November 2012 Notable Toys — Christmas

Families are sure to embrace this new holiday activity, and kids will savor the lasting excitement they'll get from completing this festive playscape. Kids color in over 50 precut Shrinky Dinks characters and accessories, and then pop them in the oven to watch them transform. Includes over 50 precut Shrinky Dinks characters and accessories, colored pencils, and 3-D pop up living room.

The holiday season has arrived in Heartlake City. Head outside with Olivia, Christina and their dog Coco. Build a snowman or go skiing, then warm up by the fire with cookies and milk. Help Olivia and Christina writing a holiday card, delivering gifts on their snowmobile and decorate the Christmas tree. Set includes 24 individual gifts, including 2 mini dolls, a dog and accessories. Celebrate the holiday season with the LEGO Friends.

Count down to the holiday season with the Smurfs Advent Calendar from Mega Bloks. This calendar, filled with Smurfy builds, will delight little one with a new surprise every day. Build a picture-perfect winter scene with presents, a snowman, a sled, and more to celebrate the holidays like a Smurf. Have a very blue Christmas with the Smurf Advent Calendar from Mega Bloks.

Keep the holiday spirit alive with the Christmas Designer TOOB® from Safari Ltd®. Everything from Santa to his sleigh and candy canes to ornaments is included in this holiday collection. Packaged in a reusable acetate tube, this set contains eight figures, including a Christmas Tree, Candy Cane, Ornament, Snowman, Sleigh, Xmas Gift Boxes and Santa Claus. Hand painted figures measure 2” H (5 cm) and are suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Launch date: 2013.

With five favorite mini microbes dressed up for Christmas: a Stomach Ache Gingerbread Man, a caroling Sore Throat, Frosty the White Blood Cell Snowman, an angelic Nerve Cell, and an exclusive Amoeba in sparkly gold lamé, only available in this set.

Get Christmas off to a galactic start with the LEGO® Star Wars™ Advent Calendar. Featuring 24 gifts, including iconic starships, minifigures, and accessories, this great advent calendar is the perfect gift for Star Wars fans of any age. 234 pieces total.

Kids can have fun even when they're on the go with the Carrying Case Santa's Workshop. Set includes Santa, elf, gifts, toys, wheelbarrow, table, chair, and other accessories that all fit into a green, easy to take-along case.

The first-ever Christmas album from kids' music superstar Laurie Berkner, featuring classic seasonal and Christmas songs as well as three original tracks. "The CD is set apart from other holiday albums for kids because Laurie Berkner is the biggest name in children's music in the country - dubbed 'The queen of children's music' by People Magazine and 'The undisputed queen of kindie rock'" by USA Today.  The reason she is the biggest name in kids' music is her appeal to parents, not just kids," Sarah Geist Rosen from SKG Publicity told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— As of 12/6/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 23 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Features many Christmas classics; interesting vocal arrangements; enjoyable for kids and adults. Cons: One reviewer wished there were more original songs.

Kids can sip in style with our cutest Christmas Snowman cup. This 12oz guy is perfect for little hands and is sure to keep kids entertained while enjoying their favorite drinks. Our snowman is fantastic for holiday parties and will keep the kids happy for hours. Launch date: 2004.

This toy set has Veggie Tales characters depicting the Nativity scene. This fun and durable set is sure to become a favorite part of the family traditions in teaching children the story of Christ's birth.

Cuddle up for a little comfort and joy featuring everybody’s favorite mouse. As Maisy gets ready for Christmas, little ones can lift flaps and pull tabs to watch her bake and decorate, read her cards, peek at her gifts, and open the door on Christmas morning for a merry surprise. Trimmed in foil and twinkling from beginning to end, Merry Christmas, Maisy captures the joys and simple pleasures of the season. Launch date: September 2012.

Kids can celebrate the magic of Christmas with these collectible figurines straight from An Elf’s Story™. With Chippey, Snowflake, Wordsworth, and Zart, it’s a world of fun for kids looking to have an extravaganzalorious time letting their imaginations run wild. Add Santa Claus (sold separately) to experience the full wonder of the North Pole. Elves stand 3 ¼” tall, and Santa Claus is 5”.

Kids can follow Chippey’s adventures with Taylor McTuttle and his family in this special board book edition of An Elf’s Story™. With eight press-and-play holiday sounds, this interactive, 20-page book is perfect for preschoolers who will love the vivid illustration and easy-to-follow version of the Christmas special that features Chippey, Snowflake, Wordsworth, Zart, and of course, Santa Claus.

