Christmas. The very word conjures up images of stockings, trees, twinkling lights and, of course, toys.
As local residents begin their own toy-shopping in anticipation of the big day, organizers with the Burnaby Christmas Bureau are hoping that some of them will pick up an extra toy or two to help fill the shelves in their toy room.
"This is really the beginning of the toy collection for us," said Stephen D'Souza, executive director at the bureau.
The program, this year operating out of a temporary location in Metropolis at Metrotown, provides food and toys for low-income families in Burnaby at Christmas time.
Some families who register with the bureau are matched directly with a sponsor who provides a personalized hamper of gifts, but many families rely on the toy room for Christmas gifts for their children.
"It really makes a big difference for them to be able to come in and look around and find something for their child," said D'Souza.
The bureau tends to see more toy donations in certain age ranges, particularly from about age 3 up to 10 and 11. But many years they've had a shortage of gifts for babies, toddlers and teens.
"Especially teens, people don't think of teens as much when they're buying gifts. But we need to reach out to our youth and make sure that they're feeling included and that they have some great memories for Christmas."
The bureau has compiled a list of possible toy donation ideas by age:
Birth to 12 months
- Teething toys
- Age appropriate developmental toys (i.e. Fisher Price, Playskool, Little Tykes, Leap Frog, etc.)
- Gates
- Musical toys
- Play mats
- Bath toys
12 to 24 months
- Age appropriate developmental toys (i.e. Fisher Price, Playskool, Little Tykes, Leap Frog, etc.)
- Ride on toys
- Push toys
- Dolls
- Large trucks
- Duplo or Mega Blocks (large size)
- Musical toys
- Bath toys
2 years
- Age appropriate developmental toys (i.e. Fisher Price, Playskool, Little Tykes, Leap Frog, etc.)
- Dolls
- Trikes and helmet
- Doll stroller
- Duplo or Mega Blocks sets (large size)
- Bath toys
- Large trucks and cars
- Little People sets
3 to 4 years
- Large trucks
- Easy crafts
- Easy board games
- Dolls
- Stroller for dolls
- Car sets
- Lego sets
- Thomas the Train sets
- Electronic learning games
- Scooters with helmets
- Playhouse items
- Little people sets
- Trikes with helmets
- Action figures
- Plastic tea party sets
- Pet shop toys
- Princess toys
- Barbie and Barbie accessories
5 to 7 years
- Transformers
- Trucks and cars
- Hot Wheels sets
- Lego sets
- Electronic learning games
- Board games
- Crafts
- Dolls
- Barbie and Barbie accessories
- Princess toys
- BeyBlade
- Bakugan
8 to 10 years
- Transformers
- Lego sets
- Board games
- Crafts
- Easy bake ovens
- Sports balls
- Current DVD's
- Skateboards and helmet
- Remote control cars and batteries
- BeyBlade
- Bakugan
11 to 12 years
- Board games
- Lego sets
- Remote control cars and batteries
- Sports balls
- Street hockey equipment
- Crafts
- Current DVD's
- Gift cards for teen clothing stores and music
- Mp3 players / simple stereos
- Skateboard and helmets
13 to 16 years
- Board games
- Remote control cars and batteries
- Sports balls
- Street hockey equipment
- Skateboard and helmets
- Current DVD's
- Mp3 players
- Simple stereos
- Gift cards for clothing stores, music, and movies
- Make-up
- Blow dryers or hair straighteners
- Complex crafts
- Watches
- Jewellery
See also Burnaby Christmas Bureau: Up close and personal
