July 2009 Notable Toys — Christmas

Featuring two classic Christmas stories, Clement C. Moore's "The Night Before Christmas" and Saviour Pirotta's retelling of "The Nutcracker," this large hardcover is illustrated with watercolor art by Susanna Lockheart and features several changing picture windows for added intrigue.

Christina Marie Pop-In-Kins “pops in” with the first lighting of the family Christmas tree and stays until the last decoration is put away.  She loves to play hide-and-seek and is always available to share a smile and to lend an ear. In “Christina Marie and the Little Tree” Christina Marie sets out to be the very best elf at the North Pole.  But only after she discovers a little tree and saves it from a certain fate, does she learn what it truly means to be “the very best”. Each Christina Marie Pop-In-Kins Fun Set includes a posable Christina Marie Pop-In-Kins Elf, “Christina Marie and the Little Tree” illustrated storybook, and Christina Marie’s own storage case. Christina Marie Pop-In-Kins was named “2010 Book of the Year” by Creative Child Magazine.
Awards: 2011 The Toy Man Award of Excellence; 2011 The Toy Man E-Choice Award; 2011 The Toy Man Seal of Approval; 2010 Book of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine; 2010 Dr. Toy Best Picks of Children Products Award; 2010 USA Book News Best Books Award Finalist

This festive, single-band elastic watch features Christmas-themed beads that are handmade from polymer clay. Decorations include a Christmas tree, holly and wreath.

This jolly, plush Santa Claus is 9" tall and features a white beard along with red and green fabrics of varying design. Launch date: June 2009.

This 9" reindeer boasts an array of red and green against striped and floral fabrics. He has plush antlers and spearmint green piping for an extra bit of detail. Launch date: June 2009.

With this game and candy in one, kids take the dare with the spin wheel, then pick the jelly bean in the color the spinner lands on to take a chance on tasting look-alike wild or mild flavors. There's a collection of 20 look-alike flavors, while others are the delicious Jelly Belly beans customers love. New for 2009 are Canned Dog Food and Centipede flavors, along with Booger, Baby Wipes and Pencil Shavings flavors, to name a few. Launch date: August 2009.

An addition to the NameTrain Wooden Railway System created by Maple Landmark, the four-car Santa Train Car Set is crafted from locally harvested maple with whimsical images of Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer and elves. The finishes and inks are all non-toxic. The car pieces are not sold separately. Launch date: June 15, 2009.

Each LovBun & Friends plush character features a poem on the hangtag: "Meet LovBun, the love bunny who comes from outer space! They live on hugs so remember to give them lots of hugs each day!" Launch date: August 15, 2009.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them completely bio-degradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. "Because of their natural fibers they scratch absolutely nothing! The whimsy of our designs helps encourage children to assist with the dishes and wash their fruits and vegetables!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2004.

Santa's biggest secret is revealed in The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition gift set, with a North Pole pixie-elf (available with light skin or dark skin and dark eyes, as pictured), a hardbound children's book and a keepsake box. Launch date: October 15, 2009.
— Owner Diana Nelson of Kazoo & Co. in Denver told TDmonthly in fall 2009 that her store sells about 36 Elf on the Shelf sets per month.

The original Scout Elf Skirt is a dazzling ice-white, pleated skirt, sure to please the most fashion conscious female scout elf. Beautifully embellished with holly berry red snowflakes, this skirt will make your girl elf outshine the stars this Christmas season. Simply place the skirt where your elf can see it and she’ll fly into it during the night. One size fits all.
— The Claus Couture Scout Elf Skirt is deceptively simple. At first glance it may appear to be some simple scraps of cloth. Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, was skeptical when she first saw it, but overwhelming sales erased her doubts and made her regret her reduced order of the item. Parents who have experienced the magical tradition of The Elf on the Shelf know that the watchful gaze of the elf can transform misbehaving children into angels. Similarly, the Claus Couture Scout Elf Skirt transforms a generic elf into a fashionable female elf. More important, it can transform a sale, adding another item to a purchase or even encouraging customers to buy a second so their boys and girls can each have an Elf on the Shelf.

The 19" Plushee Pals are toy versions of their "real" North Pole Scout Elf counterparts. Made of the softest material Santa’s toymakers could find, this elf is available with a choice of either light or dark skin tones. "Plushee Pals™ are allowed to remain with their family year round and they thrive on hugs and kisses," Grace Purtell, logistics coordinator for CCA and B, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2009.
32" PALS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

NobleWorks is a company that produces outrageous greeting cards. "Always pushing the envelope, these cards redefine the edge of sophisticated, sassy and downright silly fun," Morgan Gertler, in administration at NobleWorks, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1999.

This collection of hand-crafted Nutcracker ornaments is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined wooden keepsake box. Launch date: 2006.

Elegantly-shaped keepsakes are ornamented in a wintry palette with gold accents. The hand-painted childhood scene captures the character of the G.DeBrekht style. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box. Launch date: 2009.

This mask Christmas ornament is hand-cast from wood and freehand painted. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box. Launch date: 2009.

Each delicately hand-crafted figurine tells the story of the Nativity through sophisticated illustrations. The set is meticulously hand-painted in refined hues of violet, indigo, crimson, amber and jade. It is limited to 900 pieces worldwide. and includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box. Launch date: 2009.

Part of the Wrapped Wishes series, these secret swivel boxes open to reveal a heartfelt sentiment inside, “Christmas brings out the child in all of us." The product is hand painted and includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box. Launch date: 2006.

Santa is on his way by train to deliver gifts and merriment to the nearby village. The Christmas tree rotates while Santa’s train rocks up and down. This hand-painted piece displays the G.DeBrekht signature style. Owners can wind the key at the bottom and it plays the tune “Winter Wonderland." It is limited to 1,500 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2008.

This Snowman’s face is designed to be filled with an unforgettable expression of love, happiness and celebration. He holds two birds as symbol of care and friendship. All artwork painting is done freehand in museum quality, and the decorative strokes may be noted under a magnifying glass. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box and is limited to 900 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2009.

This smiling Nutcracker sculpture is hand-painted and abundantly adorned with warm winter villages on his cap, sparkling snowflakes and twinkling stars. He cradles a bird friend in one hand and a bugle in the other. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box and is limited to 900 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2009.

This Santa in an airplane figurine is also a secret box. Owners just turn the propeller to unlock the box in the tail section of the plane. It features decorative hand-painting with detailed ornaments, a jovial expression on Santa’s face, and distinctive carving. The product is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2008.

This Santa in a car figurine is also a distinctive secret box. Owners just lift the front hood of the car to unlock the secret box and hide their treasures. It features rich, decorative painting with detailed ornaments, a jovial expression on Santa’s face, and distinctive carving. The hand-painted product is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2008.

Players try to make sure that everyone has a Merry Christmas. They help each other get all the pieces to make their own Merry Christmas puzzle picture. This involves sharing and giving. In the center of the board is the manger scene. Players must be careful not to let the manger get clouded over by such events as people being mean to one another, or they might all lose the game. The game includes a 12" x 12" board, movers, die and Merry Christmas puzzles. Launch date: April 26, 2009.