Caribbean Update

What makes a hot gift for the holidays?

The answer is simple. It is the gift that the person wants. It is the gift that the giver can afford. It is something that will do exactly what it is supposed to and not break. It makes memories and brings joy. The Amsterdam Elves have looked at many gifts and have tried to include a diverse grouping here. We were very cost conscious this year. So, while every gift on the list may not be for you, we hope that they inspire ideas and new options for our readership. There are many companies that are local and small businesses that could use your support this holiday season. Please note that all the products have been tested, vetted, and found to be innovative.

Some gifts though do not come wrapped in paper or with a shiny bow. What is truly hot this holiday is the gift of joy. With so many families in need now, charities like Marquis Studios and Sanctuary For Families could use all of our help. Sometimes giving brings the greatest happiness to the soul. When I recently read a story about Abraham Olagbegi, a 13-year-old boy who gave away his wish that Make A Wish wanted to give him to feed the needy in Mississippi, I saw the Christmas spirit alive and well. I contacted some of the companies on this list and asked them to give this bright light some happiness back. Within moments of the email going out, both BitOGenius and WowWee asked what they could send. For those that are reading this article with a heavy heart, know that the Christmas/Holiday spirit is out there and cannot be extinguished. Together, as a community, we have gone through much recently, but together, we can and will find light this season. Together, our community is strong and solid! That is a great gift.

Please remember: Prices below will vary depending on if you shop online or in stores. Shop around for the best prices. Be mindful of the age grades on toys for kids. They are there to protect little ones.

Whatever you celebrate, may it be filled with fun, laughter, and love. Happy and HEALTHY holidays to all and to all an epic 2022!!!

1) Little People Friends Together Play House 1+ Fisher-Price $39.99. This is the house that fun built with 3 Little People, accessories, and a big house. There are so many different opportunities to learn with this smart home.www.mattel.com 2) Count Along Basket and Scanner 2+ Leapfrog $29.99. Colors, shapes, numbers are all learned by playing pretend with this market toy.www.leapfrog.com 3) Musical Plush Bedtime CoComelon Bedtime JJ Doll 18 months Jazwares $19.97. Go to sleep with JJ to music! 4) Pop 2 Play 2-in-1 Kitchen and Nursery 2+ WowWee $35.99. Easy to assemble, sturdy for little ones to play with, and best of all, stores flat & takes up little space. www.wowwee.com 5) Choppin’ Fun Learning Pot 1+ Leap Frog $19.99. Pretend to make the family dinner with this educational pretend cooking set. www.leapfrog.com

Bonus Great Green Option for Baby: Mini Mouse Stacker Disney Baby 6m+ Green Toys™ $14.99. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic, this Disney-themed stacking toy is dishwasher safe, and contains no BPA, phthalates, or PVC. www.greentoys.com

1) Tonies Starter Set 4+ $99. Record & store up to 90 minutes of audio on this storytelling, song, imagination unit that is amazing for little learners. www.us.tonies.com 2) Backyard Adventure 3+ $74.99. Magformers 61 pc intelligent magnetic construction set with light up flower that is 3D Brain training! www.magformers.com 3) Treasures Await Adventure Ship 3+ Lakeshore Learning $59.99. Let’s Play Pirate with this big boat that has accessories galore! www. lakeshorelearning.com 4) Brushalot 3+ Brushalot $42.99. The kit comes with a book, plush and night light. Together they help build long lasting positive dental habits. www.brushalot.com 5) Quadrilla Super Spirals 4+ Hape $93.99. Create your own marble runs and marble toys with this super STEM set that is part critical thinking and part creative imagination. www.hape.com

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Epic Elementary Gifts

1) Got TO Glow Fairy Finder $35.99. Wow wee go hunting with your finder for virtual fantastic fairies. Feed your new friends, trade them, and collect them. www.wowwee.com 2) Numbers Blocks 5+ hand2mind $29.99 to start There are a number of purchasing options for this educational math set that is a great supplement for schoolwork or to teach for home school families. www.hand2mind.com 3) Spy Bots 6+ NSI $19.99 each plus S&H. Choose from 4 cybernetic security bots; T.R.I.P, Roboear, Spotbot, and Room Guardian. Each helps young spies get the mission accomplished and defend their position. www.getspybots.com 4) Interactive Galactic Snacking Yoda 4+ Hasbro $79. With over 40 sound and motion combinations Baby Yoda is animatronic gold! www.hasbro.com 5) Smithsonian Planetarium Projector 8+ NSI $42.13. Learn about astronomy with this STEM toy that has over 50 different image combinations. A Rotating pattern of the Northern Sky is projected with 24 HD space images for visual learning. www.smithsonianstore.com

Very Amazing Vehicles

1) Marshall Transforming Paw Patrol Fire Truck 3+ Spin Master $44.97. Marshall’s truck has flashing lights and sounds. For exciting Paw Patrol play. www.spinmaster.com 2) Bluey’s Caravan Adventures 3+ Moose Toys $29.99. Transforming playset that includes Jean Luc in the 12-piece set www.moosetoys.com 3) Pinxies Marvelous Mermaid Ship 6+ $39.99. LukiLab STEM authenticated ship building set that is almost 2ft long! www.lukilab.com 4) Hot Wheels Action Massive Loop Mayhem 5+ Mattel $54.99. This set is ginormous and will impress kids and kids at heart! Race your Hot Wheels H O T F O R T H E H O L I D A Y S 2 0 2 1

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a wild ride!ing pattern of the Northern Sky is projected with 24 HD space images for visual www.mattel.com 5) Rainbow High Color Change Car 6+ MGA Entertainment $49.99. Change the color of the car at the touch of a button. 2 Rainbow High fashion dolls fit in the colorful car. www.mga.com

1) Marshall Transforming Paw Patrol Fire Truck 3+ Spin Master $44.97. Marshall’s truck has flashing lights and sounds. For exciting Paw Patrol Marvelous for Middle School

1) Batman Charaction Rubik’s Cube 8+ Bandai $17.45. Collect all the cool cubes and problem solve in a novel way. www.bandai.com 2) Ka-Blab! 10+ Hasbro $20.99. How many answers you will you have to blurt out depends on the dice in this fast game. www.hasbro.com 3) ProjeX 6+ NSI $39.99. Blast targets projected on any light-colored wall. 5 built-in games and 3 skill levels to pick from. XCiting! www.projexgame.com 4) GibGab 8+Fat Brain Toys $24.99. This fast-paced game has you say a word that matches the category. It is easy to take on the go. www.fatbraintoys.com 5) Nintendo Switch OLED Model 8+ Nintendo $349.99. 64 GB of internal storage, 2 color options, 7-inch OLED screen, and the ability to play on the handheld or on a TV games. This is not your mother’s Nintendo! www.nintendo.com

4) Hot Wheels Action Massive Loop Mayhem 5+ Mattel $54.99. This set is ginormous and will impress kids and kids at heart! Race your Hot Wheels for

TOTAL Tween/Teen

1) Shashibo 8+ Fun In Motion Toys $24.99. Shape-shifting cube that can be combined with other cubes that have over 70 different design possibilities to create per box www.funinmotiontoys.com 2) All Pro Passer 8+ NSI $49.99. Set comes with a football and a passer that tosses a perfect spiral every time. Practice for the big game or with friends. www.allpropasser.com 3) Catan 10+ Catan Studio $55. The cult classic quest board game for H O T F O R T H E H O L I D A Y S 2 0 2 1