Make Valentine’s Day extra sweet for your littles by ditching the standard box of chocolates from the local grocery store and picking up something unique from a locally-owned business. From LEGO trade-in opportunities to cool toys and books and even Sprinkles cupcakes, here are our top picks for spots in DFW to snag a totally creative gift for Valentine’s Day.
Dallas Farmer’s Market
This year-round market has produce and food items for sale in the outdoor pavilion, but it also boasts an impressive indoor marketplace filled with locally-owned shops and businesses. Opt for a fun slogan shirt from Bullzerk, cookies from Chelles Macarons or bath fizzies from Abundantly Aromatic. Many of these shops are doing online ordering and curbside pickup.
A unique bookstore, Kinokuniya has an amazing array of books as well as Sanrio toys, Japanese pens and stationery and tons of anime merchandise! You might need to set aside an hour or so to explore this place.
Carrollton Town Center 2540 Old Denton Road, Suite 114 Carrollton, TX
Whatever your kids are into, it’s a good chance Griff’s has the perfect gift for them. From Harry Potter wands to Pokeman, new and retired LEGO sets, locally-made goods and even candy, it’ll be hard to leave this family-owned shop empty-handed.
Sprinkles, in our opinion, makes the very best cupcakes out there. Do a mixed box of special Valentine’s Day red velvet cupcakes, the Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cupcake, the dark chocolate or any of the other 14 flavors. Pick up at one of the two DFW locations or order online for delivery.
This fun toy store has a wonderful selection of popular books, treats and unique toys you can’t find everywhere. If you feel comfortable, you can take your kiddos and make an afternoon of it by heading over to Hat Creek Burger to pick up some tots and shakes afterward.
The Hill 9830 North Central Expressway Dallas, TX 75231
This buy-and-trade LEGO store in Plano is ideal for trading in a set your master builder might have outgrown and snagging something new. Believe me, with 3500 square feet of space for bricks, this shop will have what you need.
This woman-owned toy store located right on McKinney Square has everything from silly collectibles to classic toys and board games. They have baby toys on up through things your tween will love. Plus, they have clothes, shoes, baby gear and even general gift items. We’re pretty sure you’ll be able to find something for your little Valentine’s here.
Need to do some holiday shopping but don’t want to get the same old same old? New Yorkers are especially lucky when it comes to finding unique gifts, thanks to the city’s bustling holiday markets. While some took a time out last year, these popular emporiums are back and ready to help you cross items off your list. Here’s where to head for one-of-a-kind presents with special NYC flair!
Holiday Shops at Bryant Park's Winter Village
Curated by Urbanspace (the people behind the Union Square and Columbus Circle Holiday Markets) this European-inspired open-air market at Bryant Park's Winter Village hosts artisans from New York City and around the world. It's a great (and festive) spot for finding unique gifts you can't get just anywhere. See a map of all the vendors here. And of course, you can take a spin on the ice, check out the tree, grab a bite and even do some curling a the Winter Village.
Mon. - Fri., 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Through Jan. 2 Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park 42 Street & Sixth Ave. Midtown Online: bryantpark.org
One of the must-visits for any discerning holiday shopper, the outdoor Union Square Holiday Market hosts more than 160 vendors selling eclectic, unique and highly-giftable goods of all kinds. See a map and a full list of vendors here.
The people at UrbanSpace also provide a spot for holiday shopping uptown. Located in a particularly pleasing setting—the entrance to Central Park at Columbus Circle—this holiday market hosts a curated collection of vendors selling jewelry, crafts, art, food and more. See a map and list of vendors here.
Daily, through Dec. 24 (4 p.m. closing on Christmas Eve) Mon.- Fri., 11 a.m.- 8 p.m; Sat. 10 a.m., Sun., 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Columbus Circle 59th Street and Broadway Online: urbanspacenyc.com
This popular Upper West Side market features a roster of rotating independent merchants that can’t be found anywhere else. Shop from more than 100 hand-picked independent local artisans and dealers selling candles, skincare, fashion, handbags, vintage accessories and collectibles, handmade jewelry and furniture and rare antique silver and glassware. Artisanal treats are also for sale to sustain you in your shopping. Note: you can feel especially good shopping here: all profits benefit the PTAs of four local public schools.
