On this blog we will be examining the issue of the ” Finest Christmas Toys “. Before we start actually listing our selections, here are some Christmas tips that you should take into consideration when choosing toys.
1) The first thing to keep in mind is that it’s been years since you were a child. The toys that you played with (or longed for) as a child have more often than not gone out of favor over the years. We live in the fast paced “internet” age now where everything is electronic and moves at a bullet pace. Just remember, children from different generations generally like different types of toys.
2) The Child’s Gender – Some toys are fun for both boys or girls. Board games, puzzles, and arts and crafts fit into this category. Other toys are more gender specific. It’s not very common for a boy to play with a pink dollhouse now is it? Similarly, how many times have you seen a girl play with tanks and fighter jets? Having said this, tastes do differ amongst children. Just make sure this is a consideration in the selection process.
3) The Child’s Age – One of the most important considerations. If the toys are too advanced for your child’s age, they may either lose interest, or become injured while playing with them. With the risk of lawsuits always looming, toy manufacturers are constantly struggling to make their products as safe as possible. Having said this, if you don’t follow the manufacturers recommendations (they will often print the suggested ages for their toy on the side of the package), you are taking this matter into your own hands. On the other side of the coin, if you choose toys that are too young for your child, they will consider them childish and boring. The solution? Make sure the toy you are choosing is age appropriate.
4) The Toys that Your Child’s Friends Play With – Take a look when you see your child playing with others. Do they show a particular interest in the toys that their friends are playing with? If this is the case, you have a potential toy to purchase for your child when the occasion presents itself.
5) Safety Considerations – This is the most important factor you must consider whenever you need to decide what toy you should buy for your child. Unfortunately, this is also the most overlooked one. Usually, parents forget to check if the toy they choose for their children are safe.
6) Is the toy an education – It’s one thing to choose a toy that is fun to play with. It takes the whole gift giving process up to a new level when the toy is educational as well. There is nothing like preparing your child with skills that will prepare them for the future while they have fun.
7) Sometimes a child will make the whole toy selection process easy by telling their parents what toy he/she likes or wants. This can save a whole lot of time and effort, but it can also mean that the sense of “surprise” is gone. One way to bring this sense of “surprise” back is to answer back “wouldn’t you rather have a <fill in the blank>”.
Xmas help is here! In future posts we will be providing some Xmas specials that we are sure your child will love! Xmas wishes to you and yours…
Filed under August Picks by on Sep 24th, 2009. 
The web contains info on a ton of potential gifts for those special boys and girls in your life. We have found these three, but will be adding more in subsequent posts. Here are our top picks for today:
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We have heard of RC (remote control) helicopters before, but this little gem of a toy takes the whole RC thing to a new level. With the Spinmaster Havoc Heli Laser Battle 2 RC Helicopter Pack you will be able to not only take off, land, duck, weave, and fly around the house, but you can also carry out an actual “dogfight” with other RC helicopters! Each copter is equiped with a laser that you can work via your remote control. Got the enemy in your sights? Bang! By a direct hit on the other copter’s infrared sensor you will send it sputtering to the ground. These little flyers are small, at a mere 6.5 inches, so they are safe to navigate around the rooms of your house. Three separate frequency bands are available, so three separate copters can participate in the dogfight. Fully assembled and ready to fly right out of the box, you will be operational in minutes.
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“Guitar Hero Takes Over The World”! We wonder how long it will be before we see this headline. All kidding aside, it seems that it’s hard to go somewhere on planet earth where you don’t see kids playing this fun and addictive little video game. Having said that, what’s a kid to do when they are out and about and the tether between kid and video console has been broken? Ta Da! “Miniature Guitar Hero” to the rescue. Miniature Guitar Hero to the rescue! This portable little device, at a mere 6″ long, has a “whammy bar” to sustain those long notes, and a fold-down neck for easy transport. In terms of songs it comes packed with ten music tracks taken from both Guitar Hero I and II (for example: You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, Smoke on the Water, Killer Queen, and Surrender). Made for beginner to advanced players (there are 5 levels of play), there are 5 wav tone buttons as well. Check this little beauty out…
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The little hero in your life deserves to know how you feel about them, right? Do they try and try but never seem to “capture the trophy” so to speak? Were they on the baseball team that almost won the championship? Were they “runner up” at the dance competition? Well, now is the time to tell them that they are a winner in your eyes. Build Your Own Award is a customization service where you can create the perfect award via there 3 simple step process:
- Pick the type of award (ie: trophy, plaque, medal).
