Every time a toy or game becomes well-liked, it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain. Selecting the coolest toys is something that takes skill in the modern world. And when it becomes even more difficult to locate, girls and boys wind up desiring it even more! This is really true for toys for 7 Year Old boys. To help you, in this article we have a variety of must-have toys this holiday season for boys age seven.
Erector Build and Play Easy Bucket- The Erector Set is a classic toy, and this modern version for four year old boys is sure to put a smile on their face while giving them something to do for hours and hours.Morphibian – Land Shark49MHz – In the pool, in a lake, or on land, this RC car made for younger children is a big hit in 2011.Moon in My Room – With this, small children can see the moon on their own wall while learning interesting facts about it at the same time. This is an educational and cool toy….Fortamajig- This is a unique creative play space that will give your young child hours of fun and adventure – indoors or outdoors.Hot Wheels Stealth Rides- This small-scale Remote controlled toy from Mattel company is actually priced under thirty dollars. That makes it a wonderful value. This is on top of it being lots of fun for 7 Year Olds.Paper Jamz Guitars and Drums- This is an remarkable fresh toy on the market WowWee. They are drum sets and guitars that are created out of cardboard and plastic. They have a great sound and children, tweens and teens like them. They are reasonably priced – lower than thirty bucks – and are available in 12 different styles. These are sire to be one of the hottest toys this year.Nerf N-Strike Stampede Blaster- Nerf toys are classic in quite a few various ways. This is a brand-new Nerf gun that is both safe and exciting for young children. You really want to ensure you get the perfect one as there are a few different types out there. Also check out the Clear Special Edition Nerf N-Strike Recon CS-6.Nintedo Wii – This is one of the coolest toys for Christmas 2011. There are so many great games available, even educational games. If you want something for 7 Year Olds that is going to leave them happy, get the Nintendo Wii.Vtech Kidizoom Multimedia Digital Camera (Camouflage)- With a cool color scheme, and the ability to take real digital pictures, this kids digital camera is sure to be a hit with any five year old boy.Kid Galaxy Morphibians Gator Radio Control Vehicle- For kids 5 years old and older there haven’t been too many RC toys in the past. Today, the Morphibians line lets little boys have the fun of RC cars without the fear of breaking small parts on more expensive models.LEGO Ultimate Building Set – 405 Pieces- This basic building block set is a classic toy that is going to be loved by most five year old boys. It comes with a big tub to make clean-up easy. If you want to see if your five year old is going to like Lego bricks or not, this is a great way to introduce them to LEGOs.The The World Smallest Palm Size Micro Alloy Shark Helicopteris small in size, but big in fun, which is why it’s so hot for boys of all ages in 2011.Tween and teen boys will go gaga over the Eyeclops Night Vision Stealth Goggles V2A lot of LEGO sets are popular in 2011, but a lot of boys are loving the LEGO Hogwarts building set and the LEGO LEGO XXL Box 5512set.Loopz – Mattel- This could be described as a memory game with lighting effects that work with motion detecting devices. Just like a great number of other tech toys this holiday season, the cost on this toy is surprisingly inexpensive – which happens to be fabulous!.
And that’s our list – a few popular games and toys for 7 Year Olds for XMAS 2011.
Check out more Toys for 7 Year Olds at Amazon. They have a wonderful selection of toys for seven year old boys.
View the original article here
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Best Halloween Costumes for 8 to 12 Year Olds
Halloween 2011 is coming soon. From funny to somber, there are Halloween Costumes for everyone on your list. If you make the decision to hunt down the funniest and most unique Halloween Costumes for boys and girls age 8 to 12 years old, you should start shopping now. Continue browsing to find the best Halloween costume for 2011!
When shopping for boys and girls age 8 to 12, it can be quite a challenge to locate the must-have outfits. Luckily, we have done all the hard work for you of costumes for this age group.
Star Wars Costumes – When it comes to Halloween Costumes for Star Wars fans, there is the C3P0 or Princess Leia. Not all kids in this age group will be into Star Wars, but it is still popular with the Star Wars Clone Wars cartoon and the last trilogy that was released.
There are a lot of simple and complex characters to choose from depending on how much you want to spend on a costume.
Transformers Costumes - The Transformers movie for 2011 was a big hit and a lot of kids are going to go as their favorite Transformer this Halloween. With a lot of great masks with voice changers, it’s easy to put together a great Transformers costume. Bumblebee is a great choice, but Optimus Prime is also popular. These might be more for boys, but there are surely some girls out there into Transformers in a big way.
Cheap Halloween Costumes- If you want to save when buying a Halloween Costume for 2011, keep looking around. We have specials that can save you cash if you purchase your Halloween costume before Halloween gets here.
Funny Costumes – Wouldn’t it be great to go as a monkey?
Scary Costumes for Girls – When it comes to frightening costumes, the girls ultimate zombie costume is a great idea. For girls age 8 to 12 years old, you’re not going to want to go with something too scary.
Tangled Rapunzel Costume – When it comes to Tangled the movie costumes, Rapunzel is really well liked by a lot of girls in this age group.Fairy Halloween Costume – There are many different good choices out there when it comes to a great Fairy Costume for Halloween this year. Girls age 8 to 12 love to dress up as fairies, and it can be fairly easy to come up with a costume – even if you just buy the accessories and not a “full costume.
”Princess Halloween Costume – For girls of all ages, going as a princess can be a lot of fun. From Disney princesses to real princesses to princesses from other tales and stories, there are a lot of choices for girls.
Circus Costumes for Kids – Going as a clown or circus performer can be a lot of fun and is actually pretty easy to put together. You may need to get a Clown Halloween Make-up Kit, but these aren’t that expensive usually. A little goes a long way. Don’t forget the red nose!Disney Costumes 2011- There are many Disney characters that are popular this year, including High School Musical 3 cap and gown and Boys Electric Mad Hatter.Army & Air Force
Halloween Costumes- If your child knows someone in the military, they may want to dress up as a soldier. From the army to the air force, there are a lot of great ideas for Halloween costumes that are military themed. Sometimes just a simple camo shirt and pants is enough!