Dec. 12 & 19, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 100 W. 77th Street at Columbus Avenue Upper West Side Online: grandbazaarnyc.org
Artists & Fleas x Chelsea Market Holiday Pop-Up
Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is collaborating with famed traveling marketplace Artists & Fleas to bring an outdoor market to Chelsea this holiday season. Shop nearly a dozen vendors with unique offerings ranging from vintage clothing to jewelry to leather goods. While you're there, take in the impressive light displays of the market, enjoy mini ballet performances and live music, and grab a bite to eat at cozy outdoor dining spots. Plus: free gift-wrapping starting December 19!
Thurs. - Sun., 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., throughout December Chelsea Market 75 Ninth Ave. 212-652-2121 Online: chelseamarket.com
Looking for a holiday market downtown? Check out The Oculus Holiday Market, where in addition to lots of vendors you'll find roaming carolers, a "snow garden" for Instagram-worthy photos and evening light shows.
A new feature of The Holiday Market at the Oculus for 2021 is a partnership with Chashama, a New York City-based art non-profit Chashama working with makers of handcrafted items. Select vendors include Loaf & Butters with homemade baked goods, Art to Ware, a curated fashion pop-up, Scent by Heaven, a home-based artisanal candlemaker and Amulet Fairy, a crystal conscious Brooklyn-based company that provides a variety of healing and decorative crystals.
Through Jan. 2 Mon. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Westfield World Trade Center 185 Greenwich St. Financial District 212-284-9982 Online: www.westfield.com
If you're looking for something tragically hip (or just want to shop amongst them) Artists & Fleas' flagship location in Williamsburg is the place to go. The former warehouse-turned-market is open for the holidays, featuring 45 vendors selling stylish and fresh goods such as beauty and self-care products, clothing, vintage items, art and design pieces and more.
Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. 70 N. St. Williamsburg Online: artistsandfleas.com
FAD Market
FAD Market
FAD Market is a curated fashion, art, and design pop-up marketplace showcasing an expansive collection of small-batch goods from local makers and small businesses. Located across two locations within close proximity, the holiday market features up-and-coming brands, designers, and small businesses based in New York City. Browse handcrafted apparel, home goods, stationery, artisanal food, accessories and more. Bonus: you can bring your dog! (Proof of vaccination and facemasks required.)
FAD Market also hosts curated events and workshops for shoppers. Sit for portraits with photographer Kristopher Johnson, hand-make untraditional holiday wreaths with Taryn Urushido, learn the art of glass beadmaking with Urban Glass, and personalize their gifts with block printing with Better Than Jam.
Dec.11 &12, 18 & 19, 11am - 6pm FAD Market: Holiday Pop-up The Invisible Dog Art Center 51 Bergen St. Cobble Hill 917-775-4636 Online: fadmarket.co
This holiday market brings together the best makers of Queens for an emporium featuring artwork, food, jewelry, fashion, crafts, and more. Bring a canned good or two: donations are being collected for the Astoria food pantry.
The Staten Island location of MakerSpace NYC is holding an outdoor holiday market featuring handcrafted and handmade items by artists, artisans and makers, as well as vintage goods. MakerPark Radio will be providing music, and refreshments will be in hand to help keep you warm.
Dec. 5, 11 & 12, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 450 Front St. Staten Island Online: makerspace.nyc
Head to downtown Brooklyn's City point to check out The Makers Show, a market featuring businesses owned by black and indigenous people of color, LGBTQIA+, women and other underrepresented groups. The Maker Show includes products from local businesses and artists such as jewelry, art, home goods, pet goods, stationery and accessories. Plus: tasty food and bev!
Find the Brooklyn Flea holiday market in the Dumbo Archway and in the Pearl Street Triangle on Sundays through December 19 from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. There are over 40 vintage and handmade vendors participating, plus live holiday music from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Warm up and fuel up with festive hot beverages and snacks from Superfine and Archway Cafe.
Sun. Dec. 12 & 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Dumbo Archway and in the Pearl Street Triangle Online: brooklynflea.com
The back-to-school season is an exciting time for families as they gear up for the huge transition ahead. A new academic year may mean new teachers and new friends for most children, even new schools for some. While starting on a clean slate can be refreshing, the high level of unknowns and changes in routine can cause anxiety in some kids.
That’s why it’s good to plan a mix of fun and purposeful back-to-school activities to better prepare our children for the school year ahead. Check out these creative activities inspired by the Oddbods show that you can do with your child and the whole family. Let’s do this!
Fun-Tastical Back-to-School Activities
1. Shop for New School Supplies
Get your child excited by stocking up with some new, inexpensive stationery. We’re particularly partial to this Oddbods Creativity Kit. No matter your budget, giving your child new-to-them school supplies can help them look forward to returning to class. As much as possible, let them make their own choices so they can feel a greater sense of self and autonomy.
Pro Tip:If you have multiple children, let them hold their own shopping baskets and have the items bagged separately during check out. This saves you the effort of sorting out the purchases for each child once you get back home.
2. Order Cute Name Stickers & Get Labelling
It’s not uncommon for children’s stationery to get lost or accidentally traded among students. Name labels can help. There are many online name sticker services offering a wide variety of designs to choose from. Once they’ve arrived, sit down with your child and let them enjoy pasting stickers on their belongings.
3. Assemble a Homework Caddy
Assemble a homework caddy with coveted stationery for your child to look forward to using after school. Becky from Clean Mama assembles adorable but super functional homework caddies for her children every back-to-school season. It’s a great idea to adopt because it helps to organise stationery in your home and injects colour into the dreaded routine of completing homework after school. When shopping for back-to-school supplies, pick out some fancier stationery for communal use among your kids.
4. Tidy Up Together
We’re being cheeky calling this “fun”, but tidying up the mudroom or coat and shoe racks ahead of the back to school season can help to reduce chaos in your home once school has started. Declutter footwear and jackets that your kids have outgrown and craft some fun, decorative touches with your child to display. Involving your child can help them feel proud of contributing to the family.
5. Plan Extra-Special after-School Snacks for the First Few Weeks of School
Make snack time family time. While you have the luxury of the summer break, why not plan some extra special after school snacks for the first few weeks of school to help your child look forward to them? Whether it’s baking cookies or freezing fruit popsicles in advance, it’s a great opportunity to bond with your child before school routines take over your days.
If your kid is running off for after-school activity, the best time for them to snack is 30 minutes before their activity. This leaves enough time for digestion and the fuels from the snack to start working.
7. Make New Morning Routine Charts
Morning routines are chaotic, so get your kids’ help by training them to be independent when getting ready for school with their school gear, like their backpack, in advance and perhaps, boost their mood with their choice of back-to-school essentials.
As your child grows older, they develop more executive functions which help them pay attention, remember instructions and multitask better. Based on the new skills they’ve acquired, design new morning routine charts where they increasingly become more independent in getting ready for school. As a bonus, customise the routine charts with your child’s favourite themes.
8. Read Books about the First Day of School
After spending their summer break at home, young children especially can feel separation anxiety in school. You can help to mentally prepare them for what to expect by reading books about going to a new school or returning to school. Let them know that fear and anxiety are normal feelings and that you trust your child is capable of acting in spite of them.
Check out these three popular titles among parents!
9. Rehearse Drop-Offs & Pick-Ups
Talk to your child about how your family will be doing drop-offs and pick-ups once school starts. Drop by the school compound, rehearse the journey to and from school and show them where you’ll be sending them off and picking them up. Letting them know what to expect and giving them plenty of calm assurances can help to reduce their jitters about the coming school year.
Make this year’s back-to-school season extra joyful by trying out the suggestions above. Whether your child is filled with excitement or dread, embrace their feelings and support them through their journey so that they can succeed. Every child is different and each deserves to grow well over the upcoming school term. Parents, you got this!
Oddbods is more than an animation. We empower parents to transmit the Oddbods values to their children, supporting healthy development and growth. We're a non-dialogue, cartoon comedy series featuring seven unique and relatable characters who bring individual personalities to life; it builds friendships and encourages young children to celebrate individuality.
Beginning on Skyler’s first birthday, I started a tradition of writing a letter to him highlighting his likes, dislikes, achievements, funny moments, family adventures, playmates, and favorite television shows. In addition, I take a photo of him wearing a necktie as a way of charting his growth.
My vision, when creating and continuing this annual time capsule, was to present to Skyler, a ribbon-tied stack of letters and photos containing eighteen years of memories on the day of his graduation from high school.
Coming to the realization, many years following his autism diagnosis, that graduation, in a traditional sense, would not be a likelihood for Skyler was hard. However, it never derailed me from crafting those special birthday letters because I know one day in the future, I will share them with him.
