Gift giving is relatively easy when little ones are 3 years old—the name of the game is to be thoughtful and practical. But, let's be honest, how can you possibly give a gift to someone who has a new interest by the second? Pair that with your desires to get something fun, functional (we know you're tired of seeing toys around the house they played with for two minutes) and even educational, and the stress will make us wish we were dealing with a tantrum. Okay, not really. But, if you're the parent of a threenager, the last thing you need is any more drama in your life.

We hear you, mama. That's why we selected 19 picks that are sure to make any preschooler smile this holiday season as they develop their independence and growing personality.

Tabletop easel 

alex easel

We 💜 this wide base easel that's sure to inspire hours of imaginative play. Gift it solo or pair it with Farm Finger Crayons, another one of our faves.

$49.99
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North Face toddler moondoggy down jacket

North Face Down Jacket

This is one of our tried-and-true kid favorites for both style and quality. Warm without being bulky and available in tons of great colors. Pro tip: Buy a size up so you can use it for next year, too.

$110
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OmieBox

OmieBox

We are all for anything that inspires our preschooler want to finish a meal. The chic design makes this lunch box one of our go-to's. It's easy to clean and the separate temperature zones means you can store ANYTHING in it.

$39.50
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Mr. Tail dress up tails for kids

Mr. Tail Dress Up Tail

Bring a cool tail on your little one's next adventure! These adorable handmade tails—we're partial to the gold and red one, we have to say—are comfortable, lightweight and sure to become a regular travel buddy.

$32.51
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Petit Pehr alphabet sheet set

Petit Pehr Alphabet Sheet Set

Keep your kiddos comfy in their new big kid bed and work on those numbers and letters! These soft cotton sheets make the perfect addition to any preschooler's bedroom.

$79
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Spark. Create. Imagine. pop-up play tunnel

Pop-Up Play Tunnel

Few things in life are cuter than watching kiddos laugh and play through tunnels. We love that this one is super lightweight and portable so you can take the fun whereever you go.

$12.88
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Reebok Classics shoes 

Reebok Classics Classic Leather

It's all about being sturdy and stylish when it comes to toddler shoes. Your little one will feel comfy while the durable rubber sole gives them traction to run the playground. And no worries, if white isn't your thing, there are several other cool colors.

$37.97
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Odette Williams kids apron

Odette Williams Kids' Apron

This beautiful linen apron will inspire your little one to get cooking this holiday season. (You can add on wooden cooking utensils and even a monogram) Great for pretend play, too!

$40
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Barbie Dreamplane play set

barbie dream plane

Barbie is a classic and we especially love this one Instill in your little one because it helps Imaginations take flight. The plane doubles as a vehicle, too.

$59
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Literati book subscription box

Literati Book Subscription Box

Books are one of our favorite gifts to give—so why not give a whole box? Literati expertly curates the best of the best personalized for your kiddo each month, then offers a great discount on anything you decide to keep. Genius!

$9.95
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PlanToys preschool alphabet A-Z

PlanToys Preschool Alphabet A-Z

This deceptively simple set hits so many important skill sets—learning the alphabet, matching and writing letters. Your preschooler will love the bright colors and adorable animals, and you'll love the eco-friendly materials and mess-reducing carry bag.

$35.99
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This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World

This Is How We Do It

Give your little one a peek into the daily lives of seven kids from around the world. This thoughtful, beautifully illustrated picture book will spark your preschooler's curiosity about the world around them.

$15.29
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Magna-Tiles

Magna-Tiles

We realize this isn't the most inspired gift pick, but if we had to pick the one toy our preschooler goes back to again and again, this would be it. They are truly a must-have!

$49.98
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PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Super PAWs lookout tower play set

PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Playset

Standing at an impressive nearly 3-feet tall, this action-packed tower is the ultimate PAW Patrol headquarters. Any 3-year-old will love sending pups up to the top of the tower and back down on the mighty zip line.

