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The Mama Blog

Shop like a Mama: Holiday Must-haves from the TT Community

We asked some of our real life #tubbytoddmamas about what TT goodies they're gifting this year, their fave holiday rituals, and MORE. Ione

Hey! I'm Ione Gonzalez, a SAHM of a 4 years old boy and another baby boy coming sooooon—yup a boy mom but we dream of having a third kid, maybe a girl ;)  I was born in Peru, raised in Italy and now settled in sunny Los Angeles. I speak Spanish, Italian and English fluently and we love to travel as a family to learn new cultures and make new traditions! We especially love to hike, swim, and cook! People that know me say I should win a trophy for patience.  

ENTER TO WIN Ione's TT Gift Guide faves!

 

Q: Which Tubby Todd product would you be most excited to gift? 

A: All Over Ointment 

Q: Which Tubby Todd product would you be most excited to get?  

A: Anything lavender rosemary (specifically, The Hair Duo!) 

Q: Tell us about your favorite holiday tradition with your baby! 

A: We love picking out a REAL Christmas Tree and now Heir gets to pick! 

Q: What’s on your Christmas dinner menu? 

A: Rice, mac n cheese, tostones (fried green plantains), Peruvian potato salad, and milk + cookies for Santa! 

Q: Which holiday movie could you watch every single year? 

A: Home Alone, Polar Express, or Piece by Piece! 

Q: What’s a recent mama win (big or small!) that made you smile? 

A: We recently organized the kids closets with my Mama while she was in town. 

 Q: Warm get away or white Christmas? 

A: BEACH! (Heir agrees…) 

Q: What’s one of your favorite holiday childhood memories? 

A: My sister and I staying up so late dancing and partying with family! 

 

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Allegra

One thing you should know about me is that I believe in turning ordinary days into special ones. Whether it's having a Lord of the Rings marathon with wine pairings, enjoying a spontaneous picnic, or hosting a Dino Nugget and Bloody Mary brunch, having fun is a top priority for me. I live for a theme, an event, and any excuse to dress up. My mom still makes my Halloween costumes and I go on a camping trip every Memorial Day weekend with 50 friends. Although having children has shifted my priorities (I gave birth to twins 9 weeks ago and no, twins do not run in my family!) staying connected with friends and planning fun events is something that remains constant. 

 

Q: Which Tubby Todd product would you be most excited to gift? 

A: The Baby Massage Oil in Lavender Rosehip- it smells unbelievable and moms can use too --- love gifting something moms can also use.  

Q: Which Tubby Todd product would you be most excited to get?  

A: The Bye-Bye Cradle Cap Gel- I wasn't sure what products to use for cradle cap, so happy this product exists.  

Q: Tell us about your favorite holiday ritual with your baby! Have these traditions changed over time or stayed the same with each child? 

A: This is my first holiday season with the twins! Listening to "A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra" while decorating the tree sipping on spiked cider is a ritual that we plan on upholding for years to come- I imagine this year we'll just be holding a baby while doing it! This year I'd like to start the ritual of watching Charlie Brown Christmas every Christmas Eve morning with the twins.  

Q: Which holiday movie could you watch every single year? 

A: "It's a Wonderful Life" is my favorite movie of all time and happens to be a classic Christmas film. The first time I watched it with my father and grandfather and we laughed and sobbed the entire time-- it's a perfect film.  

Q: What’s a recent mama win (big or small!) that made you smile? 

A: Every time I pump and see how much milk I produce it's a win.  

Q:  What advice do you have for other moms looking to make the holidays extra special for their little ones? 

A: Plan events that interest you and involve friends and family so you can have a break and enjoy yourself too! Perhaps easier with 9 week olds...at this stage we have the power to create traditions- may as well pick activities we like doing before we're overruled! 

Q: What is the biggest misconception/surprise about having twins? 

A: Biggest surprise for us was that our hands would bleed from washing so many bottles. Also has been a pleasant surprise how easy it was to get them on the same schedule (thank God.) 

