Take Me to the Fair!

With 35,000 attendees, over 85 countries and all 50 states represented, the New York International Gift Fair is the place buyers and sellers will want to be this January 29th through February 3rd. Held twice annually in January and August, the NYIGF showcases the best and newest in gift merchandise. Stationery, candles, seasonal, houseware and kitchenware are among the categories displayed, in addition to, of course, games, puzzles, toys, baby and child products.

Among the 2,800 companies that will be exhibiting will be brands from Bangladesh, Argentina, India, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Israel, Germany, Italy, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Singapore, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Turkey, Uganda, Nepal, Thailand, and the UK—and that is the short list. There are lots of wonderful companies and products to get excited about, so today, The Giggle Guide^® gives you a sneak peak of GRIMM’S (Spiel and Holz Design), Kidlandia, Jaxxwear, and BabyBindle to whet your appetite for the big event!

Playful Grins are Plentiful at GRIMM’s

Developed from the former company, Spiel und Holz Design, GRIMM’S offers simple, beautiful wooden toys for infants and young children. Their straightforward designs encourage cognitive development, motor function and sensory perception. With GRIMM’s products, children can learn about and explore colors, numbers, shapes, sounds, and textures during play.

With one exception (their Magnetic Puzzle), GRIMM’s toys are made from hand-painted wood, which is perfect for first sensory impressions as wooden toys can be hard or soft, rough or smooth, heavy or light. As an added bonus, wooden toys do not breed bacteria like plastic and metal toys do.

For infants, GRIMM’s offers unique rattles, graspable toys, and wooden animals on wheels — perfect for pushing! For children one year and above, their building blocks and creative puzzles are sure to be a winner with savvy parents and shoppers. The puzzles are available in different ability levels and come in set designs as well as abstract ones. GRIMM’s also sells stackable toys, such as conical towers, rainbow blocks in unconventional shapes, and a set of “bowls and boxes.” Handcrafted and hand-painted dolls, doll house furniture, and dollhouses are also available.

GRIMM’s credo is “Joy through Color.” Help spread the joy at www.grimms.eu/en/include.php?path=start.php

Set Sail for Kidlandia

Some may say paper maps are going out of style with the progression of Internet sources like Google Maps — but with Kidlandia’s decorative, playful maps, children today can still grow up with an appreciation for N,S,W,E and X marks the spot.

The founder of Kidlandia is Brian Backus, an entrepreneur and illustrator who has loved maps and monsters and fantastical things since he was a boy. Brian wanted to create personalized maps for children’s bedrooms which would allow them their own individual Kingdoms. This, he hoped, would help children build their confidence and self-worth. What started out as a solo project for friends and family members has blossomed into the world of Kidlandia, run by a talented, professional team.

At Kidlandia, children can create a world all of their own, naming countries and places after people and things they love. The maps are available as posters ($19.00-$29.00), placemats ($15.00), fine art prints ($29.00), gallery wrapped canvas ($79.00-$199.00), canvas scrolls ($69.00), puzzles ($49.00), vinyl wall clings ($99.00-$129.00), and canvas door hangers ($29.00). The maps can also be purchased with ready designed themes! Buyers have a choice of Disney Princesses, Spongebob Square Pants, Dora the Explorer, Kidlandia Kreechurs, Whimsical Maps of the USA and the World, and Veggie Tales.

Chart your path to a world of fun at www.kidlandia.com/default.aspx

Get in Style with Jaxxwear

Offering color-coordinated solids and modern, hip prints in 100% Pima super-soft cotton — ideal for layering, and cozy for the wearing — Jaxxwear has it all! Jaxxwear is among the few and the proud manufacturers of playwear who understand that babies and toddlers can be comfortable without sacrificing quality and trendiness.

Started in New York City in 2007, Jaxxwear’s mission is “Style for the next generation,” and their wide variety of products are packed with colors and patterns. Even better, each print is always matched with a corresponding solid color product that is perfect for parents and buyers who like to mix and match fun prints. Each one-piece, pair of pants, shirt, and fuzzy sweatshirt has been topstitched at the seams and features self-fabric trims. Sizes range from 0 to 24M.

Jaxxwear is currently renovating their Web site, but for information send an e-mail to , and make sure to check out their booth at NYIGF.

Got a Bundle? Get a BabyBindle

This year at Booth #5135, Sandra Frawley — the founder of BabyBindle Company LLC, mother of two and previous Veterinary Technician — will be presenting her recent award winning invention, the SeatPak, at the Fair.

In May of 2010, Frawley entered the Huggies Mom Inspired Program. In July she was told she had won one of the coveted 12 finalist slots. Huggies awarded her with a $15,000 grant to help her further and promote her invention. Her participation in this year’s Fair is her effort to do just that!

The SeatPak attaches to the handle of an infant car seat and acts as a lighter, simpler portable diaper bag without having to lug the actual bulky, heavy bag. When all mothers need is their cell phone, bottle, wallet, wipes and diapers, the SeatPak allows them to take the bare essentials with them while grocery shopping or other on-the-go activities.

The bag is 9.5” (h) by 9.5” (l) by 3” (w) and is easily cleaned with a wet cloth if needed. In addition to the space on the inside, it has outside pockets for keys, a pacifier, and a cell phone. The SeatPak is available in a choice of Chocolate, Black, or White and retails for $49.99.

Give your customers the freedom to pick up and go! Check out www.babybindle.com