Best Robot Toys for Christmas 2011

We recently took a look at some of the best robot toys for 2011. We had a list of the best toy robots for 2010, and plan to continue to keep up to date on robots and robotics – especially when it comes to toys. To show that, here is a closer look at some of the top robots for 2011.

Maybe you’re trying to get your daughter, niece, or granddaughter interested in science or technology, and you’re having problems finding toys for girls that are fun and not to boy-ish. The WowWee Femisapien makes a great toy for girls who are interested in robots.

The WowWee Femisapien has many different functions like a normal robot toy. There are over 60 functions that the robot can do, from introduce herself, dance, and even act as a personal backup singer for your child. Most kids have said that after having it for awhile it was like having their own robot friend who talks and communicates for them.

If you’re trying to steer away from buying robots that are designed just for young boys, than the femisapien is a great choice. The market is flooded with toy robots designed to be rough and tumble for young boys, but the femisapien is more direct towards the things girls like to do. By just playing music near the femisapien, she will swing her hips around and sing a backup tune to the music that is playing.

The WowWee Femisapien can walk around, but make sure you place her on either very short carpet or on a harder surface. And you aren’t just limited to the preprogrammed functions of the Femisapien. With a little bit of work, the robot can be programmed to do a variety of new and different functions with the joystick hands, that although are a little difficult to figure out, can mean being able to do a variety of different functions.
f you have a smaller child that loves Star Wars (new or old), they’re going to really like this voice command

Here are some of the features of the Star Wars Interactive R2D2 Astromech Droid Robot:
Newly programmed at our ultra-modern factory, this state-of-the-art R2 series astromech droid unit is ready to obey your commandsThese are just a few of R2's amazing attributes include moving along on his own, turning his front beam on and off, and even playing a secret message when you follow the proper voice commandsGrab his attention by saying “Hey, R2? and he’s ready for more than 40 voice commands

In “Game” mode, R2 plays multiple games and spins, dances and plays music, and he even guards your room with his sentry alarmAsk him if he remembers his famous friends, like Luke Skywalker, C-3PO or Jabba the Hutt, and each name will stir up a different response depending on R2's “feelings” for that character
Also note that there are various “easter eggs” hidden in this Droid. Issue the right commands (not found in the manual) and you’ll see R2D2 act in a new way – following you around or even playing a song (like the Imperial March) from the movies.

With art and some narration by Ashley Wood, Complete World War Robot is a great way to sneak a peek at what may become a major motion picture – maybe one of the best robot movies to date? (That’s an idea for another post here maybe – a list of all the robot movies ever made.) Anyway, this looks to be full of great art. For a hardcover edition at this price, it’s worth the money if you love robots. You may want to get a copy of the Complete World War Robot before if becomes even more popular.

Here’s the publisher’s description of the Complete World War Robot book:

It’s total robot war! In development to be a major motion picture, Ashley Wood’s World War Robot tells the tale of a dwindling band of humans and robots who face off in a battle that will likely end humanity as we know it – on Earth, on the Moon, and on Mars, too!
Badass battles, really intense human/robot drama, and even a little black humor and political intrigue are the order of the day in this oversize epic that collects both previous books in one deluxe hardcover volume.

Prepare to be wowed by Joebot, an amazing achievement in advanced robot technology. This walking, talking interactive buddy is full of comedic banter and packed with tons of features for endless hours of fun! Equipped with infrared vision and the ability to detect both sounds and obstacles, Joebot responds to voice commands and can be set in a number of modes.

Joebot features: Program and record Joebot to perform a sequence of motions and actions of up to 40 different steps. LED indicator lights in face, chest, and arms indicate his mood and thoughts. Set to multiple, interactive modes for hours of fun.

Take LEGO to the next level with MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0. Combining the versatility of the LEGO building system with a microcomputer brick and intuitive programming software, this building kit enables you to construct robots that see, speak, feel, and move.

Designed for ages 10 and up, the 2.0 robotics tool set features everything you need to create and program your first robot in approximately one hour. After that, you can create an endless lineup of robots that do what you want–if you can dream it, you can build it.

The Alive Chimpanzee combines Hollywood special effects with advanced robotics technology in the most realistic simian this side of the jungle. He’s a life size, highly detailed realistic bust. Animatronics enable him to duplicate the signature sounds and movements of a real chimp. His skin and hair, which were developed specifically for the Chimp, are amazingly life-like. His head, eyes, mouth, upper lip, eye lids and eye brows move just like his counterparts in the wild.

