Earth-Friendly, U.S.-Made Toys Top Holiday Lists
Organic, Sustainable, Green, Safe, and Simple Toys with Value Drive Sales
New York, NY, December 11, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Earth-friendly, finely crafted U.S. toys and children’s goods have topped the must-have lists of discerning parents in 2008, according to Kim Bloom, owner of Rosie Hippo, www.rosiehippo.com, a premium online retailer of toys and children’s products from around the globe that are made in environmentally friendly ways. “We are selling more U.S.-made, hand-crafted items, particularly those made from sustainable woods and recycled materials, coming from states like Maine, Vermont and Montana,” said Ms. Bloom, a mother of a three-year-old son, and owner of the fourteen year old company, which carries items targeted at infants through age eight.
Core Values and Simple, Enduring Toys
“Many parents are reassessing their lives due to the economic climate, and are looking for simpler times, reconnecting to core values like home, security, warmth and love,” added Ms. Bloom. “Simple toys that children don't watch perform, but rather toys that children can interact with, whether creating art, making music or pretending, are helping families get back to basics, while bringing about lots of imaginative, creative play and independent thought. Our wooden Baby Tumbler ($18), Push Mower ($39), and Alphabet Blocks with wagon ($50) are simple, classic toys that are very popular, and art supplies made from natural materials like beeswax and plant pigments continue to be customer favorites.”
“Safety is dominating parents’ concerns following last year’s product recalls and lead paint fears, and despite this year’s landmark consumer product safety legislation. Buyers are beginning to understand that inexpensive, disposable toys are actually more costly to both consumers and the environment in the long run, since they don’t last. The green movement continues to drive sales of organic and recycled products. “Our handcrafted Rocking Dory boat ($325) from Maine, a mini-replica and masterpiece made and signed by a fisherman/artist is a strong seller, created from salvaged woods from a local sawmill. Our Recycled Cotton Receiving Blanket ($35) and Organic Cotton Rattle Ball ($18) for infants are good for baby and the environment.”
Quality Craftsmanship Priorities for Buyers
“There’s also a surge of national pride amongst consumers who want to patronize U.S. craftspeople,” explained Ms. Bloom. “Hand-crafted translates into unique, higher quality for the dollar and more durability.” Rosie Hippo’s customers place a premium on enduring, heirloom quality goods. The economic climate has made shoppers more cautious and determined to get that extra value that comes from well-made, earth-friendly creative playthings. “Our carefully chosen products represent the best of eco-friendly, sustainable toys, such as our Choo Choo Train ($89) and Doll Bed ($120) made of all-natural, durable woods for toddlers, and our Wooden Unit Blocks (starting at $60) which are made of natural hardwoods. Rosie Hippo emphasizes beautiful, simple toys that capture the imagination of a child while being fun for the whole family. Our products are made to be passed through generations.”
Fair trade goods are a big draw this season for customers as well, which speaks to the fact that consumers want to buy products with an inherent value from accountable, responsible companies which care about workers. “With all of our toys, we place great emphasis on offering creative learning packages, such as music, art, and family learning. Fair Trade items like our Knitted Cupcakes ($32), Felt and Wool Tea Set ($65.00), and Vegetable Rattles ($45.00) encourage pretend play. With our Fair Trade music package, the entire family can play together, each with a different instrument -Coconut Claves ($19) made from coconut trees (a renewable hardwood), Big and Little Fish Blocks ($29) made in Vietnam, Shaker Boxes ($19) made in Chile, and the Sun Moon Star Drum ($25) from Peru.”
The Rosie Hippo website allows parents to shop by age group, skills to develop, such as communication and pattern recognition, values to learn, such as healthy living and leadership, product materials, and country of origin. Ms. Bloom’s hope is that the categories on the website will inspire parents to encourage creative play and family learning, all while having a positive impact on our planet.
About Rosie Hippo
Rosie Hippo’s goal is to find unique products made from unique materials that are kind to the planet and, wherever possible, help support Fair Trade around the world. In addition, Rosie Hippo strives to find books and toys that educate children about diversity, promote community involvement, and teach responsible stewardship of our planet. Products are sourced from around the world, many from individuals and small manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe. Rosie Hippo is proud to have products made by villages and cooperatives around the world which help to improve the lives of struggling families and support local communities.
