Christmas Shopping 2010

[edzL]

Can you explain what these are? They just look like a piece of cardboard shaped like a guitar. Do you just pretend that you are playing guitar with them or do they actually do something. The ones I saw were $24.99 and I cannot imagine paying that for a cardboard guitar. Am I missing something?

So, the guitar itself is a thin slice of cardboard (like?) material on top of a small backing of a battery container and some circuit board inside... So, the actual guitar is a little center heavy as that is where the batteries are contained, but, overall it is pretty darn thin.

It has a few different play modes. Each of the guitars come with three different covered songs. Each guitar has a different set of songs.

And, basically, you strum (no real strings) to the rhythm of the song and it plays small blips/chords of the songs each time you strum to make it seem as if you are playing it.

It actually does a pretty good job. It's very rockband-esque. You strum, it plays a portion of the chord. They picked songs that have long beats so that when you strum, it feels as if you're doing it. The songs also have sung lyrics in the covers.

What makes it more fun and unique though is the free play mode. It has major chords defined up and down the guitar. So, you set it in free play mode, run your fingers down the guitar, and when you strum... depending on where your fingers are, it will actually play different chords!

Could you play a full, real song? Not so much Could you have fun with it? Yea

And there are drums, a cardboard amp and all sorts of miscellaneous things to go along with it like custom straps.

All in all, yea. If it was 15 bucks.... No brainer. 25? Maybe.... 20? A good sweet spot if you have a coupon against the 25!

Not sure if I missed anything but here was an early on review we have up on the blog as well.

I don't think the video was ever published for that review. I need to get on that!

(and ... if you have a real amp laying around the house, you can plug into it!)

Who is this "we" you refer to? Are you a secret helper elf from Santa's workshop?

Thanks for the tips. Luckily none of those items are on my kid's wish lists so I don't have to worry.

I'm one of the co-founders of zooLert. It's just two of us making it happen. Me and Tony. That was the we I was referring to. I mean, sure, we are on a mission from Santa, but, that's a separate thing.

And you're lucky so far it sounds. But... that could change any minute!

 

[acename]

Someone please explain these to me. I have seen them in the store several times and they just look like a brightly colored stuffed alien! You squeeze their belly and they make a nosie. How is that different than any other stuffie out there?!

I think if you have more than one they sing together. They harmonize with each other and all that. Not sure but that's what I understand.

 

[edzL]

Someone please explain these to me. I have seen them in the store several times and they just look like a brightly colored stuffed alien! You squeeze their belly and they make a nosie. How is that different than any other stuffie out there?!

It's the cute / strange factor going on.

And, because of the unique pitch and tone each color/style uses... When you put them together, it seems as if they are all doing it in some very, very, very crazy harmony.



If you have ever seen ugly dolls.. Think ugly dolls with harmony and you have singamajigs.

It's hard to understand until you hold one in your hand and then you get that what I call "smile factor".

It just puts a smile on your face when you try it and instantly you get it. You may not WANT it, but, you get it.

 

[Monny2AE]

I'm one of the co-founders of zooLert. It's just two of us making it happen. Me and Tony. That was the we I was referring to. I mean, sure, we are on a mission from Santa, but, that's a separate thing.

And you're lucky so far it sounds. But... that could change any minute!

Helpful site! And you bite your tongue about that last comment. Don't jinx me! Although your site does have a Lego Star Wars Turbo Tank that my DS would LOVE. Good thing he's only 6 and doesn't know it exists.

 

[lyncecelia]

I went to Walmart today and found the CUTEST Thomas PJs for Tim's DS3. Definitely awesome deal! It was boxed and for $5

 

[southern_redhead]

Speaking of which, here is one I personally think is going to be hot ... it has that throwback / nostalgia thing going on, much like the Weebles do (another hot one in the $5 packs) .. Alphie the learning robot.

Ha ha! I can totally get that. I've gotten my kids several things for the nostalgia factor.

I'm glad I visited your site. I didn't know there was a Rockband 3 coming out (well, duh, they just keep putting new ones out don't they?) and I know my 11 year old would love it. The bundle at Gamestop is the right pricepoint for his present from Nana......ka-ching! Another gift down (and I love the whole pre-ordering thing!) And he is at that hard to buy for age!

As long as we are having stuff explained to us ....... Lalaloopsy?! Really? I don't "get" them. I read the description, the idea is cute but...why do they have to look creepy? Hopefully this falls below my 8 year old DD's radar - though I did get Zoobles and Squinkies for her (for some reason Squinkies seem like an 80's toy.....)