And, his vocalizations are startlingly real. He’s multi-sensory, highly communicative and interactive. An infrared vision system allows him to detect movement and track objects, and touch sensors in his chin, head and ears react to contact. Alive Chimpanzee responds to sharp sounds with his stereoscopic sound sensors. The nature of the Chimp’s response to these stimuli will depend upon the mood that he’s in – curious, fearful, happy or angry.

Watch out if he’s angry – he becomes a very frightening and very loud chimpanzee. He comes programmed with five modes: Direct control, programming, guard, demo and “Alive” mode. In the “Alive” mode, the Chimpanzee will interact autonomously with his environment, carefully watching, listening and responding to what is going on around him. The Alive Chimpanzee comes complete with an ergonomically designed controller. Requires one “9V” battery and 4 “D” batteries (not included). AC adapter not included. Measures 13? tall.

With unbelievably smooth robotics, the i-SOBOT walks more like a human than a robot. This fully-functional and fully-assembled robot features 17 custom designed actuators and gyro-sensor, allowing it to keep balance and freely move joints for impressive performance, vivid movement, and incredible flexibility.
Robot packed with over 200 words and phrases, and 200 pre-programmed movementsOperates with remote control, programmable memory, and voice activation17 custom designed actuators and gyro-sensor for balance and freely moving jointsIncludes remote control, hexagon wrench, action chart, operation manual and 3 AAA batteriesRecommended for ages 10 and up

Other main components include a built-in speaker unit and built-in microphone with a voice recognition chip. With built-in clutches and metal gears, the i-SOBOT offers up to 220-degree movement. The two infrared transmission bands allow the robot to be operated with an LCD remote control.

The Hasbro FurReal Friends Squawkers McCaw Parrot might be the sassiest toy ever made. Squawkers McCaw is a full-size toy macaw parrot who, just like a real parrot, repeats words, can be “taught” to speak, and responds to touch. Modeled after an actual macaw parrot, Squawkers McCaw has a velvety feather coat that makes him fit for cuddling. His vibrant blue, orange, yellow, and green markings are just like those of an actual macaw parrot.

His feet are also fully articulated: He can stand on his perch or be propped up on a flat surface. And Squawkers doesn’t just look just like a parrot — he moves like one, too. Through highly innovative animatronics, Squawkers can move in incredibly convincing ways. He’ll cock his head when confused or ruffle his wings when happy. He will even get down and dance to your favorite tunes, all while singing along. Squawkers loves mealtime, and comes with a cracker for when he needs to be fed.

Blast into outer space with Lego Mars Exploration Rover.  Be part of the 2003 Mars mission by building your very own Mars Exploration Rover. This detailed replica is modeled after the “robot geologists” that is set to explore the surface of the red planet. The Mars Rovers will make history in 2004, but you can create your own adventures today. Set contains 858 LEGO pieces.

Based on the 2003 Mars mission Detailed replica is modeled after the robot geologistsBuild your very own Mars Exploration RoverEasy to assemble and durableContains 858 piecesRecommended age: 10 – 12 years

Disney Pixar WallE Movie Exclusive ULTIMATE 22 Inch Plush Figure Walle

Your little WALL-E fan will be on track for plenty of fun with this deluxe giant size plush. The little Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth Class robot totally cleans up when it comes to providing out of the world hugs.
Polyester22” Recommended age: 3 years and up

This very large plush (soft) toy is great for smaller boys and girls who fell in love with the Wall-E movie. While the movie has been around, many continue to watch it over and over again. This great plush toy robot allows your small children to carry their friend around with them, introducing them to the idea of robots at a young age.

Baby Bot Mobile by North American Bear Co

Want Your Baby Exposed to Robots at a super early age? The Baby Bot Mobile by North American Bear Co. is the way to go. Soft tricot robots and droids tinker around the nursery as Children’s Marching Song plays.

Gift boxed mobile comes complete with easy-to-assemble crib arm attachment and wind-up music box. Age: 0-5 months Size: 13? Care: Surface Wash . Overall, we think this is a great way to introduce your children to robots at a young age. By the time they grow up, who knows – robots may be in use for a lot more than just toys.

