October 2008 Notable Toys — Gifts

Bright colors and fun (often funny) sayings turn an everyday necessity into an accessory. The company's newest design — "Snooze Button" — joins Volume Control, 'hi', no hablo, ttyl, Just Chillin and other designs. "Laughter and style are not the only goals our pacifiers achieve — safety is No. 1! All of our Lots to Say Baby pacifiers are made in the USA and conform to all Consumer Product Safety Commission standards," Erin Wilson, chief momma of Lots to Say Baby, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

This line features four different mermaids — Cassie, Reese, Brooke and Ivy — each with its own story to tell. The line consists of T-Shirts, hats, coasters and ornaments. "These are completely original mermaids, created specially for this line. There is a beach mermaid, a golf mermaid, a preppy mermaid and a cocktail mermaid," Kit McCourt, owner of ShoreArt Gifts, told TDmonthly.

"Lovely Baby Brain Power," a specially priced four-disc set, is the latest release from Lovely Baby creator and international baby music expert, Raimond Lap. "Brain Power" continues the fine tradition as the most effective way to gently stimulate the young mind through music. "This is the only original music series in the world specifically created for babies. Virtually all other music available has been adapted and packaged to appeal to parents, without any thought as to what it is actually doing for the baby. Lovely Baby is also the highest quality music (sonically) available for babies," Gary Brody, president of Lovely Baby Music, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2007.

Santa Dust is a magical potion used by children worldwide to help guide Santa and his reindeer to a child's door. Every child who believes in the magic of Christmas believes in the magic of Santa Dust. The hang tag reads: Hold your Santa Dust tight; sprinkle Christmas Eve when Santa takes flight! Santa Dust consists of oats, glitter and cinnamon. The oats and cinnamon are for the reindeer, and the sparkle let's Santa find children — where ever they are! "Santa Dust comes in a beautiful, red velvet pouch that resembles Santa's knapsack. Each pouch has a side loop to hang on a tree as a Christmas tree ornament and save for next Christmas. The pouch is a remembrance of the Christmas that was," Patricia Cardello, owner of PAC Jennic Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 18, 2008.

The Nessie, inspired by the Loch Ness Monster, is the newest addition to the LumiSource kids and tween LED lighting line.  This bendable lamp is perfect for reading or homework.  There is a setting with a color-changing LED for mood lighting.  Turn the light on, or switch settings by squeezing the head.  Available in Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Black, Leopard, and Green.

The BoomPod™ features a curved bottom that allows for the ultimate gaming experience. Kids can lean into every move and turn to dodge asteroids or other racecars. It features two 3” internal speakers, connectivity with other chairs, and the option of using an adapter. Kids can play their favorite games or music for hours on four AA batteries. The BoomPod™ is easy to store and carry, making it great for a dorm room or playroom. "The BoomPod runs on batteries, eliminating many annoying cords that get in the way of little feet. This makes the chair great for younger kids who lack coordination and oftentimes get tripped up in all the cords. Also, the chair is very light, about 15 lbs. This is great for portability; in and out of storage or from room to room," Jessica Wuellner, marketing coordinator for LumiSource, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

The Boomdesk is great for Back-to-School or college. This portable storage desk with speakers is great to use with your laptop or music when sitting on your bed, the floor, or even on the couch. The Lapdesk is the ultimate Back-to-School accessory because it allows you freedom to study where you want, listen to your music, and store all your must-haves. Available in pink and tan.

Round and colorful, these puffy blowfish erasers are available in four assorted colors.

These hamster-themed erasers are available in six assorted colors. They can be taken apart and put back together like a puzzle.
—  As of 05/13/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 10 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Not suitable for younger children because the small pieces constitute a choking hazard.
—  Belmont Toys in Belmont, Mass., sells from 800 to 1,000 Iwako erasers monthly, Manager Gage Brownell told TDmonthly in October 2008.