Mascot Costumes- If you have a favorite sports team, you may want to dress your child up as a Mascot. Depending on their age and how much they are into sports, they may or may not like the idea. The good news is that there are a lot of Mascot costumes available for Halloween, giving you a lot of choices.
Food Costumes for Halloween- Sometimes going as an apple or a banana is more than enough to steal the limelight wherever you go for Halloween 2011. Kids age 8 to 12 years old may not think this is such a good idea, but you never know until you ask them.
Alice in Wonderland Costumes - If your child is a fan of Alice in Wonderland, there are a lot of great costume choices available. From Alice to the Mad Hatter to the Queen of Hearts there are a lot of choices for Alice in Wonderland themed costumes.
Halloween Costumes on Sale- If you are on a strict budget – who isn’t these days – finding a Halloween costume on sale is important we try to find you the best deals on Halloween costumes to make your life easier. From price to quality to creativity, we go all out to find you the best costumes.
Animal Halloween Costumes- This is yet another classic Halloween costume idea, but one that never gets old. The new Planet of the Apes movie may have some wanting to go as their favorite primate. Other choices – including the cow and horse for two people – are good choices. Again, children age 8 to 12 years old may not think a simple animal is a good costume, but with a little imagination – and a great animal costume – it can be a lot of fun.Costumes for two
Keep looking around around and you are going to get the info you need to choose the must-have Halloween Costumes for boys and girls age 8 to 12 years old. Finding the perfect Halloween costumes should be fun.
View the original article here
When shopping for boys and girls age 8 to 12, it can be quite a challenge to locate the must-have outfits. Luckily, we have done all the hard work for you of costumes for this age group.
Star Wars Costumes – When it comes to Halloween Costumes for Star Wars fans, there is the C3P0 or Princess Leia. Not all kids in this age group will be into Star Wars, but it is still popular with the Star Wars Clone Wars cartoon and the last trilogy that was released.
There are a lot of simple and complex characters to choose from depending on how much you want to spend on a costume.
Transformers Costumes - The Transformers movie for 2011 was a big hit and a lot of kids are going to go as their favorite Transformer this Halloween. With a lot of great masks with voice changers, it’s easy to put together a great Transformers costume. Bumblebee is a great choice, but Optimus Prime is also popular. These might be more for boys, but there are surely some girls out there into Transformers in a big way.
Cheap Halloween Costumes- If you want to save when buying a Halloween Costume for 2011, keep looking around. We have specials that can save you cash if you purchase your Halloween costume before Halloween gets here.
Funny Costumes – Wouldn’t it be great to go as a monkey?
Scary Costumes for Girls – When it comes to frightening costumes, the girls ultimate zombie costume is a great idea. For girls age 8 to 12 years old, you’re not going to want to go with something too scary.
Tangled Rapunzel Costume – When it comes to Tangled the movie costumes, Rapunzel is really well liked by a lot of girls in this age group.Fairy Halloween Costume – There are many different good choices out there when it comes to a great Fairy Costume for Halloween this year. Girls age 8 to 12 love to dress up as fairies, and it can be fairly easy to come up with a costume – even if you just buy the accessories and not a “full costume.
”Princess Halloween Costume – For girls of all ages, going as a princess can be a lot of fun. From Disney princesses to real princesses to princesses from other tales and stories, there are a lot of choices for girls.
Circus Costumes for Kids – Going as a clown or circus performer can be a lot of fun and is actually pretty easy to put together. You may need to get a Clown Halloween Make-up Kit, but these aren’t that expensive usually. A little goes a long way. Don’t forget the red nose!Disney Costumes 2011- There are many Disney characters that are popular this year, including High School Musical 3 cap and gown and Boys Electric Mad Hatter.Army & Air Force
Halloween Costumes- If your child knows someone in the military, they may want to dress up as a soldier. From the army to the air force, there are a lot of great ideas for Halloween costumes that are military themed. Sometimes just a simple camo shirt and pants is enough!
Mascot Costumes- If you have a favorite sports team, you may want to dress your child up as a Mascot. Depending on their age and how much they are into sports, they may or may not like the idea. The good news is that there are a lot of Mascot costumes available for Halloween, giving you a lot of choices.
Food Costumes for Halloween- Sometimes going as an apple or a banana is more than enough to steal the limelight wherever you go for Halloween 2011. Kids age 8 to 12 years old may not think this is such a good idea, but you never know until you ask them.
Alice in Wonderland Costumes - If your child is a fan of Alice in Wonderland, there are a lot of great costume choices available. From Alice to the Mad Hatter to the Queen of Hearts there are a lot of choices for Alice in Wonderland themed costumes.
Halloween Costumes on Sale- If you are on a strict budget – who isn’t these days – finding a Halloween costume on sale is important we try to find you the best deals on Halloween costumes to make your life easier. From price to quality to creativity, we go all out to find you the best costumes.
Animal Halloween Costumes- This is yet another classic Halloween costume idea, but one that never gets old. The new Planet of the Apes movie may have some wanting to go as their favorite primate. Other choices – including the cow and horse for two people – are good choices. Again, children age 8 to 12 years old may not think a simple animal is a good costume, but with a little imagination – and a great animal costume – it can be a lot of fun.Costumes for two
Keep looking around around and you are going to get the info you need to choose the must-have Halloween Costumes for boys and girls age 8 to 12 years old. Finding the perfect Halloween costumes should be fun.
View the original article here
Breyer Classics Horse Cruiser
>>> Click Here For a Special SALE Price at Amazon!
Introducing the one and only vehicle designed to fit Breyer Classics® and Pony Gals. And what a design it is! Who needs a hotel when horses and riders can travel in style in Breyer's clever new Cruiser?
It's a combined home and stable with built in mobility! This is a horse loving kid's fantasy mobile, packed with every imaginable feature for hours of creative and realistic horse play on the move.