- Add a figure or emblem (and choose a color).
- Personalize It (ie: How about “In My Eyes, the #1 ‘Baseball Player + Student’ in the World”).
The company, Dinn Bros., is a leading provider of medals, plaques, trophies, and other fine recognition awards (that can be used to recognize sporting, academic and business special achievements & milestones). They have been in business for over 50 years…a testament to their pricing and quality service.
Filed under September Picks by on Sep 1st, 2009.
Welcome back. We’re continuing to scour the web and highlight some of the best Christmas Toys. Here are three more to add to the list:
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Have you ever played the game “20 Questions”? You know it, right? It’s the game where you think of something, and other people have to figure out what it is by asking only 20 “yes” “no” questions. “Is it bigger than a breadbox?” “Is it in this room?” Stuff like that. Well, this little device, the innovative Electronic Handheld 20 Questions Game (which the New York Times calls ‘Amazing!’) captures this classic game in a hand held, portable format. It’s equipped for single or multi-level play.
This is just one of the great offerings we have found in the “Discovery Channel Store”. We’ll highlight some of the others in subsequent posts, but this one really caught our eye.
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Why not introduce that special boy or girl on your list to the exciting world of a brand new hobby…like coin and stamp collecting. We have found just the thing to get them started. The 40th Anniversary Moon Landing Commemorative Cover. This is an official commemorative cover celebrating the 40th anniversary of the historic Moon Landing of Apollo 11. Were you among the estimated 600 million people watching their television to witness one of the greatest achievements of mankind? If so, here’s one way to pass this memory on to that “special little man” on your gift list.
The original envelope with full-color artwork and quote from President John F. Kennedy features the following four items:
a) Mint condition U.S. stamp from 1969.
b) 1964 vintage Kennedy stamp.
c) Brilliant uncirculated half-dollar coin with 24K gold and color image in tribute to Apollo 11.
d) Once-in-a-lifetime postmark of July 20 from Houston, Texas – site of NASA’s mission control.
The First Day Cover arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity with the signature mark of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. There is a “Limited Edition” of 25,000 worldwide – So be sure to order early!
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The Perfume Science Kit is the perfect way to introduce the science of scent. By utilizing this kit they will not only learn the history, art, and science of perfumery, they will become a master perfumer in the process by combining the various fragrances. They will gain insights into how their sense of taste and smell are regulated by their brain (and learn a bit about chemistry and biology in the process). The kit itself contains 8 different perfume oils, decorative falcons, essential tools of the perfume trade, and a 48 page manual of instructions.
Take the time to browse the “Discovery Channel Store” and see all of the other gift ideas. Your Xmas list will be glad that you did.
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With all the perfume your little princess has created (see the previous entry), along with her rings, friendship bracelets, necklaces, and hair clips, she will need a place to put them. Why just buy her a jewelry box when you can add a bit of “excitement and wonder” by making one instead? With this kit she will have the opportunity to create her own bejeweled and bedecked masterpiece…a charming little keepsake that she will cherish forever. The basic jewelry box is made from solid wood, and the kit also includes fun and decorative accessories such as stickers, glitter glue, ribbons, and much much more. The box is lined with a plush velvet interior, and has a storage drawer, vanity mirror and ring holder (all that’s needed to store her cherished jeweled possessions). This kit is meant for children ages 6 and up. An Xmas craft that she will love.
Kazootoys.com (the seller of this kit) was awarded the honor of top toy site by Playthings Magazine. Kazoo & Company was awarded the “Toy Store of the Year” by the Toy Industry Association. They have the world’s largest variety of educational and specialty toys (over 5,000 unique toys for kids of all ages). Take a few moments to visit their site and browse around. Xmas online shopping is here folks!
Filed under August Picks by on Aug 22nd, 2009.