$78
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Play-Doh slime variety 6-pack

Play-Doh

Play-doh got a major upgrade this holiday (even we like playing with the foam!). Preschoolers will keep hands busy with multi-colored krackle, stretch and fluffy slimes, as well as a blue foam.

$14.99
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Clover Baby & Kids pajamas

Clover Baby & Kids

We're obsessed with these jammies that offer softness with the right amount of stretch. And, the hassle-free shoulder snaps make it easy for mamas to put on and off.

$36.00
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OMG Accessories Unicorn crossbody bag

Your unicorn-loving fashionista will love everything about this crossbody bag. It has just the right amount of sparkle and and an adorable rainbow zipper. Parents will appreciate the adjustable straps and the fact that their toddler can carry their own snacks around in their purse!

$24
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Build a snowman kit

This sweet little kit comes with everything your toddler needs to build the best snowperson in the neighborhood. We love that it comes in a convenient bag to grab on the next snow day and those wooden buttons are just too cute.

$19.99
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Garnet Hill kids' boiled wool slipper boots

Garnet Hill Kids' Boiled Wool Slipper Boots

If you're looking for breathable wool that keeps little feet warm and comfy, Garnet Hill slipper boots are worth a try. Fans rave about the knit cuff that makes them a breeze to get on and off and the whimsical creatures and characters make them favorites for kids too.

$48
Buy Now


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I rented maternity clothes for my pregnancy—here's what I tried

I have a love-hate relationship with maternity clothes. On one hand, I love them because they make me feel comfortable as my bump grows, without anything getting in the way of my breathing or baby's movement. On the other hand, I've really struggled finding items that are my style—which I admit is very particular—or don't cost a ton of money.

During my first pregnancy I bought a bunch of basic pregnancy outfits and tried to include some of my non-maternity favorites in the mix. Sometimes it worked, sometimes in the middle of a work day I had to run to the bathroom to unzip my high waisted skirt because it was too much to handle. By the time baby came, I realized I had spent a ton of money on clothing that I barely wore, and passed them on to other pregnant friends (some items still with tags on.)

With my second pregnancy, I decided I needed to be comfortable above all, but also not spend a ton of money on fast pregnancy fashion because these months go super fast and I'm trying to be more environmentally conscious. I had tried clothing subscription services before (hello wedding season!) and loved being able to wear different outfits I otherwise wouldn't have been able to. After doing some research, I found three subscriptions that offer maternity clothes. I tried them out in an attempt to dress better while sporting a huge bump and to save money and keep my closet decluttered. The best part was that if I really loved something, I had the chance to purchase it at a super discounted price.

Here are the three maternity clothing subscription services I tried:

Amoire

Amoire Style

About the service: This is a fairly new service and it's currently priced at $149 a month. Once you sign up, you take a style quiz by picking from a group of eight photos of the looks you like the most. Once you are done defining your style, you give your current sizing and then tell your stylist what you are looking for. You get four pieces at a time that you can wear as many times as you want, then return and get new items to wear.

More to know: Unlike other clothing services, you cannot pick from an endless list of clothes what you'd like to receive in your shipment. Instead, you have to go through a stylist who sends picks for you. To be honest, I found this a little annoying since I kept asking for rompers and pants, but kept getting blouses and dresses in my orders. So it did take some back and forth until my stylist sent me things I actually wanted to wear.

My thoughts: I received a mix of maternity and non-maternity clothes that were all bump friendly. The quality of all of them was great and some came with tags, which meant I was the first one ever wearing that piece of clothing.

$149
Buy Now

NUULY

Nuuly

About the service: This subscription is priced at $88 per month for six pieces at a time. The difference between Nuuly and other services is that you cannot return items to get new ones during the month—you return all of them at the same time and get six new ones the next month. This was a bit of a learning curve for me as I was used to sending back things that didn't fit or I didn't like to maximize my month of rental.