Perhaps the silver lining or renewed perspective of Skyler not fleeing the nest this year, like his peers, is that I am privileged to share his daily experiences and accomplishments into adulthood.
I’m confident the day will come when Skyler communicates to me, on his own timeline, that he’s ready to receive my gift of thoughtfully crafted memories. Watching Skyler read and absorb every word, whether he’s 24 or 44, will be the equivalent of a graduation day to me—and I will be extremely proud.
So, on this eve of Skyler’s 18th birthday, I grabbed a few sheets of the special stationery that is used to pen his letters and a full box of tissues while I revisited every achievement, new adventure and challenge he experienced this past year.
This is my 18th birthday letter to Skyler:
To my handsome and admirable son,
I honestly can’t believe I am writing my 18th birthday letter to you. This past year has brought with it dramatic and unprecedented events both in our world and in your life.
It was around this time last year that the word Coronavirus became a part of everyone’s vocabulary. Due to the severity and vast spreading, our daily routines and public gatherings came to a drastic and lengthy halt.
You were unable to return to your ABA center for almost two months, which was much milder than most of the population who were forced to learn from home for an entire year—causing a significant regression of many skills.
While at home, Josh and I were desperate to keep your communication moving forward, so void of any therapist assistance, I created a PECS board and eventually transitioned you to an AAC device to revisit that method with you.
You clearly appreciated having the ability to make choices for yourself through the pictures which were evident by your smile when we all seemed to understand each other.
For the first time in years, you appeared eager to share your thoughts, needs and wants with us, so when the concept of “Spelling to Communicate” (S2C) was introduced to me, it seemed like divine timing.
Wow! I am SO glad we took that leap of faith and brought S2C into our lives.
Watching you utilize the letter boards to answer age-appropriate reading comprehension questions for the past eight months has been nothing short of incredible.
I frequently feel an overwhelming need to apologize to you, Skyler—for underestimating you and for my failure to recognize how intelligent you are and always have been.
From a health perspective, you have remained at a standstill. Thankfully, you have always been healthy and are very rarely sick. However, the hitting, banging and hair-pulling seem to be on the increase instead of you aging out of those ‘stims’ as I’d hoped.
I’ve never been convinced that your challenging behaviors are “just part of having autism” as we’re so often told and given medications to treat. I know deep in my heart that you’re demonstrating anger and suffering due to Ulcerative Colitis. I promise you that I will never give up researching and looking for answers to improve your quality of life. I pray every day that the solutions will come quickly so you will finally be relieved of your pain.
Despite your constant discomfort, your smile and deep belly laugh, especially when Josh wrestles with you, lights up the room.
If given the option, your daily meals would always include a Qdoba burrito bowl and Tucker’s bun-less cheeseburger with mashed potatoes in the rotation.
Watching Sesame Street, particularly Elmo’s World is still a favorite pastime of yours as is listening to an eclectic array of music. During our countless car rides to nowhere, you bounce perfectly to the beat of any song and launch into a hardy giggle when I freestyle my own lyrics—which are usually about food or bath time.
As I reviewed the very first birthday letter that I wrote you in 2004, a particular statement really stuck out to me. “My hope for you over the course of your life is that you continue to be happy and free-spirited. I want you to always try new things and never let anyone or anything stand in your way. I love the light in your eyes that seek out to learn and never quits even when times get frustrating.”
I didn’t know of your autism diagnosis on that day or even that year.
My greatest hope for you today is the exact same, 17 years later. Please never lose that spark in your eyes and determination in your heart to keep growing and achieving.
I love you with all my heart Skyler, exactly as God made you. I truly believe you were sent into this world as a vessel to teach me, and possibly everyone you encounter, some valuable life lessons.
I am forever grateful that I have been entrusted to guide and nurture you through this life. You are perfect, just as you are.
As I’ve always said, “Out of all the little boys in the world, how did I get the very best one?”
The holidays are about traditions. Some holiday traditions are generic and some are unique to the family, some are old and some new. At some point, the job of passing on these traditions shifts from the grandparents, to parents of young children. It’s not discussed, it just happens that way. Family traditions need repetition in order to carry on, much like good habits need repetition to stick. In our half Jewish family, we do a great job with the traditions surrounding Christmas, but we are lousy about lighting the menorah at Hanukkah. This year we only remembered the first day, shame on us.
