By Anne Ruisi
Santa isn’t the only one making a list and checking it twice. Over the Mountain shoppers seeking great gift ideas for the young ones should look at these suggestions from our friends at Homewood Toy & Hobby and Snoozy’s/george in Mountain Brook. Please note that toy selections and prices may vary from store to store.
Tricia McCain, Homewood Toy & Hobby
Do you have any tips for shoppers who are navigating the 2022 holiday shopping season?
The most important tip that I would give shoppers is not to wait on purchasing items that are at the top of their list. Most of our suppliers are shipping in a timely fashion these days but, with it already being November, the cut off for reorders will be here soon and some of the hotter items will already be sold out for the year from our suppliers.
What is your favorite rising trend in toys?
We have been seeing a rising trend in parents buying toys that provide quality play time. There has been an uptick in sales of board games, puzzles, more hands-on items like Lego and science/robotic type building kits. We are selling more toys that encourage group play and STEM play rather than novelty toys like fidgets and slime, which were all the rage last year.
Tricia’s Picks
Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Stack, $19.99, is a classic stacking toy of silicone cups topped by a squishy, textured bubble the little ones will love to push and pop. Ages 6 months and up.
Kidoozie Whirl n’ Go Ball Tower, $19.99, is a six-tier ball tower for little hands that teaches fine motor skills. Ages 9 months and up.
The sweet pastel design of the wood Classic World Toys Afternoon Tea Set, $34.99, will delight any child and guests at teatime. Ages 3 and up.
A sequin Santa tutu is among the many vivid patterns of the Sparkle Sisters tutus for dress up, $32.99. Ages 2 and up.
Swedish in design, Viking Toys Noah’s Ark, $32.99, is durable, with a plastic ark and animals. Ages 1 -5.
Bruder Trucks, $29.99 – $140, are the best brand of trucks in the market. They’re made in Germany and offer replicas of trucks made by Jeep, Cat, Mercedes and other truck manufacturers. Ages 2 and up.
Spinmaster RC Monster Jam Gravedigger, $79.99, for ages 4 and up, is a remote-control monster truck for beginners that’s great for kids up to age 6. The shop has hobby-grade remote control vehicles for kids 7 and up in its hobby department.
Made in Spain, LLorens Dolls, $79.99 and up, are exquisite, lifelike dolls featuring adorable babies and toddlers. Ages 3 and up.
Mindware Dig It Up! The Big Egg, $21.99, lets kids “excavate” seven dinosaurs out of an oversized egg. Comes with two chisels so a friend can join the fun. Ages 4 and up.
Rainbow Loom Combo Set, $17.99, includes all the loops and charms and a loom to make bracelets, and it comes in a storage box. Ages 7 and up.
Schylling Toys Lava Lamps, $34.99 and up, are great for preteens and teens.
Great for boys and girls, and family game night, Fat Brain Toys Heap-o-Sheep, $29.99, challenges players to use a springboard to launch their plastic sheep into a paddock. Ages 5 and up.
Another great family gift is Playmonster Magical World of Disney Trivia game, $44.99. Ages 6 and up.
Loungefly Disney Mini Backpack purses, $74.99 – $99.99, have a huge following among Disney fans. With a wide selection featuring Disney characters such as Mickey and Minnie, Chip and Dale, Winnie the Pooh, and even Disney villains, these are great for preteens, teens and adults.
Outdoor game combo Franklin Sports Fun 5 Combo, $74.99, includes badminton, ring toss, frisbee, jai alai and volleyball. It’s great for a family gift. Ages 8 and up.
George Jones – Snoozy’s/george
Do you have any tips for shoppers who are navigating the 2022 holiday shopping season?
My advice to shoppers is to consider buying the item you are interested in when you see it. Shipping delays are still very much a problem in 2022. And of course, buy from your local merchants! We have searched our markets to bring you curated items at a reasonable price. And where else can you get your gifts wrapped?
What is your favorite rising trend in toys?
Whether it be art kits, science kits, puzzles or games, customers seem to be looking for hands-on items. Anything to give the children a break away from a screen.
George’s Picks
Hape Musical Whale Fountain, $39.99, is for bath time fun. It’s an engaging toy that squirts water and plays music when the child presses the keys, which are little whales. Ages 18 months and up.
Tonies, are interchangeable characters that tell stories and sing songs when placed atop the soft sided, storytelling audio Toniebox. Put one of the characters, such as Olaf from “Frozen,” Clark the Shark, Eloise or a penguin, on top of the box and enjoy their story. $99 for the box, $15.99 per character. Ages 3 and up.
Where’s Squeaky? $14.99, is an interactive hide and seek game where Squeaky, a cute mouse, makes noises and teases players with phrases like, “Hey, I’m over here!” Ages 4 and up.
Tongues Out, $19.99, is a memory game for preschoolers in which players match puppies by the color of their tongues. Ages 4 and up.
Children still want to play with Barbie, which starts at $14.99 for a single doll and $9.99 for a smaller version. Don’t forget accessories and Barbie sets, such as gymnast or horse trainer Barbie. Ages 3 and up.
Jellycat, $15 and up, is a premier line of stuffed animals designed in London. Elephants, dogs, pandas, even flamingoes, feel so soft “they melt in your hands,” George said. All ages.
“So stinkin’ cute,” is how George describes the line of Varsity letter items, $25 and up. Glittery initials on purple and pink accessory bags labeled “hair,” “makeup” and “stuff” will appeal to tweens. Very popular with tweens, but kids as young as eight like them too. There’s also a line of small purses shaped like a cat’s head designed for little girls.
Then there is the ever-popular Lego, $5.99 and up. Lego kits range from simple to complicated. Ages 5 and up, depending on the kit. For the younger set, there are Duplo sets, $12.99 and up, which are Lego-like blocks but chunkier so they’re easier for smaller hands to handle. Ages 3 and up.
Moving Target Blaster, $49.99, is a game where players try to hit the target as it moves side to side. Ages 8 and up.
Gib Gab, $24.99, is a fast-paced family trivia game. Ages 8 and up.
George’s favorite toy this year is the Odyssey Trailblazer Fog Car, $49.99. It’s a remote-controlled car with sound effects. Put water in the car and smoke comes out the tailpipe. There are interior and outdoor versions of the toy. Another version is The Ripper, $94.99. Ages 8 and up.
Pickleball set, $100. Everyone’s playing, so why not get a set for the family?
Science kits, $19 and up, are educational but fun. Pick from kits such as Perfume Labs, Gross Nose Science, Wind Bots, Talking Telescope and more. Ages 7-10.
Wooden toys are popular, $80 and up. A finely crafted dollhouse, $219, designed in France comes with furniture and a doll family, and Noah’s Ark, $119, is crafted in fine detail.
Crystal Space Terrarium, $23.99, is a crystal growing kit in a UFO-shaped terrarium with glow in the dark features you can decorate. Ages 6 and up.
Slender columns that offer big sound, Stiix, $99.99 are USB speakers that can be placed vertically or horizontally to fit your space. Charge them and move around the house. Ages tweens, teens, adults.
