Today the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, NY has just announced three new inductees, the Big Wheel, the Game Boy and...(drumroll please) the ball.

The ball? Sounds wacky, but sure! The ball is an all-time favorite. It's been around almost as long as there have been children to toss it, kick it or whack it with a stick, which was inducted last year. (Honest!)

At a special event today, the ball, the Big Wheel and the Game Boy were unveiled, and they take their places among other classics like Barbie, Slinky and Silly Putty.

Can you picture the ball watching the unveiling year after year, wondering when its time would come? The Susan Lucci of toys is sitting there thinking, "The stick? Seriously? The stick got in before the BALL?"

Now all is right with the world.

Photo © National Toy Hall of Fame

One of my family's favorite Christmas traditions is going to the city, be it New York, Chicago, San Francisco or any other major metropolis, to look at the stores' holiday displays. They really kick off the Christmas shopping season in style, with glitz and glamor and holiday fantasy, and window shopping is free!

American Girl doll lovers who are fortunate enough to be in New York tomorrow (Friday, November 6) should visit American Girl Place where, at 3:30 p.m. the curtains go up on the store's special Christmas windows. The address is 609 Fifth Avenue. The event is free open to the public and I understand that there will be treats.

The picture is of last year's beautiful Christmas window at American Girl Place.

What makes you feel like it's really Christmas time?

Photo © American Girl Place

In the days following Halloween, many retailers drastically cut prices on costumes. I took this opportunity to stock up our dress-up box for 50 per cent less than I would have had to spend last week. Here are a few suggestions for post-Halloween costume-buying strategies.

• Look for costumes that come complete with accessories like a hat, a shield or fairy wings. They can be mixed and matched for longer play value.
• Be prepared to rummage for the good stuff. Displays aren't in the best shape after the rush.
• Fit isn't really important in most costumes. Buy a size larger so they'll last longer.
• Keep the new toys hidden away until you really need them, like on a snow day.
• Get a couple of adult-sized costumes so you can join in the fun.
• Let friends and family know you're starting a box so they don't throw away that charming, flowered hat.
• Use the pictures on the package to decorate your box.
• Visit Halloween stores now. Some are already closed and moving on, but some have great deals.

Some children can plan ahead to next year's Halloween. Not mine. It was down to the wire when they decided what they'd be this year. In that case, costumes can also make fantastic Christmas gifts!

I love toys that use cutting-edge technology in fun and innovative ways, and this Christmas there are two really clever new games that are powered by EEG waves (and lots of batteries!)

Mindflex from Mattel and the Jedi Force Trainer from Uncle Milton both come with funky-looking headsets. Just put it on and make sure that the contact points are touching the skin, then you simply stare at a little ball until it levitates! A fan's motor accelerates and decelerates as you concentrate.

The big question is, "Do they work?" The answer is, "YES!"

Both games are easy to use, but one is more fun than the other. Read my review to find out which one will have your family playing mind games for hours.

Now, if I could just get all the clocks to change by staring at them. That would be a feat!

Photo © Uncle Milton