Did you notice that Christmas promotions were in full swing the minute
that the clock struck 12 on Halloween night? For those of us who have
to shop for children this year, I say, “thank God the annual toy report
is here!”
The Canadian Toy Testing Council, the leading authority on toys in
Canada, has announced the top toys and books for this year. More than
1,000 kids, ages three months to 16 years, test toys for the council on
Read Also
Ask tough questions to determine if business still works
Across the country, a hard conversation is unfolding. Many producers are starting to ask a tougher question: can we keep doing this the way we always have?
an ongoing basis.
The 2003 children’s choice award winners are:
- Baby Annabell with Sweet Dreams Set, Model #785764/785744, Zapf
Creation (US) Inc., ages three and up, $65-$35.
- Beyblade Top, Model #76930/82539, Hasbro Canada, Inc., ages eight and
up, $10-$30.
- Cranium Cadoo, ISBN #1-893028-04-6, Cranium Inc., ages seven and up,
$25-$30.
- Crayola Window Writers, Brite and Pastel, Model #63652/97000/98000),
Binney and Smith, ages three and up, $5-$10.
- Fisher-Price Little People Fun Sounds Train, Model #77999, Mattel
Inc., ages one to three, $35-$40.
- Groovy Girls Lush Loft, Model #101340, and Groovy Girl line
accessories, Manhattan Toy, ages three and up, $15-$150.
- Handmade Cards, ISBN #1-57054-9508, Klutz, ages 12+, $35-$40.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Hogwarts Castle, Model #4709,
Lego Systems, Inc., ages eight to 12, $90-$95.
- NHL Ice F/X, Model #ICE FX-2001, Mad Hatter’s Toy & Game Factory,
ages eight and up, $259-$265.
- Theatre Stories, Model #3615, Lego Systems, Inc., ages three and up,
$35-$40.
For complete information, go to www.toy-testing.org or contact the
council at 613-228-3155.
Consumer tips
Recently, I had some readers express concern over the fraudulent
business practices that may be taking place. There are so many
door-to-door sellers and phone solicitors at this time of year.
First of all, walk away from offers that sound too good to be true.
They usually are. When you see or hear the following, toss out the mail
or hang up the phone:
- Sign now or the price will increase.
- All we need is your credit card or bank account number for
identification only.
- All you pay for is postage, handling, taxes.
- Make money in your spare time, guaranteed income.
- Be your own boss. Never work for anyone else again. Just send in $50
for your supplies.
- Your special claim number entitles you to join our sweepstakes.
Stay away from fraudulent business people who want to do the following:
- Send a courier for your money.
- Have you send money by wire.
- Automatically withdraw money from your chequing account.
- Offer you a free prize, but charge you handling and shipping fees.
- Ask for your credit card number, chequing or savings account number,
social insurance number or other personal information.
- Have you join a pyramid or multilevel sales scheme.
Be cautious about charitable organizations you do not know by
experience or reputation. Ask questions about how your money will be
used, where the charity operates, the address and telephone number of
the charity or the fundraising office. Don’t be pressured to make a
donation.
Most importantly, do not allow yourself to be separated from your
money. To report telemarketing calls, get in touch with PhoneBusters at
888-495-8501. PhoneBusters is the national deceptive telemarketing call
centre operated by the Ontario Provincial Police and supported by
industry and government partners.
You can also learn about consumer scams and find advice on how to deal
with them at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams/ecbweb.htm or call the national
consumer protection branch at 800-328-6189, your local RCMP, or your
provincial consumer protection agency. Look in the government pages of
your phone book.
Teasers
In the Oct. 31 issue of The Western Producer, we announced a cookbook
draw. I am happy to share these teaser recipes, one from each of the
cookbooks being drawn. Don’t forget to send in your name and address to
the paper for the draw at the end of November.
Eggnog candy bread
From Company’s Coming Home for the Holidays by Jean Paré.
1/3 cup vegetable oil 75 mL
2 large eggs
2/3 cup granulated sugar 150 mL
2 teaspoons rum flavouring 10 mL
1 teaspoon vanilla 5 mL
1 cup eggnog 250 mL
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 550 mL
2 teaspoons baking soda 10 mL
1/2 teaspoon salt 2 mL
2 rolls of butter rum
flavoured Lifesavers candy
Beat first six ingredients together in a large bowl. Add flour, baking
powder and salt. Stir until just moistened.
Put unwrapped hard candies into a resealable plastic bag. Seal and
pound until candies are broken into small pieces. Reserve about a
quarter of the candy pieces and add the rest to the batter. Stir
gently. Turn into a greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch (22 x 12 x 7 cm) loaf pan.
Sprinkle reserved candy over top. Bake in 350 F (180 C) oven for 50 to
55 minutes until wooden pick inserted in centre comes out clean. Let
stand in pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Cut
into 18 slices.
Slow cooker winter cocktail
A beverage hit from the Atco Blue Flame Kitchen Holiday Cookbook.
1 bottle cranberry- 1.89 L
raspberry cocktail
3 cups orange juice 750 mL
1/2 cup brandy, optional 125 mL
1/3 cup lemon juice 75 mL
1/4 cup sugar 50 mL
2 cinnamon sticks, broken
12 whole cloves
Combine cranberry-raspberry cocktail, orange juice, brandy, lemon juice
and sugar in a slow cooker. Place cinnamon sticks and cloves in a large
tea ball or cheesecloth bag, then add to juice mixture. Cover and cook
on high heat setting for 21/2 to three hours. Remove tea ball before
serving. Serves up to 10.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of
four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care
of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4.
