http://www.giftsanddec.com Fri, 25 May 2012 19:14:15 MDT Editor-in-chief Caroline Kennedy has been with Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine for more than 23 years. Her long association with the gift industry gives her a broad perspective on its trends and the ever-changing landscape of gift retailing. She brings her veteran’s-eye view to the highlights and sidelights of our everyday world. When asked why she has stayed on the job for so long, her answer is, “It’s like going shopping every day!” eng Copyright 2012 Sandow Media LLC. Subject to its Terms of Use (http://www.giftsanddec.com/info/terms-and-conditions.php) http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42889-Play_With_Your_Food_A_Very_Veggie_World_Cookbook.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42889-Play_With_Your_Food_A_Very_Veggie_World_Cookbook.php?rssid=20933 Fri, 25 May 2012 21:35:52 GMT My 7-year-old's latest trick? Turning her dinner into her own culinary creations. Chicken and baked potatoes turns into "chicken boat wonders." Bread folded over and dipped in salad dressing... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42885-Smooth_Operator_Babyspa_Body_Lotion.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42885-Smooth_Operator_Babyspa_Body_Lotion.php?rssid=20933 Wed, 23 May 2012 03:38:50 GMT Baby-soft skin...it's something I was fortunate to have through much of my childhood. When I was little, my dad used to reach over and playfully rub my cheeks. By the time I became a teenager,... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42884-Crowdfunding_Sites_Crowdtilt_AngelList_Crowdfunder_Kickstarter_and_more.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42884-Crowdfunding_Sites_Crowdtilt_AngelList_Crowdfunder_Kickstarter_and_more.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 22 May 2012 20:59:56 GMT In my last post, "Crowdfunding Websites; where to find investment money under the new JOBS Act," I wrote about a CNN article, "8 crowdfunding sites to watch." These are sites that CNN deems... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Re_Gifting/42883-Stationery_Stationary.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Re_Gifting/42883-Stationery_Stationary.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 22 May 2012 19:58:48 GMT I just got finished walking the Stationery Show at Javitsin New York and while it’s true this show has felt both the economy and theseminal change in the way people communicate with each... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42877-Crowdfunding_Websites_where_to_find_investment_money_under_the_new_JOBS_Act.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42877-Crowdfunding_Websites_where_to_find_investment_money_under_the_new_JOBS_Act.php?rssid=20933 Mon, 21 May 2012 14:23:07 GMT As a consultant, I am frequently approached by entrepreneurs and start-up companies seeking investment money. I have had to tell them that in most cases, initial money comes from family, friends... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42876-Take_Me_to_Your_Leader_Kissy_Kissy_Infant_Apparel.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42876-Take_Me_to_Your_Leader_Kissy_Kissy_Infant_Apparel.php?rssid=20933 Sun, 20 May 2012 02:31:54 GMT What's more darling than an outfitted infant? It's been years since our girls were babies, but that doesn't mean we still can't appreciate an adorable ensemble when we see one. One particular... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42875-B_Y_O_B_Lucky_Diaz_and_the_Family_Jam_Band_s_A_Potluck.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42875-B_Y_O_B_Lucky_Diaz_and_the_Family_Jam_Band_s_A_Potluck.php?rssid=20933 Fri, 18 May 2012 19:16:48 GMT Tis the season of BBQs, picnics and all those other outdoor family festivities whose only requirements are a hearty appetite and a willingness to party. And what's a good time without some tunes... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42870-Swimming_With_the_Sharks_Zoocchini_Hooded_Towels.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42870-Swimming_With_the_Sharks_Zoocchini_Hooded_Towels.php?rssid=20933 Wed, 16 May 2012 12:12:21 GMT All it took was one beautiful, unseasonably warm weekend to make me realize that summer is not far off. A short visit to our local beach reminded me that I'll soon be loading up my beach bag with... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42869-Belly_Up_to_the_Counter.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42869-Belly_Up_to_the_Counter.php?rssid=20933 Wed, 16 May 2012 12:01:03 GMT There is a new player in the customer loyalty game, and games are in fact part of the appeal to consumers. The program is called the Belly Card, and the company's goal is to reinvent customer... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42866-The_Power_of_Silly.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42866-The_Power_of_Silly.php?rssid=20933 Mon, 14 May 2012 20:48:41 GMT My son, Matt, sent me a picture this week of a hippopotamus having his teeth brushed. You may wonder, as did I, why a grown man would send his father a picture of a hippo much less one with good... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42865-The_JOBS_Act_and_how_it_makes_raising_money_easier.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42865-The_JOBS_Act_and_how_it_makes_raising_money_easier.php?rssid=20933 Fri, 11 May 2012 19:11:01 GMT The JOBS Act is one of the most important changes to raising capital in American history. Why, because it makes the IPO process more attractive and provides entrepreneurs of any size with new... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42863-Here_s_Lookin_At_You_Kid_Babiators.