These erasers look like individual Japanese sushi, and are available in six different designs.
— "I don't know why it's such a craze, but I sell hundreds," Meredith Zellweger of Toy Jungle in Manhattan Beach, Calif., told TDmonthly in July 2008.
—  “They're selling hundreds a month,” seconded Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star in Lexington, Mass.
—  Nine percent of 64 retailers said in summer 2008 that Iwako erasers are creating a buzz in their stores.

This activity kit from Laurali Collections was created to allow girls to bead their own straps, design their own trims and color their own jewels. The kit includes a pouch with velcro strip sewn on, beads for long or short straps, extra beads for bracelet or anklet to match the purse, findings to complete straps, 2 ribbons for trim, one ribbon for beading, beads for the trim, findings to complete trims, and rhinestone jewel. No sewing or gluing is required. Purse takes approximately one hour to complete.

This season bracelet highlights the holiday season with the alternating red, clear, and green crystals plus a reindeer charm.

This pearl bracelet with cross charm is composed of Swarovski pearls connected together with sterling silver, with the cross charm attached at the center.

Decorated with an alternating pattern of two different colored Swarovski crystals and of different sizes, separated by Swarovski pearls and enhanced by Swarovski Bar Bell crystals, this designer bracelet is full of sparkle for the stylish person.

This birthstone bracelet is made with Swarovski crystals, plated sterling silver, and Bali Spacers. A charm can be added to the bracelet for an additional $2.00.

This item will make an interesting gag gift. Printed on the flag is: "when 'IT' Gets Too Deep, Call 'Bullsh*t' And Throw The Flag" Packaged in 50 a bundle.

This one-of-a-kind necklace features individually hand-fired glass from two artists a world apart — one in Israel (focal) and one in Missouri (multi). It features 14k gold fill and solid, .925 sterling silver. It comes with a laminated "how to read the pattern" card, a "how-to scroll" tucked inside the s.s. charm dangling from the clasp, and a grey suede gift box. "Morse Code Jewelry is not only beautiful; it has brains, too. It 'spells' something.  It is distinguished by strict quality control ... and its unique history in early radio broadcasting," Annie Fields of Morse Code Jewelry told TDmonthly. "Its founder lives and works within sight of the world's first two-way, trans-Atlantic Morse Code exchange, Marshfield, Mass., and was, herself, a radio broadcaster for 20 years." Launch date: 2008.

This bracelet is made of sterling silver chained together by heart-shaped links. A charm can be added to the bracelet for an additional $2.00.

Ruby and Pink Opel Swarovski Crystal, Pink Freshwater Pearls, Bali Spacers, and Sterling Silver. A charm can be added to the bracelet for an additional $2.00.

This birthstone bracelet is made with Swarovski Crystals, plated sterling silver, and Bali Spacers. A charm can be added to the bracelet for an additional $2.00.

When you buy this pouch you will have 3 beautiful (rough and smooth) stones in hands; all with special magical powers. In every pouch there is a secret code. With this code you have a chance to win something. There can even be a stone of Dardamesh in your pouch. A real dragon tear. Keep it safe!

This necklace with plated silver magical spiral is a very special necklace because you can put a different stone in it every day. So when you buy the necklace, you have many possibilities. Depending on the power you need that day, or the clothes you are wearing, pick the right stone from your collection and put it around your neck.

Cards by Kids turns your children's artwork into one-of-a kind greeting cards. Children's masterpiece artwork are transformed into items such as birthday cards, party invitations, thank you notes, etc. The 4.5" x 6" cards are blank inside and come with 100% recycled paper envelopes. Parents can order directly to preserve their child's artwork forever, and to have cards on hand for any occasion. For schools and organizations, these cards present a creative fundraising idea. Cards are sold in a pack of 10.

“Grandpa, what kinds of pets did you have?” Uncover family stories that haven’t been shared in years or generations! Simply pick a card, ask the question and watch your family history unfold. This game keeps family history alive with diverse topics that allow grandkids and grandparents to discover more about each other through conversation.