One Last Present - Guest Blogger Wendy Smolen

Oops! I need one more present. My daughter’s roommate is dropping by this weekend. My husband’s colleague invited us to a family gathering. Our neighbors are having a last minute get-together. No matter how carefully I plan, I always end up a box or two short. So in the spirit of giving, I’m giving you my fail-safe list of 10 under $25, non-gender specific gifts for anyone from two to ninety-two (well, maybe 6+).

1.    Disney Pixar’s Up. The perfect family DVD. It’s one of those rare animated movies that speaks to everyone, every age. Better than It’s a Wonderful Life.
2.    Milton Bradley’s Connect 4x4. This non-battery toy takes the classic game of Connect 4 to a new dimension. Combines skill, luck and fun.
3.    Playmobil’s Nativity Manger and Three Wise Kings. The tabletop crèche scene comes complete with animals and Kings. Bulld it, rebuild it, and keep it forever.
4.    Hasbro’s Monopoly City. With 3-D structures, city blocks, and public parks in play, this is Monopoly for the 21st century.
5.    Think Fun’s 36 Cube. Think Sudoku meets Rubik’s Cube in 3-D with colors. Even if you can’t solve the challange, it makes a great cocktail table display.
6.    Gamewright’s Funny Business. This family party game has players making up creative names for new businesses. Mergers and acquisitions have never been so much fun.
7.    Banagrams’ Banagram or Pears in Pairs game. Banagram is the perennial favorite, a cross between Boggle and Scrabble. Pears in Pairs is similar, but a little easier for younger kids. Both games come in fruit-shaped bags.
8.    Fundex’s One Tough Puzzle.  There are over 300,000 wrong ways to put together this 9-piece puzzle. But there’s only 1 right way.
9.    M&M’s Brand Mint Chocolate Candies for the Holidays. M&M’s might now strike you as an elegant gift, but these chocolate mint flavored morsels only come out once a year and are truly irresistible. A little wrapping paper and ribbon dresses up the package.
10.    Amazon Gift Card. Couldn’t we all use one around now?

Guest Blogger Wendy Smolen is co-founder of Sandbox Summit®.  She has been professionally evaluating toys for over 15 years. Her three children have literally gone from crib to college proving (or dis-proving!) her theories on play.