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42863-Here_s_Lookin_At_You_Kid_Babiators.php?rssid=20933 Thu, 10 May 2012 14:18:13 GMT Indestructible sunglasses for kids? Never heard of 'em. My almost 4-year-old has already been through 3 pairs, and they never manage to make it through an entire season. Whether her shades end up... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42862-Sunny_Side_Up_Plan_Toys_Breakfast_Set.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42862-Sunny_Side_Up_Plan_Toys_Breakfast_Set.php?rssid=20933 Wed, 09 May 2012 21:22:05 GMT With Mother's Day quickly approaching, can I count on breakfast in bed or, better yet, a little extra shut-eye? Fat chance on either one, but not for lack of trying. My almost 8-year-old won't... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42858-The_decline_of_Nintendo_Play_Station_Xbox_can_the_toy_industry_help_.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42858-The_decline_of_Nintendo_Play_Station_Xbox_can_the_toy_industry_help_.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 08 May 2012 20:29:06 GMT E3, the Video Game trade show, is taking place this week in Los Angeles. It is occurring in the face of a steady decline in video game sales. The drop off appears to be more than some cyclical... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Re_Gifting/42856-Andy_Andy_Andy.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Re_Gifting/42856-Andy_Andy_Andy.php?rssid=20933 Mon, 07 May 2012 18:54:57 GMT With all due apologies to Mr. Warhol: “In the present,every website will be famous for 15 minutes.”Right now we are in the midst of Pinterest fever witheveryone and his cyber brother... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42857-Sister_Day.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42857-Sister_Day.php?rssid=20933 Mon, 07 May 2012 18:53:58 GMT One of the most innovative shops in Denmark in Søstrene Grene, which translates as "The Branch Sisters." I've written before about how they make use of the mostly fictional personae of Clara and... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42855-Sit_N_Snooze_Tiny_Love_3_In_1_Rocker_Napper.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42855-Sit_N_Snooze_Tiny_Love_3_In_1_Rocker_Napper.php?rssid=20933 Mon, 07 May 2012 18:39:39 GMT Delicate, precise handiwork isn't only necessary for surgeons and craftspeople; it's also crucial for moms of sleeping babies. I remember when my almost 4-year-old would finally conk out in her... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42854-Slow_Time_Fast_Time_and_Children.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42854-Slow_Time_Fast_Time_and_Children.php?rssid=20933 Fri, 04 May 2012 16:36:31 GMT I have always been fascinated by time. It's so malleable that its passage can seem to speed up or slow down simply by circumstance. For me, there is no slower passage of time than sitting in a... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42850-Here_Comes_the_Sun_Gustafer_Yellowgold.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42850-Here_Comes_the_Sun_Gustafer_Yellowgold.php?rssid=20933 Wed, 02 May 2012 18:55:24 GMT This past Sunday was definitely a sun-day. My family and I were treated to a performance by none other than the former Sun resident himself, Gustafer Yellowgold. For those of you not familiar with... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42847-Game_Rooms_and_the_Importance_of_Play_Environments.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42847-Game_Rooms_and_the_Importance_of_Play_Environments.php?rssid=20933 Wed, 02 May 2012 13:13:40 GMT When you were a teenager you may have had a friend whose family had a place in their house which was dedicated to playing competitive, action games. Some of these were like pieces of furniture: ... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42844-Taking_a_Page_from_a_Lookbook.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42844-Taking_a_Page_from_a_Lookbook.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 01 May 2012 16:57:41 GMT A lookbook is a collection of photographs used to show off the work of a particular photographer or model -- or to profile a certain style or clothing line. While the term lookbook originally... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42837-Never_Let_Me_Go_Loopy_Gear.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42837-Never_Let_Me_Go_Loopy_Gear.php?rssid=20933 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:41:46 GMT Last weekend at church, I watched as a young baby dropped his rattle repeatedly, only to watch his doting grandpa bend over and pick it up agin and again. Much to my and my fellow parishioners'... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42836-Colors_Why_Are_They_So_Important_To_Children_.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42836-Colors_Why_Are_They_So_Important_To_Children_.php?rssid=20933 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:45:05 GMT Pink, blue, red, green, you name it...every child seems to have a favorite color. In fact, some children are so passionate about their color choice that they insist that their clothes, room... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Re_Gifting/42835-Advice_from_Coach.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Re_Gifting/42835-Advice_from_Coach.php?rssid=20933 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:46:58 GMT Over the run-up in the economy that characterized most ofthe first decade of the 2000s, perhaps no company rode that wave better thanCoach, the accessories company that traded up its product... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Dancer_in_the_Aisles/42834-On_Advertising_and_Promotion_Food_for_Thought.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Dancer_in_the_Aisles/42834-On_Advertising_and_Promotion_Food_for_Thought.php?rssid=20933 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:17:04 GMT I read "Retail's Big Blog" today (the blog of the National Retail Federation). It had an interview with Dr. Marianne Bickle, professor and department chair for South Carolina University's... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42831-Practicing_Sun_Safety_Green_Babies_Sunscreen.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42831-Practicing_Sun_Safety_Green_Babies_Sunscreen.php?rssid=20933 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:23:42 GMT Today I am recovering from Mohs surgery. If you're not familiar with the term, it's a dermatological procedure that removes cancerous skin cells. Having been blessed (or shall we say "cursed"?)... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42827-Wal_Mart_s_Bribery_Scandal_Why_It_Matters.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42827-Wal_Mart_s_Bribery_Scandal_Why_It_Matters.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:04:32 GMT In my last posting, "Wal-Mart's ethics; it's a long way from Bentonville to Mexico City" I reported on an investigation conducted by The New York Times on alleged bribery among Wal-Mart's... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42826-Discreet_Feeding_Undercover_Mama_Nursing_Shirt.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42826-Discreet_Feeding_Undercover_Mama_Nursing_Shirt.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:34:09 GMT During a recent walk on the boardwalk at our local beach, I happened to notice a woman sitting on a bench, her stroller parked nearby. A large blanket was draped across her upper body, which... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42825-Easy_Evening_Events.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42825-Easy_Evening_Events.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:20:16 GMT Looking for a new promotion for your store as part of your shopping district or town? For the price of some wine and cheese, as well as a bit of promotion, you can easily stage an evening event... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42821-Baby_s_Dozen_Cupcake_Onesies.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42821-Baby_s_Dozen_Cupcake_Onesies.php?rssid=20933 Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:30:39 GMT Psstt...wanna know a secret? If you happen to be a new mom, then you'll really want to pay attention. The secret to surviving the first year of your baby's life is...wait for it...not having to do... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42818-Brazil_They_Do_Things_Differently_There.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42818-Brazil_They_Do_Things_Differently_There.php?rssid=20933 Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:47:59 GMT I am back from Brazil and after spending a week there and attending the ABRIN toy show. I can see why Brazil should be of interest to any toy company thinking of expanding its foreign markets. ... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42816-Future_Nest_Egg_Alex_Toys_2_Birdie_Banks.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42816-Future_Nest_Egg_Alex_Toys_2_Birdie_Banks.php?rssid=20933 Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:16:54 GMT My 7-year-old told me she didn't have to flush the toilet this week...in honor of Earth Day, that is. So, in the name of science, we're doing our part to conserve energy and save the planet. Just... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42811-Kid_For_Hire_Take_Your_Mama_to_Work_Today.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42811-Kid_For_Hire_Take_Your_Mama_to_Work_Today.php?rssid=20933 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:54:00 GMT Last week's spring break ran a bit little too long for my sanity, so my ever-thoughtful husband offered to take our daughter with him to work for the day. She'd been begging him since Easter, so... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42810-Hip_Head_Gear_Krash_Bike_Helmets.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42810-Hip_Head_Gear_Krash_Bike_Helmets.php?rssid=20933 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:43:00 GMT Does your kid give you a hard time about wearing his bike helmet? I can't say I blame them. From the look of some of the helmets out there, I'm more in favor of the utilitarian models that ooze... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42809-You_Said_A_Mouthful_Caspar_Babypants_Hot_Dog_CD.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42809-You_Said_A_Mouthful_Caspar_Babypants_Hot_Dog_CD.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:32:11 GMT I love when musicians I enjoy listening to decide to join the indie kid music scene; their new music makes me feel like I haven't completely lost my pre-kid self. First it was They Might Be... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42808-Should_We_Be_Flattered_.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42808-Should_We_Be_Flattered_.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:15:39 GMT If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I suppose as independent retailers we should be pleased that Target is rolling out a new concept called The Shops at Target on May 5. They even... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42807-The_Pricing_Paradox_To_Promote_or_Not_to_Promote_That_Is_the_Question.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42807-The_Pricing_Paradox_To_Promote_or_Not_to_Promote_That_Is_the_Question.php?rssid=20933 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:58:51 GMT Are running sales and couponing going the way of the dinosaur? J.C. Penney and a number of other retailers think so. I am not so sure, at least for the near future. Here is why:In January I... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42803-The_Mouse_That_Roared_Graco_Minnie_Mouse_Swing.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42803-The_Mouse_That_Roared_Graco_Minnie_Mouse_Swing.