Gift Guide 2012: Doozers

For the construction worker/engineer/architect who has everything: a few building gifts in something a little sturdier than radish dust.

1. Road Construction Set by Plan Toys, $25; 2. Recycled Plastic Stacking Blocks by Green Toys, $28; 3. City Blocks Set (with puzzle on reverse) by Fidoodle, $32; 4. Ant Antics Blocks by Uncle Goose, $24; 5. Face & Rattle Blocks by Soopsori , $45;       6. 49-Piece Hopper Blocks by Tree Hopper Toys, $55; 7. Magnetic Blocks by Tegu, $30-$60; 8. Mini Construction Vehicles (Excavator, Roller, or Bulldozer) by Plan Toys, $20; 9. Sky High by Chronicle Books, $18.95; 10. Archeville Cardboard Building City by Kidsonroof, $38; 11. Totem City Building Kit by Kidsonroof, $32; 12. Tool Belt by Plan Toys, $30; 13. City Stacking Blocks by Chronicle Books, $21.99

Gift Guide 2012: Fozzie Bear

A bear's natural habitat may well be a Studebaker, and that Electric Mayhem paint  job may well kinda rule. All the same, we think it's probably time to start thinking about an alternate mode of transport.

      1. Family Car by Hape, $27; 2. 9x12 Sketchbook in Milk Trucks by Ecojot, $13; 3. Park 'n' Go Garge by HaPe, $70;       4. Kuruma Wind-Up Car by Kiko+, $23; 5. Cement Mixer by Soopsori, $9; 6. Match Stacks Memory Game in Transportation by Tree Hopper Toys, $18; 7. Car & Tool Kit by Soopsori, $50; 8. Baby Car by Plan Toys, $15; 9. Hopper Jalopy in Bear by Tree Hopper Toys, $17; 10. Mini Fastbacks Set by Green Toys, $18; 11. Bamboo E-Vehicle (Dump Truck, Off-Roader, or Superbike) by HaPe, $28; 12. Trucks Go by Chronicle Books, $8.99; 13. Magnetic Wheels Set by Tegu (Turn any Tegu block creation into a car; shown with Endeavor Set in Nelson), $15; 14. Taxi by Camden Rose, $9




   

Gift Guide 2012: Mr. Hooper (a.k.a. Mr. Looper, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Cunningham...)

-Human grownup
-Celebrates Hanukkah
-Hard-working neighborhood shopkeeper; needs a little pampering
-Occasionally mistaken for a grouch; really one of the biggest softies on Sesame (or any other) Street

1. Hanukkah & Jewish Christmas Cards by La Familia Green (purchase supports local Chicago no-kill animal shelters), $3.75; 2. Kenyan Masai Scarf by FEED Projects (provides 10 school meals to children; learn more about the FEED Foundation here), $40; 3. Men's Organic Cotton Socks by PACT (supports Detroit's Empowerment Plan), $30; 4. Organic Chocolate Pairing Kit for Red Wine by Theo, $22; 5. Convertible Zip-Up Organic Cotton Shopping Bag by FEED Projects (provides 100 school meals), $30; 6. Hebrew Blocks from Sustainable Michigan Basswood by Uncle Goose, $40; 7. Allsorts Prohibition Pack: Whisky Sour- and Gin & Tonic-Scented Vegan Soap by Ethically Engineered, $14; 8. Camera Backpack with Insulated Lunch Bag by Soyoung, $75; 9. 22 oz. Flip Cap Glass Beverage Bottle in Olive Hex by Lifefactory, $25

Gift Guide 2012: Miss Piggy

  -The fanciest, prettiest, blondest pig to ever speak Franglais, cherie.

  -Likes: sparkles, pink, purple, flowers, the beautiful things in life (like herself, for example).

1. Fancy Bow Clips by Hello Shiso, $16; 2. Fair Trade Felted Pig by Winding Road, $13; 3. Organic Cotton Winterberry Dress in Sunny Meadow by Winter Water Factory, $56; 4. Snuggly Sweater Friend, $48; 5. The Real Princess: A Mathemagical Tale with Storytime CD, by Barefoot Books; 6. The Barefoot Book of Princesses; 7. Bynto Container by Goodbyn in Raspberry, $13; 8. Non-Toxic Nail Polish in Cotton Candy and Lip Shimmer in Ooh LaLa by Keeki Pure & Simple; 9. Re-Usable Fabric Decal Dolls by Love Mae, $20-$46; 10. Transforming Monarch Butterfly Doll by Fidoodle, $46; 11. Princess Matching Game by Chronicle Books; 12. Fair Trade Felted Unicorn by Winding Road, $33; 13. Upcycled Hair Pins by Sprout Co., $15.50; 14. Klickbox Container in Magenta Princess, $8; 15. Pippa Hat in Fuchsia by Tuff Kookooshka, $30; 16. Butterfly Cooler Bag by Soyoung, $30; 17. Rosie Flo's Coloring Book by Chronicle Books, $8.99