Neighborhood Toy Store Day

Can you believe that it’s time to start Christmas shopping? Didn’t we just do this? This year, instead of heading towards all the mass retailers, why not check out a Neighborhood toy store first! I was invited to an event in the city last week at Building Blocks Toy Store and had a blast. We got to meet with two toy inventors, have appetizers and network. We also walked out with a bag full of some of this year’s hottest toys. Awesome! While spending a few hours in the store, I was walking around looking at toys and prices. I was surprised to find that the toy prices were really no different than buying at places like Toys R Us or Walmart. Plus by going into a neighborhood toy store such as Building Blocks, you get personalized attention. When was the last time you found real help in a big box retailer. Your neighborhood toy seller can tell you what toys would be good for the age group you’re buying for.

On November 12 this year it will be Neighborhood Toy Store Day:

Toy stores across the country will be celebrating the joy of play during Neighborhood Toy Store Day on November 12, 2011. To launch the holiday shopping season with community-minded fun, ASTRA members throughout the nation will host special events at their stores.

The festivities will highlight local talent and bring neighbors together in the spirit of giving. Last year’s programs included crafts, entertainers, scavenger hunts, and charitable donations. Through Neighborhood Toy Store Day, customers see that specialty toy retailers are more than just stores, they are a central part of a vital community.

Local stores have knowledgeable staff, offer special services like gift-wrapping, help preserve a vital downtown, and reinvest their profits in your community. Please view our list of participating stores to find the one nearest you. Give them a call to find out what they have planned for the big day! Here’s a list of participating stores.

Here are a few of this year’s top toys:

• Shrinky Dinks Fairy Garden
• Safety Pin Bracelets
• Teaching Cash Register
• nanoblock
• Happily Ever After Jewelry Box
• Pathwords

Those are just some of them. I can’t wait to play with these and give you my thoughts.  Please remember to visit a Neighborhood Toy Store on November 12 or any other time this holiday season to get some great ideas and great toys!

For more information, follow ASTRA:

• Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/astratoy
•  Our twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/astratoy

Disclosure: I was invited to an event in which I was talked to about neighborhood toy stores and given some toys to bring home. All opinions are my own.