More to know: This service provides clothes from more edgy brands, like Urban Outfitters, Reebok and DL1961, which actually made it my favorite service because it was super aligned with my style. They offer both maternity and non-maternity clothes, so I was able to get super cool dresses (like the one pictured above) in a bigger size than my regular size to wear with my growing bump.

My thoughts: Their maternity catalog is pretty limited, however they have super unique items. One of the pieces I requested was already rented by the time my order was placed and they sent me something totally different to what I wanted. I understand the effort to make sure I was getting the full six items in my order but it was a non-maternity summer dress that didn't work with my bump.

$88
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Rent the Runway

Rent the Runway

About the service: I went with their Unlimited Plan which is priced at $159 for four pieces at a time (you can exchange over and over again during the month). Their return service is super fast so if you are organized and return pieces you don't love quickly, you can get so many new things to wear in a month.

More to know: They have the biggest catalogue of maternity clothes and brands, including Hatch. Like Nuuly, you get to pick what you want from their options. It can be a little overwhelming since you scroll through pages and pages of really good quality stuff so I recommend going into it with something in mind (do you need jeans or a party dress?).

My thoughts: Because the service is so popular, I got some clothes that were super worn already and even damaged. I returned those immediately and got new items, but you really never know in what condition they are going to be in, despite the service trying to keep super worn clothes out of their rental catalogue.

$159
Buy Now

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You've got this

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8 common skin issues during pregnancy (and our favorite products to help)

I don't think anyone told me I was "glowing" either time I was pregnant. I'm not sure that is the word I would have used to describe me in the early months, either—nauseated is more like it, or tired. Add to that some extra-dry skin and acne like I hadn't had since middle school, and let's just say I wasn't feeling my most beautiful. Apparently I wasn't alone.

"Hormonal changes, and, of course, all the ways your life is changing, can lead to some unpleasant skin changes during pregnancy," says Diana Spalding, Motherly's Digital Education Editor, midwife and writer of The Mother Guide to Becoming Mama. "It's so easy to get dehydrated during pregnancy, which can lead to issues like dryness and itchiness. And nights spent tossing and turning (because how is anyone supposed to sleep with all those sweet baby kicks?!) can lead to dark circles."

If you're suffering from any of the common pregnancy skin issues, but you don't want to pile chemicals on your skin, there are natural, healthy pregnancy-safe makeup and skin care products out there for you. Some even contain treatment ingredients that could help alleviate your skin symptoms, all while covering them up in the meantime. It's also worth noting that the FDA maintains an updated list and categorization of ingredients used in beauty and cosmetic products women should avoid if they are pregnant. A few include: retin-a, hydroquinone, formaldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acids.

Just remember that sometimes itching skin can be a sign of a "serious complication known as cholestasis, so definitely check in with your midwife or OB before trying to treat the issue on your own," says Spalding.

The bottom line is, whatever your pregnancy skin care issues are, we've got you covered.

Here is what you need to fix eight common pregnancy skin problems:

For oily skin: RMS Beauty 'Un' Powder

Un Powder RMS BEAUTY

Sweaty? Oily? Yup, you can thank those pregnancy hormones for that! The RMS "un" powder can help! This ultra-fine, super-silky powder has only two ingredients (mica and silica—not to be confused with silicone) and will never give you a white cast. It's so sheer but so effective. We promise no one will know you're wearing powder.

$34
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For dull skin: Plant Makeup Pink Rose Shimmer Balm

Plant Makeup\u2019s Pink Rose Shimmer Balm

Pregnancy can make a lady tired, and along with fatigue comes dull skin. Plant Makeup's Pink Rose Shimmer Balm to the rescue! Made by hand with French pink clay and pure natural mica, this very subtle balm moisturizes, highlights and adds a little sparkle. We love that it's not glittery, but rather reflects light for a hint of highlighting.