Breyer Classics Horse Cruiser Features
- Rear seat converts to a bed
- Has fold-down stairs and chrome hubcaps
- Has pop-up table and side cup holder
- Has dashboard with sliding steering wheel and GPS
Includes: 2 horse stalls with planked floors with storage for supplies underneath the floor, Tailgate that drops down to a loading plank, Roof that opens for additional access to the trailer area and a fold-out awning for shade, Troughs that snap in for feeding and hooks that fit on the window ledges for hanging tack and other equipment, A side bin that contains 8 pieces of fencing for a corral,Two front seats with seat belts that snap closed for safety, swivel in two directions and have storage pouches,
A steering wheel that slides from left to right for international trips and a 3 position license plate, Visors to block the sun, pull-down steps and adjustable side mirrors, A rear seat that slides forward and forms a bed, cup holders and a table that opens, Roof doubles as an observation deck complete with television screen and an extra fold out table, with a roof compartment that stores a ladder and deck chairs.
All that's missing is a horse-loving child to delight in this one-of-a kind vehicle! Please note, horses and dolls that appear in the picture are not included.
Click here for a Special Discount Price from Amazon
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Christmas Memories That Will Last Forever
A favourite Christmas song was a line that describes Christmas as "the most wonderful time of the year". Giving and receiving gifts is something that is highly anticipated and remembered at Christmas, there are also many more activities that make Christmas memorable and wonderful.
One of these activities is decorating the Christmas tree. Christmas tree occupies a central place and is the most visible Christmas in most homes. Unlike in other countries, houses most Americans do not have a representation of the scene of the Nativity, which is more likely to be located in the churches.
As soon as the Christmas season starts the day after Thanksgiving, families will begin their quest for the perfect Christmas tree. This in itself can become a memorable activity as children may accompany members of the family in a place like a Christmas tree farm to select a tree.
Once a real or artificial tree is selected, and then it is an exciting activity for the whole family to play a role in the decoration of the tree. Manufactured decorations come in many shapes and forms. But a special memory is created when the family members a special decoration for the Christmas tree, or contribute to one or more items of souvenir to decorate the Christmas tree. It then becomes a ritual each year for these selected items to be placed on the Christmas tree, while the other decorations can change in the coming years.
Another activity that can help to create special memories at Christmas is baking cookies. With popular gingerbread cookies, to make cookie cutters using special cookies in the form of holiday is also practised much in households. Based on the age of the children, they can help in the actual activity of cooking by measuring and mixing certain ingredients, or younger children can sprinkle sugar on cookies or decorate with icing when they are finished. Help this activity can also be educational as parents can use to measure activity and find equivalent measures to teach fractions and other mathematical elements.
An activity linked to food which also helps to create memories during the Christmas season is fruit and goody baskets, which are filled with candy, articles of bakery and other treats for loved ones, friends special, neighbours, teachers or charity. Items such as goody baskets are especially wonderful gifts of Christmas because they are homemade. That quality makes it often the most valuable as a Christmas present to be purchased at the store.
Because Christmas is the season of good will and good time, it is very important to achieve family, relatives and friends during the season. Busy lives that many people lead today often their leaves little or no time in the year to be in contact often with family and friends who are located far away or even other living at a distance in the same or of a neighbouring State, for example.
It is therefore very common at Christmas to send a Christmas or holiday greeting card to these people. With remembrance pleasant to receive the card, there may be a short included letter gives a brief account of an important event in the life of the individual or with members of the family. This in fact send and receive most memorable Christmas greeting cards.
Then there probably the most awaited the Christmas activity - discover what gift of Christmas Santa brought Christmas Eve. While the adults also forward with great anticipation to see what they will get for Christmas gifts, it really is the children who get the greatest pleasure to receive gifts at Christmas.
Actions carefully planned to hide this Christmas of the children and then as if by magic, put them under the Christmas tree can be found on Christmas morning is one of the most wonderful to create unforgettable memories for children at Christmas.
One of these activities is decorating the Christmas tree. Christmas tree occupies a central place and is the most visible Christmas in most homes. Unlike in other countries, houses most Americans do not have a representation of the scene of the Nativity, which is more likely to be located in the churches.
As soon as the Christmas season starts the day after Thanksgiving, families will begin their quest for the perfect Christmas tree. This in itself can become a memorable activity as children may accompany members of the family in a place like a Christmas tree farm to select a tree.
Once a real or artificial tree is selected, and then it is an exciting activity for the whole family to play a role in the decoration of the tree. Manufactured decorations come in many shapes and forms. But a special memory is created when the family members a special decoration for the Christmas tree, or contribute to one or more items of souvenir to decorate the Christmas tree. It then becomes a ritual each year for these selected items to be placed on the Christmas tree, while the other decorations can change in the coming years.
Another activity that can help to create special memories at Christmas is baking cookies. With popular gingerbread cookies, to make cookie cutters using special cookies in the form of holiday is also practised much in households. Based on the age of the children, they can help in the actual activity of cooking by measuring and mixing certain ingredients, or younger children can sprinkle sugar on cookies or decorate with icing when they are finished. Help this activity can also be educational as parents can use to measure activity and find equivalent measures to teach fractions and other mathematical elements.
An activity linked to food which also helps to create memories during the Christmas season is fruit and goody baskets, which are filled with candy, articles of bakery and other treats for loved ones, friends special, neighbours, teachers or charity. Items such as goody baskets are especially wonderful gifts of Christmas because they are homemade. That quality makes it often the most valuable as a Christmas present to be purchased at the store.
Because Christmas is the season of good will and good time, it is very important to achieve family, relatives and friends during the season. Busy lives that many people lead today often their leaves little or no time in the year to be in contact often with family and friends who are located far away or even other living at a distance in the same or of a neighbouring State, for example.
It is therefore very common at Christmas to send a Christmas or holiday greeting card to these people. With remembrance pleasant to receive the card, there may be a short included letter gives a brief account of an important event in the life of the individual or with members of the family. This in fact send and receive most memorable Christmas greeting cards.
Then there probably the most awaited the Christmas activity - discover what gift of Christmas Santa brought Christmas Eve. While the adults also forward with great anticipation to see what they will get for Christmas gifts, it really is the children who get the greatest pleasure to receive gifts at Christmas.
Actions carefully planned to hide this Christmas of the children and then as if by magic, put them under the Christmas tree can be found on Christmas morning is one of the most wonderful to create unforgettable memories for children at Christmas.