 When it comes to robot toys 2011 has a lot to offer. By researching and knowing what you want to get, you can shop around and save money. Sometimes just knowing what is out there is helpful when shopping for robot toys online.




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Angry Birds: Knock On Wood Game

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Angry Birds: Knock On Wood Game. Build, launch and destroy with an exciting skill-and-action game based on the best-selling phone application.

Angry Birds: Knock On Wood Game Features

• Based on the on the best-selling phone app game, Angry Birds
• Now kids can play their #1 favorite app game in real life
• Build, launch and destroy with an exciting skill-and-action
• Features three Angry Birds, green pigs, one slingshot-style launcher, structure pieces and mission cards
• For 2 or 4 players

Game features three Angry Birds, green pigs, one slingshot-style launcher, structure pieces and mission cards. Players draw a card and build the structure shown before their opponents launch an Angry Bird in an attempt to knock it, and the pigs down to win points. For 2 or 4 players.

Build, launch and destroy with an exciting skill-and-action game based on the best-selling phone app. Game features three Angry Birds, green pigs, one slingshot-style launcher, structure pieces and mission cards.

Players draw a card and build the structure shown before their opponents launch an Angry Bird in an attempt to knock it—and the pigs—down to win points. For ages 5 and over.

Top Toys and Games for 7 Year Old Boys

Every time a toy or game becomes well-liked, it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain. Selecting the coolest toys is something that takes skill in the modern world. And when it becomes even more difficult to locate, girls and boys wind up desiring it even more! This is really true for toys for 7 Year Old boys. To help you, in this article we have a variety of must-have toys this holiday season for boys age seven.
Erector Build and Play Easy Bucket- The Erector Set is a classic toy, and this modern version for four year old boys is sure to put a smile on their face while giving them something to do for hours and hours.Morphibian – Land Shark49MHz – In the pool, in a lake, or on land, this RC car made for younger children is a big hit in 2011.Moon in My Room – With this, small children can see the moon on their own wall while learning interesting facts about it at the same time. This is an educational and cool toy….Fortamajig- This is a unique creative play space that will give your young child hours of fun and adventure – indoors or outdoors.Hot Wheels Stealth Rides- This small-scale Remote controlled toy from Mattel company is actually priced under thirty dollars. That makes it a wonderful value. This is on top of it being lots of fun for 7 Year Olds.Paper Jamz Guitars and Drums- This is an remarkable fresh toy on the market WowWee. They are drum sets and guitars that are created out of cardboard and plastic. They have a great sound and children, tweens and teens like them. They are reasonably priced – lower than thirty bucks – and are available in 12 different styles. These are sire to be one of the hottest toys this year.Nerf N-Strike Stampede Blaster- Nerf toys are classic in quite a few various ways. This is a brand-new Nerf gun that is both safe and exciting for young children. You really want to ensure you get the perfect one as there are a few different types out there. Also check out the Clear Special Edition Nerf N-Strike Recon CS-6.Nintedo Wii – This is one of the coolest toys for Christmas 2011. There are so many great games available, even educational games. If you want something for 7 Year Olds that is going to leave them happy, get the Nintendo Wii.Vtech Kidizoom Multimedia Digital Camera (Camouflage)- With a cool color scheme, and the ability to take real digital pictures, this kids digital camera is sure to be a hit with any five year old boy.Kid Galaxy Morphibians Gator Radio Control Vehicle- For kids 5 years old and older there haven’t been too many RC toys in the past. Today, the Morphibians line lets little boys have the fun of RC cars without the fear of breaking small parts on more expensive models.LEGO Ultimate Building Set – 405 Pieces- This basic building block set is a classic toy that is going to be loved by most five year old boys. It comes with a big tub to make clean-up easy. If you want to see if your five year old is going to like Lego bricks or not, this is a great way to introduce them to LEGOs.The The World Smallest Palm Size Micro Alloy Shark Helicopteris small in size, but big in fun, which is why it’s so hot for boys of all ages in 2011.Tween and teen boys will go gaga over the Eyeclops Night Vision Stealth Goggles V2A lot of LEGO sets are popular in 2011, but a lot of boys are loving the LEGO Hogwarts building set and the LEGO LEGO XXL Box 5512set.Loopz – Mattel- This could be described as a memory game with lighting effects that work with motion detecting devices. Just like a great number of other tech toys this holiday season, the cost on this toy is surprisingly inexpensive – which happens to be fabulous!.

