When my husband was a little boy, his aunt always bought him a pair of shoes on his birthday. And not just any pair of shoes. A high-quality pair of shoes. As he got older, she even let him in on the shopping process and he was given the opportunity to select a pair of his choosing.
I think that his aunt is brilliant (and kind) for coming up with such a practical - but also fun - birthday tradition. What could be better than getting a new pair of shoes to show off at school the next day and to wear day-after-day? It truly is a gift that "keeps on giving" long after the toys are unwrapped and tossed aside.
I invite you - grandparents, dads, moms, uncles, aunts, and godparents - to take that tradition and make it your own. If you're looking for a good place to start shopping for your 6-month-old-age 8 recipient - look first at See Kai Run and Eleven.
See Kai Run features shoes for toddlers (6 months-3 years) and they are the height of cuteness. You really can't go wrong with this mom-owned brand. The shoes are made of buttery soft leather, yet they're tough enough to withstand the "run-run-fun-fun" way of toddlerhood.
Eleven, one of SKR's sister sites, features shoes for preschoolers and kids in early elementary school (3-8 years). They are pure modernity - trendy, fun, and full of fashion. The designer knows her stuff - the styles are kid-friendly...and very hip. Just ask a 6-year-old to look at the collection: you'll see.
Before you start shopping, you'll want to know that both companies just released their spring/summer 2009 collections - and the new designs are FABULOUS .
You'll also want to know that select styles are currently 50% off (that's one of the biggest sales that I've ever seen for this brand)...but only until March 12.
Final thoughts about that "new shoes on birthday" tradition: I think it works for adults too. I, for one, am really liking that idea. Any takers? Mom? Sisters? Bueller? Anyone?
WIN IT! There will be two winners. One winner will receive a pair of See Kai Run shoes (6-months-3 years) in the size/style of his/her choice. Another winner will receive a pair of Eleven shoes (3-8 years) in the size/style of his/her choice. To enter, leave a comment on this post stating which shoe would be your choice prior to Monday, March 16 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.). * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
*UPDATE* The winner of the SEE KAI RUN shoes is #132 Lori Z. The winner of the ELEVEN shoes is #53 zmama. Congratulations!
I love the Bridget shoes!
I absolutely love the Peter.
From the See Kai Run line I'd love the Jackson shoes. From the Eleven line I'd like to try the Aubin. I just LOVE See Kai Run and Eleven shoes. Thanks for the opportunity.
I would like Aubin.
donna444444@yahoo.com
I like the Holly shoes!
I love See Kai Run's line of shoes...if I should win I would choose the CAMERON SKY sandels in size 6.
If I should win a pair from the Eleven shoe line I would choose the NADIA sandals in size 9.
I would love to win the "See Kai Run Forrest" shoes in size 5. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'd choose the Sasha shoes in size 9 - 12 months.
I would choose Sofia in size 4 from the See Kai Run collection. Thanks for the chance to win!
I would choose the Caper size 12
Emma size 6, ty.
ffbbcourtney(at)hotmail.com
I would choose the Ashley Maija shoes from the See Kai Run line. These would be for my 3 year old daughter.
The Sara in Kai Run Kai Line size 9 or the Isabella in Size 9 or any of the girls line. So adorable.
v.chrzanowski@comcast.net
I'm lucky that my Little Man is in the See Kai Run sizes (and would be super cool in the Forrest shoes or the Ocean sandals) and my Goose is in the Eleven line and would be so happy with the Josie or Alexi shoes. Thanks for the chance!
My daughter says she likes the Josie shoes (Elevens). She would need a size 3.
I would choose the Kasota's in a size 3 from the Eleven Collection
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
I would love to win the Hannah's from See Kai Run!
My daughter would love the Sofia from Eleven (in size 12)!!
I love so many, it is hard to pick. However my daughter would just adore the Josie from Eleven.
I'd choose Josie.
My favorite is the Nora from Eleven.
I like the Kai pair of cute little red shoes.
I like the Laura pair of Eleven shoes.
I like the Maya sandals in size 10! Thank you!!
My choice if I won the seekairun giveaway would be forrest in a size 6 or astrid in a size 9. Thanks!
themeimlookingfor at yahoo dot com
The Iggy from the Eleven line is my favorite. Just too cute!!!
