Last year, my mother-in-law sent over a table and a set of four chairs from Pottery Barn Kids for Pea. Let’s just say that although the table and chairs get a lot of use now, last year, the most popular part about it was the giant box it came in. My husband dragged it into the den where he promptly cut out a window and a large flap for a door. He handed my daughter a bunch of crayons and basically said, “have at it.” And she did. She loved that box. Practically lived in it. And while I was delighted by her capacity for imaginative play, I was not so happy to be side-stepping a giant Pottery Barn cardboard box all day long.

Fast forward one year. I found this play house in the Garnet Hill catalog. It’s cardboard. It’s officially a house – with windows and a door. And it’s white, soon to be decked out colorfully, I’m sure, by Pea’s own hand. And aesthetically, it’s a lot more pleasing to mama’s eye. While it might seem insane to pay $44 for what is essentially a cardboard box, I freely admit that when it comes to kids and their toys, I tend to be a snob. I admit it: those primary colored Fisher Price toys just kill me. Why must they be so… bright?

It’s going to be under the Christmas tree this year for her. I don’t know how long it’s going to last, particularly because she’s always inviting her Daddy into her imaginary houses for little tea parties. And he’s kind of tall. But I am pretty sure she’s going to enjoy it while it lasts.