Toys to Talk About: Holiday Gifts

The go anywhere, super cute, lovable Snuggle Buddy is sure to become baby’s first best friend. It’s interactive and comforting. Moms and babies find them fun and endearing. But beware; babies may become attached. Other characters are available. Only products made by Rashti & Rashti can be called a Snuggle Buddy. Launch date: June 2012.

For the first time ever, piece together Jan Brett's beautiful illustrations at home. This 300 piece jigsaw puzzle makes a great holiday gift for children and adults alike. Read along with Jan Brett's wonderful story book "The Night Before Christmas" while piecing together this beautiful puzzle with the children. Made in the USA. Launch date: September 2012.

An Elf’s Story™, the animated Christmas special that premiered on CBS last holiday season, is the first Elf on the Shelf® Christmas special that features cutting edge animation, memorable songs, and a tale about the spirit of the season. Nine-year old Taylor McTuttle has reached a crossroads. Does he believe Santa Claus really knows who is naughty or nice? Does he even believe in Santa Claus anymore? An Elf’s Story™ is the inspirational tale of Chippey, the young scout elf who is assigned by Santa to restore Taylor’s belief in Christmas magic. When the boy breaks the number one Elf on the Shelf rule, Chippey loses his Christmas magic; the entire McTuttle family loses its scout elf, and both Taylor and Chippey lose their self-respect. Through the power of love and forgiveness, both of them learn that true belief cannot be taught. An Elf’s Story™ DVD/Blu-Ray combo pack includes: An Elf’s Story™ 23-minute holiday special; TV trailer; Behind-the-scenes look at the making of An Elf’s Story™; Filmmaker’s commentary; Special Code for website access to Santa's Shipping Yard; and both 2-D and 3-D versions of the movie.

littleBits Holiday Kit is a special kit for the 2012 Holiday Season. Use these Bits to create ornaments, make decorations and celebration festivities. The Holiday Kit 2012 will also feature step-by-step instructions to make special projects. The littleBits Holiday Kit includes: A double sided instruction sheet with quick start guide and project suggestions; A custom-made 9V battery + cable; Custom plastic screwdriver; and 7 littleBits: power, pulse, light wire, dc motor, and bright led.

Keeping family and friends gathered around the holiday table doesn't take a miracle - just great questions. "What three values does your family cherish most?" and "What is the best Chanukah gift you have ever received?" are two of the 82 questions on these conversation-starting cards. Make way through the deck to share holiday memories, and create a new tradition with this box of 82 conversation-starters.

Snowflakes are combinations of frozen ice crystals that fall through the Earth's atmosphere. They form when microscopic super cooled cloud water droplets freeze that are only about the size of four ten thousandths (.00039) of an inch one hundredth of a millimeter (.01 millimeter) in diameter. Snowflakes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Complex shapes develop as the flakes fall through different temperatures and humidity. These droplets are able to remain liquid at temperatures lower than -0º Fahrenheit (-18º Celsius) because in order to freeze, a few molecules in the droplet need to come together by chance to form an arrangement similar to that in an ice lattice molecule; the droplet then freezes around this "nucleus." Experiments show that this chance accumulation of droplets around an ice lattice molecule to form a snowflake occurs at temperatures lower than -31° Fahrenheit (-35° Celsius). Once a droplet has frozen, it grows in the supersaturated cloud environment where air is below the freezing point. These large crystals fall through the atmosphere due to their mass, and may collide with others, sticking together in clusters. These clusters of ice crystals are snowflakes, and are usually the type of ice particles that fall to the ground.

The interactive Polar Bear plays 12 Christmas carols on request, and 12 more by heart. Kids can sing along, or just smile as they listen to his tunes and witty banter. Wood piano with moving piano keys. Battery operated. Approximately 9" wide. Launch date: January 2012.

Deck the halls with buildable cheer. Hang some holiday cheer anywhere with the LEGO Holiday Wreath (30028). Interlock the textured green bricks for a perfect circle adorned with red "holly" studs and 2 bells. Measures over 3" (7cm) wide and 3" (7cm) tall. Contains 50 pieces.

Kids of all ages can experience traditional holiday fun with the Fisher-Price GeoTrax Christmas Train. The train features working lights in each of the cars and automatically activates lights in the mini-sites as it passes. There are 2 moveable street lights, a bridge that plays holiday music, and a skating rink with spot lights. The Easy-Rail Station lighted features include: a 3-faced clock tower, 2 lamps, 2 street lights, and station windows. Pull into the station to unload passengers and listen as they are welcomed by a fun holiday tune. The station's lights and music can also be activated by pressing the button on the clock tower or either of 2 buttons on the track. This cool set includes 16 pieces of durable, Snap-Lock track, holiday decor that snaps onto the guard rails, street lamps, a bridge, a station, and signs that can be placed throughout the set. Compatible with other GeoTrax train sets.

Holiday robot captivates kids with rapid skittering motion. Decked out for holiday fun in red, green, snowflake & antlers. At home in a crystal-clear ornament bulb tied with festive ribbon (for a bit).

This holiday stocking featured the iconic Sock Monkey character. Coordinates with other Sock Monkey collection items. Launch date: June 2012.

Humor from The New Yorker magazine on a puzzle. Featuring an illustration of a disgruntled dog dressed up in a Santa outfit, this 500 piece puzzle is sure to liven up the holidays for all members of the family. Frame the puzzle when it's done for a great piece of wall art for the home. Made in the USA from recycled chipboard. Launch date: September 2012.

Festive Wintery Pull-along Penguin & Polar Bear toy. Improve hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, and movement abilities. 5 Stackable penguin and polar bear blocks.