Christmas is quickly approaching, and it is important to take the time to choose gifts for your toddler wisely. With the economy down, wasting money on gifts that won’t benefit your toddler in any way is not an option.

1.  LeapFrog Alphabet Pal: Toddlers begin to repeat the alphabet, as well as their colors. The LeapFrog Alphabet Pal not only displays the letters of the alphabet on its feet, but it also pronounces the letter sounds for the child when the letters are pressed. Each foot is also a different primary color so that toddlers can begin recognize the basic colors. Of course, The LeapFrog Alphabet Pal also plays songs that are sure to entertain your little one.

2. Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn: Learning Piggy Bank: In addition to toddlers learning their ABC’s, they are also able to begin counting up to ten. The learning piggy bank counts with the child, as he places the coins inside the piggy bank’s slot. Toddlers can also hear animal sounds and music by pushing on the piggy’s snout.

3. Shape Sorters: Lots of different companies make toy shape sorters. In my experience, it doesn’t matter which brand you purchase. The important thing is that your toddler learn the basic shapes, such as a star, circle, square, rectangle, oval, and moon. Properly fitting the shapes into the appropriately slots will also help your toddler with eye-hand coordination and matching skills.

4. Playskool Explore and Grow Busy Ball Popper:  Although the Playskool Explore and Grow Busy Ball Popper isn’t educational in nature, it does provide toddlers with much needed sensory stimulation. As toddlers chase the balls that fly out of the machine, they will be getting much needed exercise as well. Since each ball is a different color, you can take the opportunity to review colors with your child.

5. Barney’s Best Manners DVD: Some parents find Barney a bit annoying, but I personally feel he teaches toddlers many important lessons. Barney’s Best Manners covers more than just letters, numbers, and colors. He teaches children how to have good manners at home and when out in public. The younger children learn how important manners are, the more they are likely to be polite children when they are older.