Senior Citizens - Get Christmas Gifts Online
Although some may think that Senior Citizens and buying Christmas gifts and toys online may not go together, I am here to tell this is rubbish. I won't hold it against the inexperienced younger folk who believe in such nonsense.
There are many very good reasons why Senior Citizens will be buying lots of Christmas toys and gifts online this year. The biggest reasons are convenience and getting more for less money.
(I apologize for the long article. I realize that some of the younger folks may lose interest and not make it all the way through. Well, that just made this article even longer.)
Convenience
Okay, I'll be the first geezer, er, Senior Citizen, to admit that I find shopping for Christmas gifts and toys the tradition way is a bummer; it unmellows my mood.
Christmas Shopping Saga: Here is a Christmas gift shopping saga. It has all happened to me, but I admit, not all in one trip:
Traffic: I hate traffic. Like a black hole in space, time slows down the closer you get to the mall or the mega-box store. Cars are everywhere and parking spots seem to be nowhere. Wait! One just opened up! No! That little hybrid just zipped in and took the spot.
Parking: After an hour of fruitless hunting and stalking, I finally find a parking spot that's on the very far edge of the parking lot, so far away from the store that I need a GPS to find it and a GPS to find my way back hours later when I have forgotten where my car is.
Getting to the store:As I make my way to the store, I have to fight other drivers who are so intent on looking for phantom parking spots that they fail to notice me. I have never been a fan of the way parking lots mingle people and cars.
The crowd: I make it to the store. Behold the dreaded crowd! I see there must be a sale on pitch forks and torches this year. The mob's mood takes an ominous turn when a store opens its doors. Those who have camped out overnight wake up sleepily to find that a bunch of last minute folk have just beat them into the store and gobbled up the new shipment of Christmas toys they were waiting for.
Inside the packed store, there is straight-up bedlam served with a jigger of pandemonium. Everyone is looking for Christmas gifts or toys. I make my way through knots of people who are twice as wide as normal because of their shopping bags full of loot.
Leftovers: In the distance, I see the Christmas toy I want but the supply that is left is running dangerously low. As I get closer, I seen first one, then another, snatched up by closer hands than mine. By the time I fight my way through, there is one left, on the floor, half opened, with parts hanging out. Like 3AM at the bar, this one looks pretty good, so I grab it.
The line: Then it's more sniping, er, shopping for more Christmas toys and gifts. Hours later, with a weary sigh, I head for the checkout area with my Christmas gifts at hand. It doesn't look that bad at first, but, oh no, the line for the register looks like the line for housing vouchers in the Atlanta area a few weeks ago. Somber medics with bottled water and smelling salts stand by for those not up to the challenge (okay, there are no medics).
Checkout: Finally, feeling utterly spent, it's my turn at the cash register to pay for my Christmas gifts. Do I have a membership card? Do I want one? Do I want an extended warranty plan? Do I want batteries? The sign above says "NO RECEIPT-NO REFUNDS-30 DAYS". I offer my credit card. The clerk snarls that I am to swipe it in the card reader. Silly me. I forgot. The crowd glares at me because I am an obvious rookie and holding up the line. People start to point at me.
The Gate Keeper: I pocket my receipt mindful of the sign above. I get to the door but a burly guy bars my path. "Not so fast, old timer," he shouts. "Where's your receipt?" So, chagrined, I dig into my pocket and show the nice man my receipt. He looks at it with suspicion, checks it once, checks it twice. Will he find me naughty or nice? Grudgingly, he finds nothing wrong, blinks, and thrusts my receipt back into my hands. So much for the dignity of being an elder.
A breathe of fresh air: Finally, I am out the swooshing door. Cool air greets me. I didn't notice how hot and humid it was inside. And it smells better outside as well. Well, it smells better until I pass an idling Bronco full of Christmas toys, waiting for something. A gal in front of me lights up a cigarette and I get a lungful of second hand nicotine and exhaust fumes.
Donations: It's dark now. It was day when I came, wasn't it?. I swear it was. Several large fellows are asking for a donation to something. Whatever it is, they don't look like they belong to it. They ain't no Santy Clauses. I say no, and the biggest one argues with me, implying that I am guilty of something or another, or something.
Disorientation and danger: Where is my car? It looks different out here at night, and of course, everything is backwards now as I have to retrace my route. Where is my GPS? Wait, let me first get far enough away from those guys. That Bronco's headlights suddenly turn on, all brights, and it speeds away from the curb nearly hitting me.
Lost and no island: I cross lanes, and search for my car. My GPS goes dead. I should've recharged it longer. Where did I park? Was it Z7 or 7YY? Why didn't I write it down? The peach color parking lot lighting make car colors impossible to read. After about an hour, I recognize my license plate and breath a sigh of relief.
Surprise: I notice that the glass on my driver's side door is frosted. Funny. It's not that cold. As I unlock the car, the glass shatters into pieces and falls into the car. Someone has smashed my window. Ah yes, I had forgotten to take a few small Christmas gifts from the back seat and hide them in my trunk. They are gone now, and my car window is open to the night chill.
Finding the exit: After putting my hard-won Christmas toys and gifts in my trunk, I am off. I wander around a bit, looking for signs to the exit. Like Vegas, their priority is to get you in; you're on your own to get out.
Chance encounter: As I get to an intersection, a car neglects to stop and nearly hits my left front fender. The driver yells and shows me his IQ with his middle finger and drives off, cursing me (I suppose) as I see his mouth working. I don't take it personally.
The crunch at the exit: I reach the last turn into the last lane out of the parking lot. It is jammed. People are supposed to take turns but the cars already in the exit lane seem to not be letting anyone new turn into it. I wait for a timid one to come along so I can sneak in.
The lane change: Finally, I am in and ready to leave the lot once and for all. Now I need to get into the left lane for my final turn home. Easier said than done. I have to wait a bit and cars behind me honk furiously at me for holding them up.
The final traffic light: Finally again, I make it and get to the light. The light takes forever. There is no left arrow here (the city did away with them for some reason; I'm sure it was a good reason). Straight-through traffic coming towards me seems to have no end. It is lucky if one car can make a left turn per green light.
