So you’ve subscribed to the Elf Toy of the Month™ for your five-year-old grandson in the hopes that 1) he’ll feel good that you and the elves are sending him something special and 2) it will give you something to talk about with him. We hope that his parents are teaching him well and that your conversation will start out with him thanking you.

You might begin by asking him to describe the toy. How big is it? What color is it? Has he ever seen anything like it? How can he use it? Is there anyone with whom he’d like to share it? Maybe he’d like to hear about a similar toy you had when you were a child. (That’s right! You were his age once!) Let his comments lead you in the conversation.

Have him tell you about the elves in the companion Elfery Storybook™. Ask him why he thinks the elves chose that particular toy to send him. How does he suppose the elves might use a similar toy? Does he have a favorite elf? What does he like about that elf? Does he ever think what it would be like to be an elf himself? Talk with him about what would be the best part of being an elf.

These are just suggestions to get the conversation going with your grandchild. We’re sure there will be fun and surprising bits. We’d love for you to share them with us! You can email them to AuntLinda@whimsmoore.com. You can also encourage your child or grandchild to submit questions to me and to the Glimmer Glen Spokes-Elf, Gus at http://whimsmoore.com/elf_qa.html.

Together, let’s invite our children’s and grandchildren’s imaginations out to play,

I just HAD to write to you regarding the February Elf Toy of the Month selection….one word: AMAZING! My two children could not WAIT to play with the cute little red mailbox…but when they discovered the little envelopes inside…(addressed to them no less!!)…they were so delighted!! Thank you, once again, for providing my kids with these wonderful selections! We ALL truly look forward to receiving them every month!!
Lisa V.
Kidcessory Haven

As Gus, the elf would say, “How about them apples?!”

You may have missed out on sending February’s Elf Toy of the Month this year, but each month brings it’s own special surprise. Order now to send the March Elf Toy of the Month to your child or grandchild. It’s Whimsmoore’s unique Elf Belt Kit that’s fun and easy to put together and fun to wear too! The companion Elfery Storybook™ tells how the elves of Glimmer Glen came to design and wear these belts for the great Elfin Fair.

The Elf Toy of the Month is a wonderful opportunity to build comforting and lasting memories for your child or grandchild.

Together, lets invite our children’s and grandchildren’s imaginations out to play,

With our Twelve Month package, our first contact with your grandchild begins with a personalized certificate, announcing that he or she can look forward to receiving the Elf Toy of the Month each month for a year thanks to you and the Glimmer Glen Elves™. Both your grandchild’s name and the your name are on this personalized announcement certificate. This begins to build up your grandchild’s anticipation.

The first gift arrives with the Elfery Letters Scroll™ containing letters from the elf and human characters your grandchild will meet in the Elfery Storybooks™. The letters makes it easy to “jump into” the story, regardless of the month. There is no beginning or ending month to the stories.

With every month’s gift is a unique personalized gift card that is addressed to your grandchild and reminding him or her that it is you and the elves who are sending the gift. The card encourages your grandchild to thank you for the gift. Most likely this will be by phone, but these days, it could also be by webcam.

In my next post, I’ll talk about the kind of conversation you might want to have with your grandchild about the toy and story they received that month.

The first thing Rachel and I had to decide was the age range for our gifts. Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development describes children ages 4 through 7 as being in the “Intuitive” stage when they easily believe in magic. The age span 5 through 7 is a perfect time to introduce the Elves of Glimmer Glen.™ It’s also the perfect age for children to bond with their grandparents or other family and friends in delightfully imaginative ways.

We wanted to have some reference to the holidays and seasons. Children feel comforted by traditions and images like apples in fall, flowers in spring, parades and fireworks on July Fourth.

Another consideration was focused on the type of age-appropriate toy. We wanted items that an elf might make … natural and classic-type toys that encourage children’s creativity and imagination. That meant no batteries or plastic.