And that’s our list – a few popular games and toys for 7 Year Olds for XMAS 2011.

Check out more Toys for 7 Year Olds at Amazon. They have a wonderful selection of toys for seven year old boys.



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Best Halloween Costumes for 8 to 12 Year Olds

Halloween 2011 is coming soon. From funny to somber, there are Halloween Costumes for everyone on your list. If you make the decision to hunt down the funniest and most unique Halloween Costumes for boys and girls age 8 to 12 years old, you should start shopping now. Continue browsing to find the best Halloween costume for 2011!

When shopping for boys and girls age 8 to 12, it can be quite a challenge to locate the must-have outfits. Luckily, we have done all the hard work for you of costumes for this age group.

Star Wars Costumes – When it comes to Halloween Costumes for Star Wars fans, there is the C3P0 or Princess Leia. Not all kids in this age group will be into Star Wars, but it is still popular with the Star Wars Clone Wars cartoon and the last trilogy that was released.

There are a lot of simple and complex characters to choose from depending on how much you want to spend on a costume.

Transformers Costumes - The Transformers movie for 2011 was a big hit and a lot of kids are going to go as their favorite Transformer this Halloween. With a lot of great masks with voice changers, it’s easy to put together a great Transformers costume. Bumblebee is a great choice, but Optimus Prime is also popular. These might be more for boys, but there are surely some girls out there into Transformers in a big way.

Cheap Halloween Costumes- If you want to save when buying a Halloween Costume for 2011, keep looking around. We have specials that can save you cash if you purchase your Halloween costume before Halloween gets here.

Funny Costumes – Wouldn’t it be great to go as a monkey?

Scary Costumes for Girls – When it comes to frightening costumes, the girls ultimate zombie costume is a great idea. For girls age 8 to 12 years old, you’re not going to want to go with something too scary.

Tangled Rapunzel Costume – When it comes to Tangled the movie costumes, Rapunzel is really well liked by a lot of girls in this age group.Fairy Halloween Costume – There are many different good choices out there when it comes to a great Fairy Costume for Halloween this year. Girls age 8 to 12 love to dress up as fairies, and it can be fairly easy to come up with a costume – even if you just buy the accessories and not a “full costume.

”Princess Halloween Costume – For girls of all ages, going as a princess can be a lot of fun. From Disney princesses to real princesses to princesses from other tales and stories, there are a lot of choices for girls.

Circus Costumes for Kids – Going as a clown or circus performer can be a lot of fun and is actually pretty easy to put together. You may need to get a Clown Halloween Make-up Kit, but these aren’t that expensive usually. A little goes a long way. Don’t forget the red nose!Disney Costumes 2011- There are many Disney characters that are popular this year, including High School Musical 3 cap and gown and Boys Electric Mad Hatter.Army & Air Force

Halloween Costumes- If your child knows someone in the military, they may want to dress up as a soldier. From the army to the air force, there are a lot of great ideas for Halloween costumes that are military themed. Sometimes just a simple camo shirt and pants is enough!

Mascot Costumes- If you have a favorite sports team, you may want to dress your child up as a Mascot. Depending on their age and how much they are into sports, they may or may not like the idea. The good news is that there are a lot of Mascot costumes available for Halloween, giving you a lot of choices.

Food Costumes for Halloween- Sometimes going as an apple or a banana is more than enough to steal the limelight wherever you go for Halloween 2011. Kids age 8 to 12 years old may not think this is such a good idea, but you never know until you ask them.

Alice in Wonderland Costumes - If your child is a fan of Alice in Wonderland, there are a lot of great costume choices available. From Alice to the Mad Hatter to the Queen of Hearts there are a lot of choices for Alice in Wonderland themed costumes.

Halloween Costumes on Sale- If you are on a strict budget – who isn’t these days – finding a Halloween costume on sale is important we try to find you the best deals on Halloween costumes to make your life easier. From price to quality to creativity, we go all out to find you the best costumes.

Animal Halloween Costumes- This is yet another classic Halloween costume idea, but one that never gets old. The new Planet of the Apes movie may have some wanting to go as their favorite primate. Other choices – including the cow and horse for two people – are good choices. Again, children age 8 to 12 years old may not think a simple animal is a good costume, but with a little imagination – and a great animal costume – it can be a lot of fun.Costumes for two


Keep looking around around and you are going to get the info you need to choose the must-have Halloween Costumes for boys and girls age 8 to 12 years old. Finding the perfect Halloween costumes should be fun.





