Blog @ MoreWhat.com

It is or was that time of year again. Some of us are past the annual stress, frenzy or sheer annoyance that comes with the marketing side of what is supposed to be a religious celebration. This is certainly not the first nor the last commentary on the commercial significance of Christmas. But while there are plenty of examples pointing out the insanity of the consuming public attempting to satisfy the insatiable appetite for retail profit, one more can’t hurt since nothing has minimized the chaotic practice.Some of the reports about Webkinz this Christmas provide a typical example of the annual phenomena. The first reference is a brief commentary by someone trying to elevate the shopping ideal. It brings to mind the deer in the headlights hypnosis.

Webkinz pets teach children valuable lessons for life
Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY - Dec 22, 2007
I would like to put a good word in for Webkinz world. I am an ardent fan of Elizabeth Cohen’s and have a granddaughter her daughter’s age. …

Nothing wrong with kids getting lost in the Santa thing. If you had a positive experience with Christmas in your youth when the world still offered the intoxicating effect of fantasy as real and the wondrous event of an uncommonly attired visitor bestowing gifts on you then you may have memories that allow you to recall the feeling of magic. That can’t be all bad.

Santa popular at the post office
MLive.com, MI - 2 hours ago
Some want Hannah Montana dolls, Webkinz or Nintendo Wiis. Others strike a humorous chord. Natalie, age 4, wants “a noisy toothbrush so I can wake up my …The last time this blogger was in search of and questioning the wisdom of gift searches for children was during the eighties and the Cabbage Patch craze. After appearing to have soothed the youngster into accepting in advance the possibility of Santa missing the mark, a friend acquired the highly sought after product and a deal was struck at normal pricing which I enhanced to honor the effort and sentiment. A year later the subject of the frenzy was all but forgotten but looked upon favorably by the gift’s recipient. A lesson perhaps of the temporary satisfaction these objects provide.

The remaining reports like the earlier ones are rather self-explanatory and speak to the unequal attention given to various aspects of the holiday season.

Sooner or later, Webkinz gets us all
St. Petersburg Times, FL - Dec 21, 2007
Oh, but these toys called Webkinz are seductive creatures. They’re affordable and diabetic coma-inducing cute, soft and sweet-faced Basset Hounds, …

Toys with a Second Life
BusinessWeek - Dec 21, 2007
By Brian Hindo Webkinz are the hottest things in toyland—and competitors have noticed. The little plush animals come with codes that activate an online …

Danogo.com Blogzine Issue 4 ‘Be Creative, Have Fun and Make Money …
PR.com (press release), NY - 10 hours ago
Popular articles in previous issues have included an item that points out how Web 2.0 is being used on sites for Kids as well - ‘How to Use Webkinz World: A …

Retailers scramble to appease shoppers
Lake City Reporter, FL - Dec 23, 2007
“Our new item, the Webkinz, are little stuffed animals that are very popular with children and adults,” Frampton said. “Each stuffed animal comes with a …

Webkinz gets flak for advertising to kids
Globe and Mail, Canada - Dec 14, 2007
When it comes to virtual-world style social networks for young kids, there are two big players: Webkinz and Club Penguin, the latter of which was bought by …

Family Experiences Problem Interacting With Webkinz Online
WRAL.com, NC - Dec 19, 2007
A less expensive option is Webkinz. They are stuffed toys that cost anywhere from $15 to $30. Each pet comes with its own individual code used to sign up on …