I'd love to win the Kaya, from the See Kai Run line. Thanks!
I would love to win the Aubin in size 13 I also love the Peggy shoes for baby girls Thank You
I'd love Smaller - Anne, size 12-18 months for my niece!
Thanks for the chance :)
Every time I go to see kai run, I find another pair. This time it is oliver
I love the Grayson! They are just adorable.
I would love the Lillian Grace little pink riding boots in the See Kai Run line in a size 9. My granddaughter would love these!
I would choose the Eleven Capers for my son@! thanks for the chance!!!
I would love to win the Josef in the Eleven Collection.
I like Yuna in See Kai Run.
I really like Hugh in size 5!
Ali shoes in size 12-18 months would be adorable for my daughter!
I would love a pair of the Maya Elleven shoes for my daughter.
I think the Oliver shoes are so cute!
Celeste See Kai Run size 6. These are the most adorable and popular shoes right now without a doubt.
My son would look adorable in the Forest shoes from See Kai Run
I like the Isabella sandals for my daughter. It was so hard to pick just one. They are all so cute.
I would like the Benson in a size 3. Very cute.
Would love to Win the See Kai Run Lowena!! Thanks!
I like the Eleven brand shoes since my daughter is 4 years old now and into a size 9. The emma(pink sandal)are adorable for spring and summer!
These shoes are fab! I would choose the Maya from the Eleven collection. Thanks for the chance!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
My family would really like this, please enter me and thanks for the great contest =)
Its so hard to choose just one,I love Ocean from the See Kai Run Line,but also love the James shoes from eleven.Thanks!
My daughter would look so cute in the Emma sandals in the Eleven collection -- size 12 or 13 (what size is she in now, I need to check, she's growing like a weed!).
I like the Sara ones best!
If I won, I would choose Lowena from See Kai Run or Laura from Eleven :)
Really tough choice. The June is all but gone. I do like the Cameron Sky, though....in a 7
I would love the Benson size 5. Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
i love the new red kai (my son's middle name is kai) in size 6. this is also my fave brand of toddler shoes!
I would so love the Josie shoes from the Eleven collection. Those are the best looking shoe I have ever seen. I would choose the size 3. Thank you so much!
I love the Pixie shoes. They are so cute.
My favorites are the Kaya from the See Kai Run line. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I love the little Caper shoe and how appropriately named for the little boy in my life!!!
Thank you.
From See Kai Run I like the Peggy.
From Eleven I like Josie.
My granddaughter wears a 9 so she could fit either one. Thanks for the giveaway!
braaisjo at gmail dot com
I love the Eleven Eleanor style! That orange is fabulous. Thanks for the chance to enter! Shoes are one of my obsessions, and it seems to carry right over to my daughter (even though she's only 3!)
I would choose Jayce! thanks
I love the Luc boots in the Eleven shoes!
I'd pick the Nadia in size 12 or 13. I'm not sure of my daughter's size right now. GORGEOUS!!
I'd pick Dorothy (SKR) or Nadia (eleven). If I won it would be a hard pick. I have girls in both sizes. I'd probably go with a pair for the younger though. Dorothy or sylvia it would be. I can't make up my mind they are all so adorable.
I love the shoes on your birthday idea. I might have to start that as well.
My number one pick would be the See Kai Run line. Celeste in size 4 would be great.
If I was chosen for the Eleven line I would choose Nadia in size 11.
With as fast as my Mr. Max's feet are growing there can't be enough free shoes! These shoes are adorable and I think they look comfortable too. I think his next size will be an 8...
I love the Larkin (SKR), size 8. So cute!
Thanks for the giveaway!
what a fab contest! so hard to choose, but perhaps Oliver by See kai run?
I love Emma from the Eleven Collection!!
I like Nadia from the Eleven collection
gkstratos@yahoo.com
Love the Noras! So adorable. Thanks for the Chance. mogrill@comcast.net
I would choose the Caper in size 11 from the Eleven collection for my son. They are such wonderful shoes!
I'd love the Nora.
nice
I would pick the Cameron Sky
I would choose the Nora from the Eleven collection in size 9. They would be perfect for the rainy weather ahead!
I would choose the little boys Jade in size 8 or the big boys Alistair in size 1,
I love the Aki, Radik and Carters from Kai
and the James from Eleven size 8 por favor
thanks for the chance
I'm having a baby this summer.I hope I win..
