Winter New York Gift Fair Salutes Winners

The Baby & Child division of the Winter 2013 New York International Gift Fair gave best new product awards to five exhibitors. The Giggle Guide’s own Leesa Valentino was among the judges who presented the following awards:

The Blogger’s Best award went to Benbini for Benbini Watches, stylish and functional silicone watches with a patented double bezel design for easy timing of naps, feedings and time-outs; the Toy award winner was Home Grown Books for Set 3; and for Décor, the winner was 3 Sprouts for the 3 Sprouts Laundry Hamper. The Gear winner was MadPax for Blok Fullpack, a backpack for kids of all ages with 3D construction; and the Apparel nod was given to Zipit for their Happy Playsuit, a one-piece infant playsuit with a full-front opening that includes an ankle-to-neck reversible zipper for easy diaper changing.

The Baby & Child division included 150 companies offering sophisticated, charming and purpose-driven products for kids 0-10 years. “Juvenile product design has evolved to be sophisticated and style-savvy, and Baby & Child exhibitors are at the forefront,” said Patricia Rivas, Baby & Child sales manager. “These products set an even higher standard, in terms of innovation and creativity.”

Here are more details on offerings that caught the Giggle Guide’s eye:

3 Sprouts Has a Spot for That!

When it seems like laundry is taking over a kid’s nursery or bedroom, the answer lies in the laundry hamper from 3 Sprouts. The hamper has two large handles that collapse, creating an easy-to-access circular opening that keeps dirty laundry neatly out of sight. When it’s time to do the wash, simply lift the handles and tote the dirty duds away. Made from 100% polyester, this laundry hamper is completely wipeable and folds flat when not in use. Best of all, for a fun look, it comes as a deer, goat or polar bear.

3 Sprouts also offers a host of handy caddies, including ones featuring a mouse, pig, bee, owl, and walrus. Made of cotton canvas, with a polyester felt appliqué and coated with polyurethane inside, this tote can handle every small kid item from diapers to lotions so everything is in one convenient spot ready to be toted wherever it is needed. This tote is 16” wide by 15” high and a generous 5.5” deep.

Animal storage bins, also in cotton canvas with cool appliqués, are perfect places to stash toys, books or whatever would help tidy a kid’s room. When not in use, the bin folds easily so it can be whisked out of sight. Storage boxes have sides that are reinforced so they stand at attention, ready to go to work; measure 13” high by 13” wide by 13” deep; and are available with a variety of appliquéd designs.

A place for everything: www.3sprouts.com

The Ellie Rose Collection is Soft and Stylish

The team at The Ellie Rose are thrilled that their reversible blanket was a finalist at NYIGF. It will be available in April along with a collection of chevron blankets, bibs and burp cloths, all backed with 100% cotton chenille.

Their Phoebe Dress, also a finalist in the show, is on-trend as it combines three different patterns that add up to a stylish, contemporary look. Phoebe is made of 100% Pima cotton, fully lined and sized for girls six months to six years. Many items from this company lend themselves to personalization, now available in new fonts, including Diva Dots, Whirly and Bold.

Little lads get an in look as well, with the Perry Tie that’s better than a clip on, as it has adjustable Velcro at the back and can even go in the washer. Perry is available in a host of patterns, including Moss, Garden with a whirl of manly flowers, and Mosaic in pale orange and lavender.

The Ellie Rose Baby Wipe Cases are padded both front and back and covered in beautiful fabric. Contoured Phoebe Burp cloths fit over an adult shoulder so they stay anchored and come with stunning fabric on the top and baby-soft chenille on the back.

Sweet, simple and oh-so-pretty: www.theellierose.com

Benbini: Tick Tock, Take Stock

Benbini is a time keeper invented for moms by moms, with all the fashion and functionality they crave. It can be easily set to the desired hour and minute to track feeding or visiting time or how long a baby has been napping, and has a clever right/left slider to make life easier for nursing mothers. The ergonomic bangle cuff fits comfortably during pregnancy and after the baby arrives when wrists de-puff.

The watch is fashioned from a soft material that won’t scratch a little one and it’s water resistant so it can stay on when a mother washes her hands, takes a shower, or bathes the baby, but it’s not meant for long underwater stints. If all this usefulness were not enough reason for merchants to stock it, take note that the Benbini watch garnered a Blogger’s Best New Product award at the NYlGF.

The watch is “one size fits most” and, when exposed to bright light for a few minutes, will then glow in the dark. The original Benbini comes in white so it goes with anything. Gray with pink is about to launch so that moms will have more choices.

Get this real winner on your hands: www.benbini.com

JoJo Maman Bébé: Still Going Strong (and Soft) After 20 Years

The Organic Collection from JoJo Maman Bébé is made of the softest cotton available, so outfits feels wonderful on delicate newborn skin. Each colorway has a matching hat to complete the ensemble and keep babies warm and cozy. This line has an extra tiny size for preemies and includes a sleep suit, body suit and hat, each offered in cream with an oatmeal, blue, pink or green stripe.

Swim nappies make a hit at beach or pool without extra bulk as they do not require a separate diaper underneath. Available in a host of patterns for little guys, including Fish, Blue Turtle, and Under the Sea, they can be coordinated with flap or beanie sun hats. Little ladies can enjoy their time at the water in a swim nappy in a girly pattern like Meadow, Poppy or Rainbow with either a floppy or a flap sun hat.

After a swim, babies and toddlers can be dried off with the Toweling Poncho that pulls over the head with an easy-open neck. The Essential Summer Dress, in sizes to fit girls from three months through five years, has a picot-trimmed round neck and two working buttons on one shoulder. The dress is available in Blue-and-White stripes, Rose and Lavender.

The Breton Stripe Dress has contrasting color on the chest; two matching pockets on the front and comes in either French or Strawberry, both with a white stripe. Deck out a little lad in the Nautical Breton Sailor Top so he can match or contrast with his sister, or just look sharp on his own. The Blue Gingham Body Suit is the answer to not coming untucked for those who love the look of a “regular” shirt. The blue and black pattern looks cool and provides a great alternative to a tee-shirt.

Happy baby, happy mom: www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk