NKT Holiday Gift Guide – The Next Kid Thing

Gift Glossary: Outdoor Toys

December 20, 2010January 3, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

First up on the Gift Glossary includes my round up of some of the most innovative outdoor toys from the year. Scooters and caster boards continue to gain popularity in this section, which is exactly why I included quite a few in our list. Other notable goodies include fun toys that have the potential to get a lot of play time outside from kids of all ages.

Whiplash Scooter

The Whiplash was one of the most notable scooters I saw this year. First spotted at Toy Fair in February (maybe you remember the video I posted over on FB?),

this scooter combined elements of a caster board and scooter, making it a versatile vehicle choice with a lot of twists and turns. It boasts speed and swift maneuverability, but for those with skill, the Whiplash can turn heads.

Pulse Slither

The Pulse Slither, unlike other scooters, has the capability to drift. Like its name implies, the scooter’s back end can drift in such a way that it slithers.

When first learning the Slither’s nuances, we found that the maneuverability, isn’t as smooth, but once riders got the hang of it, it’s fun to slide and drift around. Check out one of our kid reviewers take the Pulse Slither for a ride.

Zipfy Mini Luge

It’s snow season for many parts of the U.S. already, but I first caught eye of the Zipfy Mini Luge at the Discovery Store’s Holiday Preview this summer.

The Zipfy, which comes in a variety of bold colors, might be small in size, but its design puts speed on its side. The feet first design of the Zipfy, which gives kids an easier handle to break with their feet, was one of my favorite aspects of the mini luge, which is sure to be a staple for kids and parents alike. As with all outdoor sports like sledding, helmets and proper safety gear is highly recommended.

Little Nutty Helmets

With all these fun outdoor toys that made the list, how could I not include some stylish safety gear? Little Nutty from Nutcase Helmets are among my favorite, eye-catching helmets for kids.

All Little Nutty helmets comply with US CPSC Bicycle Helmet Safety Standards for persons age 5 and older. Who says you can’t be safe and stylish at the same time?

Ybike

Ybike is a new, 3-wheel balance bike that combines the basics of riding a bike–minus the pedals.

Preschoolers can scoot, navigate and “ride” on their own, which makes the Ybike a fun way to learn and implement balance. Made of a durable plastic that can seemingly take a beating from little learners, the Ybike comes in a spectrum of vibrant colors. Low to the ground, easy maneuverability and a sleek design make this balance bike an instant favorite for the preschool set.

Full disclosure: select samples were provided for editorial review. As always, all opinions on NKT are my own.

Thinking Outside the Business Box with PictureIt Postage

November 18, 2010November 18, 2010 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

When I left my full-time job as an editor two years ago, I did it with the intention of building a freelance writing career to hone my passion. It was a big step emotionally and financially, but professionally as well. Most of my freelance ventures are hinged upon my blogging and social media efforts. For me, like many of my blogging colleagues, it started out with a name that we’re continuing to build a brand around. For some, it’s more orchestrated than others. For others, it’s evolved much more organically.

For those who treat their blogs as a business, making connections, building relationships and carving out our own niches seems to be the name of the game in this blogging realm. Most days, I have no idea what I’m doing; and like writer’s block, it can plague me for a while, and then, I’m inspired by those around me. Like any small business, it’s all about figuring out what works, and doing it well.

When my friends at The Motherhood asked me to check out PictureIt Postage for business, the timing was so impeccable. Not only have I been plotting out my family’s holiday cards, but I’ve also been brainstorming my business holiday cards.

In the several years that I’ve been blogging so far, this year has most certainly been my most productive. In the grand scheme of things, it might not mean much, but for me, I couldn’t be happier. And most of that can be attributed to my blogging friends who have helped or collaborated with me along the way, but also for the pr pros, company executives who have helped me make my job come to fruition.

So what does this have to do with postage you’re wondering? A lot, actually. Like many bloggers and editors, I get packages and mail every day; however, it’s rare when I actually get “real” business correspondence. I’m not talking about a printed information sheet that comes with a product sample. I’m talking about a genuine, hand-written note from a company. I’ve always been one for handwritten and personalized correspondence, and this holiday season is no exception. Who doesn’t love receiving hand written, personalized note in their pile of bills and junk mail?

PictureIt Postage is a cool way to personalize postage: perfect for families seeking a fun way to mail letters, cards and packages, it’s also a great way to mail business letters, cards and other mailings. I can’t think of a better way to say thank you or send holiday greetings to colleagues and completing the package with a branded logo or a fun graphic to complete the package. I actually have something fun in mind for a few holiday business mailings (I won’t ruin the surprise here, though.)

Toys ‘R’ Us Great Big Christmas Book: There’s an App for That

November 1, 2010 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Halloween’s over and you know what that means? That’s right, the Holiday shopping season cranks up a notch. While the shelves might have been touting dancing Santas and singing reindeers for a few weeks now, marketers and retailers have been working overtime for months in preparation for the upcoming Holiday season.

As mentioned before, many of us bloggers were attending holiday previews way back in May, so, be prepared to see an influx of holiday coverage on blogs this year, NKT included.

We can’t cover holiday shopping without highlighting the thrill of the hunt—for kids, that is! While many of us plan to scour the malls, websites and shops for the best deals, in many cases, it all starts with that carefully-crafted Christmas list. And guess what?

Of course, there’s an app for that.