November 2006

Editor's Note: Holiday Gift Guide Overload

by Wenda Reed

It arrived at our office one fall afternoon - a red fuzzy ball with what the marketers called “an endearing face.” It looked vaguely Satanic. You pressed a button and the thing bounced erratically around the floor emitting howling sounds. It was supposed to “delight and enchant” toddlers. It was more likely to make them pee their pants in fear. We used it to scare the UPS and mail delivery people.

It’s holiday gift guide time.

The trickle that begins in July with 10 e-mails, phone calls or snail mail promotions a week becomes a tidal wave of 50 a week in October.

This week, I heard about personalized pacifiers for babies (by the same company that brought us the $17,000 14K gold white diamond pacifier), Christmas ornaments with ultrasound pictures on them and “skateboard and punk rock apparel” for babies and toddlers. Along with interesting-sounding products like GeoPuzzles, cool new Lego kits and a “Hip-Hop-in-a-Box” exercise DVD, there was something called a “Love ‘N’ Lick Puppy” and dolls that invite us to “stroll down fruity fashion avenues.” And, of course, “the most popular gifts of everybody’s lists, games, games and more video games!”

It would be impossible for us to sift through all the chaff to find and test the very best products and so we turned to NAPPA – the National Association of Parenting Publications of America, of which we are members. Their expert judges did the sifting and testing for us – and for you. We hope you enjoy the roundup of outstanding toys, DVDs and music for children in different age groups. With so much advertising overload, it’s one way to keep from wasting money on one-dimensional toys and games that pile up in the closet a few days after the holidays.

We haven’t forgotten the local connection. In next month’s issues read about a host of new board games created in the Puget Sound region, apparently a hotbed for these family-centered activities. Something about our gray winter skies and the need to “cocoon?” The same type of weather is said to contribute to our area’s love of books. Find new offerings by talented local authors in the Puget Sound Parent Recommends column each month.

The holidays are synonymous with family and can be difficult for those with far-flung relatives or for divorced or separated parents. The reality is that sometimes children must travel by themselves to visit loved ones. This month’s story on Children Flying Solo tells you about airlines’ Unaccompanied Minor Services and what to expect if you send your child off alone.

Each December, we de-emphasize the “gimmes” and talk about the ways families and children can give back to the community over the holidays. Next month we’ll profile the inspiring winner of our Young Heroes Award, and suggest places you can donate time or money to help local children in need.

Looking ahead to December, we’d also like to tell you about a new addition to our Northwest Parent Media family. The first issue of Padres de Hoy (Spanish for “Families of Today”) will be distributed in December as an insert in the weekly Spanish-language newspaper, Sea Latino. Please contact us if you’d like to advertise in the publication or have press information you’d like to reach the Puget Sound Hispanic population (contact us for information).

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Northwest Parent Media
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