Crossing traffic: Finally, for a third time, it is my turn. I have to inch out part-way into the main cross traffic lanes to claim my right to turn. I dart behind the last car through the light. Of course, the last car went through on a yellow that turned red, and so now I am turning on red. The cross traffic takes no notice of me and is raring to go. I am in danger of being caught in a half turn sideways as cars in both directions bear down on me. Those nice people who started as the red was changing don't help.
The way home: Well, I make it. I fight more traffic but traffic is getting a bit lighter as I get away from the black hole that is the mall. Time seems to return to normal. I begin to breathe easier. I get home. I was going to say "finally" but I will skip it.
Final insult: Under the street lights on my street, a pinkish light here, I now see fresh scratches on my driver's side door from the mall that I missed. And so, I conclude my Christmas gift shopping.
Doh! And then it hits me. I forgot a Christmas toy! And, what about the Christmas gifts that were stolen? I'll have to do it all over again tomorrow.
Buying Online with Auctions
If this sounds like your experience Christmas gift and toy shopping, then consider buying online this year. You can stay home. You don't have to fight traffic or crowds. You don't have to trek there and back again. And, you don't have to find your car and get home safely.
Of course, online Christmas gift shopping is not without its perils and pot holes. I know a friend who wants to buy a Christmas toy in high demand and thinks he can save a bundle on an online auction. There are auctions there and there are fixed price items.
Auction prices: My friend goes for the auctions because he sees that this item has sold in the pass for less than the fixed price. He thinks he is smart. What he fails to understand is the price that his toy sold for was in an auction that he was not in. If he had bid, he would have had to have a bid higher than what it sold for. His presence in the auction would have altered it.
He might have gotten the Christmas toy for one bid increment higher, or maybe many increments higher. My friend will never know how high the winning bidder was willing to go, just how far he had to go to win. But he has it in his head that he could have had his toy for what it sold for last.
Auction risks: So, my friend bids on the item. It is a ten day auction. Bidding for a $200 item starts at a dollar. As the days roll by, the bids rise. By day nine, bids are close to what my friends thinks he can steal this toy for. In fear, he enters a bid higher than he wants "just to be sure". In the end, it goes higher than he thought and now he has ten fewer days until Christmas. There is time risk and risk of loss in auctions.
My friend was smart, though, because he left a bid. Had he been there at the end bidding, he could have gotten into a bidding war and ended up paying too much. It's easy to become emotionally involved and to believe that this one time is the only chance you will have. That my be true for some one-of-a-kind items, but not usually for electronics.
Shenanigans: Now my friend tries a fixed price item. What he doesn't realize is that some sellers are really good and some, not so much. For example, selling refurbished items without disclosing it, or selling "grey" items for international use with a invalid US warranty, unbundling packages and selling the parts separately for more money, or selling counterfeits and rip offs. With gizmos, especially electronic gizmos, you have to really do your homework on the seller.
"Free shipping": My friend thinks he got a deal because he got free shipping. He didn't notice that the price he paid was higher to include the "free" shipping. Hey. It floats his boat.
Shipping time: My friend has to wait several weeks for his Christmas toy to arrive. The seller neglected to say, and my friend neglected to ask, if the seller had the toy actually in stock. In fact, the seller did not. The seller was using a drop shipper in China, and it takes about five weeks to fulfill the order.
Know the seller: Now, I am not saying all auction experiences are negative. Far from it. Deals and good merchandise can be had. But there are shenanigans to guard against. You really have to do your homework on the seller. Most people don't. They don't know what to ask and what to look for. It all boils down to how trustworthy the seller is.
Buying Online at Amazon
I used to just buy books and DVDs from Amazon, and I still do. I find that Amazon is a seller that I can trust. It has distribution points located across the country and usually can ship quickly. Amazon tells you its usual shipping time and whether your chosen Christmas gift or toy is available. You get good email updates from them so you know where your order is. You can always login to your account and see where your order is.
The anti-Amazons: As an aside, I hate online places that treat your order like it dropped in a black hole (there's that black hole analogy again). I place an order, and I hear nothing. No one tells me that they are out of stock, so I sit there, waiting. Maybe it will never come. Maybe it will come in a few months where new supplies arrive.
Amazon is not like that. They are good at fulfilling your order and shipping quickly.
Two day shipping: I buy the Amazon Super Saver shipping and pay once each year. Then I get free two-day shipping on my Amazon orders. Because of Amazon's service, I sometimes get an in-stock item the next day, in one day, if I order before the closing time for a day's ordering. Even if it takes the regular two days, it's still very, very fast shipping.
Lots of stuff: Did I mention that Amazon sells a lot more than books and videos? They sell electronic gifts, toys, and a huge variety of cool products.
Trust: I trust Amazon. Bottom line. Its products are fresh, unspoiled, and legal. For Christmas toys and gifts, they are hard to beat.
I don't know for sure, but it appears Amazon has better control over third-party suppliers compared to fixed price sellers on auction sites. (Your super saver shipping does not apply to these folks.)
True story: I've switched to buying my Christmas gifts and toys from Amazon. I got a Garmin GPS navigator and some accessories for a travel Christmas gift. To be fair, Amazon said one of the accessories would ship from a third-party supplier with a small shipping charge, so I knew that going in. I got the GPS itself in two days, and some of the accessories the next day and the day or so after that.
Value: So, as a senior citizen I am convinced there are good reasons to buy Christmas gifts from Amazon. I find that Amazon prices are very good, maybe not the lowest every time, but since the items are new and not pawed through like at your local drug store or mass-market big-box-mart store, I think they are a better value. For an important Christmas gift or toy for a loved one, I would not take on the risk just to possibly save a few bucks. I usually knock out the highest and lowest offers, and take one in the low middle range.
Good deals in tough times: Times are tough and very uncertain. The economy has been down the tubes since 2008 and there is no sign that it is getting better. It's wise to get good value when you do want to buy a nice Christmas toy or gift today more than ever. Even in hard times, we want to get Christmas toys, especially for our grand-kids. We can go for a lot of cheap Christmas gifts or a few good ones. Whichever way you go, it's important to get a good deal.
