Local Stores Run the Gamut for Kids' Gifts

Whether you're shopping for your kids, your sibling's kids or your grandkids this holiday season, keep in mind the two E's …Educational and Environmental.

Jim Sweeney, owner of the independent retail toy store Rocking Horse in Cranford, said there's a "trend toward ecological toys." Some recycled clothes also made our list.

Sweeney said "games that require kids to think" are another strong category.

At this time of year, stores switch gear from the everyday shopping to holiday hopping. "Throughout the year, most of our purchases are in the $20 range for birthday presents and the like," said Sweeney. "Now we're seeing a much bigger shop. Customers will buy two or three things and spend about $100."

"We've now switched to holiday presents," said Sweeney, adding that at independent retail stores like his, "parents are looking for unique gifts, something different, something you won't find in a 'big box' store."

Local business owners, like Sweeney and Eric Model, owner of Summit's Seal & Co, agree that learning toys and arts & crafts are big holiday sellers. "I buy what I like," said Model, adding that he doesn't always let the latest trends dictate his inventory.

He said his store is "loaded with lots of stocking stuffers and little goodie bag type stuff" like animal rubber band bracelets and Japanese erasers. "The strength of the business right now is the 'pick-me-up' items."

And you certainly don't have to think small for stockings. Bigger items, like comic books, make unique stuffers.

Owner of A Little Shop of Comics, Scotch Plains, Lena Olsen, said "we do have an 'all ages' section, so there's plenty of comics to read for stocking stuffers," which run from $2.99 to $3.99 per book.

"They just brought back Casper as a comic, "Olsen said, adding that Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse are also available for the little ones. Star Wars is another popular genre.

She said whatever's on the Cartoon Network typically becomes popular in her store. "…Cartoon Network brings the sales up."

Another stocking stuffer idea from Olsen is Pokemon cards, $3.99 per pack. Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! card games are also big sellers, and the store carries special cases for kids to store them.

And if you just don't know where to start or what to buy for the little ones in your life, store owners have some advice.

Owner of Pumpkins & Petunias, Westfield, Gina Pugliese, said buying something as a gift that the recipient, or their parents, wouldn't necessarily buy themselves is a good strategy. She said tutus, for example, are a "novelty item that little girls always love and it makes a great presentation." At her store, they sell for $44 to $46.

And Model advised to "shop locally to avoid shipping charges."

If you browse through the stores, and follow our lead, you're sure to have some success.

This holiday Gift Guide for Kids is a collaboration of ideas from local business owners and recognized consumer experts like Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio (www.toyportfolio.com).

And there's no shortage of new, unique or exciting or eco-friendly ideas on our list.

Ages 3 & Up …

My First Sticky Mosaics by The Orb Factory: The series, which goes up in age, includes sticky foam pieces, fun designs and plastic hangers for the child to proudly display his/her project. $10.99 at Thinka Dinka, Westfield

Jellycat plush toys by Jellycat: The line of soft and unique stuffed animals originated in London. The company's new line, Cordy Roy Cuddly Toys, have a corduroy –type, ribbed fabric. The entire line ranges from $12 to $50 at Seal & Co, Summit.

 Zoobie Pets: Not to be confused with Zhu Zhu Pets, it's a plush animal, pillow and blanket in one. It comes in a variety of zoo animals, from crocodiles to hippos. Model says his most popular for girls is the pink Hada the Hippo. For boys, it's Jarafu the Giraffe. $28 at Seal & Co, Summit.   

Uglydolls by Pretty Ugly: from the "Uglyverse" (according to the company's website) comes a line of "unique and special" dolls. Start at $8 at Funk & Standard, Westfield.

Pre-K & Up:

 Super Stretchy ABC:  A Dr. Seuss board that is the Twister of ABC's. Kids can learn letters by reaching, stretching and twisting their bodies over the game board. $16.99 at major retailers.

 Playmobil Egyptian Collection: entire series focuses on Egyptian culture and history. Ages 4 to 8.  From $19.99 to $239.99 Thinks Dinka, Westfield

Little Picasso Art Kit by Piggy Story. A 20-piece art-organizer that is part of a series all-in-one art kits. $25 at Seal & Co.

 Fairy Tale Mix-Ups Write Me A Story Pad by Eeboo:  Children can write their own stories combining stickers with their own words. They can take it with them wherever they go. The set includes 50 pages and 96 stickers. $8 & up at www.Amazon.com

 Bottle Cap Magnetic Jewelry: Pins, rings, necklaces …the latest tween trend in jewelry. $7 per piece, Zoom, Summit

Automoblox by Automoblox: it's the classic wooden car reinvented. The company's website describes it as "fusing modern design with old world values." Owners can mix and match interchangeable parts of different toy vehicles. The enviro-friendly cars are made of wood. Parts range from $12 to $49 at Seal & Co, Summit., Thinka Dinka, Westfield

 Citiblocs by Citiblocs: according to the company's website, the building toys encourage "building without borders." The blocs, which come from New Zealand, are made of Grade A New Zealand Radiata Pine. $15 and up, www.Citiblocstore.com

 Bananagrams by Bananagram: It's scrabble without the board, and the pieces come in a travel size banana pouch. "Fast & Fun"  according to Seal & Co. owner Eric Model. The game is part of a series of Fruit Word Games, including Pairs in Pears and Appletters, geared towards the younger player.  $15.99 at Seal & Co, Summit.

