CHRISTMAS SNEAK PEEK
From mitts to toys, check out the gifts that children will receive in their Santa Fund box this year,
From mittens to books, we take a peek at what 45,000 GTA children will find beneath the tree this Christmas thanks to the generosity of Star readers
Toys (1)
It’s the toy that really brings the joy to a child. So, in each box there’s an age-appropriate gift that will likely elicit the most delight: parrot and frog rattles for the youngest; plastic bowling sets, Play-Doh and paintable dinosaurs for the school-aged; and puzzles and board games for preteens.
Toothbrush & Paste (2)
There’s no swiping, but maybe some wiping . . . of teeth, anyway, with Dora/Diego toothbrushes packed in boxes for children 4 to 8. Older kids who have long abandoned the adventures of the animated explorers get a sensible Max-Fresh toothbrush, and all receive additional cavity prevention in the form of yummy-flavoured toothpaste.
Outdoor Wear (3)
It’s December and we’re Canadians, so a toque is a must-have. Every child receives a hat. Gloves go to bigger hands and mittens to smaller ones, including thumbless polar fleece mitts for 1-year-olds, just in case said thumbs need to access a comforting mouth.
Clothing (4)
Socks probably aren’t at the top of a wee one’s Christmas list, but the adults in a child’s life will likely be thrilled to find a matching pair in each box. Plus there’s a tracksuit for each child aged 1 to 4 and sweatshirts sporting everything from sea creatures to Lego for the rest. Babies get their own five-piece outfit complete with booties.
Book (5)
A gift of reading is in every box. Kids 10 to 12 might unravel a Robyn Hunter or The 39 Clues
mystery, while Eric Walters’ Tiger series or a Geronimo Stilton adventure promise to lure 8- and 9-year-olds away from their
screens. There’s Surprising Swimmers (age 7), Fly Guy (age 6) and Tales of the Time Dragon (age 5), and the irrepressible Jillian Jiggs will entertain 4-year-olds. The younger set will find books starring bunnies or ducks. And infants, who are generally too busy eating and pooping to read, instead receive a plastic feeding bowl, bib and quilted change pad.
Candy (6)
What’s Christmas without something sweet? Children between 4 and 12 years of age receive a bag of Gummy Zone candies, while little ones can gnaw on Marie digestive biscuits.