NEWS Comment
A PARENT BLOGGER’S VIEW Parent Bloggers are an increasingly influential part of the pre-school landscape. Each month, we ask a different mummy or daddy blogger to write a special blog post for ToyNews, giving their views on the toy market.
This month: Carol Smith
I HAVE two daughters - one is four and the other is seven months old. Their birthdays are in November and January, so with Christmas in between that's an expensive three months for us. I would love to be able to buy them both loads of new things but we just can't afford it. If they weren’t so close together it would be easier to spread the cost. My oldest daughter has a huge amount of toys, many
when we have so many in great condition. I like to think that we
have bought good quality toys which last for years. An investment in toys so to speak.
I'm thinking this is the
only year I will be able to do this without my oldest realising that the toys once belonged to her. My main reason for
feeling mean is that they will be her presents, rather than just sharing old toys.
This Christmas my youngest daughter will be getting her older sister’s old toys as presents.
still in storage after a recent move. Being the first child, she was bought many new toys, and lots of them she has grown out of. My plan for this Christmas is to go through her toys and ones that are in great condition will be cleaned and re-gifted to our youngest daughter. I do feel a little bit mean not buying new toys, however neither will realise as one is too young and the other won't remember her toys from almost four years ago (I hope). It seems a waste of
money to buy new toys The thing is, I know that
she will love the ones we have and I would only be buying new similar toys which just seems pointless. When I first had this thought, I asked on Twitter if anyone else did this and I was surprised how many parents do, which made me feel much better about my decision.
This Christmas my
youngest daughter will be getting her older sister’s toys as presents and I’m okay with this. Let’s just hope my oldest doesn’t remember they are hers.
Check out more from Carol Smith online:
www.parentpanel.co.uk, on Twitter @caroljs and @parentpanel, and on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/parentpanelreviews
Disney Junior is UK’s number one pay TV pre-school channel
Sofia the First, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Henry Hugglemonster and Doc McStuffins among top rated shows
By Samantha Loveday
MORE THAN 7.8 million viewers – including over half of housewives with kids 0 to three – tuned in to Disney Junior between July to September 2013, says The Walt Disney Company, meaning it remains the UK’s number one pay TV pre- school channel. Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Henry Hugglemonsterand Mickey Mouse Clubhouse have all seen ratings growth. Since the launch of Sofia the Firstin March, it has become Disney Junior’s top rated series (for both individuals 4+ and kids aged four to 15), and attracted over 4.6 million viewers aged 4+ between July and September 2013. Jake and the Never
Land Pirateswas the top contributing show on Disney Junior, watched by over five million viewers aged 4+, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouseattracted 4.6 million viewers aged 4+.
The popularity of the
shows is also being reflected across the respective digital sites. Jake’s World and Sofia’s
World have both played a significant role in the strong growth of
Disneyjunior.co.uk, which saw its average monthly unique visitors increase by over 16 per cent year on year.
In addition, the Disney Junior UK Facebook page has hit the 100,000 fan mark, making it the number one Facebook page among UK pre- school channels. Meanwhile, at retail
level, the Doc McStuffins range has become the fastest selling new
property to date at the Disney Store in 2013. Cross category
expansion is planned for Doc McStuffins, Sofia the Firstand Jake and the Never Land Pirates across autumn/winter 2013, while spring/summer 2014 will see licensed products arrive for Henry Hugglemonster. “The success of shows such as Sofia the First, and the demand for product and digital experiences across multiple platforms demonstrate the affect Disney Junior has on both children and their parents.” said Boel Ferguson, VP and general manager, Disney Channels and Interactive, UK & Ireland.
DCP: 020 8222 1000
LEGO Duplo teams up with Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Firm will be branding the Santa Express at the festive event Hyde Park Winter
LEGO DUPLO will be sponsoring the Santa Express at this year’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. The Christmas destination runs from November 22nd to January 5th, 2014, with LEGO’s sponsorship including full and exclusive Duplo branding of the Santa Express, and gifting to Santa’s many little visitors. “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Santa Express and adding some LEGO Duplo magic to what is one of the biggest
44 November
family events of the year,” said Genelle Holton, brand manager at LEGO Duplo. “This is a really exciting
project for the brand and we are looking forward to engaging with consumers at this festive time.”
Wonderland was launched in 2007 and has attracted over 12 million visitors since then, including a number of celebrity fans. LEGO Duplo: 01753 495000
www.toynews-online.biz
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