect for a princess!!  

Towel Warmer:  Imagine getting your Rett Girl out of the tub and wrapping her in a heated towel.  

Big Mouth Bib:  This is a great, fun bib that catches EVERYTHING!  

Stocking Stuffers:  

Light Up Shoelaces

Personalized Spinbrush

Bow Holder

Purple String Lights

Knot Genie Brush
 
Girl Power Flower Zipper Pulls

Friends and Family Get Creative

Instead of the typical gifts this year how about giving the gift of your time and friendship:

• Give your special Rett Girl a gift certificate for two movie tickets and let her pick a date for both of you to go.
• Make a home made card with a "coupon" for her to use to go to her favorite restaurant with you.
• Build a movie night basket with her favorite snacks, a blanket and a DVD, then set a date to come over and watch it with her.
• Give her a gift card to your special Rett Girl's favorite store then take her shopping so she can pick out exactly what she wants.
• Create a coupon book for your special Rett Girl filled with things she likes to do, such as: going to the zoo, sleepover, baking, etc. and allow her to "cash" in on them all year long. Whenever she cashes in on a coupon you come over and spend time doing the activity she chose.  

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Visit the GP2C Shop to get T-shirts, decals, fleece, tumblers, buttons and more!

Check out our HOLIDAY TIPS for a less stressful season

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas from previous years:

Holiday Gift Ideas - 2012

Holiday Gift Ideas - 2011

Holiday Gift Ideas - 2010

Holiday Gift Ideas - 2009

Can Salt Be Healthy?

What is Crystal Himalayan Salt?  

Crystal Himalayan Salt is a type of salt mined from salt mines in and around Pakistan.  This crystallized salt, because it's mined deep in the earth, has not been exposed to environmental toxins that are usually found in Sea Salt.

What's Wrong with Table Salt?  

Typical table salt goes through a chemical process to "clean" it. The problem is that this process also strips the salt of all of its minerals, and the final result is simply sodium and chloride which causes all sorts of issues in our body.  When we ingest table salt from either processed foods or from the salt shaker our bodies recognize it as foreign and tries to eliminate as soon as possible.  In order to do this our body goes through a natural process of trying to neutralize the sodium and chloride by pulling water from our cells, these cells can actually dehydrate and then die.  Over time the salt can cause all sorts of health issues such as hypertension, gout, arthritis, and kidney and gall bladder stones.

What Makes Himalayan Salt Different?

Once the Crystal Himalayan Salt is mined it is cleaned and minimally processed so the natural elements and trace minerals are preserved.  The result is a natural, pink colored crystal that contains 84 essential elements. These elements are naturally found in your body so when you ingest it your body recognizes it as nutrition and breaks it down much easier, without the use of excessive water from cells, and distributes the nutrients throughout your body rather than trying to eliminate it from your body.  

What are the Health Benefits of Himalayan Salt?

Because of all the essential elements and minerals that it contains, Himalayan Salt can have many health benefits such as:

• Improving circulation
• Strengthens bone structure
• improves sinus and congestion
• helps to balance blood sugar levels 
• hydrates and promotes a healthy pH balance in your cells
• Improves blood pressure
• Helps maintain muscle tone and strength while eliminating muscle cramps

How do I use Himalayan Salt?  

There are many uses of Himalayan salt and you can get it in many different forms.  

-Larger crystals are usually used in salt baths sometimes called "brine baths".  These brine baths use about a pound or more of salt mixed with very hot water.  The result is a very strong detox that can be beneficially in removing impurities and improving vascular  health but can also be dangerous to those who have high blood pressure or more delicate systems like our Rett Girls.  Instead, try adding just a small amount of salts (a few teaspoons) to her bath, making sure they are completely dissolved and keeping the temperature at a comfortable level for her.  Our skin is the largest organ in our body, sitting in this bath for 20 -30 minutes will give her body enough time to absorb some of the essential minerals. 

- Himalayan Salt can also be used to make "sole."  Sole is essentially salt mixed with water until it is saturated and no more salt can be dissolved in the water.  The sole is then used to make sole solutions which are different concentrations of the sole that can be used for various different things such as a sinus cleanse, mouth wash or even a drink to replenish your electrolytes.  You can find out more about Sole Solutions here:  

- The easiest way to benefit from Himalayan Salt is to just use it in place of your cooking or table salt.  You will be eliminating the harmful salt AND gaining the health benefits of Himalayan salt without changing much at all. Please remember that Himalayan Salt still contains sodium so while it's healthy in moderation you don't want to overuse it.  The USDA recommends no more than 2500 mg. of sodium per day.  

Himalayan Salt can also be turned into a salt lamp.  These lamps are thought to purify the air by neutralizing positive ions.  They have also been studied to help alleviate the symptoms of asthma and allergies.  You can find out more about Himalayan Salt Lamps here.

Will Our Rett Girls Benefit From Himalayan Salt?

Many of our Rett Girls have digestion issues which can cause malabsorption of many minerals.  Without absorbing essential minerals our girls are at a much higher risk to experience health issues (see the health benefits list above).  Adding Himalayan Salt to their diet can supply our girls with the trace minerals that their bodies may be lacking and in turn may help to ease some of their symptoms.

PLEASE NOTE: Although this is a very safe and natural product it is always best to check with your Rett Girl's doctor before trying anything new.