Unique Toys for 2008

Every year Fat Brain Toys recognizes the best-of-the-best in specialty toys. These are quality toys, games, and gifts for children chosen by actual consumers.

If you’re looking for something unique for a special child this year, why not check these out? All the links lead to Amazon! Here are a few of my favorites:

Best Homemade Gift Ever: Rice Sock

When I was pregnant with my daughter, my doula made me a rice sock. This is one of the best gifts I have ever received. I understand physical therapists recommend these a lot. When you heat the rice in the microwave, you get moist heat that lasts quite a while. I use it every time my neck or back is hurting. Even if I’m just cold I’ll nuke it up and put it in bed while I’m brushing my teeth or wrap it around my neck while I’m working at the computer. (It really is best that I work at home now.)

My sock is kind of skanky. It’s only the second one I’ve had since my daughter was born eight years ago. I’ve been thinking about making a new one, and then I read this post about making rice socks from finger tip towels instead of socks. And then I thought about the Linens and Things next to my house that’s going out of business. But THEN I remembered the handy remnant box at my favorite fabric store!

Don’t you think some great chenille would make the BEST rice socks ever?
And seriously, do you think that’s a good gift? Or will people just think I’m a freak. And cheap?

This post was inspired by Klutz for Parent Bloggers!

The Time Has Come for a Boo Gift Registry

For the past several years, I’ve been an Boo Basket proponent. I stuff the baskets, ring the doorbells, and run like mad. If you’re not familiar with the Boo, it’s simply a fun way to spread some Halloween joy around your neighborhood by leaving a little basket of goodies under cover of darkness. The basket comes with instructions for the next person to continue the Boo and a little sign for the door to let people know they’ve been Boo’d. However, it can get complicated.

Say for example you’ve gone to the store to get just the right supplies for your neighbor who has a baby, a toddler, and two dogs, but minutes before you’re set to Boo and run, you notice they’ve been Boo’d by someone else. Now you have to start all over and there’s a lot to consider when making up a Boo basket. Once you figure out what to put in it, you’ve got to determine just which of your neighbors to Boo who will keep the chain going. Because God forbid you Boo a Boo Killer! And even when things go smoothly, there’s the problem of competition. No one wants to give the crappy Boo basket. Therefore the goodies get more and more extravagant each year.

That’s why next year I propose a Boo Gift Registry. Let’s take this thing online to solve the problems of being beaten to the Boo, accidentally Booing non-participatory neighbors, and making it abundantly clear what you’d like to receive in your Boo basket. Who’s in?

Thanks for the Whore Barbie

Dear Mom,
Thank you for sending the Whore Barbie. It really is the perfect gift for an eight-year-old. How clever of you to find a loophole to my rule against Bratz dolls. Your granddaughter has been having a great time playing ‘Sure you’re not a cop?’ and ‘Run, there’s my pimp’.

Oh I know, Whore Barbie is a model. And I know models often walk around in black lace mini-skirts, fishnet hose, and high boots with their hips jutting out and their hands on their asses. But still. Let’s call a ho a ho. The platinum blonde hair makes her look a little like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Endearing as the movie was, the hooker-with-the-heart-of-gold plot is tough to explain to a third grader.

Maybe you didn’t notice the half-closed eyes, but you can’t ignore purple and gold eye shadow and frosty pink lipstick. The doll’s a walking blowjob. And you can’t tell me that leopard print purse isn’t holding the Blackberry she uses to process PayPal payments from the tech savvy, corporate johns.

It’s not just me. Whore Barbie’s not even allowed to play with her wholesomely anorexic counterparts. It states clearly on the back of the box:

Not for use with other Barbie dolls.

Anyway, thanks again. We’re off to play ‘Find my crack’.