Hits: And, what a waste it would be to buy someone a Christmas gift and have it turn out to be a dud. Below I post a link to a Christmas gift web site that features best-selling and most wished-for Christmas gifts from Amazon. Buying best sellers greatly increase your odds of getting a Christmas toy or gift that will be a hit and that you will be appreciated for getting it.
Wrapping it up: So, seniors, you have discovered the benefits of email and online news. I urge you to do your Christmas gift shopping online this year at a store you can trust, and get through your shopping in a breeze with none of the hassles of traditional shopping. You deserve it.
There are many very good reasons why Senior Citizens will be buying lots of Christmas toys and gifts online this year. The biggest reasons are convenience and getting more for less money.
(I apologize for the long article. I realize that some of the younger folks may lose interest and not make it all the way through. Well, that just made this article even longer.)
Convenience
Okay, I'll be the first geezer, er, Senior Citizen, to admit that I find shopping for Christmas gifts and toys the tradition way is a bummer; it unmellows my mood.
Christmas Shopping Saga: Here is a Christmas gift shopping saga. It has all happened to me, but I admit, not all in one trip:
Traffic: I hate traffic. Like a black hole in space, time slows down the closer you get to the mall or the mega-box store. Cars are everywhere and parking spots seem to be nowhere. Wait! One just opened up! No! That little hybrid just zipped in and took the spot.
Parking: After an hour of fruitless hunting and stalking, I finally find a parking spot that's on the very far edge of the parking lot, so far away from the store that I need a GPS to find it and a GPS to find my way back hours later when I have forgotten where my car is.
Getting to the store:As I make my way to the store, I have to fight other drivers who are so intent on looking for phantom parking spots that they fail to notice me. I have never been a fan of the way parking lots mingle people and cars.
The crowd: I make it to the store. Behold the dreaded crowd! I see there must be a sale on pitch forks and torches this year. The mob's mood takes an ominous turn when a store opens its doors. Those who have camped out overnight wake up sleepily to find that a bunch of last minute folk have just beat them into the store and gobbled up the new shipment of Christmas toys they were waiting for.
Inside the packed store, there is straight-up bedlam served with a jigger of pandemonium. Everyone is looking for Christmas gifts or toys. I make my way through knots of people who are twice as wide as normal because of their shopping bags full of loot.
Leftovers: In the distance, I see the Christmas toy I want but the supply that is left is running dangerously low. As I get closer, I seen first one, then another, snatched up by closer hands than mine. By the time I fight my way through, there is one left, on the floor, half opened, with parts hanging out. Like 3AM at the bar, this one looks pretty good, so I grab it.
The line: Then it's more sniping, er, shopping for more Christmas toys and gifts. Hours later, with a weary sigh, I head for the checkout area with my Christmas gifts at hand. It doesn't look that bad at first, but, oh no, the line for the register looks like the line for housing vouchers in the Atlanta area a few weeks ago. Somber medics with bottled water and smelling salts stand by for those not up to the challenge (okay, there are no medics).
Checkout: Finally, feeling utterly spent, it's my turn at the cash register to pay for my Christmas gifts. Do I have a membership card? Do I want one? Do I want an extended warranty plan? Do I want batteries? The sign above says "NO RECEIPT-NO REFUNDS-30 DAYS". I offer my credit card. The clerk snarls that I am to swipe it in the card reader. Silly me. I forgot. The crowd glares at me because I am an obvious rookie and holding up the line. People start to point at me.
The Gate Keeper: I pocket my receipt mindful of the sign above. I get to the door but a burly guy bars my path. "Not so fast, old timer," he shouts. "Where's your receipt?" So, chagrined, I dig into my pocket and show the nice man my receipt. He looks at it with suspicion, checks it once, checks it twice. Will he find me naughty or nice? Grudgingly, he finds nothing wrong, blinks, and thrusts my receipt back into my hands. So much for the dignity of being an elder.
A breathe of fresh air: Finally, I am out the swooshing door. Cool air greets me. I didn't notice how hot and humid it was inside. And it smells better outside as well. Well, it smells better until I pass an idling Bronco full of Christmas toys, waiting for something. A gal in front of me lights up a cigarette and I get a lungful of second hand nicotine and exhaust fumes.
Donations: It's dark now. It was day when I came, wasn't it?. I swear it was. Several large fellows are asking for a donation to something. Whatever it is, they don't look like they belong to it. They ain't no Santy Clauses. I say no, and the biggest one argues with me, implying that I am guilty of something or another, or something.
Disorientation and danger: Where is my car? It looks different out here at night, and of course, everything is backwards now as I have to retrace my route. Where is my GPS? Wait, let me first get far enough away from those guys. That Bronco's headlights suddenly turn on, all brights, and it speeds away from the curb nearly hitting me.
Lost and no island: I cross lanes, and search for my car. My GPS goes dead. I should've recharged it longer. Where did I park? Was it Z7 or 7YY? Why didn't I write it down? The peach color parking lot lighting make car colors impossible to read. After about an hour, I recognize my license plate and breath a sigh of relief.
Surprise: I notice that the glass on my driver's side door is frosted. Funny. It's not that cold. As I unlock the car, the glass shatters into pieces and falls into the car. Someone has smashed my window. Ah yes, I had forgotten to take a few small Christmas gifts from the back seat and hide them in my trunk. They are gone now, and my car window is open to the night chill.
Finding the exit: After putting my hard-won Christmas toys and gifts in my trunk, I am off. I wander around a bit, looking for signs to the exit. Like Vegas, their priority is to get you in; you're on your own to get out.
Chance encounter: As I get to an intersection, a car neglects to stop and nearly hits my left front fender. The driver yells and shows me his IQ with his middle finger and drives off, cursing me (I suppose) as I see his mouth working. I don't take it personally.
The crunch at the exit: I reach the last turn into the last lane out of the parking lot. It is jammed. People are supposed to take turns but the cars already in the exit lane seem to not be letting anyone new turn into it. I wait for a timid one to come along so I can sneak in.
The lane change: Finally, I am in and ready to leave the lot once and for all. Now I need to get into the left lane for my final turn home. Easier said than done. I have to wait a bit and cars behind me honk furiously at me for holding them up.
