An Unberably Cute Gift
Not all Teddy bears are created equal. The favorites are highly huggable, oozing with personality such as the cuddly bear found inside a new holiday gift, the Teddy Bear GifTin.
Inside a bright 2-gallon collectible tin is an affectionate bear with movable arms and legs, a book - “Teddy Bear Quotations” - of beautiful pictures with quotes, and a letter from Santa personalized for the recipient. The tin is delivered with the sender’s name on an enclosed gift card.
The price is $29 plus $4.50 shipping and handling. To order, mail a check payable to GifTins, P.O Box 13445, Spokane, WA 99213. Include your name and the recipient’s name and street address. For credit card orders, call (800) 868-8467 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A holiday tale
Make plans to attend “The Toy Shelf,” delightful entertainment for families, at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at The Met. Presented by Dance Theatre Northwest under the direction of Janet Wilder, this original production combines dance, singing and drama. A special appearance will be made by members of Veritas, a boys’ choir. Tickets - $8 for adults, and $5 for children, students and seniors - are available through G&B Select-a-Seat (325-SEAT), and at The Academy of Dance, 14214 E. Sprague.
Toys for tots
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve started Toys for Tots in 1947 to provide Christmas joy for needy children through the collection and distribution of toys.
Corporate sponsor of Toys for Tots in the Inland Northwest is Volt Services Group of Spokane. All donated toys may be dropped off at Volt’s branch office at 1120 N. Mullan, Suite 202, through Dec. 22.
Toys should be new and in original packaging and - specifically - not gift-wrapped. Toys can be for toddlers, children or teens. No food or perishables, please.
The Marines will distribute the toys to needy families throughout the area. For more information, call Volt Services Group at 891-VOLT.
Holiday gift help: Toy guides are offered by Toy Manufacturers of America to assist consumers with gifts for disabled children.
The “1995-96 Guide to Toys for Children Who are Blind or Visually Impaired” is an award-winning guide listing more than 75 toys with accompanying pictures for visually impaired youngsters. To order, send a postcard to: Toys for the Blind, 200 Fifth Ave. Suite 740, New York, NY 10010. “The TMA Guide to Toys & Play” is a comprehensive toy safety and selection guide that emphasizes the importance of buying ageappropriate toys. It includes a breakdown by age group of the types of toys kids love at each stage of development.
This guide is also in Spanish, called “La Guia de los Juguetes y el Juego.” To order either guide, call (800) 851-9955 and specify English or Spanish.
The Lekotek Toy Resource Helpline is also available to offer assistance in selecting appropriate toys for disabled children. Call (800) 366-PLAY.
MEMO: The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.