Actually, shame on my husband and me, because we need to be the ones to carry out these traditions so that they become ingrained in our children’s experience of the holidays. It’s that whole lead by example thing. Something else the kids won’t continue to do, if we don’t, and that is to properly thank their relatives for gifts received.
It’s easy to open a box under the tree, but someone made an effort to pick the gift out. Maybe they even waited in an irritatingly long line at the post office to mail it. They didn’t do it for the recognition, they did it out of love. In my opinion, they deserve more than an email or a text. Yes, even if the gift arrived in an Amazon box.
Grandparents, aunts and uncles love receiving a physical note of acknowledgement of the gifts they sent. It’s not as good as a hug or a phone call, but it is still personal. Children may not be enthusiastic about writing thank you cards, I know mine are not. They may not know what to say. They may not know how to address an envelope.
Strategies for Helping Kids Write Thank You Notes
Pre-address the envelopes for your young children. Small children love applying the stamp.
Show your older children how to address the envelope and where you keep addresses of relatives.
Write out a simple script for your younger children to follow when writing the card. Ask your child to write something specific about the gift they received (I have already built my new Star Wars Lego set) or something that they like about the giver (thanks uncle Joe, I love that you play guitar too, maybe we can play together soon).
Have the cards ready to be tackled after snack time or before video game time on the weekend.
My neighbor used this brilliant strategy: Insert a few family photos into a Word document and print out enough copies as you need cards to send. Place the printouts on the kitchen counter with a sticky note of who the recipient is. In assembly line fashion have each member of the family hand write a short note to the recipient and ta da!
Order your children their very own personalized stationery, especially as they get ready to go off to college! Tell them where to buy postage stamps (other than the post office).
Personal thank you notes show gratitude and reaffirm connections with relatives. Hopefully this good habit turns into a tradition in our family. My hope is that one day, when I am the grandma or someone’s distant aunt, someone much younger than me will keep up this tradition and maintain a connection with those older or living far away.
I am a professional home organizer at Simplify Experts, a blogger, and a mom of two boys ages 11 and 13. I blog about home organizing for busy families, especially those impacted by ADHD.
Cue the nostalgia. Sanrio has partnered with Mattel to create a toy and accessory collection featuring popular characters – Hello Kitty, My Melody and Badtz-Maru. This never-before-seen collection includes a super cute doll line, featuring fun characters with fantastical touches and fashion accompanied by Hello Kitty and Friends for even more storytelling opportunities; playsets with fan favorite characters; surprise elements; fun collectibles and must-have stationery for all Hello Kitty and Sanrio fans.
Sanrio Double Dippers: Sanrio Double Dippers collectible sets are filled with sweet surprises. Each set includes 1 Hello Kitty figure, 1 removable hat accessory and 1 donut or cake accessory.
Hello Kitty and Friends Éclair Doll: Éclair doll comes dressed in trendy clothes and accessories like glittery high-top sneakers, a vinyl skirt, and bow headpiece to match her bestie, Hello Kitty.
Hello Kitty and Friends Stylie Doll: Stylie doll comes dressed in trendy clothes and accessories like glittery high-top sneakers, a vinyl skirt, and bow headpiece to match her bestie, My Melody.
Hello Kitty and Friends Jazzlyn Doll: For fashion play, Jazzlyn doll comes dressed in trendy clothes and accessories like glittery high-top sneakers, a vinyl skirt, and headpiece to match her bestie, Badtz-Maru.
Hello Kitty and Friends Minis Hamburger Diner Playset: Savor the fun with this Hello Kitty Hamburger compact loaded with fun surprises.
Hello Kitty and Friends Minis Tea Party Playset: Pinkies up for this Hello Kitty Tea Party compact filled with surprises.
Hello Kitty and Friends Minis Beach Pencil Playset: Make a splash with this Hello Kitty Watermelon beach-themed pencil box set that features a playset, storage, and stationery supplies.
Hello Kitty and Friends Minis Carnival Pencil Playset: This Hello Kitty Candy Carnival pencil box set features a playset, storage, and stationery supplies.
Hello Kitty Plush: Made with soft fabrics and at 8-inches tall, she’s the perfect size for take-along play.
Sanrio Surprise Stamper: These Sanrio Surprise Minis collectibles are triple the fun, with 8 to collect. Each figure is a self-stamper, pencil-topper, and keychain.
