Hape Announces an Exclusive contest for ASTRA Retailers to Win a Trip to China

Hape North America, a leading worldwide toy manufacturer, has announced a contest for ASTRA retailers to win a trip of a lifetime to China. Hape will select one ASTRA retailer to join them on an all-expenses paid trip for two to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai and their production facility and bamboo conservancy in Ningbo. Winners will visit Hape's state-of-the-art manufacturing campus, which produced over 8.6 million toys in 2011.

For a chance to win the trip, ASTRA retailers must submit a photo of their best four-foot section of Hape merchandised product to marketing@hapetoys.com by May 15, 2012. One lucky retailer will win and be announced at Hape's booth (216) during the Cocktail Reception on Monday, June 11th at ASTRA Marketplace in Baltimore.

Winners of the contest will not only get the chance to see how Hape produces their award- winning product and experience a bamboo forest; they will also experience the trip of a lifetime. The prize includes transportation, lodging at five-star hotels and meals for the duration of the visit to China.

CPSC Changes Lead Limitations in Ride-On Vehicle Parts

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) granted the first-ever exception to the standard 100 parts per million (ppm) lead content limit that was currently under the CPSC's Improvement ACT (CPSIA) for certain die-cast, ride-on pedal tractors and similar toys made of aluminum alloy.

As of April 5, 2012, aluminum alloy components, used in toys for children 3 years and older, must meet a 300 ppm lead standard. The decision by the CPSC comes in response to a petition submitted last September by toy die-cast vehicle makers, Ertl, regarding the alloy castings used in their ride-on tractors.

The CPSC outlined its decision to grant the exception. The new standard takes into account the functionality of toys produced under the previous limitations, whether it's technologically feasible to manufacture products that meet the 100 ppm standard and the fact that children will likely never put these items in their mouth leaving little adverse effect on public health or safety if there is a higher ppm, including the blood lead levels in a child.

Adding New Technological Eyes & Ears To Help Reduce SIDS Deaths

In recent years the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has been reducing, but it is still the leading cause of death for babies in their first year of life. But now a unique new technology from Snuza is adding a set of eyes and ears to an infant's bedroom and crib to help reduce the risk of SIDS related tragedies.

The original Snuza Halo has always monitored the baby's movement by clipping, not to the crib mattress, but gently to the baby's diaper near the stomach. Now with the new Snuza Trio, parents get technologically advanced movement monitoring, audio and video all in one unit. The Snuza Trio includes the original Halo device, an effective night vision camera that can be aimed into the crib and a built-in two-way microphone to record sounds of the baby and the Halo alarm should it go off. The Snuza Trio audio-video monitor sports a 2.3-inch LCD screen that is functional to a range of 450 feet from the camera and the crib. It even includes three lullaby tunes that can be used to help soothe the baby to sleep as it is monitoring.

Hop Introduces Removable Wall Decals

Skip Hop, Inc., a New York City company devoted to designing innovative products for today's families, today announced the introduction of Wall Decals. Skip Hop's new removable and reusable wall decals are easy to apply, without damaging paint or leaving behind a sticky residue. They feature Skip Hop's popular Alphabet Zoo and Treetop Friends designs and coordinate with the Alphabet Zoo and Treetop Friends bedding and toy collections.

TREETOP FRIENDS: Baby's wall décor branches out! Create a nature scene with a full tree design, or use the branches, leaves and woodland friends to accent different parts of baby's room. Easy to apply, these decals provide an ever-changing forest scene for the littlest nature lover.

ALPHABET ZOO: These fun and educational decals have heaps of animal charm! Create a colorful ABC border for baby's room, or use them to spell her name. The decals, including extra sheets of letters and additional vowels, can be rearranged as often as you like.

CBME 2012 Expands Three Additional Halls to Meet Industry Demand

UBM China, organizers of the Child-Baby-Maternity Industry Expo (CBME), Asia's largest and the world's second largest international industry expo dedicated to serving the entire supply chain of child, baby, and maternity goods, has announced the expansion of three additional halls for the 2012 fair to accommodate growing industry and participant demand.

