What Little Princesses are (ever-so-graciously) clamoring for this year:

Barbie & The Diamond Castle Dolls
WHY: The tunes in this movie are so catchy and the dolls sing ‘em. They also win “best princess outfit on a doll” award. FOR: Friend’s kids (as mentioned, these dolls sing.) BUY: Princess Liana Doll $14.99 Princess Alexa Doll $19.99 Barbie & The Diamond Castle DVD $10.99

A Set of Dress Up Clothes
WHY: Playdate’s at your house when there are enough getups to go around. FOR: The girl (and mom) who loves to host playdates. BUY: Royal Dress Up Trunk 21 Pieces (lotsa pink!) $59.99

A Play Castle
WHY: Hours of pretending. FOR: Any 3-7-year old you want to really Wow. BUY: Melissa & Doug Folding Castle $57.62 EXTRA: The Matching Royal Family Doll Set $19.24 ALSO: Magic Castle by Playmobil $129.99 (pictured).

A Pink Digital Camera
WHY: It’s my own camera! It’s pink! Mine! FOR: Any preschooler with snap-happy parents who won’t let her touch their grown-up camera. BUY: VTech Kidizoom Digital Camera, Pink $39.99

Pink Glide-to-Ride Bike
WHY: Kids can get the hang of balancing, then you attach pedals so they can learn to ride a two-wheeler. Very cool. FOR: Girls ready for their first 2-wheeler. BUY: Playskool Glide to Ride Bike $100.89 (pictured). ALSO: PV Glider $99.00

BONUS: Princess DVDs!
WHY: Happy Princesses in the playroom. FOR: All! BUY: The “new” Sleeping Beauty $10.00 Dora Saves the Snow Princess $14.99 Enchanted $19.99 Shrek $14.99

It’s the 1959 movie, “digitally restored” meaning the illustrations and audio have been bedazzled. The three fairies that look after Princess Aurora are wonderfully complex characters who quibble and still love each other.

The dragon scene isn’t too scary, and as a lovely bonus, the Princess’ mommy gets to stay alive for the entire movie. Sleeping Beauty DVD $14.99.

These are cute and highly pack-able; each can fit into a kid-sized purse. Many LPs we know collect them and they’re especially fun if your LP has a dollhouse (or a castle). One note: I’ve never met a child under 6 who can put the dresses onto these dolls by herself. Disney Favorite Moments Gift Set $19.95

The trick for many is to put the doll’s little arms in the air like she just doesn’t care and then pull the dress on, hands first (when you have the dolls this will make sense).

More fun though is watching your husband try to do it with his big man-hands. Hopefully you will avoid the fate of our dad-friend who is often reminded of how he “broke Ariel’s best pink dress.” A great gift if you’re not sure what princess your LP’s friend likes most.