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Breyer Classics Horse Cruiser

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Introducing the one and only vehicle designed to fit Breyer Classics® and Pony Gals. And what a design it is! Who needs a hotel when horses and riders can travel in style in Breyer's clever new Cruiser?

It's a combined home and stable with built in mobility! This is a horse loving kid's fantasy mobile, packed with every imaginable feature for hours of creative and realistic horse play on the move.

Breyer Classics Horse Cruiser Features

• Rear seat converts to a bed
• Has fold-down stairs and chrome hubcaps
• Has pop-up table and side cup holder
• Has dashboard with sliding steering wheel and GPS

Includes: 2 horse stalls with planked floors with storage for supplies underneath the floor, Tailgate that drops down to a loading plank, Roof that opens for additional access to the trailer area and a fold-out awning for shade, Troughs that snap in for feeding and hooks that fit on the window ledges for hanging tack and other equipment, A side bin that contains 8 pieces of fencing for a corral,Two front seats with seat belts that snap closed for safety, swivel in two directions and have storage pouches,

A steering wheel that slides from left to right for international trips and a 3 position license plate, Visors to block the sun, pull-down steps and adjustable side mirrors, A rear seat that slides forward and forms a bed, cup holders and a table that opens, Roof doubles as an observation deck complete with television screen and an extra fold out table, with a roof compartment that stores a ladder and deck chairs.

All that's missing is a horse-loving child to delight in this one-of-a kind vehicle! Please note, horses and dolls that appear in the picture are not included.


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Christmas Memories That Will Last Forever

A favourite Christmas song was a line that describes Christmas as "the most wonderful time of the year". Giving and receiving gifts is something that is highly anticipated and remembered at Christmas, there are also many more activities that make Christmas memorable and wonderful.

One of these activities is decorating the Christmas tree. Christmas tree occupies a central place and is the most visible Christmas in most homes. Unlike in other countries, houses most Americans do not have a representation of the scene of the Nativity, which is more likely to be located in the churches.

As soon as the Christmas season starts the day after Thanksgiving, families will begin their quest for the perfect Christmas tree. This in itself can become a memorable activity as children may accompany members of the family in a place like a Christmas tree farm to select a tree.

Once a real or artificial tree is selected, and then it is an exciting activity for the whole family to play a role in the decoration of the tree. Manufactured decorations come in many shapes and forms. But a special memory is created when the family members a special decoration for the Christmas tree, or contribute to one or more items of souvenir to decorate the Christmas tree. It then becomes a ritual each year for these selected items to be placed on the Christmas tree, while the other decorations can change in the coming years.

Another activity that can help to create special memories at Christmas is baking cookies. With popular gingerbread cookies, to make cookie cutters using special cookies in the form of holiday is also practised much in households. Based on the age of the children, they can help in the actual activity of cooking by measuring and mixing certain ingredients, or younger children can sprinkle sugar on cookies or decorate with icing when they are finished. Help this activity can also be educational as parents can use to measure activity and find equivalent measures to teach fractions and other mathematical elements.

An activity linked to food which also helps to create memories during the Christmas season is fruit and goody baskets, which are filled with candy, articles of bakery and other treats for loved ones, friends special, neighbours, teachers or charity. Items such as goody baskets are especially wonderful gifts of Christmas because they are homemade. That quality makes it often the most valuable as a Christmas present to be purchased at the store.

Because Christmas is the season of good will and good time, it is very important to achieve family, relatives and friends during the season. Busy lives that many people lead today often their leaves little or no time in the year to be in contact often with family and friends who are located far away or even other living at a distance in the same or of a neighbouring State, for example.

It is therefore very common at Christmas to send a Christmas or holiday greeting card to these people. With remembrance pleasant to receive the card, there may be a short included letter gives a brief account of an important event in the life of the individual or with members of the family. This in fact send and receive most memorable Christmas greeting cards.

Then there probably the most awaited the Christmas activity - discover what gift of Christmas Santa brought Christmas Eve. While the adults also forward with great anticipation to see what they will get for Christmas gifts, it really is the children who get the greatest pleasure to receive gifts at Christmas.

