Novelty Toys Stuff Stockings

“Novelty gifts are important today because the world is getting too serious.” — Russ Colby, Spitfire Ventures

Novelty toys that manufacturers say are hit-bound for the holiday season 2006 let kids of all ages blow humongous bubbles, munch on sweet explosions, carry their favorite characters in their pockets and brighten dreary office desks. They’re small, cheap and fit nicely in stockings.

“Novelty gifts are important today because the world is getting too serious,” Russ Colby, president of Spitfire Ventures (ToyDirectory), which produces a talking toilet paper roll, told TDmonthly Magazine.

“Everyone needs a break!” agreed Scott Henderson, president of Funworks, makers of Shake n Shimmer lights.

“Novelties put smiles on people’s faces!” said Julian Parry, founder of Fun Friends, whose products transform cell phones into plush characters.

“The most likely people to purchase novelty gifts think outside of the box and desire edgy, unique and creative products,” added Jeffrey Assisi, spokesperson for Pop Rocks candies.

Manufacturers fill that desire with toys that are full of surprises.

The Talking TP, for instance, lets pranksters record their voices on a toilet paper spindle. When an unsuspecting victim uses the facilities, he can hear anything from “Hey! Watch where you’re aiming!” to “Mind if I join you?”

“We had thought the Talking TP would be purchased mainly by men, but in our large initial tests run on the Internet, well over 50% of the purchasers were women,” said Colby. “It’s a great stocking stuffer. The best.”

Talking stuff sells big, agreed Jay Kamhi of Kamhi World (ToyShow). After months of success with Family Guy talking pens, figurines and keychains, he’s snagged licensing rights to the upcoming Nacho Libre, starring Jack Black.

“We haven't told anyone else,” Kamhi shared with TDmonthly . “But we’re really excited about it. We’ve seen the advanced art on it and it looks just great.”

They’re doing pens, key chains and figures, too, all of which will be ready in time for Holiday orders.

“We take the hottest characters in Hollywood and TV and turn them into the world's coolest talking toys,” continued Kamhi. “They lighten up the day a bit.”

So does Funworks’ Shake and Shimmer lamp — a small lava-lamp-type item that Henderson calls “a great office diversion. It’s being bought by a lot of gift stores as counter-top gifts and as a last-minute impulse buy.”

Talk about hits? Let’s talk hit men. Emanation (ToyShow) just released a talking “Scarface” key chain with key phrases spoken by Scar star Al Pacino.

“It just started selling this week and we think it’s going to be fantastic,” said operations coordinator Max Eremine, “’Scarface’ is a classic. A majority of the phrases have become aphorisms.”

Those who want to do their own talking will appreciate the Kids’ Rubber Stamp Kit by Magnetic Poetry.

“Kids can do crafts while they play with words,” said public relations manager Joyce Johannson. “They attach rubber word stamps to a magnetic bar and create their own birthday cards, thank you cards and secret notes.”

Other products that are sure to stick around are the holiday-themed magnetic photo cards by Sunshine Girl Creations. Naomi Rappaport, president, told TDmonthly , “They’ll do well because holiday photo greeting cards are popular and this one has the added feature of a magnet, so you can put it up.”

Kids and adults craving a new sensation for the holidays might prefer to gobble Pop Rocks Candy Cane Flavor candy. Jeffrey Assissi, junior account executive for The Steven Style Group, which handles Pop Rocks, told TDmonthly , “Combining the patented popping properties that only Pop Rocks possess with the time-honored candy cane flavor is sure to be a Christmas holiday hit with young and old candy lovers alike.”

For those who’d rather blow bubbles than chew, The BeeBoo Big Bubble Mix by Xtreme Bubbles LLC (ToyShow) creates world-record size bubbles. And that’s not empty bragging:

“Once we found the formula to create a big bubble product that’s easy, fun and convenient, we knew we had something special,” explained John Erck, CEO of Extreme Bubbles. “So we set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest free-floating soap bubble in Farmington, Minn., on October 9, 2005. There’s nothing on the market like it.”

Leslie Cohen of Cow-Egg LLC doesn’t bubble, but she does bobble. She and her company invented an electronic base that keeps bobbleheads bouncing.

For those who like their bobbles infused with holiday spirit, Regena Sims, president of BobblesUSA.com, brings out her Santa, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman bobble heads.

“People always ask for them at the holidays.” Why? Sims wasn’t sure, but Kamhi had the answer:

The following is more information on novelty products that will be available this holiday season.