Emma Sz. 11
I like the "Larkin" in Size 9.
I would love the Joaquin in size 12 for my son since my husband has a pair of sandals that are very similar and my son loves to dress like "mini daddy."
I'm loving the Anya in size 13 for my daughter (Eleven Collection).
My little fashionista would love the Luc shoe in 1.
See Kai run makes cute shoes for babies. I would chose the Becket in size 12-18 months. My baby is only 5 months, but he's pretty big for his age. The Becket shoe is very cute.
The Carlo Shoes from the Eleven Collection would be my choice.
msurosey@yahoo.com
I would choose Josef for my own little nephew. I would need to consult his mother for size. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Hard to pick between the isabella size 9 (see kai run) for Princess G or the Kasota in size 13(Eleven) for Princess A. I think the Kasota since it is Princess A bday soon. Plus Princess G had a see kai run shoe, June that she recently out grew. Princess A should have super cute shoes too!!
I love the Grayson sandal in a size 9
My daughter would love the Nora boots - size 13.
hugh for the see kai run and for the eleven
nora sz 3
The Josie and Kasota in 3 would be amazing! Perfect for starting preschool!
I really like the "Josie" shoe. My daughter loves pink. I love the pink and brown color combo. Size 2.
would probably get Josef in size 9 for my little boy.
My daughter is about to turn 4 years old and would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Kasota shoe in size 10! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
It's hard to choose. They're all SO cute. I LOVE the Cameron Sky, but my daughter doesn't have anything in that color. I think Indria would be the most practical for this summer!
It's time for spring and summer so the Grayson is my son's pick. He's been asking about his sandals all winter...he hates having to confine his feet to socks and closed shoes and many times will have removed them before I can finish getting them on both feet.
I love the Grayson in size 6. Thank you.
I think the indria ones are adorable.
I still remember when I was a little girl and my grandmother took me shopping for a pair of shoes (I still remember the boots I came home with and wore EVERYWHERE!)
It is very easy to pick a pair of shoes that I like from the Eleven and the See Kai Run collections. I have a four-year-old that would love the Eli sandals and we would get lots of use out of them this summer. I think it is cute that they are described as a "Navy fisherman sandal with lime accent stitching" since my little guy is the ultimate fisherman with his dad and grandpa!
From the See Kai Run line, I have a little girl who is almost four months old that would LOVE the Alina pair made from "butter-soft sheepskin leather" - these will be oh-so-comfy on her little feet! Thanks for the great giveaway and good luck to all the entrants!
I would choose the Geneva for my little girl! She's not wearing shoes yet, but these are exactly the ones I want for her when she starts.
as for me well i just love all the girl shoes thay make under both shoe brand names and any one of them will do for my girl she well loves shoes too add me in please thanks
size 7 1/2. These are all so cool. love the pink ones
cameron sky in size 9
the Indria sandal in a 5 from the See Kai Run collection
I really love the Josie Shoes. I've admired these for awhile now. My daughter would really love these, especially since they are pink.
Thanks so much.
I love the kaya shoes size 7. I love there shoes!
I would like the Isabellas or the Mayas. Those are all really cute. My daughter has a pair of See Kai Run's... I'm addicted :)
we've had our eye on the isabellas for awhile
The "nice pair of shoes as a birthday gift" idea is a wonderful one! See Kai Run, as always, has so many fabulous styles, it's hard to pick a fave, but I would choose the "Forrest" in a sz 7, for my 2 year old, who never gets new shoes (always hand-me-downs from big brother :).
I'd love to win Jude in size 8 from See Kai Run for my son, Bradford.
i like the gavin style.
I loved them all but my favorite is definitely the Peggy style.
I love the Lola's and I have been considering getting them since they are on sale. I have not had the pleasure of trying these shoes out, but they look fabulous!
These are the best shoes EVER made! I have already purchased two pairs for my grandson and we love them. I bought him the Spencer and the Radik and they are just sooo cute and comfy. If I win I would choose the Henry or the Tristan!
From SKR: I'd like to win a pair of the new Carters (size 6) for my God-nephew.
From Eleven: The Lauras (size 12) would be cute for my God-daughter.