Rosie Hippo was re-launched in 2008 after being purchased by Kim Bloom, a New Jersey resident. Rosie Hippo’s offices are located at 277 Broadway, #301, New York, NY 10007.
To contact Rosie Hippo, please call toll-free 877-57-HIPPO (877-574-4776), or locally 212-577-6743, or email feedback@rosiehippo.com. Offices are open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM Eastern Time.
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Core Values and Simple, Enduring Toys
“Many parents are reassessing their lives due to the economic climate, and are looking for simpler times, reconnecting to core values like home, security, warmth and love,” added Ms. Bloom. “Simple toys that children don't watch perform, but rather toys that children can interact with, whether creating art, making music or pretending, are helping families get back to basics, while bringing about lots of imaginative, creative play and independent thought. Our wooden Baby Tumbler ($18), Push Mower ($39), and Alphabet Blocks with wagon ($50) are simple, classic toys that are very popular, and art supplies made from natural materials like beeswax and plant pigments continue to be customer favorites.”
“Safety is dominating parents’ concerns following last year’s product recalls and lead paint fears, and despite this year’s landmark consumer product safety legislation. Buyers are beginning to understand that inexpensive, disposable toys are actually more costly to both consumers and the environment in the long run, since they don’t last. The green movement continues to drive sales of organic and recycled products. “Our handcrafted Rocking Dory boat ($325) from Maine, a mini-replica and masterpiece made and signed by a fisherman/artist is a strong seller, created from salvaged woods from a local sawmill. Our Recycled Cotton Receiving Blanket ($35) and Organic Cotton Rattle Ball ($18) for infants are good for baby and the environment.”
Quality Craftsmanship Priorities for Buyers
“There’s also a surge of national pride amongst consumers who want to patronize U.S. craftspeople,” explained Ms. Bloom. “Hand-crafted translates into unique, higher quality for the dollar and more durability.” Rosie Hippo’s customers place a premium on enduring, heirloom quality goods. The economic climate has made shoppers more cautious and determined to get that extra value that comes from well-made, earth-friendly creative playthings. “Our carefully chosen products represent the best of eco-friendly, sustainable toys, such as our Choo Choo Train ($89) and Doll Bed ($120) made of all-natural, durable woods for toddlers, and our Wooden Unit Blocks (starting at $60) which are made of natural hardwoods. Rosie Hippo emphasizes beautiful, simple toys that capture the imagination of a child while being fun for the whole family. Our products are made to be passed through generations.”
Fair trade goods are a big draw this season for customers as well, which speaks to the fact that consumers want to buy products with an inherent value from accountable, responsible companies which care about workers. “With all of our toys, we place great emphasis on offering creative learning packages, such as music, art, and family learning. Fair Trade items like our Knitted Cupcakes ($32), Felt and Wool Tea Set ($65.00), and Vegetable Rattles ($45.00) encourage pretend play. With our Fair Trade music package, the entire family can play together, each with a different instrument -Coconut Claves ($19) made from coconut trees (a renewable hardwood), Big and Little Fish Blocks ($29) made in Vietnam, Shaker Boxes ($19) made in Chile, and the Sun Moon Star Drum ($25) from Peru.”
The Rosie Hippo website allows parents to shop by age group, skills to develop, such as communication and pattern recognition, values to learn, such as healthy living and leadership, product materials, and country of origin. Ms. Bloom’s hope is that the categories on the website will inspire parents to encourage creative play and family learning, all while having a positive impact on our planet.
About Rosie Hippo
Rosie Hippo’s goal is to find unique products made from unique materials that are kind to the planet and, wherever possible, help support Fair Trade around the world. In addition, Rosie Hippo strives to find books and toys that educate children about diversity, promote community involvement, and teach responsible stewardship of our planet. Products are sourced from around the world, many from individuals and small manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe. Rosie Hippo is proud to have products made by villages and cooperatives around the world which help to improve the lives of struggling families and support local communities.
Rosie Hippo was re-launched in 2008 after being purchased by Kim Bloom, a New Jersey resident. Rosie Hippo’s offices are located at 277 Broadway, #301, New York, NY 10007.
To contact Rosie Hippo, please call toll-free 877-57-HIPPO (877-574-4776), or locally 212-577-6743, or email feedback@rosiehippo.com. Offices are open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM Eastern Time.
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Contact
Mary Blanton
201-784-1818
www.rakergoldstein.com
201-784-1818
www.rakergoldstein.com
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