There are high-minded moms who, despite protests from their children, ask that party guests direct money to a worthy charity instead of on birthday gifts. While you admire the sentiment, somehow you haven't been able to pull the trigger just yet. Maybe when she's eight, you say, or fourteen, or old enough to suggest it herself? In the meantime, ease your conscious by giving out party favors and gifts whose purchase benefits worthwhile causes.

For Girls:
Zulugrass Bead Strands by The Leakey Collection. Zulugrass necklaces are hand made from native grasses and beautiful glass beads by women of the Maasai tribe in Kenya; the company was founded by Philip and Katy Leakey (the youngest son of famed paleo-anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey, and his wife, an artist) to provide economic opportunity to these women and their families without disrupting their traditional way of life. For more information: Visit www.zulugrass.com.

One is Greater than None clothing: Founded by young teenage girls who wanted to "be part of the equation" of helping the world, 20% of the proceeds of these tees, hoodies and other organic-cotton-and-bamboo clothing items goes to the International Organization for Migration, which rescues trafficked children in Ghana. For more information: Visit www.oneisgreaterthannone.org.

iCare jewelry by Hi IntenCity: A portion of the profits from this hip jewelry line go to benefit Girls Inc, a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. With roots dating to 1864, Girls Inc has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Today, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives. For more information: Visit www.girlsinc.com.

For Boys:
Life is good clothing & accessories: Okay, besides spreading some optimism, you'll be supporting a company whose Life is good Foundation and related community festivals has raised and donated millions to such children's charities as Project Joy and Camp Sunshine. For more information: Visit www.lifeisgood.com.

All items are available at:

Penny Auntie
11 King Street

Chappaqua
914-238-3242

Posted by plumberry at 04:39 PM | Permalink

Haunted by the monthly avalanche of party invitations? Don’t let gift and favor-buying spook you; just rely on Plumberry Jam’s monthly list. As always, selections are available at Penny Auntie in Chappaqua.

Here’s a trend we’d like to let you in on (and encourage): Stick to your birthday gift budget while seemingly splurging by enlisting co-invitees to go in on a bigger present. You’ll cut down on the likelihood of duplication -- and thus, spare other moms the pick-whose-double-to-return agony. A win all-around, we’d say.

GIFTS
Boys, 3 and under:  Liftoff Rocket by iPlay ($40)
Whether he’s lifting off to the moon, Jupiter or a planet of his own imagining, this toddler-friendly rocket – complete with astronaut figures, a space dog, an alien and a space buggy – will go the distance. Press the handle for lift-off sounds and lights; rocket opens to reveal living quarters for the astronauts.

Girls, 3 and under: Music Box Baby Doll by Corelle ($30)
Toddler birthday gifts can be trying – how to find something that’s age appropriate, but not too baby-ish; substantial (she is your daughter’s “Bethteth Fwiend”), but not over the top (you are NOT springing for the total kitchen set). Answer: a cuddly, music-playing baby doll, with a soft body (for snuggling during naps) and washable face and hands (so it can be cleaned post-playground visit).

Boys, 4 to 7: Zoomorphs by River Dolphin Toys ($16 to $25)
Easy snap-together pieces (eg, his mom won’t get stuck putting them together for him) allow him to make infinite animals, real and imagined. In Fossil, Farm, Pets, Safari and other themes, the individual sets are also interchangeable.

Girls, 4 to 7: Penelope Peapod ($40)
This Oppenheimer Best Toy Award-winner was designed by New York mom Shelagh Herzog, and based on a toy her own grandmother had made for her as a child. Simple, sweet and perfectly sized for toting around – which, as her new favorite doll, it will be.

Boys, 8 to 10: Rubik’s Revolution ($26)
So, along with the Tivo, universal remote, and multi-function microwave, the items the kids figured out how to work before us include the Classic Rubik’s Cube (we’re still working on ours from 25 years ago…). Keep his best buddy busy with the latest in the series, an interactive electronic version that provides multiple challenging levels and options of single and multiplayer play.

Girls, 8 to 10: Fleece Hoodie ($32) and Teddy Bear ($30) by BeePosh
Yes, they’re growing up, but they’re still little girls, and as such, need things to snuggle in and snuggle with. This coordinated set bridges the gap with cool outerwear to face the day in, and a warm friend to hold close at night.

FAVORS
Boys, 3 to 5: Thomas and Friends Book Bag ($4.99)
Isle of Soldar fanatics, rejoice: Here’s the perfect favor to go with that blue-engine birthday theme. Set includes five mini coloring books, plus crayons and stickers; no one’s going to believe you got this for under five dollars.

