Christmas just would not be Christmas unless I gave to you the gift of gifts. Over the years I have shown you such wonderous things like a double-barreled marshmellow crossbow, a laser beam guarded safe, a vintage lunch lady figurine (complete with horn-rimmed glasses), and of course the unfortunate kit that can shape your poop into “amazing” designs. This is the 5-year anniversary for the Toy Guides, and I hope that the 2011 edition will give you as much fun as the first.
So without further ado, I humbly give to you – Grimm’s 2011 Toy Guide.
Below is the link to all of the previous Toy Guides, and as I have done before, I have updated the availability and prices of everything I have ever listed as of November 23, 2011.
2006 Toy Guide
2006 Toy Guide Part II
2007 Toy Guide Part 1
2007 Toy Guide (Adult Edition)
2007 Toy Guide (Goodies & Grotesque Edition)
2008 Toy Guide
2010 Toy Guide – Kids Edition
2010 Toy Guide – Big Kids Edition
2010 Toy Guide – Food Edition
Complete Toy Guide Listing
Bubble Wrap Calendar
Prices as of 11/18/2011:
$19.99 on Perpetual Kid
$20.00 on Uncommon Goods
$20.12 on bubblecalendar.com
Description: The Bubble Calendar is appropriate for any design (and fun) conscious home or office. Just make sure that jealous friends and co-workers don’t pop your bubbles! It’s also perfect gift for that obsessive person in your life… as long as they don’t pop the whole year the first day!
The calendar is fully functional, with days of the week and all major U.S. holidays marked and weekends bolded for easy reference. (Perpetual Kid)
The Grimm Review: 4 Stars
C’mon it’s bubble wrap. 366 freaking days worth! And while this may not be the best gift for the workplace (stupid Tom from the cubicle next door will pop the entire year while you are away getting coffee), this could be a fun and educational gift for the kids. The price is fairly reasonable, considering you are paying for a sheet full of 366 plastic pockets of air. But seriously, it is bubble wrap with a purpose! Besides, what better way to base your day than on the power of the pop? A loud and proud pop means you have something to look forward to. A weak, quiet deflation means – well, you’re screwed. Unless you are a ninja, gas, or better yet - ninja gas, then you totally can be of the silent but deadly clan.
Spitballs
Prices as of 11/18/2011:
$8.99 – $9.50 (50 grams – 1,250 balls) on Vat19
$3.95 (4 oz. – 50 balls) on FatBrainToys
$4.95 (4 oz. – 50 balls) on Amazon
Description: Spitballs are the amazing orbs that grow up to 200 times their original size when immersed in water.
Designed for bouncing, throwing, and smashing, Spitballs resemble kernels of salt prior to activation. When dropped into a bowl of warm water, they’ll begin their metamorphosis. The longer they soak, the bigger they get. Growing to the size of a pea within five minutes, most Spitballs will eclipse the size of an acorn within a few hours.
If left out to dry, Spitballs will slowly return to their original size, so you can reuse them again and again. Each 50-gram bag includes approximately 1,250 slippery, squishy, and explosive Spitballs. Available in regular and glow-in-the-dark styles. (Vat 19)
The Grimm Review: 4 Stars
If you are like me, you are probably wondering why I didn’t try and market this kind of thing back in Mrs. Horner’s 6th grade math class (I seriously could have made a killing). But once you discover the science behind these tiny little balls you will be amazed at how they actually work. What starts out looking like tiny grains of salt can grow up to 200 times their original size depending on how long you let them soak in water – especially cool if you don’t just want to bug your significant other, you want to blast them full force in the face. If you are the artsy type and want colored balls, no problem – just let them soak in water with food coloring of your favorite color. The only downside, is that these balls can become a choking hazard and are not recommended for kids under three. Here is a fantastic video from one of our links above, Vat19.
Time Squared Alarm Clock
Prices as of 11/19/2011:
$49.95 on Amazon
$49.95 on Discovery Store
Description: Advanced LED lighting technology melds with nostalgic presentation to create this sleek, one-of-a-kind alarm clock. Medium-intensity red LEDs provide the perfect level of brightness for day or night-time use. Easy to use. Includes multi-function alarm.
- Includes AC power cord.