Actions carefully planned to hide this Christmas of the children and then as if by magic, put them under the Christmas tree can be found on Christmas morning is one of the most wonderful to create unforgettable memories for children at Christmas.

Senior Citizens - Get Christmas Gifts Online

Although some may think that Senior Citizens and buying Christmas gifts and toys online may not go together, I am here to tell this is rubbish. I won't hold it against the inexperienced younger folk who believe in such nonsense.
There are many very good reasons why Senior Citizens will be buying lots of Christmas toys and gifts online this year. The biggest reasons are convenience and getting more for less money.
(I apologize for the long article. I realize that some of the younger folks may lose interest and not make it all the way through. Well, that just made this article even longer.)
Convenience
Okay, I'll be the first geezer, er, Senior Citizen, to admit that I find shopping for Christmas gifts and toys the tradition way is a bummer; it unmellows my mood.
Christmas Shopping Saga: Here is a Christmas gift shopping saga. It has all happened to me, but I admit, not all in one trip:
Traffic: I hate traffic. Like a black hole in space, time slows down the closer you get to the mall or the mega-box store. Cars are everywhere and parking spots seem to be nowhere. Wait! One just opened up! No! That little hybrid just zipped in and took the spot.
Parking: After an hour of fruitless hunting and stalking, I finally find a parking spot that's on the very far edge of the parking lot, so far away from the store that I need a GPS to find it and a GPS to find my way back hours later when I have forgotten where my car is.
Getting to the store:As I make my way to the store, I have to fight other drivers who are so intent on looking for phantom parking spots that they fail to notice me. I have never been a fan of the way parking lots mingle people and cars.
The crowd: I make it to the store. Behold the dreaded crowd! I see there must be a sale on pitch forks and torches this year. The mob's mood takes an ominous turn when a store opens its doors. Those who have camped out overnight wake up sleepily to find that a bunch of last minute folk have just beat them into the store and gobbled up the new shipment of Christmas toys they were waiting for.
Inside the packed store, there is straight-up bedlam served with a jigger of pandemonium. Everyone is looking for Christmas gifts or toys. I make my way through knots of people who are twice as wide as normal because of their shopping bags full of loot.
Leftovers: In the distance, I see the Christmas toy I want but the supply that is left is running dangerously low. As I get closer, I seen first one, then another, snatched up by closer hands than mine. By the time I fight my way through, there is one left, on the floor, half opened, with parts hanging out. Like 3AM at the bar, this one looks pretty good, so I grab it.
The line: Then it's more sniping, er, shopping for more Christmas toys and gifts. Hours later, with a weary sigh, I head for the checkout area with my Christmas gifts at hand. It doesn't look that bad at first, but, oh no, the line for the register looks like the line for housing vouchers in the Atlanta area a few weeks ago. Somber medics with bottled water and smelling salts stand by for those not up to the challenge (okay, there are no medics).
Checkout: Finally, feeling utterly spent, it's my turn at the cash register to pay for my Christmas gifts. Do I have a membership card? Do I want one? Do I want an extended warranty plan? Do I want batteries? The sign above says "NO RECEIPT-NO REFUNDS-30 DAYS". I offer my credit card. The clerk snarls that I am to swipe it in the card reader. Silly me. I forgot. The crowd glares at me because I am an obvious rookie and holding up the line. People start to point at me.
The Gate Keeper: I pocket my receipt mindful of the sign above. I get to the door but a burly guy bars my path. "Not so fast, old timer," he shouts. "Where's your receipt?" So, chagrined, I dig into my pocket and show the nice man my receipt. He looks at it with suspicion, checks it once, checks it twice. Will he find me naughty or nice? Grudgingly, he finds nothing wrong, blinks, and thrusts my receipt back into my hands. So much for the dignity of being an elder.
A breathe of fresh air: Finally, I am out the swooshing door. Cool air greets me. I didn't notice how hot and humid it was inside. And it smells better outside as well. Well, it smells better until I pass an idling Bronco full of Christmas toys, waiting for something. A gal in front of me lights up a cigarette and I get a lungful of second hand nicotine and exhaust fumes.
Donations: It's dark now. It was day when I came, wasn't it?. I swear it was. Several large fellows are asking for a donation to something. Whatever it is, they don't look like they belong to it. They ain't no Santy Clauses. I say no, and the biggest one argues with me, implying that I am guilty of something or another, or something.