For early and emerging readers, this edition of An Elf’s Story™ is a re-telling of the Christmas story featuring the McTuttle family and Chippey, a pixie scout elf sent by Santa from the North Pole. Join Chippey, Snowflake, Wordsworth, and Zart in this heartwarming Christmas tale about believing in the magic of all things Christmas.

This brand new An Elf’s Story ™ 50 page coloring book features scenes from the holiday special, including characters like Chippey, Snowflake, Wordsworth, Zart, Santa Claus, and the entire McTuttle clan. Also includes stickers.

This year, The Claus Couture Collection features a collectible 2012 scout elf skirt. The 2012 style is a white pleated skirt complete with festive red polka dots – perfect for making the ultimate fashion statement this holiday season. For those fashion forward girl elves, this perfectly polka dotted skirt is a brand new must-have. One size fits all.

An Elf’s Story™, the animated Christmas special that premiered on CBS last holiday season, is the first Elf on the Shelf® Christmas special that features cutting edge animation, memorable songs, and a tale about the spirit of the season. Nine-year old Taylor McTuttle has reached a crossroads. Does he believe Santa Claus really knows who is naughty or nice? Does he even believe in Santa Claus anymore? An Elf’s Story™ is the inspirational tale of Chippey, the young scout elf who is assigned by Santa to restore Taylor’s belief in Christmas magic. When the boy breaks the number one Elf on the Shelf rule, Chippey loses his Christmas magic; the entire McTuttle family loses its scout elf, and both Taylor and Chippey lose their self-respect. Through the power of love and forgiveness, both of them learn that true belief cannot be taught. An Elf’s Story™ DVD/Blu-Ray combo pack includes: An Elf’s Story™ 23-minute holiday special; TV trailer; Behind-the-scenes look at the making of An Elf’s Story™; Filmmaker’s commentary; Special Code for website access to Santa's Shipping Yard; and both 2-D and 3-D versions of the movie.

littleBits Holiday Kit is a special kit for the 2012 Holiday Season. Use these Bits to create ornaments, make decorations and celebration festivities. The Holiday Kit 2012 will also feature step-by-step instructions to make special projects. The littleBits Holiday Kit includes: A double sided instruction sheet with quick start guide and project suggestions; A custom-made 9V battery + cable; Custom plastic screwdriver; and 7 littleBits: power, pulse, light wire, dc motor, and bright led.

Barbie has returned to traditional holiday colors and is radiant in red. The Holiday Barbie 2012 Doll's strapless gown features rich layers in the uplifted skirt, with a red petticoat underneath, a red tulle layer adding volume and a rich brocade fabric on the dress. A sash tied around the waist produces an elegant bow with glitter detailing. A statement necklace and earrings, red nails and red lips complete the festive look. Launch date: 2012.

In 1939 Robert L. May, a copywriter working at Chicago's Montgomery Ward & Co., wrote a holiday story at the request of his employer. Almost two and a half million copies of the little tale about a reindeer with a shiny red nose were given away to children who visited Montgomery Ward stores that year. The rest is history. Over seventy years later, the beloved classic is once again available in a faithful, hardcover facsimile of the original 1939 Rudolph, with original text and illustrations by Denver Gillen.

Festive Wintery Pull-along Penguin & Polar Bear toy. Improve hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, and movement abilities. 5 Stackable penguin and polar bear blocks.

Holiday robot captivates kids with rapid skittering motion. Decked out for holiday fun in red, green, snowflake & antlers. At home in a crystal-clear ornament bulb tied with festive ribbon (for a bit).

Kids of all ages can experience traditional holiday fun with the Fisher-Price GeoTrax Christmas Train. The train features working lights in each of the cars and automatically activates lights in the mini-sites as it passes. There are 2 moveable street lights, a bridge that plays holiday music, and a skating rink with spot lights. The Easy-Rail Station lighted features include: a 3-faced clock tower, 2 lamps, 2 street lights, and station windows. Pull into the station to unload passengers and listen as they are welcomed by a fun holiday tune. The station's lights and music can also be activated by pressing the button on the clock tower or either of 2 buttons on the track. This cool set includes 16 pieces of durable, Snap-Lock track, holiday decor that snaps onto the guard rails, street lamps, a bridge, a station, and signs that can be placed throughout the set. Compatible with other GeoTrax train sets.

Deck the halls with buildable cheer. Hang some holiday cheer anywhere with the LEGO Holiday Wreath (30028). Interlock the textured green bricks for a perfect circle adorned with red "holly" studs and 2 bells. Measures over 3" (7cm) wide and 3" (7cm) tall. Contains 50 pieces.