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Mommy Mondays: Gift-Giving
I just read an article about being a great gift-giver. Basically, it said to give what the person really wanted, or had even asked for, instead of what you THINK they’d like.
As a parent this is always a challenge for me. I think Emma should love Lalaloopsy Dolls – I mean seriously, those outfits! And the swingy little legs! And you can set up all their little packages and make a little village! And she likes them, a little.
What she loves is Lego Friends. We’ve got a few sets. Christmas would be the perfect time to give her the super expensive, gigantic Lego Friends house, right? But which Lego set is on her list? The Monster house! I guess I collect deep and she collects wide?
And the top of her list… an American Doll. Now, she has baby dolls (four to be exact) but they don’t get played with too often. And she has Barbie dolls, but they don’t get much play either. So why would I buy her an (expensive!) American Doll? Except that it’s what she asked for. Twice. I had her write two lists to Santa, just to be sure, and I’m glad I did because at the end of the second list, she added a “neklis” for me and a “gitar pedl” for my husband. And, as a friend pointed out, she isn’t a baby or a Barbie, but she is a little girl, just like an American Girl.
Now if only I hadn’t waited so long for her to change her mind… guess it’s a trip to the American Doll store for me, since it’s too late to order online.
Next year I’ll know, and start at the top of her list. Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays to you all!
Giftable Goodies under $20: Teachers
‘Tis the season to treat our teachers. Here are some great gift suggestions (all under $20!) for educators in class and at home!
SpinZone® Magnetic Whiteboard Spinners– $19.99
Spin some fun into your home or classroom with these three giant 11″ spinners! Use it for custom games or activities on the whiteboard for the whole class. Simply draw a circle, write in content, attach a spinner, and play!
Get your spinners here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/spinzone-reg-+magnetic+whiteboard+spinners.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&&from=Search
ReMARKable™ Magnetic Write & Wipe Pens– $7.99
These 2-in-1 dry-erase pens are a must-have for any educator. Built-in erasers on each pen cap allow anyone to write and erase with the same tool! Better yet, the magnetic backing will never allow you to lose markers ever again! Sticks to magnetic whiteboards, filing cabinets and much more. They also make great stocking stuffers for office friends!
Check out the ReMARKable pens here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/remarkable-trade-+magnetic+write+-amp-+wipe+pens.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&&from=Search
You Rock™ Student Hall of Fame– $19.99Give a whole-class shout out to your Rock Star of the Week! Spotlight your star of the week with this jammin’ new chart! Included templates provide space for “Get to Know Me” responses like “Check Me Out,” “My Faves,” “My Family Rocks,” and “Awesome Appearances.” Reuse this chart year after year and let your students shine!
Check out the ReMARKable pens here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/remarkable-trade-+magnetic+write+-amp-+wipe+pens.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&&from=Search
You Rock™ Student Hall of Fame– $19.99Give a whole-class shout out to your Rock Star of the Week! Spotlight your star of the week with this jammin’ new chart! Included templates provide space for “Get to Know Me” responses like “Check Me Out,” “My Faves,” “My Family Rocks,” and “Awesome Appearances.” Reuse this chart year after year and let your students shine!
Check it out here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/you+rock–8482-+student+hall+of+fame.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&&from=Search
Positive Reinforcement Stamps– $12.99
Cheer on successful student work with these 6 illustrated positive reinforcement stamps! The set includes a stamp pad built into a convenient, compact desk set. As an educator, you can never have enough!
Get your stamps here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/positive+reinforcement+stamps.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&&from=Search
Class Scrapbook– $14.99
Teachers take hundreds of photos each year! Quickly and easily display them in this adorable wall-hanging Class Scrapbook. It’s another great pocket chart to use year after year!
Check it out here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/class+scrapbook.do?from=Search
Smencils®, Set of 10– $14.99
Draw student attention with these gourmet-scented, environmentally friendly pencils. An alternative to wooden pencils, Smencils® are made from 100% recycled newspapers! Individually packed in their own freshness tubes, the ten “scent”-sational fragrances are guaranteed to keep their wonderful aromas for two years. Includes 10 Smencils®, one of each scent, in a handy zipper storage bag.
Get your Smencils® here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/smencils-reg-%2C+set+of+10.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&&from=Search
Giftable Goodies Under $25: Preschool Toys and Games
With the holidays around the corner, we understand that shopping can be stressful and pricey! Here is a list of great preschool gift ideas—all under $25!
Puppet-on-a-Stick™ (set of 3)– $23.99
Ages 4+
Three oversized, easy-to-handle puppets on sticks inspire imaginative play with silly faces, movable mouths and endless possibilities.
Get your puppets here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/puppet-on-a-stick–8482-+%28set+of+3%29.do?from=Search#
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game™– $21.99
Ages 3+
This award-winning preschool game develops matching and sorting skills, strategic thinking, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and pre-handwriting skills. To top it off, it’s fun to play with the whole family. What more can you ask for?
Get your copy at your local Target or here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/the+sneaky%2C+snacky+squirrel+game–8482-.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&&from=Search#
Magic Moves® Electronic Wand– $19.99
Ages 3+
Nothing gets the kids up and movin’ like Magic Moves! Ninety fun physical commands, twinkling light shows, and 26 musical tunes to get little ones up and moving! This powerful wand not only gets them exercising, but it also promotes creativity and listening skills. Perfect for indoor play on rainy or cold winter days!
Check it out here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/magic+moves–174+electronic+wand.do#
BBQ Blitz!®– $24.99
Ages 4+
This burger building bonanza helps work fine motor skills, color recognition, and matching while having a flipping-fun time with the whole family.
Get your grill on here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/bbq+blitz!–174-.do?from=Search#
Buck, Buck, Moose!™ Game– $12.99
Ages 4+
Buck, Buck, MOOSE! This fast-action, color-matching card game is perfect for preschoolers! This riveting ranger game will help your little ones with color matching, speed, and sportsmanship.
Check out the forest fun here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/buck%2C+buck%2C+moose!–8482-+game.do?from=Search#
From Inspiration to Conception: Puppet-on-a-Stick
EI toys and games manager Brent Geppert has something up his sleeve — a puppet! Raised on The Muppet Show®, this former college radio DJ and longtime puppet lover puts on nightly puppet shows for his two sons, complete with voices and sound effects. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at his award-winning invention: Puppet-on-a-stick!
All kids love puppets, yet most puppets are difficult for kids to operate. I set out to make a puppet that was suitable for little hands: a puppet that would inspire instantaneous puppet show fun.
I experimented with various form factors like dry erase, Mr. Potato style pieces, removable hair, fixed hair, bendy arms, no arms, etc. But, after I presented my idea to the team, we all felt that a standalone puppet with no removable parts would be best.
This is the original idea I presented to the team in December 2010.
[First working prototype, January 2011]
I eventually made a second working puppet out of a solid wood ball I purchased at a furniture parts store. After that, I applied a clay skin, added googly eyes, then “bada-boom-bada-bing”: Puppet-on-a-Stick was born!
[2nd prototype, February 2011]
The new prototype was an instant hit with the team. My manager said, “Make two more faces—and we’ll have a set of three.” So, after some internal “clay-storming,” I came up with two more faces.
These are the final clay and wood prototypes that I sent to our factory for production.
Here are the internal mechanics that we have under “patent pending” status.
[“gray hand samples” from the factory]
These are the puppets that the metal injection molds would be made from.
[Final production images]
Psst! These puppets make great stocking stuffers!
More Let’s Doodle Coloring Pages!
Ask, and you shall receive! Here are more Let’s Doodle coloring pages– just in time for the holiday season.
Inside Insights 