Disorientation and danger: Where is my car? It looks different out here at night, and of course, everything is backwards now as I have to retrace my route. Where is my GPS? Wait, let me first get far enough away from those guys. That Bronco's headlights suddenly turn on, all brights, and it speeds away from the curb nearly hitting me.
Lost and no island: I cross lanes, and search for my car. My GPS goes dead. I should've recharged it longer. Where did I park? Was it Z7 or 7YY? Why didn't I write it down? The peach color parking lot lighting make car colors impossible to read. After about an hour, I recognize my license plate and breath a sigh of relief.
Surprise: I notice that the glass on my driver's side door is frosted. Funny. It's not that cold. As I unlock the car, the glass shatters into pieces and falls into the car. Someone has smashed my window. Ah yes, I had forgotten to take a few small Christmas gifts from the back seat and hide them in my trunk. They are gone now, and my car window is open to the night chill.
Finding the exit: After putting my hard-won Christmas toys and gifts in my trunk, I am off. I wander around a bit, looking for signs to the exit. Like Vegas, their priority is to get you in; you're on your own to get out.
Chance encounter: As I get to an intersection, a car neglects to stop and nearly hits my left front fender. The driver yells and shows me his IQ with his middle finger and drives off, cursing me (I suppose) as I see his mouth working. I don't take it personally.
The crunch at the exit: I reach the last turn into the last lane out of the parking lot. It is jammed. People are supposed to take turns but the cars already in the exit lane seem to not be letting anyone new turn into it. I wait for a timid one to come along so I can sneak in.
The lane change: Finally, I am in and ready to leave the lot once and for all. Now I need to get into the left lane for my final turn home. Easier said than done. I have to wait a bit and cars behind me honk furiously at me for holding them up.
The final traffic light: Finally again, I make it and get to the light. The light takes forever. There is no left arrow here (the city did away with them for some reason; I'm sure it was a good reason). Straight-through traffic coming towards me seems to have no end. It is lucky if one car can make a left turn per green light.
Crossing traffic: Finally, for a third time, it is my turn. I have to inch out part-way into the main cross traffic lanes to claim my right to turn. I dart behind the last car through the light. Of course, the last car went through on a yellow that turned red, and so now I am turning on red. The cross traffic takes no notice of me and is raring to go. I am in danger of being caught in a half turn sideways as cars in both directions bear down on me. Those nice people who started as the red was changing don't help.
The way home: Well, I make it. I fight more traffic but traffic is getting a bit lighter as I get away from the black hole that is the mall. Time seems to return to normal. I begin to breathe easier. I get home. I was going to say "finally" but I will skip it.
Final insult: Under the street lights on my street, a pinkish light here, I now see fresh scratches on my driver's side door from the mall that I missed. And so, I conclude my Christmas gift shopping.
Doh! And then it hits me. I forgot a Christmas toy! And, what about the Christmas gifts that were stolen? I'll have to do it all over again tomorrow.
Buying Online with Auctions
If this sounds like your experience Christmas gift and toy shopping, then consider buying online this year. You can stay home. You don't have to fight traffic or crowds. You don't have to trek there and back again. And, you don't have to find your car and get home safely.
Of course, online Christmas gift shopping is not without its perils and pot holes. I know a friend who wants to buy a Christmas toy in high demand and thinks he can save a bundle on an online auction. There are auctions there and there are fixed price items.
Auction prices: My friend goes for the auctions because he sees that this item has sold in the pass for less than the fixed price. He thinks he is smart. What he fails to understand is the price that his toy sold for was in an auction that he was not in. If he had bid, he would have had to have a bid higher than what it sold for. His presence in the auction would have altered it.
He might have gotten the Christmas toy for one bid increment higher, or maybe many increments higher. My friend will never know how high the winning bidder was willing to go, just how far he had to go to win. But he has it in his head that he could have had his toy for what it sold for last.
Auction risks: So, my friend bids on the item. It is a ten day auction. Bidding for a $200 item starts at a dollar. As the days roll by, the bids rise. By day nine, bids are close to what my friends thinks he can steal this toy for. In fear, he enters a bid higher than he wants "just to be sure". In the end, it goes higher than he thought and now he has ten fewer days until Christmas. There is time risk and risk of loss in auctions.
My friend was smart, though, because he left a bid. Had he been there at the end bidding, he could have gotten into a bidding war and ended up paying too much. It's easy to become emotionally involved and to believe that this one time is the only chance you will have. That my be true for some one-of-a-kind items, but not usually for electronics.