I would love a pair of See Kai Run shoes for my friend's son! (and I also love your husband's awesome aunt shoe story! I think thats a tradition that more "aunts" should take on!) I love everything out of the boy's line from Boden to Carter to Larkin to Kian to Marley to Mike. Haven't checked out the girl's line yet, thats next!
ParkingGoddessFTW at gmail dot com
Thats a tough choice my youngest daughter would choose isabella, her twin brother would choose grayson and my older daughter would choose firefly its her favorite color
i should ask for new shoes for my birthday!! lol
i would get the see kai run Isabella sandals for my youngest because she needs new spring/summer sandals!! thanks!!
Love the jennae's. =) Who doesn't love a nice peep toe?!
I really like the Melody pair
I love the Gavins! They are so cute, all of them! Like the pp, I have been trying to win these every chance I get! Since they are on sale, I might have to break down and buy some! There are 2-3 pairs I love!
Oh, I'd just love the Carter in size 7!
Every time there is a contest for See Kai Run shoes I cross my fingers and hope I can win. So far no luck. I think one of these days I just need to make a purchase because the shoes are so very cute!
I'd love the cream/brown trainers for my youngest son.
See Kai Run makes such cute shoes. I love the Yuna or the Geneva. If someone gave me new shoes on my birthday I would be a very happy lady. Good tradition!
I would choose "Isabella" from the See Kai Run collection probably in a size 7 for my little sweetie.
Thanks!
I was completely indecisive so I narrowed my choice down to two: Caper for casual play days and Aubin for the dressing it up occasions. Can't go wrong with any of these they are adorable!
This is like the 79th time I've entered a contest to win SKR. I think it's my turn. ;) I just might have to try to convince my husband that Cheeks really needs to get some of these excellent (and adorable) shoes while they're on sale...
I love the Anya Eleven shoes, though her feet are still a little too small to make them work! I could always put them away for next year!
From See Kai Run I love the June in Size 8.
From Eleven, I love the Rio in Size 13.
Great giveaway, I'd prefer the See Kai Run shoes.
Those shoes are fantastic! I am terrible- I forget to use shoes for my kids until they are well past walking (i put socks on them when they got out) but before they hadn't learned to walk I didn't use shoes, so they'd learn to walk, and then have to re-learn to walk in shoes! Yikes.
Awesome sale--good to know! I'd love to stock up on several pairs. :)
Right now I'd really love to have the Ali shoes size 12-18 months for my littlest one.
Wow, that IS a great sale!
We had a pair of See Kai Run shoes in red for my daughter when she was first walking. They were the best! So soft and easy for her to walk in.
I would choose the Orlando sandal, though I'd have to measure my daughter's feet for the size--she's had a growth spurt lately and I have no idea what size her feet are now!
I love the See Kai Run Mary Janes that look just like grown up versions!! (Especially the Clara shoe because the little girl I'd give it to is named Clara!!)
We love See Kai Run around here! I've got some for my youngest that fit him right now, so my first choice would be to finally try out the Eleven line (because, you know, with three kids, splurging on awesome and stylish shoes is just not high on the list of priorities, unfortunately). I'd probably go with the Josef style for my middle son!
I really like the Melody pair.
I would love to win the Sofia shoes for my daughter, and not just because it's her middle name. Those shoes are adorable! I'd wear them if they were in my size.
I would love a pair of the smaller, Anne, shoes for my little girl! They are so great and I have heard nothing but great things about See Kai Run shoes!
Shoes are a great gift! We would pick "Cameron Sky" in size 4 from the See Kai Run collection, although it was a tough decision!
Those are great sale prices, my favorite pair has been Oliver, but I think he just out grew the largest size in that style. I guess I'll have to pick a new fav.
Their shoes are so cute! I'd love a pair of their Iggy shoes. Levi would look so cute in them--once he's big enough for them.
I ADORE the LUC boots in the ELEVEN collection and I just wish they made them in my size because I want to wear them!! My little monkey would have to wait a few years to fit into them (in size 10, which looks to be the smallest they come in).
For shoes that would fit him sooner, I am also totally in love with the Dominic boots from the SKR line. I'd pick them in size 6.
From the See Kai collection I would pick the Mavarick shoes
from Eleven I would pick the Nadia (that is my daughters pick of the girl ones available =))
My little Max would look so cute in some See Kai Run shoes! I'd love to get him some for his 1st birthday!