“This collection offers Sanrio fans a whole new way to experience the brand in a fun and entertaining way,” said Jill Koch, SVP of Sales and Business Development at Sanrio, Inc. “Over the past 60 years, Sanrio has cemented a legacy built on the foundation of Small Gift, Big Smile and this collection with Mattel encompasses that so well.”
The Mattel x Hello Kitty and Friends line evokes Sanrio’s heritage, while tapping into emerging trends – like color reveal surprise, encouraging fans of all ages to play in new ways, collect them all, accessorize and gift just in time for the holidays.
Fans can find this special collection currently from Walmart and Amazon ranging from $3.99 to $19.99.
Our family Christmases were idyllic, if simple. Each year on Christmas Day, we would all open our presents. My sister and I would get doll clothes (this was when you got outfits, not multiple Barbies) and plush animals, Spirograph and paint-by-numbers, and such.
Then we’d get dressed, jump in the car, and drive to Granny’s house, where we’d open more gifts of clothes and stationery and Avon cologne. We’d wreak havoc on a turkey and trimmings, before the adults went off for naps, after dropping us kids off at the movies.
Then came the year when my sister and I had to grow up fast.
My parents had always tried to keep any bad news away from us and carry on as normal, but there was no hiding this bad news. After being accidentally hit by the garage door, my father’s injured neck turned out to be something much worse than a sprain, strain, or contusion. It wasn’t the garage door that caused it. of course, but that was when my father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
It’s a horrible form of cancer that attacks the bones all throughout the body and destroys them. I hope the treatments have gotten better in the decades since, but for my father cancer meant radiation, chemotherapy, and an operation to fuse the bones of his neck using bone from his hip. He lived many years longer than the doctors predicted, which I attribute to his stubbornness. He certainly wasn’t a health aficionado.
Naturally, all those cancer treatments and hospitalizations were expensive. My parents had good insurance, but even that was nowhere near covering the costs. And my father’s illness was not something my parents could keep secret from us kids, much as they would have liked to. It affected every part of our lives.
When Christmas came that year, I was 15 and my sister was 16. My mother explained that because of the family’s medical expenses, we wouldn’t be able to have Christmas as usual. No driving from Ohio to Kentucky to see our relatives. And no Christmas presents.
Except one.
My mother said that all we could afford was a magazine subscription for each of us. Our choice of titles. She hoped we weren’t disappointed.
I wasn’t. To me, a magazine subscription was special, something that grown-ups got, and something that kept giving all year long. I chose Analog, a science fiction magazine, and my sister chose Sixteen. It was exciting to watch the mail for each month’s issue. (As kids, we didn’t usually get much mail, except cards on our birthdays.)
For the Christmases after that, my mother would renew our subscriptions, or let us change to a different title. When I started studying astronomy in high school, I switched to Sky and Telescope. When she turned 17, my sister switched to Seventeen.
Now I subscribe to the electronic versions of three magazines –Smithsonian, National Geographic, and Discover. I still get a little thrill each month when the new cover icon appears on my e-reader screen. It reminds me of the first time I ever got an actual, grown-up present – when I started becoming an adult, whether I wanted to or not.
Hi! I'm a freelance writer and editor who writes about education, books, cats and other pets, bipolar disorder, and anything else that interests me. I live in Ohio with my husband and a varying number of cats.
If you’re in desperate need of some new puzzles to add to your stash as we continue to navigate the pandemic, new offerings from LEGO fit the bill. Chronicle Books is about to launch three new 1000-piece puzzles later this month!
The LEGO Ice Cream Dream, LEGO Minifigure and LEGO Minifigure Faces puzzles are not for the faint of heart, but they are perfect for major fans. Each one retails for $17.95 and releases on Oct. 27 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Chronicle Books.
LEGO is also launching a new adorable Minifigure Journal ($10.95) and Minifigure Notes ($15.95) greeting cards later in October. Express yourself on the 192-lined journal and share the love with 20 hilarious, full color cards that come in the notes set.
Finally, preorder a copy of the new book, LEGO We Just Click ($15.99), before it releases in December. The unique book is perfect for a gift and features LEGO icons while sharing sweet stories of romance and friendship.
Head to Chronicle Books for all the info on release date, preorders and pricing,
More and more tweens and teens are on screens and social media so they are spending less time reading books. Teen entrepreneur and avid reader, Jillian Robinson is hoping to change those numbers by introducing beTWEEN The Bookends box. This book subscription box for tweens was created by Robinson as a result of COVID-19.
