Whew, Just in Time!

With just days to go, we’ve just gotten in a new shipment of some our favorite gifts. Way to wait to the last minute there, yikes!

Wonderball by Channel Craft. Made in the US – $8.
One of our favorite stocking stuffers has got to be the Wonderball. Yes, it is just a ball of yarn, but the game is endless! Unwind your Wonderball to find little charms, beads, and trinkets spread throughout. Once you’ve got to the end, use the enclosed handbook for instructions on string games, knitting, and more. This little ball of yarn is sure to give hours of entertainment.
Little Racer by Rubbabu, Made in India – $7.

The Rubbabu Little Race Cars are extremely soft, fuzzy and loved by children of all ages. Made entirely of 100% biodegradable, all-natural rubber. They are soft and squishy to the touch, yet sturdy enough to handle years of abuse. Perfect for the toddler who loves to throw. It bounces!

And lastly, Wooden Pastries Set by Viola, Made in Thailand – $20.

We have found that kids of all ages LOVE play food, and this Pastries Set is sure to please. Two tiers of tasty pastries includes the serving tray and 1 Dozen treats including donuts, jelly rolls, cookies, cakes, cupcakes. I do believe that Nico’s little sister Lily will be getting a set herself this year.

All three have been loved toys to our children, and we know would bring smiles to yours on the big day. Just be sure to get that order in by Tuesday a.m., Pacific Time, so it will arrive on time.

All 3 are also available in the Showroom – Monday, 2 to 4 p.m. & Wednesday 10 a.m. to noon or by appointment this week.

15 Days to Go? Yikes!

As he ripped the next loop off of his countdown chain, Nico proudly announced this morning – 15 Days Mama, 15 Days! I do love his six-year-old wonder & excitement over the coming of Christmas, I really do. But that number has me reeling right now. 15 days? Whew, I’ve got a lot of little things to do! Stocking stuffers, cleaning, wrapping, and just what are we eating? Yikes!

And, as I panic through my last minute preparations, here’s a few opportunities for you to get your last minute unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for friends & family.

Join Pam, and Nico & Zoe Toys, among many local Washington companies as they bring together a collection of green, sustainable, organic products & demonstrations to the Phinney Neighborhood Center on Saturday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring the kids for ornament making while you shop!

And, while you are shopping Seattle, check out all the fine small businesses out there, offering quality products & service. Red Tricycle’s got a breakdown of the best local stocking stuffer shops for you.

And, last, but certainly not least, The Succulent Wife has found some really interesting & unique gifts all over the web – things for the kids & adults in your life. Scroll through for star shaped eco crayons, collapsible water bottles, and PooPoo paper, made out of real poo. No joke! Certainly worth a look, don’t you think? On the less stinky side, also listed is a fabulous & fun gift, our Cosmic Spinners – easy enough for the younger crew to spin, but interesting enough for the big kids to enjoy too.

Now, back to work for me, and the important question – who on my list needs the PooPoo?

The Gift for the Kid Who Has It All?

Week two of our focus on the best of our holiday toys focuses on the one toy every child loves – music! But, these aren’t just any instruments. At Nico & Zoe, we have a selection of affordable musical instruments that are tuned just the like the real thing, and include songbooks to really teach.

Glockenspiel, 8 Note Set, $20.

Also known as a Xylophone, each of the 8 precision tuned tones is a different color, a different size, and has its own name, making this Glockenspiel easy and fun to play. Includes two plastic mallets, songs and playing activities. Made in Germany

Bear Cymbals, $14.

Hold a bear cymbal in each hand & clap together the two cymbals to produce a fun, rhythmic sound. Be warned, this can be LOUD in the hands of your toddler, but throw on a song to play with & your musician will have a great time. Made in Thailand

Speedy Diatonic Kinderharp, Harmonica for Kids, $6.

This Play & Learn harmonica is a great first Harmonica for Kids. This Harmonica is a Plastic children’s plastic Harmonica, it is in C Major and is designed especially for children to first learn to play harmonicas. Comes with instructions and a big song book, big enough to fit on a music stand. Made in USA

We know any of our instruments will be a big hit this holiday season!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

As inches of white, fluffy stuff piles all around us here in the Pacific Northwest, we are officially moving our way out of fall and in to winter. Time for our seasonal newsletter!

We’ve got open houses, and eco shopping events, new toys, and most popular stocking stuffers. Plus, our Black Friday to Cyber Monday special – FREE SHIPPING. Now, who doesn’t like that? We’ll be digging ourselves out, and you get shopping!

http://www.nicoandzoe.com/marketingEmail/NewsletterMail_Nov2010.html

Frosty Puzzle, $14.

With Thanksgiving just days away….

we’re working hard over here at Nico & Zoe Toys to get ready for our super fun, crazy, busy holiday season. And with the hopes of simplifying the whole process for you, we will be featuring a selection of our most popular gifts of the holiday season. Win – win, don’t you think?

See, we’ve always carried classic toys, but there a few that each and every year are the most popular requests by kids & parents alike. These aren’t characters or fads – and Nico & Zoe, the children, have their fair share too – but the toys we know will stand the test of time & keep the interest of your child well past the unwrapping.

Week One – A gift always loved, crafts!
Soy Rock Crayons, $8.

These “rocks” are a favorite of every child who has colored with them, at every holiday fair we have attended, four years in a row. Each red velvet bag contains 16 colored, soy wax Crayon Rocks, in 16 different colors. The unique shape helps new writers learn & practice proper pencil grip, while the smooth pastel-like writing allows older children to make vibrant works of art.

Sparrow Bag Sewing Kit, $18.

For something truly unique, we have our nature-inspired Sewing Kits, designed & assembled in the UK. These kits, by Sparrowkids, include everything you need to start your own sewing project – pre-punched holes, felt flowers and leaves for decoration, thread, plastic safety needle, suede chord for your shoulder strap, and instructions. Kits range from smaller Cherry Blossom & Wren Bags to larger Sparrow & classic UK red Bug Bags. Our experience in watching children work with the kits is that it be an elementary age child, and a family project, with some adult assistance needed for instructions & embroidery. And, the joy of finishing the project will be worth the time!

Made By Me Vehicle Kits, $4 each or $18 for the set of 4 vehicles.

But this crafting isn’t just a girl thing! Our most popular craft kit with the boys is our Made By Me Vehicle Sets – wooden tugboats, race cars, trains, and tractors that children get to decorate & assemble before play time begins. All you need is some glue, a hammer, and paints, crayons, stickers or whatever creative tools you want to use to decorate your own wooden toys. Each pine wood vehicle is sanded for safety by Maple Landmark, a small wood toy company in Vermont. Nico’s given this gift to several 4, 5 & 6 year-old friends, and parents & kids alike have loved the idea, process & result.

Here’s just a few of our favorite art activities for the budding artist in your life. Season’s Greetings from Nico & Zoe!