Edited to ask: Anybody have a BOY who wants Fin Fin? I'm just curious. I think they are cute and I can see my 8 yo DD asking for one. If she got one, though, I think her little brother (going on 7) would play with it with her. I know their daddy would probably fall over but I did see a skate park set and the orca and clownfish look sort of "neutral"..... I was thinking this might make cute gifts from my FIL. Do they actually go in the water? It looked like the sets had water in them so it appears the fish actually swim?

 

[edzL]

Ha ha! I can totally get that. I've gotten my kids several things for the nostalgia factor.

I'm glad I visited your site. I didn't know there was a Rockband 3 coming out (well, duh, they just keep putting new ones out don't they?) and I know my 11 year old would love it. The bundle at Gamestop is the right pricepoint for his present from Nana......ka-ching! Another gift down (and I love the whole pre-ordering thing!) And he is at that hard to buy for age!

As long as we are having stuff explained to us ....... Lalaloopsy?! Really? I don't "get" them. I read the description, the idea is cute but...why do they have to look creepy? Hopefully this falls below my 8 year old DD's radar - though I did get Zoobles and Squinkies for her (for some reason Squinkies seem like an 80's toy.....)

Edited to ask: Anybody have a BOY who wants Fin Fin? I'm just curious. I think they are cute and I can see my 8 yo DD asking for one. If she got one, though, I think her little brother (going on 7) would play with it with her. I know their daddy would probably fall over but I did see a skate park set and the orca and clownfish look sort of "neutral"..... I was thinking this might make cute gifts from my FIL. Do they actually go in the water? It looked like the sets had water in them so it appears the fish actually swim?

I know you aren't asking specifically about a full blown Alphie review but MAN it is AWESOME. Seriously. We just threw up a video review on the zooLert blog. Man. I'm still all about it. I need to get more of the learning cards.

So, moving on to other stuff... But of course there is another Rock Band Actually, I'm not sure how deep you went in to it, but, the new version will actually support the "pro" guitar which has real strings! How wild is that. No more red, green, blue, tapping.. You actually have to somewhat play a "real" guitar. Very cool stuff. (and of course you can still use the color schemed guitars as well).

Fin Fin's... I can't personally give you an insight on that one but we did have a writeup on that. I don't think it's overly frilly if that is where you are going, but, I think generally speaking the set is geared towards girls with some boy accessories. Let me see if I can't get Mark to pop over here or get some input from him as well that I can maybe help with.

And you might want to tie her up and not let her watch Nick or other related cartoon channels. Otherwise, she may fall victim to the marketing blitz that is Lalaloopsy. It has a bit of a Coraline look to it.... It's probably worth noting that it also is made much like an adult collector toy with the harder vinyl type plastic, but, it is a very nicely done doll and it looks really nice.

 

[rszdtrvl]

DH and I got our teenage son the Paper Jamz guitar and amp.

He is learning to play the electric guitar, and honestly, we think that the paper jamz guitar will help him learn the chords, etc. Plus, it is very lightweight and he will have a blast! I ordered them online at Walmart.com a few weeks ago. I still have not seen them in stores.

I saw my first Squinkie thing yesterday - the gumball machine for $20 at Walmart. Didn't buy it, as we have no need for it. But I saw the Squinkies and they were teeny tiny!

I have more things preordered at Amazon for my son, so I think he is just about done : Rock Band 3, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World DVD (being released in a month or so), Super Scribblenauts for the Nintendo DS, the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book - The Ugly Truth.

And I also preordered the new Twilight Eclipse movie - due out at the beginning of December. For me.

 

[figment41]

Can someone tell me the difference between bitty buttons and lalaloopsy dolls. They have them in 2 different sections at my TRU but they look the same to me. I am just a little confused.

TIA

 

[figment41]

crazy duplicate post sorry

 

[edzL]

Can someone tell me the difference between bitty buttons and lalaloopsy dolls. They have them in 2 different sections at my TRU but they look the same to me. I am just a little confused.

TIA

They are one in the same.

Bitty Buttons was the original name before they ran in to some legal matters over the name.

From there, it was relaunched as Lalaloopsy.

You may still see some boxes and stock with Bitty Buttons out there, but, it is supposed to be retagged (stickered) with Lalaoopsy stickers if they are still out in the wild.

(only reason I know this nugget is I saw a third party person doing it on behalf of MGA Entertainment, the makers of the doll, at the store).

Hope that helps!

So, all in all.... same exact thing. Bitty Buttons was the original name and Lalaloopsy is the current name.

 

[GoinToDisney]

Thank you edzL!!! You are very helpful! Off to check out zoolert!

 

[edzL]

Thank you edzL!!! You are very helpful! Off to check out zoolert!