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:59:28 GMT When my preschooler was an infant, boy, could that kid cry! Pacifiers were never enough to soothe her; she'd spit them out faster than I could pop them back in. And bouncy seats never offered... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42801-Being_the_Boss.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42801-Being_the_Boss.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:05:54 GMT "People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives." This quote, attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, gets to the heart of what can make a boss either well... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42800-Important_New_law_makes_it_easier_to_raise_capital.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42800-Important_New_law_makes_it_easier_to_raise_capital.php?rssid=20933 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:44:10 GMT President Obama signed a new, bipartisan bill "...on Thursday that will roll back restrictions on the way start-up companies can raise money from individual investors." In a New York Times... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42793-Writing_on_the_Wall_Skip_Hop_Alphabet_Zoo_Decals.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42793-Writing_on_the_Wall_Skip_Hop_Alphabet_Zoo_Decals.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:07:28 GMT If you haven't figured it out already, The Talking Walnut is a big fan of Skip Hop,  makers of durable kiddie products kid gear in eye-popping designs. So when we recently had a chance to see... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42789-A_Unique_Selling_Proposition.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42789-A_Unique_Selling_Proposition.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:54:19 GMT If your customers need ESP to determine the USP in your ads or signs (as in this fun example from New Zealand), then you are not doing a good job of conveying your message. Keeping things simple... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42788-_Etch_A_Sketch_and_the_Power_of_Toys.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42788-_Etch_A_Sketch_and_the_Power_of_Toys.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:35:11 GMT If you weren't spending time in a cave last week you were undoubtedly inundated by commentary on the "Etch A Sketch" incident. You know, that's the one where Romney's senior advisor, Eric... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42784-Word_Play_Sentence_Shuffle_Fun_Deck.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42784-Word_Play_Sentence_Shuffle_Fun_Deck.php?rssid=20933 Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:10:00 GMT Sometimes, my 2nd grader likes to speak backwards-not facing away from me, but mixing up the order of her words. She, of course, thinks it's hysterical; I find it maddening, especially by the end... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42783-Disposable_Me_Icky_Products.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42783-Disposable_Me_Icky_Products.php?rssid=20933 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:55:57 GMT Lunch out with little kids is no picnic. Because many of our local restaurants must keep up with a steady flow of kiddie customers, we sometimes dine atop tables that are, shall we say, not... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42781-Part_2_Toys_R_Us_and_the_rest_of_us_a_look_at_the_4th_quarter_report.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42781-Part_2_Toys_R_Us_and_the_rest_of_us_a_look_at_the_4th_quarter_report.php?rssid=20933 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:45:07 GMT This is the second in a two part series about the recently released results of Toys "R" Us's 2011 4th quarter.  Rather than dwell on those parts of the report upon which financial analysts... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42778-Toys_R_Us_and_the_rest_of_us_a_look_at_their_4th_quarter_report.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Out_of_the_Toy_Box/42778-Toys_R_Us_and_the_rest_of_us_a_look_at_their_4th_quarter_report.php?rssid=20933 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:12:00 GMT Toys "R" Us had a disappointing 4th quarter in 2011. As you can imagine, there will be a great deal of commentary elsewhere on the recently released Toys "R" Us 4th Quarter report. So, instead... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42775-Made_You_Look_.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Savvy_Store_Solutions/42775-Made_You_Look_.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:47:06 GMT If your first inclination when merchandise isn't selling is to mark it down, you may not be doing your bottom line any favors. Try changing the location of the items in your display first to see... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42774-A_Pocketful_Of_Poisies_Muny_Pocket_Dress.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42774-A_Pocketful_Of_Poisies_Muny_Pocket_Dress.php?rssid=20933 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:38:06 GMT My 3-year-old is at a bit of loss when she doesn't have pockets. These days, she is constantly picking up stones, flowers and other treasures courtesy of Mother Nature, yet never seems to have a... http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42772-Traveling_Artist_Crayola_Color_Wonder_Tiny_Tube.php?rssid=20933 http://www.giftsanddec.com/blog/Talking_Walnut/42772-Traveling_Artist_Crayola_Color_Wonder_Tiny_Tube.php?rssid=20933 Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:56:00 GMT I'm convinced that my bag will forever contain remnants of my daughters' fledgling careers as artists. Broken crayons, dried-out markers and scraps of paper and old receipts have served as the...