 Rush Hour Traffic Jam Game by Thinkfun: This series of games requires player to find their way out of tricky traffic-y situations. It comes in many versions …Safari Rush Hour, Railroad Rush Hour, puzzles, online games. Ages 8 & up. $20-$25 at Rocking Horse, Cranford., Thinka Dinka, Westfield

 36 Cube by Thinkfun: A logic puzzle that requires players to place multiple towers on a board to form a perfect cube.  Ages 8 to 12. $20-25 at Rocking Horse, Cranford.

 World of Inventors: Leonardo Da Vinci (Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell) from Silver Dolphin books: It is part of a series of books dedicated to the great minds of the past. 3-D Pop-ups and detailed illustrations are based on the personal notebooks and sketches of Da Vinci. Ages 8 & up. $20-$25 at Barnes & Noble.

 Going Fast …

Zhu Zhu Pets: A recent recall had parents worried that the fuzzy little robotic hamsters were made with a dangerous contaminant, but some news reports say the scare was illegit. So the "it" toy of the season may be safe, but do your own research to make your own informed decision. Although they are hard to come by, most major retailers, including www.amazon.com, have been carrying them. $30 and up, plus accessories.

Matchbox Rocky the Robot Truck by Mattel: Rocky  talks, drives, lifts, dumps and dances. It speaks over 100 phrases. $59.99 or more at major retailers, including www.amazon.com.

 Mindflex Mental Game by Mattel: This game proves the power of the mind. A lightweight headset measures brainwave activity, and allows users to guide a ball with their mind through an obstacle course. Ages 8 & up. $79.99 and up at major retailers, including Toys R Us.

 Just One Kiss Princess Tiana Doll by Mattel: the newest princess from Disney's new movie The Princess and the Frog. Ages 3 & up. $25.99 at major retailers including Toys R Us.

 Lego Star Wars series by Lego: Ages 6 to 14, $14.99 to $149.99,  Thinka Dinka, Westfield.

 Top Green Toys from www.toyportfolio.com ...

 Playmobil Recycling Truck by Playmobil: Equipped with three bins and two play figures, the truck drives home the importance of recycling. $30 Thinka Dinka, Westfield

 Elia Mini Chair by Elia Make Fun: A reversible cardboard chair, completely recyclable. It holds up to 200 lbs, and is easily assembled. Kids can decorate their own with included sticker sheets. $29.99 at www.eliafun.com.

 Crayola Crayon Maker by Crayola: Kids can take old crayon remnants and combine to make their own colors. $29.99 at major retailers.

 More Green Toys …

 Adventure Rig Series by Sprig: The battery-free vehicles with removable push bars are made from sprigwood which is reclaimed wood and recycled plastic.  They're "powered" by the child. $50 at Rocking Horse, Cranford.

 Story Building Palace by Sprig: The playset includes 24 large story blocks, 10 small character blocks, 1 princess character and 62 printed panel pieces. It allows children to tell their own story. $25-$30 at Rocking Horse, Cranford.

 Must-Have Clothes …

 Rock Shirts: by Trunk Ltd.: Pumpkins & Petunias, Westfield owner Gina Pugliese says "anything rock sells for us …rock t-shirts, Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Springstein."  Shirts range from $48 to $50.

 Circle Scarves with fringes: the latest trend in scarves goes round and round and round. $10 to $28 at Nirvana, Westfield.

 Zodiac T-shirts: kids are wearing their signs loud and proud. $65 at Nirvana, Westfield.

 Eco-conscious Clothes by Lola & James: This children's clothing line recycles fabrics and materials and even cashmere blankets to make custom vintage kids clothing. From infant to 10 years old, the items are special order. $80 & up at Pumpkins & Petunias, Westfield.

 Anything Glitter: Glitter is glam for the girls this season, including tiered holiday skirts with glittery sequent trim. $28 to $40 at Pumpkins & Petunias, Westfield.

 Legging Jeans: The tight, tapered look is back. $148 Nirvana, Westfield.

 BeePosh Pajamas: Whimsical pj's with a little posh spice thrown in. $32 and up, Zoom, Summit.

 Popular Stocking Stuffers …

 Animal Rubber bands: These bracelets are the fastest-selling fad of the year. They are small rubber bracelets that come in all different shapes including all types of animals and cars. They come in packs of 12 and 24. Prices range from $ .50 for individual bands to up to $7 for a 24 –pack. Sold at many local stores, including Libby's Family Pharmacy in Springfield, Zoom and Seal & Co. in Summit and Thinka Dinka and Learning Express in Westfield.

 Japanese Erasers by Iwako USA: These pull-apart, vibrantly colored and charismatic erasers are "flying by the handful," according to Seal & Co's Model. They're $1 each, and sold at most of the independent toy retailers.

 Smencils by Smencil World:  These gourmet scented pencils made 100 % from recycled newspaper are about $1, depending on the size of the order. They are economical and eco-friendly. $1.49 Thinka Dinka, Westfield.