The final traffic light: Finally again, I make it and get to the light. The light takes forever. There is no left arrow here (the city did away with them for some reason; I'm sure it was a good reason). Straight-through traffic coming towards me seems to have no end. It is lucky if one car can make a left turn per green light.
Crossing traffic: Finally, for a third time, it is my turn. I have to inch out part-way into the main cross traffic lanes to claim my right to turn. I dart behind the last car through the light. Of course, the last car went through on a yellow that turned red, and so now I am turning on red. The cross traffic takes no notice of me and is raring to go. I am in danger of being caught in a half turn sideways as cars in both directions bear down on me. Those nice people who started as the red was changing don't help.
The way home: Well, I make it. I fight more traffic but traffic is getting a bit lighter as I get away from the black hole that is the mall. Time seems to return to normal. I begin to breathe easier. I get home. I was going to say "finally" but I will skip it.
Final insult: Under the street lights on my street, a pinkish light here, I now see fresh scratches on my driver's side door from the mall that I missed. And so, I conclude my Christmas gift shopping.
Doh! And then it hits me. I forgot a Christmas toy! And, what about the Christmas gifts that were stolen? I'll have to do it all over again tomorrow.
Buying Online with Auctions
If this sounds like your experience Christmas gift and toy shopping, then consider buying online this year. You can stay home. You don't have to fight traffic or crowds. You don't have to trek there and back again. And, you don't have to find your car and get home safely.
Of course, online Christmas gift shopping is not without its perils and pot holes. I know a friend who wants to buy a Christmas toy in high demand and thinks he can save a bundle on an online auction. There are auctions there and there are fixed price items.
Auction prices: My friend goes for the auctions because he sees that this item has sold in the pass for less than the fixed price. He thinks he is smart. What he fails to understand is the price that his toy sold for was in an auction that he was not in. If he had bid, he would have had to have a bid higher than what it sold for. His presence in the auction would have altered it.
He might have gotten the Christmas toy for one bid increment higher, or maybe many increments higher. My friend will never know how high the winning bidder was willing to go, just how far he had to go to win. But he has it in his head that he could have had his toy for what it sold for last.
Auction risks: So, my friend bids on the item. It is a ten day auction. Bidding for a $200 item starts at a dollar. As the days roll by, the bids rise. By day nine, bids are close to what my friends thinks he can steal this toy for. In fear, he enters a bid higher than he wants "just to be sure". In the end, it goes higher than he thought and now he has ten fewer days until Christmas. There is time risk and risk of loss in auctions.
My friend was smart, though, because he left a bid. Had he been there at the end bidding, he could have gotten into a bidding war and ended up paying too much. It's easy to become emotionally involved and to believe that this one time is the only chance you will have. That my be true for some one-of-a-kind items, but not usually for electronics.
Shenanigans: Now my friend tries a fixed price item. What he doesn't realize is that some sellers are really good and some, not so much. For example, selling refurbished items without disclosing it, or selling "grey" items for international use with a invalid US warranty, unbundling packages and selling the parts separately for more money, or selling counterfeits and rip offs. With gizmos, especially electronic gizmos, you have to really do your homework on the seller.
"Free shipping": My friend thinks he got a deal because he got free shipping. He didn't notice that the price he paid was higher to include the "free" shipping. Hey. It floats his boat.
Shipping time: My friend has to wait several weeks for his Christmas toy to arrive. The seller neglected to say, and my friend neglected to ask, if the seller had the toy actually in stock. In fact, the seller did not. The seller was using a drop shipper in China, and it takes about five weeks to fulfill the order.
Know the seller: Now, I am not saying all auction experiences are negative. Far from it. Deals and good merchandise can be had. But there are shenanigans to guard against. You really have to do your homework on the seller. Most people don't. They don't know what to ask and what to look for. It all boils down to how trustworthy the seller is.
Buying Online at Amazon
I used to just buy books and DVDs from Amazon, and I still do. I find that Amazon is a seller that I can trust. It has distribution points located across the country and usually can ship quickly. Amazon tells you its usual shipping time and whether your chosen Christmas gift or toy is available. You get good email updates from them so you know where your order is. You can always login to your account and see where your order is.
The anti-Amazons: As an aside, I hate online places that treat your order like it dropped in a black hole (there's that black hole analogy again). I place an order, and I hear nothing. No one tells me that they are out of stock, so I sit there, waiting. Maybe it will never come. Maybe it will come in a few months where new supplies arrive.
Amazon is not like that. They are good at fulfilling your order and shipping quickly.
Two day shipping: I buy the Amazon Super Saver shipping and pay once each year. Then I get free two-day shipping on my Amazon orders. Because of Amazon's service, I sometimes get an in-stock item the next day, in one day, if I order before the closing time for a day's ordering. Even if it takes the regular two days, it's still very, very fast shipping.
Lots of stuff: Did I mention that Amazon sells a lot more than books and videos? They sell electronic gifts, toys, and a huge variety of cool products.
Trust: I trust Amazon. Bottom line. Its products are fresh, unspoiled, and legal. For Christmas toys and gifts, they are hard to beat.
I don't know for sure, but it appears Amazon has better control over third-party suppliers compared to fixed price sellers on auction sites. (Your super saver shipping does not apply to these folks.)
True story: I've switched to buying my Christmas gifts and toys from Amazon. I got a Garmin GPS navigator and some accessories for a travel Christmas gift. To be fair, Amazon said one of the accessories would ship from a third-party supplier with a small shipping charge, so I knew that going in. I got the GPS itself in two days, and some of the accessories the next day and the day or so after that.
Value: So, as a senior citizen I am convinced there are good reasons to buy Christmas gifts from Amazon. I find that Amazon prices are very good, maybe not the lowest every time, but since the items are new and not pawed through like at your local drug store or mass-market big-box-mart store, I think they are a better value. For an important Christmas gift or toy for a loved one, I would not take on the risk just to possibly save a few bucks. I usually knock out the highest and lowest offers, and take one in the low middle range.