- Dimensions: 9.5 W x 4 H x 1.75 D inches (Discovery Store)
The Grimm Review: 2 Stars
I will confess I am somewhat conflicted on this. On one hand, I love the idea of a digital alarm clock in block form. You can place tiny fun objects in the tiny squares as a reflection of your personality (read: mega-dweeb). On the other hand, with my horrible eyesight, I have never been able to read them that well. Is that a “0″ , an”8″, a “6″ or a “5″? Add to the fact that I would be reading the clock through half-opened, gunk-filled eyes and there is no way I would ever be on time. My other issue is the price, as for $50, I would expect much more than just a cool looking alarm clock. Like maybe a lazer light show and breakfast in bed. Yeah, that would be cool.
H2Goo
Prices as of 11/23/2011:
$9.99 on ThinkGeek
$12.25 on Amazon
$9.95 on Incredible Science
Description: H2Goo ellibaff turns bath water into goo… and back again! Bathe in magic goo! Great fun! The ultimate bath time fun. H2Goo Gellibaff turns bath water into goo… and back again! Available in gloriously bright colours and new colour changing magic goo too! Turn bath time into play time! Simply run your a bath, add H2Goo Gelli Baff and watch in amazement as your boring bath water magically turns into a fun, thick goo. H2Goo Gellibaff is a completely harmless powder that soaks up 400 times its own weight in water. And there’s no need to worry about cleaning up either – when the fun’s all done, simply add the sachet of dissolver powder and the goo disappears as magically as it appeared. The goo reverts back to plain old coloured bath water so don’t worry about it blocking or clogging the bath, it won’t! H2Goo Gellibaff is a harmless powder which holds 400 times its own weight in water. The dissolver sachet powder is simply pure table salt, the same as you put on your table! Completely safe, H2Goo Gellibaff conforms to strict testing and safety regulations and doesn’t stain your towels, carpets or kids.
Prepare it: Simply run a bath, sprinkle in a pouch of “goo former” and watch in amazement as the water turns into glorious goo! Then let the kids get in and have fun. Good clean fun: H2Goo Gelli Baff doesn’t stain carpets or kids! This product contains no harmful chemicals. As well as being great fun, the goo softens and cleans the skin.
Dissolve it: When the kids have finished playing, simply add the “goo dissolver” and watch the goo magically turn back into water! (Pleae read the instructions carefully before using the product). Contains enough H2Goo Gelli Baff for one 40 litre (10.57 gallon) bath or 2 x 20 litre (5.28 gallon) baths. (Amazon)
The Grimm Review: 4 Stars
There is no question that I love the odd and the unordinary when it comes to gift giving over the holidays, but my intentions with this gift is just pure evil. I can just imagine the look on my kids faces as we sneak the packet into their baths one evening and they realize that something is happening to the water. After both claim the other went to the bathroom in the tub, the wife and I will claim that it is in fact their naughtiness oozing out of them and they must stay in the tub into it all goes away. Now it must be noted that for the price, you only get 1 packet of “goo former” and one packet of “goo dissolver”, and that is the sole reason this doesn’t get a perfect 5 stars. Still, the idea of instilling fear into my kids is too great to pass this item up.
Blast From The Past
(originally listed in Grimm’s 2010 Toy Guide - Kids Edition)
Huey the Color Changing Chameleon
Prices as of 11/23/2011:
$24.99 on ThinkGeek (sale)
Description: Huey is an electronic lamp that dynamically matches the color of whatever he sits on. Have a favorite green notebook? Plop Huey down on top and he matches the color with his glowing skin. Just painted your room Cerulean Blue? Hold Huey against the wall, the gently squeeze him and he will hold the color, even if you put him down on your brown nightstand. Huey even comes with a color cycle mode if you are indecisive. Watch him pop from color to color and give him a reassuring squeeze when he gets to the one you like. Huey the Color Copying Chameleon Lamp makes an adorable addition to your wee geeks room, but he’s a great friend to anyone who loves color. (ThinkGeek)
The Grimm Review: 3 Stars
It may seem as though I have this weird fascination with nightlights this year. I guess in a way, you are right – but I also believe in the power of blowing the minds of my kids and this little fella will do just that. There is just something about having the kids think their dorky old dad is the coolest dude in the house – at least for one day. Huey loses a little bit due to warnings of it not being suitable for ages 6 and under and to keep him away from children 3 and under due to an apparent power adapter, but if you have that preteen that appreciates a groovy lightshow or a 37-year old that still lives in your basement while smoking to much weed then this is the gift for them.
