Toys

Intro

Toys

Accessories

Pampering

Gadgets

Pets

Outdoors

Home Furnishings

Comestibles and Kitchen Stuff

Sex

Spirits

Books and Music

Some kids get all the cool toys. What's up with that? Even if Santa never chucked the good stuff your way, that doesn't mean you can't do it for your wee ones. Apply yourself, use a little imagination, and read up on these "tipz" to come up with a special present that will never be tossed out with the wrapping paper.

Are You Ready for Your Close-Up?
Whether you're grooming your child to be the next Spielberg or thinking about trying your hand at amateur porn, you've got to start somewhere. With Digital Blue's Digital Movie Maker ($99.99, Toys-R-Us, 935 Lloyd Center, 335-5955, and other locations), you'll have everything you need to get started as a filmmaker. This tiny digital camera can capture up to four minutes of movie images and sound, which can then be uploaded into your computer and edited using the software that comes with the camera. (DW)

My Way or the Highway
The wind rushes through your hair and the freedom of the open road beckons as you race off into the horizon at...10 miles an hour! Not for people in a hurry, the Pocket Electric Bike ($599.99, Sharper Image, Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th Ave., 228-4110, and other locations) is meant for people who just don't seem to care how they arrive at their destination--as long as they don't have to walk. Only two feet long, this tiny electric transport is the right gift for people too scared to ride a motorcycle but too lazy to pedal a bike. If you think hard enough, you'll find someone who fits that description. (DW)

Building the Future
Did you know the Lincoln Logs Collectors Edition set ($87.50, Finnegan's Toys and Gifts, 922 SW Yamhill St., 221-0306) helps you determine your child's future? Once he takes a liking to the logs, he'll either become an architect, drive a fancy car and date beautiful people, or become a construction worker and whistle menacingly at the opposite sex. Cheaper than counseling, don't you think? (NO)

Wind Me Up!
You wind them up and watch them move all herky-jerky across the floor--how exciting is that? OK, maybe wind-up robots don't seem that exciting, but wait until you've checked out the finely detailed automatons imported from Japan. There's a wide selection of wind-ups, from Darth Vader and other Star Wars characters ($299.99 each, Toy Bliss, Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th Ave., 274-9073) to a whole army of robots (the tin 1950s replicas are $649), that can help you in your efforts at world domination. (DW)

The Fast and the Curious
Feed your child's need for speed with Carrera Slot Cars ($174.95 and up, Treehouse Toys, 4907 SW 76th Ave., Beaverton, 292-4447). The set comes with a track and two cars and plugs into the wall, so there are no pesky batteries to change. Vin Diesel, eat your heart out. (NO)

Wrist Wrasslers
If you or your children are social misfits with no real friends to speak of, life can get pretty lonely. But nothing spells "instant friends" better than a foosball table--except for maybe the Flash 7-in-1 Combo Game ($79.99, Toys-R-Us, 1800 Jantzen Beach Center, 289-4691, and other locations). More than just a foosball table, this bad boy can be converted for air hockey, shuffleboard, bowling and more. Consider it a one-way ticket to Popularityville. (DW)

Playing With Yourself
Exactly what kind of toy do you get the narcissist in your life? Well, since cloning is still illegal, the next-best thing would be a custom-made action figure in his or her likeness. Handcrafted by the Florida-based toy makers at Andgor (www.andgor.com), you can get an action figure of anyone you want ($500 and up). When you think about it, what's more fun than playing with yourself? (DW)

The Doctor Is In
Since the holidays already feel like an episode of The Twilight Zone, why not get your weird Uncle Ernie something from the actual show. Sideshow Toys has come out with an unusual line of retro-fitted action figures from old television shows (nothing says warm and fuzzy like Bob Crane in Hogan's Heroes drag). But nothing is quite so bizarre as the 12-inch doctor and nurse from the Nov. 11, 1960, Twilight Zone episode "Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder" ($69.99, Things from Another World, 4133 NE Sandy Blvd., 284-4693, and other locations). With a stethoscope, syringe and bandage roll, playing doctor has never been so creepy. (NO)

MORE GIFT IDEAS

Rokenbok System Start Set
Video games and children's toys are fusing into a new generation of toys for the young whippersnapper. The new four-player Rokenbok System Start Set is an interactive construction play scene fully operational by four different controllers.

$100, Finnegan's Toys and Gifts, 922 SW Yamhill St., 221-0306.

Erector Set Special Edition by Brio
Did you know the inventor of Erector sets, A.C. Gilbert, was an Oregon resident? The new special edition set has 643 parts and comes with tools to scramble them all together with.

$119.00, Treehouse Toys, 4907 SW 76th Ave., Beaverton, 292-4447.

Deluxe Robotech by Toynami
Many bad things happened in the '80s (Reagan, Iran-contra, and Chernobyl) but these flashback toys from the early part of the decade will bring joy to the home for your young lad and your twentysomething kids.