Good deals in tough times: Times are tough and very uncertain. The economy has been down the tubes since 2008 and there is no sign that it is getting better. It's wise to get good value when you do want to buy a nice Christmas toy or gift today more than ever. Even in hard times, we want to get Christmas toys, especially for our grand-kids. We can go for a lot of cheap Christmas gifts or a few good ones. Whichever way you go, it's important to get a good deal.
Hits: And, what a waste it would be to buy someone a Christmas gift and have it turn out to be a dud. Below I post a link to a Christmas gift web site that features best-selling and most wished-for Christmas gifts from Amazon. Buying best sellers greatly increase your odds of getting a Christmas toy or gift that will be a hit and that you will be appreciated for getting it.
Wrapping it up: So, seniors, you have discovered the benefits of email and online news. I urge you to do your Christmas gift shopping online this year at a store you can trust, and get through your shopping in a breeze with none of the hassles of traditional shopping. You deserve it.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Great Toys and Games in 2011 for Toddler Boys
Choosing the leading toys and games is something that takes skill in the modern world. This is really true when you’re talking about Toddler Boys. When a game gets to be well known, it gets more difficult to locate the plaything more times than not. And when it becomes harder to find, children end up desiring it even more. The sooner you can discover what is going to be sizzling hot in 2011 when it comes to games for Toddler Boys, the better chance you have of actually tracking down the toy and purchasing it. To help out, in this article is a checklist of must-have toys for Christmas 2011.
For younger boys who love Batman, the Fisher-Price Super Friends Batcave is a great play set.When it comes to Toy Story 3 toys, the Toy Story Talking Buzz Lightyearis big again this year. Make sure you get enough batteries – unless you want it to stop talking eventually!Mindflex Gameis selling quickly. You might want to pick this one up when you see it.PlasmaCar- This is a wonderful outdoor riding toy for under $100 that does not need a battery. Your little boy can have fun with his friends and stay in shape at the same time.MATCHBOX Rocky the Robot Truck- Ah, the good old dump-truck updated at last. Most 5 year old boys are going to love playing with this truck that dumps and has tons of other features.Playtime Sheriff Woody- This very large (16 inch) Toy Story Woody doll has a string that makes Woody say a bunch of different phrases – to the delight of most little boys.Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Multi-Activity Table- Large, sturdy, wooden play table is ideal for trains, dollhouses, arts and crafts projects, blocks, puzzles and more.There you go – a number of popular games for Toddler Boys for Xmas 2011. If you have other ideas, leave a comment below.
Check out more Toys for Toddler Boys at Amazon. They have a wonderful selection of Toddler Boys toys.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Totally Awesome Toys of the 1980s
The totally awesome toys of the 1980s made it a decade of top toys. Strengthened by mass merchandising of Star Wars toys and products, the toy market blew up in the 1980s, with many great hits. From Cabbage Patch Kids – which caused some people to get hurt – to the Atari 2600 and Intellivision video game system, there were a lot of toy innovations in the 1980s. When it comes to the history of toys timeline, the 1980s stand out as a decade dedicated to toys. From Fisher Price Toys to LEGO bricks and playsets, there were toys for everyone.
If there’s one top toy that represents the 1980s, it has to be the super popular Cabbage Patch Kids. At one point they caused a flurry, with moms and dads getting hurt while trying to secure one of the first “must-have toys” for Christmas.
The babies actually started in the 1970s as the Little People – made by hand out of a house. At some point, they were bought out and production increased. The name also changed to Cabbage Patch Kids, although the dolls looked similar and had the same “birth certificates.”
Once they were mass produced and marketed, kids went crazy for them. As one of the first toys to cause big sensation when parents began getting hurt trying to locate the toy, Cabbage Patch Kids are going to hold a place in the history of toys as one of the ones that caused quite a stir.
For boys, action figures were huge in the 1980s. From Star Wars (Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi) to all the other movies and television shows that had action figures, there was something for everyone. And each year, a new version would come out with a slightly different outfit or gun. Today, some of those early 1980s action figures are worth a lot of money depending on what type of condition they are in.
As well as action figures, there were a lot of vehicles as well. For example, the Millenium Falcon was a huge (expensive) gift that many a boy lusted after for Christmas. The Death Star playset from Star Wars was another favorite with many children of the 1980s. There were many smaller vehicles available, however. In fact, there were toys at all price levels. This is some of why action figures were so popular in the 1980s.
TIME Magazine has a great list of toys throughout the decades. Here are some of them for the 80s alone with our thoughts on these totally awesome toys that are now classics.
Slap Bracelet – Forget about silly bandz! These were the first of the fad toys that are jewelry related.Masters of the Universe Action Figures – HeMan, SheRa and the whole gang had a lot of great large action figures.Glo Worm – This was a must-have toy for all baby boys and girls and they were seen everywhere for many years after the 80s were over!Care Bears – There was a Care Bear for everyone – even boys! Geared toward smaller children, they are still somewhat popular today – especially to collectors.My Little Pony – Girls loved these little plastic ponies with hair they could style. They had a back-story like Cabbage Patch Kids, but they never really took off as much.Transformers – Yes, the Transformers toys were originally hot in the 1980s. The franchise is still chugging along in the 21st century with live action movies, but the cartoon sold a LOT of toys in the 1980s.Teddy Ruxpin – This teddy bear was one of the first really popular speaking toys. A lot of small boys and girls loved this story telling bear.Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine – CLASSIC! You can still find this at a garage sale or flea market sometimes or listed on eBay and it usually brings back a lot of memories. Mostly, working three hours grinding the wheel for half a cup of ice! Classic toy!Pound Puppy - These were popular for a while, using the collectible feature.Koosh Ball – Basic toy, but fun and everyone had to have one at some point.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The turtles were hip and cool in the 80s. From comic books to cartoons, they were beginning their rise to fame and had a lot of toys made for them.Do you have any favorite toys of the 1980s? If so, leave your memories below! Share a comment and let us know what toys you played with in the 1980s. Looking back, it can be fun to see what was popular. Also, it’s interesting to see how trends sometimes replay themselves. That is, if you look at the top toys of the 80s you can see patterns that can help you pick out the top toys of the 21st century before they are noticed by everyone.
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