Q:  How could someone help out a new mama (esp. of 2!) over the holidays? 

A: Schedule a cleaning person to come over and send the mom out of the house to treat themselves 

 

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Anna

Hi! I’m Anna. I am a mom to three little kids, and I love running around with them and also baking in the kitchen. They make things more fun and are always up for anything. Especially during the holiday season! 

 

Q: Which Tubby Todd product would you be most excited to gift? 
A:  I love all of the everyday lotions! We use those the most in our home! 

Q: Tell us about your fave holiday ritual with baby! 
A: We travel to a small tree farm outside St. Louis and cut down a tree every holiday season. It’s become the tradition I look forward to the most!  

Q: What’s your fave holiday sweet treat? What’s your little ones fave treats? 
A: Cut out sugar cookies! My kids and I love to make them, decorate them, and eat them! We will also give them to neighbors. 

Q: How do you create festive moments for your family during the holiday season? 
A: I always remember that the small, simple moments are always the best! Baking together is probably what I do the most. We will bake cut-out sugar cookies and decorate them together. My kids love it. 

Q: What advice do you have for other moms looking to make the holidays extra special for their little ones? 
A: Remember that you don’t have to do anything over-the-top. Our kids don’t care about all the extra “stuff” they just want to enjoy time with us. I realized that simple is so much better. It’s not worth stressing out about things that are not a big deal. Over the years of having small children, I have learned that the little things in life mean the most, and just being together! There is so much magic during the holidays, I try to relax and just embrace life and all the simple things.  

Q: What’s a mama win (big or small!) that you’ve had recently? 
A:  Getting my kids out the door, dressed and ready for school in the morning. Every day we do it, it feels like such a win! 

It's the most wonderful time of the year! We asked some of our real life #tubbytoddmamas about what TT goodies they're gifting this year, their fave holiday rituals, and MORE. Get to know them below and check out their TT picks for a little holiday season gifting inspo!  

 

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Karrie Locher with her family

As a postpartum and neonatal nurse (and mama of five little ones!) Karrie noticed that education on postpartum care was severely lacking. She launched her Karing for Postpartum program in 2020 and she’s been going STRONG ever since! Her main mission is to give new mamas/parents the support they need—a goal that’s also central to our Tubby Todd brand!   

 

Q: Which Tubby Todd product would you be most excited to gift? 
A: Probably the AOO because I know how well it works for so many different things! 

Q: Which Tubby Todd product would you be most excited to get? ;) 
A: The Hair + Body Wash because we are constantly running through it in this 5-kid household! 
 
Q: How do you make the holiday season magical for your little ones? A: With embracing the chaos of 5 kids comes being happy with all the pieces of childhood scattered around your home. I absolutely love kid-decorated trees, little holiday ornaments or trinkets they make, and proudly display them around the house. Letting them be a part of it all is letting them experience the magic. I do think magic is what you make it. Taking the time to be in the moment with your kids being "in awe" of all the magical lights, or getting out the Christmas plates, or letting them help you bake Christmas cookies, or having a family Christmas movie night with Christmas blankets and pillows out. Magic can truly be so simple through the eyes of a child. I think that's something we can learn from them too! 

Q: What’s your fave Christmas sweet treat? 
A: "Christmas crack" is so so good, AND hot chocolate with marshmallows always! 
 
Q: What’s a mama win (big or small!) that you’ve had recently? 
A: Blake saying "papa" (my dad who passed last year) melted my heart into a puddle 

 

Q: Which holiday movie could you watch every single year? 
A: Home Alone-- my kids love it too! 

 

Q: What advice do you have for other moms looking to make the holidays extra special for their little ones? 
A: Truly just sharing your excitement and love! Take time to show them things, let them touch the tree or see the lights, be excited with them, think about how special Christmas was to you as a child.




