Looking for the perfect Solstice gift for your favorite Pagan, Heathen, or Polytheist?  PNC-Minnesota’s 2012 Winter Solstice Gift Picks with expert advice, reviews, and recommendations for the latest movies, books, and other holiday gifts and treats can help.

Of course you can buy the usual toys for kids, it’s healthy for kids to play and that’s universal.  What gets more difficult is to choose gifts that reflect your family’s religion and ethics.  When you’re Pagan, Heathen or a Polytheist, that can be a bit more challenging.  Below are a few gift ideas for babies and children.  And remember, when possible, support your community by buying local or buying direct from the artist.

Baby Gifts

If you look on etsy, cafepress, or zazzle you can find tons of Heathen, Pagan, or polytheist inspired onesies and bibs.  If you want something a bit different, below are a few stand out gifts for the new baby or toddler.

Elemental baby blocks
by LittleBeastlings

Each block measures six inches square and each of the four blocks represents one of the four elements.  You’ll find sea turtles on the the water block and dragonflies on the air block. Not only is this a perfect learning tool, the blocks are also and cuddly.  You may want to check out other offerings in LittleBeastlings’ store.

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Elemental baby shaker balls
by Treegold & Beegold

Treegold & Beegold once again makes it onto the PNC Gift Pick list.  (See this post for last year’s children’s gift picks)  Like the elemental blocks, the shaker balls are meant to teach and entertain baby with the four elements (and color identification).   The balls come in red, yellow, blue and green to represent the 4 elements and each has an embroidered circle sewn on it with a picture depicting the element it represents. Inside each ball is a shaker to make sound.  I know from my baby grand-nephew that making noise is one of the joys of his life.  Treegold & Beegold have over 100 items listed in their etsy store.

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Baby booties
by GoblinMoonUK

UK artisanGoblin Moon, who lives on the enchanted Isle of Wight,  makes the cutest baby booties I have ever seen.  I don’t even like babies, but when I saw these I started saying, “Just wook at da cute wittle booties” to my husband.  All booties are knit out of pure wool or kid mohair.  The dragon booties are to die for.  I want a pair in my size.  Goblin Moon also has witch booties and booties with oak leaves on them – in addition to jewelry for adults.

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Runic baby name plate
by Against the Grain

An extremely thoughtful gift for the new parent and carved to be an heirloom passed down through generations.  The Runic baby name plate is just under a foot in diameter.   Elder Futhark Runes around the outside spell out the baby’s name with Thor’s Hammer carved in the middle noting the date of birth.  This gift is, of course, made to order and you can choose the stain colors, if you wish.  Against the Grain also has other hand carved gifts such a Thor’s Hammer and knotwork animal wall hangings.

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Children

Animal hand tattoos
from Uncommon Goods

I want a set of these!  Simply apply these temporary tattoos with water and kids can make their own puppet show.  You get two sets of eight different animals in your pack – bird, shark, zebra, giraffe, cow, alligator, tiger and bumblebee.  Uncommon goods has some great educational and eco-friendly toys for kids, but they are usually pricey.  These tattoos are inexpensive, but are made in China.  Life is full of trade-offs.

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Star Bearer: A Creation Myth from Ancient Egypt
by Dianne Hofmeyr, illustrated by Juse Daly

If you are looking for a bedtime book for your  younger child (age 4 to 8), check out this offering on Wizards & Fairies.  Dianne Hofmeyr’s retells an ancient  Ancient Egyptian creation myth which gives an enchanting explanation of how our starry universe came to be.  The illustrations are a nicely updated and respectful version of pharaonic art which supports the equally respectful story of the Gods Atum, Nut, and Geb.  Wizards & Fairies also carries other children’s books, coloring books, and games.  Worth a look.

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Pagan Bedtime Stories:  How Maui Slowed the Sun
by Lahela MP Nihipali

How Maui Slowed the Sun is a Hawaiian tale re-told by the author, a native of Hawai’i, and is designed to be a bed time story book as well as a 30 page coloring and activity book.   Like many mythos, this tale contains subjects that could be difficult for children if not handled with sensitivity.   When Maui beats the legs of La, the author provides a discussion area about bullying and violence.  In addition to the book, there are free audio podcasts you and your children can download and listen to here.

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Warlock in Training or Daddy’s Little Heathen t-shirt
by Younique Pagan

You can have either print on the front of a  50% cotton 50% poly t-shirt in sizes 2-4, 6-8 and one size 10/12.  The childrens’ t-shirts are pretty tame, while the adult t-shirts can be more in your face.  Yes, more in your face.   I have to admit, I found many of them funny.  (Witch by nature, Bitch by choice)   But you are proud and loud, you may want to click on over to Younique Pagan’s shop and pick up a few items.