No prob.

You can just call me ed.

The edzL is just my disclaimer so I didn't come off as someone crazy.

Here's another thought on a tip for a cool up and coming toy.

The good :

It's every boys dream... The indoor helicopter .. with a video camera on it! And you can take pics and videos and then look at them on your PC and edit them.

The bad :

I don't have a personal hands on, but, I assume that they are a bit fragile like the other indoor flyers.

The oh, really? That's a bummer.... :

It's 60 bucks.

The who cares :

It's still a boy's dream

It's called the Air Hogs Hawk Eye.

If anyone likes the little off the top of my head thoughts from time to time, I'll be sure to keep 'em coming.

 

[pooh4evr]

If anybody is still looking for those teeny Families -- I saw a bunch at KOHL's today ...

 

[edzL]

I was just looking at our Lalaloopsy in stock tracker too.

Looks like the Lalaloopsy's are in stock and on sale for only $20!

Might not be a bad time to get in on it if you think you might have to sooner or later

And here's another tip. Glee board game. I see this being a biggggg seller this year. We are going to make a tracker soon.

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

Hey Ed! And anyone else that wants to help! I am getting my DS3.5 a learning handheld system. I don't know whether to go with the Fisher Price iXL or the Leapter Explorer. Which is the better learning tool and fun too? TIA

 

[edzL]

Hey Ed! And anyone else that wants to help! I am getting my DS3.5 a learning handheld system. I don't know whether to go with the Fisher Price iXL or the Leapter Explorer. Which is the better learning tool and fun too? TIA

I have a little input, but, not too much.

From a sales standpoint, it looks like the iXL is selling a little better (based on our in stock tracker history).

I think the reason for it is that it is a functional unit without any of the software. It comes with a Digital Reader, Game Player, Note Pad, Art Studio, MP3 Player and Photo Viewer.

So, right out of the box you can get up and running without buying anything else.

That said, of course, the software and games you can buy is very important... And it looks like Fisher Price is really trying to come out with some good titles from a quick scan.

I know they REALLY, really are making a push for this. The CEO of Fisher Price named it his favorite to at the Toy Show in NY this year. So... I don't think this is a toy they are going to let disappear into the night any time soon.

Leapster, on the otherhand, has been in this game a LONG time... And, it seems like (to me at least) they come out with more product updates than Apple does for a given iPod line

Also.. from what I read... Older cartridges are *NOT* compatible. Take that into consideration if it is an upgrade and you hope to be able to reuse your old cartridges.

Some of the new highlights for the new one is new improved graphics (they are actually pretty respectable!) and the Leapworld world I think is the big hook for the new Leapster unit.

It's one of those online world's but for little ones... You plug the Leapster in and you get access to the world.

So, in my NON hands on opinion... It comes down to this :

iXL - good for a unit that works out of the box.... it's very smartphone-ish. If memory serves, that's what they were going for.

Leapster - good if you want to stick in a traditional Leapster world of titles and content and your kids want to go online in an online virtual world.

So, that's what I can give you in my limited research. May not be hands on, but, at least gives you some perspective on what differentiates the two products?

 

[Ephany]

One year my sister gave my boys each a "spy kit" that she put together. It included a magnifying glass, binoculars and a head lamp. I'm not sure if spies actually use head lamps confused3), but they LOVED them and still use them 5+ years later. Another good companion to a magnifying glass would be an Eye Spy or Where's Waldo book.

I found Lego walkie talkies that have fairly good reviews. TRU has the best price ($20 compared to $28 at Walmart and $38 at Amazon). I'll keep looking for some decent kid-friendly binoculars and head lamps.

 

[Perditamarie]

In an attempt to break free from the expensive clutches of Legos, I am considering these for boys...any experience/reviews?

Mighty Beanz Smash and crash:

http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Beanz-...0-1720127?ie=UTF8&qid=1287339344&sr=1-1-fkmr0


Stealth Riders pocket rc cars:

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Wheels-St...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1287339422&sr=1-3

 

[NemoMom07]

I got my ds4 the track set at Target for $20. He likes the mighty beans. I have him several packs of Star Wars ones and the millennium falcon case put up for Christmas.

He is also getting the remote car from his grandparents. It is suppose to be a hot toy this year,but I see plenty of them at the stores now. I did read a review that it was not very fast.

In an attempt to break free from the expensive clutches of Legos, I am considering these for boys...any experience/reviews?

Mighty Beanz Smash and crash:

http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Beanz-...0-1720127?ie=UTF8&qid=1287339344&sr=1-1-fkmr0


Stealth Riders pocket rc cars:

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Wheels-St...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1287339422&sr=1-3