June 2009 New Specialty Toys — Christmas

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.

"Our die-cut vinyl designs are superior to paper or cardboard pictures. The peel-off release paper can be 're-attached' to the sticky surface to create your own designs. All products are made in the USA," MaryLee Hanson, owner of ArtiSands, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Fun Stix garage door magnets are a fast, easy and cost-effective way to decorate for holidays and celebrations of all kinds. Most garage doors in the U.S. are made of polymer-coated steel, and Fun Stix are designed to stick to these doors with no effort at all. They're also weather resistant, UV protected, reusable , and won't interfere with the normal operation of garage doors. Fun Stix may also be used on refrigerators or office file cabinets, or in nurseries, daycare centers or classrooms. "Typical magnetic decorations are too heavy. As a result, they are too expensive. ... Fun Stix™ combine plastic die-cut sheeting and magnets to give customers a one-of-a-kind decorative experience saving time, energy and money. Dollar for dollar, customers can decorate four to five times more of their garage doors compared to typical garage door magnets of the same cost," John Delatorre, president of Fun Stix Magnets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

These holiday readers can be used a gift for early readers, as they educate children about the story of Santa Claus, hanging stockings and cooking special meals with the family, plus other holiday traditions around the world.

This jolly old fellow is handknit of 100-percent cotton, featuring light blue eyes and a full beard. There's also a Reindeer in the Zubels line of soft, knit characters. Launch date: 2009.