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Pan T-shirt
by Elemental Shop

If you are looking for a more eco-friendly tshirt option Elemental Shop, based in Oregon, fits the bill.  While not a Pagan shop per se, they are Pagan friendly and their designs show it.  In this t-shirt Pan is playing a beguiling tune on his pipes.  Elemental Shop’s t-shirts use only water based-inks, not harsh chemicals   The t-shirts themselves are either made from organic cotton or are recycled cotton shirts and are made in the USA, sweatshop free.  No wonder Pan looks so happy.  Elemental Shop is huge, there’s almost 1000 items to choose from, but the amazing designs will pull you in.  Baby and adult sizes also available.

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Veggie Sidewalk Chalk
by Uncommon Goods

Kids put everything in their mouths so it’s important to make sure their toys are non-toxic.  Little known fact:  some brands of sidewalk chalk have contained dangerous levels of lead!  Even if your kid isn’t snacking on sidewalk chalk, the dust gets everywhere.  Veggie chalk is made out of organic ingredients, like hibiscus, turmeric, paprika, and spinach, and are 100% safe if your toddle or child puts them in his/her mouth.

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Fun & Games
by Pooka Pagan

This gift is set at the perfect price – free!  Lora Craig-Gaddis, offers 3 games that you can download and print.  Pagan Bingo, the Pooka Fortune Telling Game, and ESP cards.  If you print them on a good quality paper or cardstock and laminate them (or have the print shop coat them) they will last for years.  The website also has free kid’s magazines, family recipes, and crafts to make.

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Teens

Skateboard deck
by pentagramstar

The classic pentagram is just one of the designs offered for skateboard decks.  Traditional, old school (think 70’s), and traditional decks are available.  If you want to protect your graphics, but don’t want your teen to be called a poser, find some ugly sticks to slap on.  Zazzle, like better known site cafepress, offers basic good that can be customized.  If you look through PentragramStar’s store and don’t see a design you like, you can create your own.

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On the go recharging
by Ecoxpower

Chances are your teen is always on the go…and has several portable electronic devices.  This handy device, which attaches to the front wheel of your bike, uses the power generated by pedaling to charge up phones, some tablets, and MP3 players.  It more pricey than our other gift suggestions, but worth it.  Also a good gift idea for college students and those who commute to work by bike.

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Hunger Games Messenger Bag
by The Messenger

If your teen is a fan of Hunger Games, encourage their obsession (especially if it weens them off of Twilight) with this messenger bag.  If sparkly stuff  isn’t your teen’s thing (me?  I’m good with bags that sparkle, just not vamps) this bag can be made with or without glitter.  If your teen is wild about the Hunger Games they will be wild about this bag.   The bags are available on black, white, red, yellow, mint green, pale blue, turquoise, lilac, pale pink or pink, with design in colors of your choice.  The artisan is from the UK so keep in mind it will take longer to ship and the Solstice is right around the corner.

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Harm None License Plate Holder
by dingostuff

Perfect for the teen just getting their driver’s license or first car, this license plate holder has the perfect sentiment, “An it harm none, Do what ye will.”    Two pentagrams flank the bottom.  The holder is made of a durable chrome and the phrase is applied with a permanent adhesive weatherproof decal that is fade and water resistant.

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Witches Rule of Three iPhone Case
by lenzart and designed by Marina Lenzino

“Ever mind the rule of three – three times what thou givest returns to thee, this lesson well, thou must learn – Thee only gets what thou dost earn.”  There are many Pagan, Heathen, and polytheist cell phone covers and custom electronics on cafepress, but this spiral design is one of my favorites.  If you want to find more, simply use the search feature built into the site.  And like the skate deck on zazzle, if you don’t see a design you like, you may upload a design you own the rights to and custom make exactly what you want.  NOTE:  This case will NOT fit and iPhone 4 or 5.

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Heathen iPhone 4 Case
by All Things Norse

If your teen’s taste, or religion, runs a bit more Nordic they may prefer this iPhone 4 case.  A Valkyrie is shown leading a fallen hero towards Valhalla.  The case easily slides on an off and doesn’t obscure any of the controls.  Cases not only add individuality, always important to teens, they protect against scratches and the inevitable drop.   All Things Norse also has t-shirts and other gifts available in their store.  NOTE:  iPone cases are very specific to phone model.  This case will only fit the  iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s.

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PNC-Minnesota will have more gift ideas in the following days such as art, cards, books, and gift ideas for adults.  If you would like to look at last year’s gift guides, they can be found here:

Kids, military, books, art

Treats, movies, music, and nature