And lastly, these toys needed to be quality-made … gifts that parents and grandparents would feel good about giving. We envisioned a lively conversation between the child and gift giver about the toy. We hoped this would help to “break the ice” and get a good dialog started.

To see our final choices, you can go to Whimsmoore’s Elf Toy-of-the-Month™ page.

In my next post, I’ll describe how we personalize the gifts, making sure that “grandma” and the elves both receive credit.

Meet the Elves of Glimmer Glen

Share Your Elfery™

As I related in my previous post, I began sending the Elf Toy of the Month to my niece, Rachel, so that we could stay connected in a fun and creative way. Rachel is all grown up now, and still remembers those gifts with fondness. Actually, she does not remember all of the gifts, but she remembers that the elves and her Aunt Linda sent something special just for her every month for a year. Sending those gifts created a bond between us that cannot be broken.

From the beginning, I realized that there were other families who could benefit from a program similar to the one I created for Rachel. But it wasn’t until Rachel, a marketing expert now, came to me almost five years ago and suggested we establish a business around the concept, that the dream began to take shape.

Because most children have not personally visited my Elfery™ (the space under my stairs where the Glimmer Glen Elves™ come to visit) the way that Rachel did, I have written twelve stories, one for each month, about the Elfery and the elves. We published them in books delightfully illustrated and elf-sized at 3″x 2-1/4″. Children love these tiny books full of magic and wonder.

In writing these books, I learned a lot more about the elves and their home in Glimmer Glen. Each book tells how the elves decided on the Elf Toy of the Month.

Because we knew that at such a small size, these Elfery Storybooks™ could become lost, we made the Elfery Stories Book Box™ in which to keep them. It’s a wooden box that looks like a book. The silk-screened top evokes the nostalgic look of a wood-cut. We’ve heard many oohs and aahs over these beautiful boxes.

My next blog will relate how the toys for the Elf Toy of the Month were chosen.

In past blog posts, I’ve described how the Elfery™ began, I’ve explored the lives of the “little people,” and I’ve talked about the products that we offer at Whimsmoore.com. It occurred to me today that I haven’t sufficiently told you how the Elf Toy of the Month got started and how valuable it can be for children and their families.

For those of you new to this blog, you need to know that the Elfery is a playhouse under the stairs where the elves come from their world into ours. My niece Rachel loved visiting my Elfery, but because she lived almost a thousand miles away, was rarely able to do so.

I loved sharing the Elfery and the imagination that came with it with her. Wanting to nurture our relationship, I created an Elf Toy of the Month. Sometimes I bought things that seemed elfish and other times I made the gifts myself. Each month for a year I sent them off on behalf of the elves. (You can read the full account at http://whimsmoore.com/elfery_intro.html)

And so was born the idea of the Elf Toy of the Month. In my next posts, I explain how it blossomed into its present form, what’s so special about each month’s package, and why it can be such a wonderful tool to help young and older family members connect.

The Elfery™ dolls are celebrating a new addition to their playhouse under the stairs: a sweet little sleigh just big enough to hold two of them. Whatever the season, there’s always fun and magic in the Elfery, but Christmas-time seems extra special.

Here’s wishing you and yours a magical holiday!

We at Whimsmoore have worked hard to offer the very best creative toys available to the US market today. So we were especially pleased that Momtrends NO BATTERIES REQUIRED “picks for toys that bring joy” has featured two of the kids toys we carry.

#5 is Schylling’s Tin Tea Set. This set reminds me of the set I had as a child. I loved making “mud pies” and serving “tea” from my sand box as you can see in the photo. And yes, tasting my efforts made me cry! But that creative play was a precursor to the cooking I enjoy today.

This tea set is perfectly practical for indoor and outdoor play. There’s nothing to be broken, and as long as it isn’t exposed to long periods of dampness, it could last practically forever. (I still have my own childhood set in my Elfery!) I can envision this as the centerpiece to a doll picnic under a weeping willow.