Girls, 3 to 5: Animal Banks ($6)
In adorable kitty or doggy styles, these sweet coin banks help encourage the savings habit early. Plus, they make a nice set with (or counterpoint to) the Stephen Joseph wallets your friend handed out last month.

Girls, 6 to 8: Lollipop Pen and Pad sets by Stephen Joseph ($4)
In a dozen adorable motifs, the party girl can pick out different ones to match each friend’s personality, or a single style to give to all to match her birthday theme.

8 and up: Halloween Gel Gems by Design Ideas ($4 to $8)
Given that your theme may – just may – have something to do with Halloween this month (how’d we guess?), these Gel Gems sets (obsessively craved by adults as well as kids) will tie in wonderfully. In window-stick or greeting cards sets. One problem: the kids will have to pry them away from their moms when they get home.

Posted by plumberry at 01:38 PM | Permalink

Those invites sure piled up while you were away on your summer vacation, didn’t they? With the kids back into their social season (yes, someday you’ll get an invite for yourself), it’s time to stock up on gifts for all those parties you’ll be running to in between soccer games. To simplify your gift search, here are the best picks for the month from Chappaqua’s Penny Auntie.

GIFTS

Under 5: Lunch Bug by Mimi the Sardine ($20) and Goodnight Moon Puzzle by Briarpatch ($6).

The recalls and warnings on pre-school toys came fast and furious over the past few months, and had you and your friends scrambling to find all those red engines. Give your conscience a rest by giving this eco-friendly (and safe – it’s made to the Oeko-Tex 100 Standard) lunch tote, and tuck a sweet puzzle based on everyone’s favorite book in as a starter treat. Both are made in the USA (you know, the country that doesn’t put lead paint in kids’ toys…).

 Girls 5 to 8: iCare Jewelry by high IntenCITY ($12 to $18) She’s strong, smart and bold, so give her jewelry that’s the same – and which supports Girls Incorporated, the national not-for-profit youth organization dedicated to creating a better future for girls. In a variety of bracelet and necklace styles, each comes with its own gift pouch and info on Girls Incorporated.

Boys 5 to 8: Pirate Treasure Puzzle, Treasure Map and Dubloons by Treasure Craft ($22).  Let him set out to discover his own treasure with a 200-piece puzzle; the map of sunken treasures on the US East Coast will have him plotting out your next summer vacation (there’s even one on the Hudson River). Made in the USA.

 Girls 9 and up: Jewelry Holder Chair ($32) Earrings fit into the mesh back; bracelets and necklaces dangle, untangled, from the sides.

Boys 9 and up: Football Journal ($8), 3-D in Motion Journal ($6) and Football “Gripper” Pen ($7).

 Think girls are the only ones recording their wishes and dreams at this age? Try again – the guys are plotting their sports careers, or at least their fantasy league line-ups.

FAVORS

5 and under: Wallets by Stephen Joseph ($8). Do you like getting a goody bag full of bitsy little plastic items? No. So do your friends a favor and send home one simple, elegant favor instead. In a variety of motifs – pirate, ladybug, dog, monkey, train or sports – these nylon wallets are sized just right for little hands who want to carry their own quarters on their next shopping trip with mom.

Girls 5 to 8: Locking Diaries ($8).
Even if they don’t have snooping younger siblings, her friends will love the feeling of “privacy” these delightful little books offer. And they’re sure to rush home to record just how great the party was in their pages.

Boys 5 to 8: Micromodels by Barrons ($5.99). It’s a given that if it moves, boys are fascinated by it. And if they get to put it together themselves – well, heaven on earth. These books and modelsets combine all the facts they could want with twelve mini models to make, making you the hero of the day.

Girls 9 and up: Lip Gloss sets by Ginger Chang for Cupcakes and
Cartwheels ($8). Remember how you reveled in your first tube of Bonnie Bell at this age? These sets of four glosses – in fruit punch or cupcake flavors – will make her friends equally gleeful.

Posted by plumberry at 06:24 AM | Permalink

Summer birthdays justify a number of things: Parties at the pool. Having the ice cream truck show up in the driveway instead of getting a cake. And these gifts and favors, recommended by Chappaqua’s Penny Auntie.

Gifts:
 3 and under: Wild Animal Magic Sound Blocks  ($25).
Based on Eric Carle’s illustrations, one matches the wild animals together to hear them sound off. Exactly the way a playdate works, as well.

