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8 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ‘Tis The Season TRAVERSE CITY RECORD-EAGLE Thursday, November 25, 2004 Children’s toys range from trendy to timeless

BY REBECCA KALIJEAN classics this year. for Anna are leaning toward the store director for Toys R Special to the Record-Eagle “I try to avoid the electron- real-life items, like the Us. “Everybody is all into ic toys because I think they the electronics now.” Toy trends by category Whether naughty or nice, get addictive and I don’t twins,” said Russell, who Game systems and their sugar or spice, it’s a great Although the trends for toys are veering sharply away want to introduce them to also has a toddler son. “Not accessories continue to be time to be a kid during the from each other — classics for the little ones, electronic that at such an early age,” to mention lots of arts and the hottest seller for the hol- holidays. Today’s children for the older set — here are the categories that have said Hitchens, crafts items, which she idays even at prices that are hardly locked into the caught the retailers’ attention this holiday season. who researched her gift loves.” begin at $149, said Dommer. toy choices of yesteryear __ Technological Toys choices for her two girls and Both Hitchens and Russell The latest game to come out, blocks for boys, for Video games and the systems to play them on. toddler son on the agree that it doesn’t take a Halo 2 for the X Box system, girls, etc. Rather, hot items Nintendo, PlayStation and X Box systems are leading Internet. lot to make their children even had customers down- this year run the gamut from the pack. Hitchens plans on buying a happy during the holidays. state lined up at midnight, nostalgic to extreme technic. Action Toys wooden train set for her son Price points in the $20 to $30 he said. No matter what they Action toys like scooters, dirt bikes and skateboards and an E-Z Bake Oven for range are “more than The desire for all things choose, however, parents for both boys and girls remain popular. her daughters. Beyond that, enough,” Hitchens says. “I’m video is something Anne and grandparents are happy The Razor E battery-powered scooter and the Fisher she’s sticking to toys that the just not spending a lot this Boyles fights every holiday to shell out the green. Price Power Wheels Go-Cart have shown strong sales kids can play with outdoors. year because you don’t need season. Her teenage son, This year, the average holi- early as well. It’s all about keeping it to,” she said, adding that in Jared, has three systems at day shopper will spend $608 Remote Control Toys simple, Hitchens says. addition to shopping local his father’s house and none on gifts, up 4 percent from Hobbytron’s remote control stunt cars are hot as well “Jack can play with a ball toy stores, she also hunts for at hers. 2003, according to polls as remote control boats, hovercrafts and various kinds outside all day, while the $1 stocking stuffers. It’s for a good reason, she released this month by the of action figures. Classic Toys and other Disney girls can sit an do crafts for Although the trend for the says. “We’re nags about Macerich Company and the character toys, games and accessories remain popular. hours,” she said. “They real- classic toys like , enough stuff around here — International Council of The new E-Z Bake Real Meals Oven bakes macaroni and ly like the hands-on things.” Lite Brite, and Legos I don’t want to yell at him Shopping Centers. cheese. Even Cabbage Patch kids have been updated for As children get older, their remains strong every year, about the video games, too,” Despite the willingness to a new generation. interests branch out as mar- teens and pre-teens are Boyles said. spend, the myriad choices Educational/Creative Toys keting messages get more clamoring for something Rather, she and her hus- parents and Santa face Leapfrog Enterprises has junior computer games attention from the little quite different: Video game band Peter focus their holi- can be daunting. Area par- called Leap Pad, which focuses on early start reading ones. Even so, this year systems and their compo- day spending on Jared’s ents, however, say they are and math skills. V Tech has introduced educational Missy Russell says she wants nents. sports equipment, which is turning to hot toys from the video games for the 4 and under age group. Other cre- to keep her 7-year-old “Back then, the kids used “equally pricey but at least past for their little ones. ative and educational games include the classic Fisher daughter’s holiday simple, to want Barbie, but now he’s outside,” she said. Cherie Hitchens, a mother Price toddler’s line and Discovery Toys. traditional, and “real.” we’re not seeing that so Rebecca Kalijean is a local of three children under the Source: Jim and Audri Lanford, www.wow-christmas- “The things we’re buying much,” said Ray Dommer, freelance writer. age of four, is shopping the gifts.com

Bible series will feature the stories of “Jonah,” PLAN TOYS “David and Goliath” and “Noah’s Ark.” For the older ones, new Friends’ divide and Season’s top items designs in riding toys are coming out. conquer shopping have familiar faces “You can never go wrong with cars for boys,” Joester FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1 said. “We also have some SquarePants. new Barbie designs for the Thanksgiving and being girls.” able to take advantage of To keep children reading, Publications International Along those lines are the the sales. In addition to Power Wheels Kawasaki streamlining the shop- has come out with Story Reader ($24.99), a portable Adventure 4x4 ($250), a ping process, her divide- pint-sized ATV that fea- and-conquer method also electronic storybook reader for children 3 to 8 years tures oversized tires and a ensures that gifts are trailer to tow a passenger. paid for that day and that old. According to Publications International It has two child-appropri- there aren’t credit card ate speeds of 2 ½ and 5 bills looming on the hori- it was one of the most suc- cessful new products in the miles per hour. Built for zon. ages 3 and up, it carries a If one shopper wants a 2003 holiday season and its popularity is continuing to weight limit of 90 pounds. big-ticket item that will For girls, there’s the go on her credit card, she grow. “We are thrilled with Barbie Take-Along Tunes is the designated shop- Jeep 4x4 ($240). In sporty per at the store where Story Reader’s perfor- mance,” said Kerry pink and purple, the 12-volt her big purchase will be vehicle features a boombox made. Cunnion, executive vice president of Publications that plays Latin, pop, coun- Tammy Jarvis has try and island beats. known Porter since their International. “Since Story Reader’s debut, we have Designed for one or two elementary school days riders, ages 3 and up. in Elk Rapids. She has received thousands of con- sumer requests for new Also on childrens’ wish joined Porter on her list for the holidays are the shopping adventure on at titles.” Among the selections are Hero City Rocket least three occasions and Park. Matchbox cars have is already gearing up for the Sesame Workshop fea- turing “Elmo’s Colorful been a favorite for little this year’s event. She boys for a long time. Now, considers her friend a Adventure” and “The Last Cookie.” children can experience an genius for coming up even bigger adventure with the idea. Stories also feature Barney, Winnie the Pooh when they load cars onto a “She’s a mastermind,” motorized Ferris wheel Jarvis said. and Scooby-Doo. New for the holidays will be a which sends them on two Jarvis says that shop- roller coaster tracks. Fun ping with Porter and the er person to shop with.” Then she remembered Christmas series of “A Jarvis says she’s even the store’s mall-side Kristen M. Hains is a Christmas Carol,” “The sound effects add to the rest of the “teams” turns adventure. the shopping experience become a smarter shop- entrance and found only local freelance writer. Night Before Christmas” into something that’s fun per through the experi- two or three other shop- and “The Nutcracker.” A again. ence. She recalls waiting pers waiting in line at “It’s not a lot of stress,” outdoors with other shop- that door. she said. “It’s actually a pers for Target to open “I will definitely do this lot of fun. It’s the atmos- last year in a line so long every year,” Jarvis says. phere and having anoth- that she almost gave up. “It’s like tradition now.”

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