$89.99, Things from Another World, 4133 NE Sandy Blvd., 284-4693, and other locations.

contents
Intro
Toys
Accessories
Pampering
Gadgets
Pets
Outdoors
Home Furnishings
Comestibles and Kitchen Stuff
Sex
Spirits
Books and Music

Some kids get all the cool toys. What's up with that? Even if Santa never chucked the good stuff your way, that doesn't mean you can't do it for your wee ones. Apply yourself, use a little imagination, and read up on these "tipz" to come up with a special present that will never be tossed out with the wrapping paper.

Are You Ready for Your Close-Up?
Whether you're grooming your child to be the next Spielberg or thinking about trying your hand at amateur porn, you've got to start somewhere. With Digital Blue's Digital Movie Maker ($99.99, Toys-R-Us, 935 Lloyd Center, 335-5955, and other locations), you'll have everything you need to get started as a filmmaker. This tiny digital camera can capture up to four minutes of movie images and sound, which can then be uploaded into your computer and edited using the software that comes with the camera. (DW)

My Way or the Highway
The wind rushes through your hair and the freedom of the open road beckons as you race off into the horizon at...10 miles an hour! Not for people in a hurry, the Pocket Electric Bike ($599.99, Sharper Image, Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th Ave., 228-4110, and other locations) is meant for people who just don't seem to care how they arrive at their destination--as long as they don't have to walk. Only two feet long, this tiny electric transport is the right gift for people too scared to ride a motorcycle but too lazy to pedal a bike. If you think hard enough, you'll find someone who fits that description. (DW)

Building the Future
Did you know the Lincoln Logs Collectors Edition set ($87.50, Finnegan's Toys and Gifts, 922 SW Yamhill St., 221-0306) helps you determine your child's future? Once he takes a liking to the logs, he'll either become an architect, drive a fancy car and date beautiful people, or become a construction worker and whistle menacingly at the opposite sex. Cheaper than counseling, don't you think? (NO)

Wind Me Up!
You wind them up and watch them move all herky-jerky across the floor--how exciting is that? OK, maybe wind-up robots don't seem that exciting, but wait until you've checked out the finely detailed automatons imported from Japan. There's a wide selection of wind-ups, from Darth Vader and other Star Wars characters ($299.99 each, Toy Bliss, Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th Ave., 274-9073) to a whole army of robots (the tin 1950s replicas are $649), that can help you in your efforts at world domination. (DW)

The Fast and the Curious
Feed your child's need for speed with Carrera Slot Cars ($174.95 and up, Treehouse Toys, 4907 SW 76th Ave., Beaverton, 292-4447). The set comes with a track and two cars and plugs into the wall, so there are no pesky batteries to change. Vin Diesel, eat your heart out. (NO)

Wrist Wrasslers
If you or your children are social misfits with no real friends to speak of, life can get pretty lonely. But nothing spells "instant friends" better than a foosball table--except for maybe the Flash 7-in-1 Combo Game ($79.99, Toys-R-Us, 1800 Jantzen Beach Center, 289-4691, and other locations). More than just a foosball table, this bad boy can be converted for air hockey, shuffleboard, bowling and more. Consider it a one-way ticket to Popularityville. (DW)

Playing With Yourself
Exactly what kind of toy do you get the narcissist in your life? Well, since cloning is still illegal, the next-best thing would be a custom-made action figure in his or her likeness. Handcrafted by the Florida-based toy makers at Andgor (www.andgor.com), you can get an action figure of anyone you want ($500 and up). When you think about it, what's more fun than playing with yourself? (DW)

The Doctor Is In
Since the holidays already feel like an episode of The Twilight Zone, why not get your weird Uncle Ernie something from the actual show. Sideshow Toys has come out with an unusual line of retro-fitted action figures from old television shows (nothing says warm and fuzzy like Bob Crane in Hogan's Heroes drag). But nothing is quite so bizarre as the 12-inch doctor and nurse from the Nov. 11, 1960, Twilight Zone episode "Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder" ($69.99, Things from Another World, 4133 NE Sandy Blvd., 284-4693, and other locations). With a stethoscope, syringe and bandage roll, playing doctor has never been so creepy. (NO)

MORE GIFT IDEAS

Rokenbok System Start Set
Video games and children's toys are fusing into a new generation of toys for the young whippersnapper. The new four-player Rokenbok System Start Set is an interactive construction play scene fully operational by four different controllers.

$100, Finnegan's Toys and Gifts, 922 SW Yamhill St., 221-0306.

Erector Set Special Edition by Brio
Did you know the inventor of Erector sets, A.C. Gilbert, was an Oregon resident? The new special edition set has 643 parts and comes with tools to scramble them all together with.

$119.00, Treehouse Toys, 4907 SW 76th Ave., Beaverton, 292-4447.

Deluxe Robotech by Toynami
Many bad things happened in the '80s (Reagan, Iran-contra, and Chernobyl) but these flashback toys from the early part of the decade will bring joy to the home for your young lad and your twentysomething kids.

$89.99, Things from Another World, 4133 NE Sandy Blvd., 284-4693, and other locations.

WWeek 2015