$3
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For breakouts: Juice Beauty Photo Pigments Perfecting Concealer

Juice Beauty Phyto-pigments Perfecting Concealer

Oh, hello, pimples. We meet again. Juice Beauty's Photo Pigments Perfecting Concealer will mask your blemishes while healing them with organic coconut oil, known for its antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties.

Editor tip: For best results, warm formula with finger or brush before application.

$25
Buy Now

​ For dry + itchy skin: Suntegrity 5 in 1 Tinted Face Suncsreen

Suntegrity 5 in 1 Tinted Face Sunscreen

Winter months can take a toll on your skin, and with low temps come flakes, bumps and cracks. And if you're pregnant, dry skin can during this time can be even worse. So how about a multitasking product that moisturizes, soothes and protects while providing a light tint for that no-makeup look? If you suffer from parched and dry skin during pregnancy, Suntegrity 5-in-1 Natural Moisturizing face sunscreen is the product for you.

$45
Buy Now

For dark circles under eyes: W3ll People Bio Correcting Multi-Action Concealer

W3LL PEOPLE Bio Correct Multi-Action Concealer

Tossing and turning at night because you cannot get comfortable? You know what that means. Dark circles and puffy eyes are sure to appear. We love W3LL PEOPLE Bio Correct Multi-Action Concealer because it contains caffeine, so while the gorgeous mineral pigments cover those circles, the caffeine also depuffs your under-eye area.

$22.99
Buy Now

For capillaries + visible veins: Gressa Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation

Gressa Skin Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation

During pregnancy, your veins may make your body look like a country map. Nothing to worry about, your network of veins is actually here to carry your increasing blood supply and provide a support system to your growing baby. Unfortunately, you may also experience spider veins (also spider angiomas or spider nevi) on your face, which is also due to increased blood circulation. Gressa Skin Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation is a serum-to-powder formula, almost like a multi-vitamin for your skin and provides seamless coverage.

$62
Buy Now

For dark brown spots: 14e Aloe Nourish Foundation

Aloe Nourish Foundation

Are you noticing, dark, blotchy brown spots on your cheeks and forehead? Blame it on an estrogen surge stimulating melanin production. Aloe Nourish Foundation by 14e Cosmetics provides medium, buildable coverage while leaving you feeling weightless with a satin semi-matte finish. It has only a few ingredients, and its base is aloe, which means it soothes as it covers.

$38
Buy Now

For tired eyes: Alima Pure Natural Definition Mascara

Alima Pure mascara

In my opinion, nothing wakes up a face like a good mascara. Alima Pure's Natural Definition Mascara makes one that's super-subtle, if you're not much of a makeup wearer and don't want to look like you suddenly went all-out.

$22
Buy Now

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You've got this.

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This is the $5 hairspray stylists used at the SAG Awards red carpet

At one of the most important nights of their career, celebrities made sure their hairstyles stayed put at the 26th Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. As a collective, the hairstyles were beautiful—french twists, bobs, pin curls and killer cuts filled the red carpet on the night to remember.

And surprisingly, the secret wasn't just the stylist team, mama. For many of the celebs, much of the look can be attributed to a $5 hairspray—yes, you read that correctly.

Dove style+care micro mist extra hold hairspray was one of the top stylist picks for celebs for a lightweight, flexible finishing spray, leaving tons of body and bounce. Unlike most hairsprays that can take several minutes (even a half hour) to set the look, this extra-hold one contains a fast-drying, water-free formula that helps protect your hair from frizz in minutes. As a result, celebrities were able to hold the shape of their styles with mega volume.

"Dove hairspray works well by holding curls in place with maximum hold and ultra shine, while still maintaining soft, touchable texture that is easy to brush out," says Dennis Gots for Dove Hair, who styled Phoebe Waller-Bridge for the SAG Awards. Translation: It's great for on-the-go mamas who want a shiny hold that lasts, but doesn't feel sticky.