Now in its 12th year, CBME expands its Food & Health Products and Maternity & Baby sectors within the new halls for a total of 10 halls across 115,840 square meters compared to seven halls from the 2011 edition, making the industrial show the largest in Asia. CBME 2012 will host over 1,200 exhibitors and 1,900 brands from across the world including Aprica, AVENT, Britax, Chicco, Combi, Disney, GRACO, joovy, MAM, MAXI-COSI, medela, mothercare, NUK, Nuby, OKBABY, Pigeon, Peg-Perego and many more covering a range of maternity, baby and children products from healthcare products to food, strollers and toys, clothing and accessories and services.

According to domestic market surveys, the local baby products industry has increased to RMB240 billion in 2010 and expects a 15% annual increase for the next five years. CBME 2012 taking place from18-20 July at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai China, will serve as the essential forum for buyers, sellers and professionals interested in capitalizing on this expanding industry

In an effort to create a complete sourcing experience for buyers catering to different requirements, CBME 2012 plans to provide more onsite communication programs and business opportunities for overseas buyers and local companies. Online pre-registration and more details of VIP services are available on CBME's website.

My Pet Blankie Preps for Official Launch at the 2012 New York TIA Toy Fair

The design and manufacturing company, FFD Designs, that has brought FouFou Dog™ and Love Your Breed™ products to the Pet & Gift Industry, is ready to officially launch their newest product, My Pet Blankie.

My Pet Blankie is a new and innovative roll-up plush blanket that transforms into a cute plush toy; huggable and lovable for infants and children of all ages. When unrolled, the blanket is made of hypoallergenic, snuggly soft, fleecy material that is completely machine-washable and stuffing free. This 2-in-1 blanket and plush toy is perfect for gifts, traveling and is ideal for pets too.

HOT PRODUCTS:
Little Buddy Wipes Makes Cleaning Cuts Easy and Painless
These 32 count antibacterial wipes are for cleaning all kinds of owies and everything in-between from Me4Kidz. They are great for on the go; cleaning hands, dirty face and scrapes too and have a fresh cucumber and tea tree scent that kids like. Kills 99% of germs without the sting and free of alcohol.

Little Baker's NuWave L'ovenware Baking Set Gets Kids in the Kitchen
The new Little Baker's L'ovenware Baking Sets from NuWave is a colorful and fun way to get kids in the kitchen and interested in cooking. This Colorful 15-piece baking set includes 9 silicone baking molds in fun shapes including a butterfly, teddy bear, star, tree, bunny, heart and more, Silicone Brush, Little Spoon, Silicone Little Spatula, Silicone Little Flipper, Silicone Little Mitt, Little Baker's Bag. The tools are perfectly sized for kids' hands and the nonstick silicone baking molds are easy to clean up. All of the items are dishwasher safe, (except Little Baker's Bag) and oven-safe to 500 degrees F. Little Baker's L'ovenware Baking Book is included and it is all just $19.99.

Cookies Boost Breast Milk Supply, Deliciously
Lactation cookies from milkmakers are an easy, delicious and nutritious way to boost milk supply. Baked into each milkmakers lactation cookie are oats, brewer's yeast, and flax seed – traditional remedies used to help increase breast milk production. Semi-sweet chocolate or raisins add the perfect touch of sweetness to every bite. Milkmakers cookies have all natural (and organic) ingredients - they are delicious and nutritious and they boost milk supply! Key ingredients in milkmakers cookies include oats, brewer's yeast and flax seed.

March's Digital Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

Welcome to March's digital issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine.


This Month's Featured Content:
• Catch The Spirit
• HomeFashion Combining Colors
• Finishing Touches

• Wall Decor
• Flower Power
• Top It Off
• Elegant Gifts

• Gourmet Gifts

• Grilling & Chilling
• Calendar
• And More...

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We hope you enjoy this issue and all future digital issues of GGD. Feel free to contact us with your thoughts and feedback at gwnplus@talcott.com.

Sincerely,
The GGD Team