We’ve found 3 more great Xmas fun toys to add to your Chistmas List…
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Do you have a budding secret agent on your Christmas List this year? Does he/she like to sneek around corners and spy? Do they get excited at the mere mention of James Bond, 007, the CIA, or the FBI? Well, have we got a great gift idea tailor made for them… Check out this little gem, a Secret Agent Watch which is equipped with a hidden color camcorder. It can be either a spy camera or hidden camera as it’s small enough to wear anywhere (why not let the “future 007″ figure out which option they prefer for their next mission). This watch has a built-in 2GB worth of flash memory, a Swiss Quartz Movement, and a rechargeable lithium battery. They will be able to record both video (up to 2 hours) and voice. Works with Windows / Mac / Linux. Not shaken or stirred…
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Do you have a car fanatic on your Christmas Wish List? Do they eat, sleep, and drink anything with 4-wheels? If they drool at the thought of a “1966 Mustang Shelby GT”, we have just the place to get them the gift of their dreams. While the real deal might be a bit outside the confines of your budget, there is a way that you can show you understand their passion…get them the next best thing…an authentic replica. The auto pictured is a “1966 Mustang Shelby GT 350 H Diecast Car Model 1/18 “Hertz” White With Gold Stripes Die Cast Car by Shelby Collectables”, but there are many other makes and models of cars available. From Toyotas to Fords, from Hummers to the classic Lamborghinis, at DieCast Models they seem to have them all. They have been doing this since 2001, and are dedicated to providing their customers with not only quality merchandise and service, but wholesale pricing as well. Check them out…
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Do you live near the woods and live in constant fear of one of your loved ones getting lost? Well we have just come across this little item and think that it is nothing short of amazing. With the Spot Satellite Messenger they will be able to keep you up to date on their current location. You will no longer live in fear of having to call out the whole fire department, or organizing a search party, if they happen to get lost. Weighing in at a mere 8oz, it’s small and light enough for almost anyone (but they need to be old enough to learn how to operate it). We’re not the only ones who think this is a fantastic device…it was vote the Backpacker Magazine 2008 Editors Choice Award.
Surviving Xmas is one thing, but surviving in the outdoors is something totally different! You know, considering the “piece of mind” this little device will provide you, it’s in many respects more of a gift for you…but don’t tell anyone that…
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Filed under July Picks by on Jul 21st, 2009.
We’re having fun with Google and Yahoo and researching all the fine toys that are out there these days. The web sure is a great place to find info you need, isn’t it? We don’t want to just provide you with a list of the “average”, we want to bring you a list of what we consider the “best”. Here are our top 3 picks for today:
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“Look to Asia”. How many times have we heard this? It seems that it’s all over the news these days how India and China and the rest of Asia are emerging as the new economic powerhouses. What better way to get your children off to a great start than introducing them to a foreign language. Take a look at PowerSpeak , an award winning (Teachers’ Choice, Home Schooling Readers’ Choice) language program designed especially for kids. They teach Chinese yes, but they also offer French and German and other languages. That special someone on your Christmas List will be able learn intuitively through age-appropriate, interactive games and activities. They offer a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied, so navigate over and see how this program can fit into your child’s life.
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Is the child on your list old enough to be a sports fanatic yet? If so, we have just the place for you. Football Fanatics is the Ultimate College, NHL, NFL, NBA, NASCAR and MMA Sports Shop featuring an endless assortment of NCAA and Pro Team Sports Apparel and Merchandise. You can have their favorite team’s logo imprinted on a sweatshirt, a T-Shirt, a hat, a cap, a jacket, a cup, a wallet, a watch, a belt, a visor, a backpack, a <fill in the blank>. Get the point? The list is almost endless. Why do we picture a hammer? Because this hammer has a team logo on it (yes, they even imprint logos on hammers), and it denotes just how many things are available for purchase. And also, who knows, you might be giving a gift to a future builder, right?
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Girl to Girl: The Real Deal on Being a Girl Today is a wonderful little book…great for any girl! As one reader recently commented: “This book is very good! I think every girl should read it. It really explains things well and everything she says is true”. It’s tough being a girl today, and this book will help out…
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That’s our list for now…but check back often. We will be adding to this list…
Filed under June Picks by on Jun 24th, 2009.