Here are a few awesome hairstyles that were finished with the drugstore Dove style+care micro mist extra hold hairspray at the SAG awards:

Lili Reinhart's French twist

"I sprayed Dove style+care micro mist extra hold hairspray all over Lili's hair to lock in the shape and boost the shine factor, making the whole look really sleek," says stylist Renato Campora who was inspired to create the look by Reinhart's romantic gown. "Lili's look is sleek and sharp with a romantic twist."

Cynthia Erivo's finger waves

"This look is classic Cynthia! I knew I wanted to keep it simple, but it's actually quite detailed and intricate up close," says stylist Coree Moreno. "While the hair was still wet (yes—I needed to work fast!) I generously spritzed on the hairspray for all night hold without flaking. The hair continued to air dry perfectly while she finished up makeup."

Nathalie Emmanuel's curly high pony

"Nathalie wanted a retro Hollywood glam for the SAG Awards, so I used her natural texture and created a high pony with loose tendrils framing her face and neckline," says stylist, Neeko. "I finessed the look with the hairspray to lock in the style while keeping her hair looking and feeling touchable."

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's slicked back bob

"I used duckbill clips on different areas of her hair to keep the shape and curl while the hair air dried. Air drying the hair allowed for maximum shine and then I sprayed lots of hairspray all over to truly lock in the sleek shape and enhance the shine," says stylist Dennis Gots, who was inspired by a 90s vibe for Waller-Bridge's look.

Dove Style+Care Micro Mist Extra Hold Hairspray

Dove Style+Care Micro Mist Extra Hold Hairspray

Who doesn't want a hairspray that makes your hair feel as good as it looks? Dove Style+Care Extra Hold Hairspray holds body, volume and enhances shine. It gives your hair touchable hold while fighting frizz, even in damp or humid conditions.

$4.89
Buy Now

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You've got this.

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Every product in Amazon's clean skin care line is up to 20% off today 🙌

Keeping up with a skin care routine isn't as simple as it seems when you're a busy mama. When you're trying to bathe kids and get them to bed, or rush out the door in the morning, the last thing on your to-do list is probably using a serum. Plus, figuring out which masks work for your skin type, or what is *really* worth that hefty price tag seems overwhelming.

Until now.

Amazon launched its first-ever skin care line called Belei last year. It featured 12 products that can complete your skin care routine, from moisturizers and serums to cleansers and masks.

Our favorite features? (Aside from the fact that you can Prime these goodies straight to your door).

  • Clean—free of sulfates, parabens and phthalates
  • Affordable—everything is under $40
  • Dermatologist tested + not tested on animals
  • Offers satisfaction guarantee—if not satisfied, they'll refund within a year

Right now, each product is up to 20% off so it's the perfect time to try it out. Here are some of the products we're adding to our cart:

1. Triple-Peptide Eye Cream

Amazon skin care line eye cream

For those inevitable nights with little sleep. Complete with caffeine to reduce puffiness and ingredients like shea butter to minimize the appearance of fine lines and dark circles.

$14.40
Buy Now

2. Charcoal Balancing Mask

Amazon skin care line charcoal mask

Have five extra minutes? Lather this on to absorb excess oil, deep clean and balance your skin.

$14.40
Buy Now

3. Retinol Refining Moisturizer

Amazon skin care line retinol moisturizer

Retinol has so many benefits, from smoothing your skin to helping it retain moisture, but it often comes with a price—not this one, luckily.

$28
Buy Now

4. Blemish Control Spot Treatment

Amazon skin care line spot treatment

You can't always stop breakouts from happening, but you can fight blemishes with this.

$17.60
Buy Now

5. Dark Spot Solution

Amazon skin care line dark spot solution

Your body has gone through a lot and that usually means your hormones have fluctuated. For some, that causes dark spots or uneven skin tone. This is packed with rich ingredients to even everything out.

$17.60
Buy Now

Motherly is your daily #momlife manual; we are here to help you easily find the best, most beautiful products for your life that actually work. We share what we love—and we may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You've got this.

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