Speaking of cooking, Momtrends #15 pick is Whimsmoore’s Kitchen Play selection. I can’t say enough good things about these! Made by Elves in Angels in Maine and finished with linseed oil, these too will last practically forever … genuine keepsakes to pass down to the next generation. There’s just enough detail to stimulate your child’s or granchild’s creative imagination. And they are visually pleasing and feel good to the touch.

Time is running out for Christmas orders. But remember these gifts are not fads that will only last for a season. They are appropriate and will be cherished all year long.

Wishing you and yours the best Holiday Season ever!

Dear Friends,

Do the days seem to be rushing by as Christmas approaches? So much decoration to do! So many cookies to bake! So many cards to send! So many presents and gifts to buy! And we’re approaching the “last-minute shopping” period!

Personally, I’ve been super busy planning a big Whimsmoore open house. What helps keep me in the spirit of Christmas is all the wonderful music I play as I decorate, bake, and clean house. That and reviewing all the great gifts we’ve made available for kids at Whimsmoore.com.

If you find yourself stressed out from all of the holiday activities, why not take a break right now, sit yourself down in front of that nice warm computer, and let your fingers do the shopping! Here are some suggestions to make your gift recipients spirits’ bright:

The Elf Toy of the Month for children ages five through seven. December’s package includes a tin of mini-cookie cutters, a mini rolling pin, an Elf Cookies recipe and our own, Elfery Storybook™. We’ve extended the shipping date for this gift through December 18th. You may choose this as a one-time gift or as a creative present your child or grandchild will receive every month for a year. For more details and to order, go to http://whimsmoore.com/ETOM.html

A Playtent is just the thing to put up indoors during the rainy/snowy days of winter. We carry seven models, from a TeePee to a Princess Castle and more. Great entertainment at Grandma’s house! See our entire selection at http://whimsmoore.com/play.html

What’s Christmas without a new doll? We at Whimsmoore like to keep our toys simple and fun and very high quality. That’s why we’re especially pleased to offer the Lennon Sister’s Best Pals Dolls inspired by the rag dolls the Lennon sisters, Janet and Kathy, cherished as children. Each “Best Pals” doll is part of a numbered and limited edition. You’ll love the detail in their vintage-style clothing! Go to http://whimsmoore.com/doll.html

Both the Lady Bug Tea Set (on Sale!) and the Children’s Tin Tea Set will delight any little girl or boy. These are available while supplies last at http://whimsmoore.com/kitchenacces.html

We have a wonderful selection of Christmas and Winter kids books. Here are a few of my favorites: Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. I absolutely love the “frosty” velum cover and the art work inside. Other favorite picture books are Bear’s First Christmas and Santa Claus. The former is sweet and quiet like falling snow. The latter is boisterous, fun, and full of surprises like Santa himself. Speaking of quiet, Christ’s birth is told lovingly in the glowing colors of Room for a Little One. And it’s my humble belief that every family that celebrates Christmas ought to have a Night Before Christmas book. Jan Brett’s and Mary Engelbreit’s illustrations are both treasures! http://whimsmoore.com/kidsholidaybooks.html

So sit yourself down and order today. Then breathe a sigh of relief as you check off several items on your gift list.

Whatever your activities today and in the coming couple of weeks, I wish you all, blessings of the Season!

The perfect center for dollplay, Dolly’s Changing Table includes storage for clothes, a space for changing diapers and clothes and even a swing for after dolly’s clean and dry. PeaPod, the elf, says she’d love to play with this.

Our Play Stand is from a different manufacturer than the one featured in Mothering. We believe ours is a even better value! Made of the finest quality materials and craftsmanship, and superior design, it will provide hours of imaginative play for little boys and girls alike. As an “open ended” toy inspired by the Waldorf learning philosophy, it can be transformed by imagination to a house, a store, a fort, etc. Comes with optional silk canopy.

These are just two of our carefully selected imagination-inspiring toys. Come take a look! You’ll be pleased by your choice of finishes and prices.