Robinson’s goal is to keep girls, ages 9-13, interested in reading even though most community libraries and schools are closed. The monthly box, containing 2-3 books and 6-8 lifestyle items, is curated personally by Robinson. “I read every book and test every lifestyle item before it makes it into my box, because I want to make sure girls my age will like it. I’m not just filling a box and mailing it out.” she said.
While the subscription box caters to tweens, many other boxes suited for different age groups are available in the store’s website.
The box comes in two sizes. The full size box is priced at $29.99(+S&H), and the mini box, with 1 book and 3-5 lifestyle items, is priced at $16.99(+S&H). Boxes ship out the first week of every month.
Robinson said, “We all know how to read, but how many of us do it when we don’t have to? I hope my box will give kids a reason to pick up a new book for pleasure, while also giving them some fun stationery, beauty, and lifestyle items as well!”
Not only has Robinson created the box, but she reads every book and tests every product before they make the cut. All boxes are “Jillian approved”!
Warner Bros. Consumer Products has just launched its new Wonder Woman 84 collection of fashion, beauty, accessories, and footwear, as well as toys, stationery and more for Wonder Women everywhere.These new must-have lifestyle products are inspired by Wonder Woman 1984, (WW84) the highly anticipated follow up to 2017’s record-breaking Wonder Woman. These products pay homage to the timeless DC Super Hero, with a nod to the glamorous 1980s in which the film is set.
Included in this amazing line up is Venus Williams’ fashion-forward activewear brand EleVen. The new EleVen by Venus Williams x Wonder Woman Collection offers premium athletic staples that bring out the best in fierce women who are competitive, compassionate and ready for anything life has to bring.
“Wonder Woman 1984 gives us the ideal opportunity to celebrate the glamour and energy of the 1980s inspired by the power and grace of Wonder Woman,” said Maryellen Zarakas, senior vice president of franchise management and marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Our signature collection of products and experiences are highly-styled and wonderfully-inventive, and allow fans to tap into their own heroic, Wonder Woman inner spirit, further deepening their engagement in the brand and global community of Wonder Woman fans.”
Joining forces with some of the top brands in fashion, beauty, toys and more, and offering something for every age group, WBCP’s collection of “WW84” products include:
Adult Fashion: The “WW84” fashion collection includes collaborations with such world-renowned designers and trendsetters such as Lauren Ralph Lauren, EleVen by Venus Williams, Her Universe, Hybrid, Modern Lux, Miu Miu and more.
Jewelry: With a dazzling variety of styles, WBCP’s “WW84” jewelry collections from Swarovski, Alex Ani, RockLove, and Zales draw inspiration from Wonder Woman’s iconic logo and gear such as the lasso of truth and her new golden armor and wings.
Footwear and Accessories: “WW84”-inspired shoes from Reebok, diaper bags and accessories from Jujube,hats and masks from Love Your Melon, purses from Loungefly and more complete a heroine’s wardrobe.
Beauty: The beauty line is filled with luxurious options from Revlon, Ulta Beauty and Sillage.
Home and Stationery: A collection of tote bags notecards, posters and more from Hallmark, Silver Buffalo, Erin Condren and GB Eye celebrate Wonder Woman’s strength.
Luxury Pet Fashion and Accessories: Wonder Woman style makes the perfect gift for your four-legged furry friend.
Infant to Tween Fashion: From babies to tweens, kids of all ages can feel empowered wearing Wonder Woman inspired fashion.
Toys: Fans can relive the onscreen action of “WW84” with toys from Mattel, LEGO®, Funko, McFarlane Toys and Maxx.
Fans can also participate in the DC Wonder Woman Virtual Run. In partnership with Rugged Races, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC launched the DC Wonder Woman Virtual Run, allowing participants to run a 5K or 10K whenever and wherever they want, outside or even on a home treadmill. Registered participants receive an exclusive collection of Wonder Woman-branded gear, including a premium quarter-zip pullover, finisher’s medal, terry cloth wristbands, and a reusable tote bag. Runners of all ages and genders can sign up through November 1 for either 5K or 10K distances at https://dcwonderwomanrun.com. Registration is $40.00 per participant.
Wonder Woman 1984 is set to open in theaters on Oct. 2, 2020.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
All photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Consumer Products