Shenanigans: Now my friend tries a fixed price item. What he doesn't realize is that some sellers are really good and some, not so much. For example, selling refurbished items without disclosing it, or selling "grey" items for international use with a invalid US warranty, unbundling packages and selling the parts separately for more money, or selling counterfeits and rip offs. With gizmos, especially electronic gizmos, you have to really do your homework on the seller.
"Free shipping": My friend thinks he got a deal because he got free shipping. He didn't notice that the price he paid was higher to include the "free" shipping. Hey. It floats his boat.
Shipping time: My friend has to wait several weeks for his Christmas toy to arrive. The seller neglected to say, and my friend neglected to ask, if the seller had the toy actually in stock. In fact, the seller did not. The seller was using a drop shipper in China, and it takes about five weeks to fulfill the order.
Know the seller: Now, I am not saying all auction experiences are negative. Far from it. Deals and good merchandise can be had. But there are shenanigans to guard against. You really have to do your homework on the seller. Most people don't. They don't know what to ask and what to look for. It all boils down to how trustworthy the seller is.
Buying Online at Amazon
I used to just buy books and DVDs from Amazon, and I still do. I find that Amazon is a seller that I can trust. It has distribution points located across the country and usually can ship quickly. Amazon tells you its usual shipping time and whether your chosen Christmas gift or toy is available. You get good email updates from them so you know where your order is. You can always login to your account and see where your order is.
The anti-Amazons: As an aside, I hate online places that treat your order like it dropped in a black hole (there's that black hole analogy again). I place an order, and I hear nothing. No one tells me that they are out of stock, so I sit there, waiting. Maybe it will never come. Maybe it will come in a few months where new supplies arrive.
Amazon is not like that. They are good at fulfilling your order and shipping quickly.
Two day shipping: I buy the Amazon Super Saver shipping and pay once each year. Then I get free two-day shipping on my Amazon orders. Because of Amazon's service, I sometimes get an in-stock item the next day, in one day, if I order before the closing time for a day's ordering. Even if it takes the regular two days, it's still very, very fast shipping.
Lots of stuff: Did I mention that Amazon sells a lot more than books and videos? They sell electronic gifts, toys, and a huge variety of cool products.
Trust: I trust Amazon. Bottom line. Its products are fresh, unspoiled, and legal. For Christmas toys and gifts, they are hard to beat.
I don't know for sure, but it appears Amazon has better control over third-party suppliers compared to fixed price sellers on auction sites. (Your super saver shipping does not apply to these folks.)
True story: I've switched to buying my Christmas gifts and toys from Amazon. I got a Garmin GPS navigator and some accessories for a travel Christmas gift. To be fair, Amazon said one of the accessories would ship from a third-party supplier with a small shipping charge, so I knew that going in. I got the GPS itself in two days, and some of the accessories the next day and the day or so after that.
Value: So, as a senior citizen I am convinced there are good reasons to buy Christmas gifts from Amazon. I find that Amazon prices are very good, maybe not the lowest every time, but since the items are new and not pawed through like at your local drug store or mass-market big-box-mart store, I think they are a better value. For an important Christmas gift or toy for a loved one, I would not take on the risk just to possibly save a few bucks. I usually knock out the highest and lowest offers, and take one in the low middle range.
Good deals in tough times: Times are tough and very uncertain. The economy has been down the tubes since 2008 and there is no sign that it is getting better. It's wise to get good value when you do want to buy a nice Christmas toy or gift today more than ever. Even in hard times, we want to get Christmas toys, especially for our grand-kids. We can go for a lot of cheap Christmas gifts or a few good ones. Whichever way you go, it's important to get a good deal.
Hits: And, what a waste it would be to buy someone a Christmas gift and have it turn out to be a dud. Below I post a link to a Christmas gift web site that features best-selling and most wished-for Christmas gifts from Amazon. Buying best sellers greatly increase your odds of getting a Christmas toy or gift that will be a hit and that you will be appreciated for getting it.
Wrapping it up: So, seniors, you have discovered the benefits of email and online news. I urge you to do your Christmas gift shopping online this year at a store you can trust, and get through your shopping in a breeze with none of the hassles of traditional shopping. You deserve it.