Boys, 4 to 7: Zingo ($16)
If you don’t think they’ll play an “educational” game, consider that it shoots out the playing tiles with a satisfying “zing.” Field-tested on junior Jammers, it is an oft-requested family game.

Girls, 4 to 7: Zoobie ($28)
The triple-whammy of cuddledom: This friendly faced lion opens to a pillow and a blanket, as well.

Boys 8 -10: Big Jack Bat and Ball ($26)
For the budding A-Rod. The bat’s size guarantees a hit; the air pressure ensures the ball will go outta the park.

Girls 8 -10: Tie-Dyed Backpack ($38)
Yes, they’re old enough for sleepovers, and this will help them pack for them in style.

Party Favors
3 to 5: Gertie Ball (various sizes and styles, $5 to $8)
A tactile delight. And it comes flat, which means it’s easy to pack in the goody bag.
 

Boys, 4 and up: Myachi ($5)
The hacky sack meets martial arts moves. A refreshing change of pace for the video-game-addicted.

Girls, 4 and up: Friendship Bracelet Wheel ($4)
Yes, those bracelets are adorable (remember making them in college when you were supposed to be taking notes in the lecture?) But little fingers can have a hard time with the strings. This simplifies everything, and your friends will thank you, as they will no longer be left starting, “helping” and finishing their daughters’ bracelets.

For more gift and favor ideas, check out our July Party Picks.

Posted by plumberry at 06:41 PM | Permalink

Birthdays are among the most trying moment in your life. Not your own, of course – a couple of martinis with the girls and a spa day (and one should do them in that order) ease the pain of another candle. But the ones for all those dang kids with whom your child is friends.  It’s almost as if there’s a party every weekend. (Oh wait! There is.)  And then of course, you have to come up with favors for your own kids' birthdays -- without tapping the college fund. Maybe it would be easier for your child to be unpopular? Oh, please.

Knowing the struggle of finding items that won’t end up on the re-gifting pile Plumberry Jam asked Karen Lustig, the new owner of Penny Auntie 5 & 10 in Chappaqua, to supply some of her best picks for gifts and favors.

Gifts:
There are two approaches to birthday gift shopping: Doing it once a month for everyone on the list, or ten minutes before each party. You, of course, follow the former. Or will, as of now.

3 and under: Personalized Busy Box ($20). Comes with 2 coloring books, 2 pencils, set of chalk and set of crayons; available in  blue/yellow (shown) or pink/green. Have the birthday child’s name painted on (for free), and, she can say “It’s mine! All mine!” and be absolutely correct.

Boys, 4 to 7: Splash Pool Party Pack ($24) Guaranteed to get the giver invited over to the receiver’s house for swim dates several times over the summer.
 

Girls, 4 to 7: Pinky Poo Poodle by Ty ($12) and Charm Bracelet ($12 for bracelet with one charm; additional charms $5 each). They can never have enough stuffed animals. Or, as you well know, enough jewelry.

Boys 8 -10: 20 Questions for Kids, University Games ($26)Now that you and your friends are the authorities, it’s much safer to encourage the kids to question each other.

Girls 8 -10: Watch by Confetti ($16). Available in multiple styles & colors.Timing is everything. And these funky flip-top timepieces will help hers to be impeccable.

Girls, 10 and up: iPod Pillow by Colors USA ($16) Her iPod fits into the back of the pillow and connects to the speaker. She’ll love it for its pink fuzziness; her mother will love it because now there’s no worry that the ear bud cords will pull out the newly acquired pierced earrings overnight.

A rule of thumb to live by: One good goodie is all you need. Really.

3 and under: Bouncy Ball by Crocodile Creek ($8).  An astoundingly good choice to please the entire guest list, and one their parents won’t resent you for. Comes covered in lady bugs (shown), in camouflage and other kid-pleasing yet swank graphics.

Boys, 4 and up: Squeeze Rockets ($4). When considering the top end of age appeal, be aware that “up” includes dads, making these appropriate for large summer barbecues as well as birthday gatherings.

Girls, 4 to 7: Button Charm Bracelet (Bracelet, $4; charms $2 each). Besides matching everyone’s shoes, this favor can conveniently double as a party activity if the entertainment is running late.

Girls, 8 and up: Drawstring Pouch by Little MissMatched ($5). Whether they’re already toting iPods or cell phones, or just the ephemera of childhood, these bags are just the right size for whatever she’s got to carry.

Penny Auntie 5 & 10
11 King Street
Chappqua, NY 
238-3242

Posted by plumberry at 10:18 AM | Permalink