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Amber with her family

I’m Amber Earl, born and raised in So Cal! I grew up a dancer but switched to Soccer at 8 years old and played all through college, a self proclaimed athlete. Traveling the globe, getting outside in nature, and going on hikes or runs is very important to our family. I love being a mom to my 3 babes, it can be chaotic at times, but also the funnest, best thing I get to do. For the last 12 or so years we’ve been hustling running our family business. We work from home making furniture and ceramics, and I run the interior design department. 

 

Q: Which Tubby Todd product would you be most excited to gift? 
A: I actually gifted it recently but I love the bundles that have a little bit of everything for a new expecting mama. 


Q: Tell us about your favorite holiday ritual with your baby! Have these traditions changed over time or stayed the same with each child? 
A: Our favorite holiday tradition is going out and picking out our Christmas tree together. Then turning on some Christmas tunes and decorating it with some hot cocoa or tea immediately when we get home. Definitely gets us in the mood for the season. 

Q: What’s your favorite Christmas sweet treat? 
A: Trader Joes - Joe Joe's 

Q: Which holiday scent is your favorite?  
A: Cranberry Mandarin 

Q: What’s a recent mama win (big or small!) that made you smile? 
A: I was stressing on the chaos of getting 3 kids ready for school in the morning. I decided to get a small white board and put it on the fridge with a bullet list of what they need to do to get ready in the morning (ie: brush teeth, get dress, eat breakfast, make sure snack, lunch and water bottle is in your backpack. etc) They LOVE it and look at it every morning to know what to do. My littlest asks his sisters to read him what’s next on the list. It went so well I added a bullet list for when they get home. (ie: put lunch box in dishwasher, hang up backpack, read for 10 mins, do homework etc.) It’s SO simple and I’m sure so many moms already do this, but it’s been a few years of chaos and I somehow JUST tried it this year and it’s been so life giving to our mornings. 

 

Q: What advice do you have for other moms looking to make the holidays extra special for their little ones? 
A: Slow down. Get your shopping done as early as possible so you aren’t stressed. Say no, you don’t have to go to everything. Try and come up with adventures that are experiential as gifts for your kids vs things. They’re more memorable that way! Our advent calendar has little folded papers with things we’re going to do that day or that night as a family vs a piece of candy on about half of the days. The kids are usually most excited about those vs the candy :) 

 

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Meet Chaya! Banner

I’m Chaya and I recently moved from LA to San Diego! In my free time I love to sew and make clothes for my little one! My self love passion is cooking! I cook to feel good and make others feel good too!  

 

Q: Which Tubby Todd product would you be most excited to gift? 
A: Definitely the Holiday Bath Bombs. 

Q: Which Holiday scent is your fave?
A: I went wild when I smelled the Apricot + Vanilla Bubble Bath in the Winter Gift Set! I've been using TT for over 5 years and it has got to be the best scent yet!

Q: What’s a mama win (big or small!) that you’ve had recently?  
A: I’m noticing the gentleness and kindness of my daughter in her 13th month. Her communication, her sense of humor, her secureness. I owe that to putting every ounce of effort my partner and I have into making sure she’s loved, properly nurtured, and protected.    

Q: What advice do you have for other moms looking to make the holidays extra special for their little ones?  
A: Think of the one thing you loved or wish you could’ve experienced when you were a kid and give that to your kids! 

 Q: How do you make the holiday season magical for your little ones?
A: We want our daughter to fully embrace the magic of Santa Claus. Leaving out cookies and milk. Looking for snowy shoe prints on Christmas morning, sending him our wish list!

Q: Which holiday movie could you watch every single year
A: My favorite holiday movie and the one I could watch every single year is I’ll Be Home For Christmas with Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Q: Tell us about your fave holiday ritual with baby!
A: Our favorite holiday ritual is treats and movies around my mom’s fireplace. Stellan was only 2 months old last Christmas, so it was more like boobies and movies around the fireplace.

Tubby Todd Mama in arch