Toy Review – Smencils

If you are looking for the most environmentally friendly pencil out there, look no further than Smencils.  Smencils are scented pencils made from 100% recycled material.  Smencils are not wood, they are made of recycled paper.  Sheets of newspaper are rolled tightly around the writing cores until pencils of typical thickness are formed.  Then, each one is put into its own corn-based biodegradable Freshness Tube.


Now beyond the environmental soundness of the Smencil and the recycling wonder that is the Smencil, there is the coolness that is the Smencil.  They truly do smell great!  And, the smell lasts for 2 years!  Do I have my favorite smell?  No, I have several.  I am a big fan of the Cinnamon, Orange and Root Beer.  I also adore the Christmas scents that we carry – they remind me of family and the holidays.  I think Sugar Plum really does smell like a sugar plum, but I don’t know if I have ever smelled a sugar plum and so I will have to take their word for it.  Maybe that is something I should try and figure out this Christmas.


Smencils come in regular #2 graphite or in various colors.  I find that they work just as well, if not better than a “real” pencil.  They sharpen just fine.  But, instead of your hand smelling like a Ticonderoga, it smells like Cotton Candy or Grape or Bubble Gum.  Fun!

Post Christmas Sale

Well, Christmas is over, which is kind of sad.  They stopped playing non-stop Christmas music on the radio.  *sigh*  Anyway, the good news is that all of our Christmas toys and goodies are on sale at 40% off!  You should check it out!  Seriously.

We are going to be all busy, getting ready for the new year.  If you are local, you can come by and check out our Clearance section.  If you are online, you can see what new stuff pops up in our online Clearance Section.  Cool; it is like paralled universes.

Black Friday? Maybe Red and Green!

Well Black Friday came and went, and it was so much fun.  Yes, it was a bit of work, too.  But, Black Friday at Town Square Toys wasn't like Black Friday is at other stores - from what I hear.  Customers were pleasant and genial all the day long.  We heard great stories of shopping experiences that started at midnight and others that started at all hours of the morning.  We were, of course, not open until 8AM and so we didn't have any of that insanity. 

But, as I sit here and ponder the name, Black Friday, I am thinking that it is not truly apropos, at least for Town Square Toys.  I mean, Christmas was in full effect so it could have just as easily been called Red and Green Friday.  Watching the sky turn beautiful colors as the sun set might tempt one to call it a Golden Friday or a Pink Friday.  Once we plugged in our Christmas lights around the store, it could be called a White Friday.  I am sure, if I continued, that I could come up with other colors as well, but I won't.  Let's just say it was a very Happy Friday.  (I am not sure what color "Happy" is; maybe it is a combination of colors - maybe plaid?  Nah!)

Only 30 days until Christmas!

Christmas Music

I have to say that I look forward to this day every year; our local radio station, 103.7 KVIL begins playing Christmas music during the holiday season - it began today. Now people have strong opinions as to when Christmas music needs to begin. Some say now is too soon and others say it is never too soon. Personally, my Pandora station has been cranking out the old Yuletide tunes for the last few months.

I love Christmas for so many reasons. The main reason, of course, is the birth of Christ, the Lord and Saviour of the world. But, I also love Christmas for all of the memories and happy times in recalls to me. I love the thoughts of snow filled lanes, branches glazed with ice, warm fireplaces, hot cocoa, warm cider, ribbon candy, candy canes, bundled up children playing until their cheeks are red, coffee brewing and Grandma and Grandpa's house, etc. You get the idea. The whole time of year is wonderful.

Now, it is taking on a whole new meaning with our toy store. I joke about helping to make Christmas dreams come true, with Town Square Toys, but we get to see it when the little kids wander around our store in wonderment, finding the toys that they just "have to have" for Christmas. I love hearing parents say, "I'll be back, alone," to get this or that. It is great. We have always had a hand in Christmas wishes online, but it is a true joy to see the little faces and happy smiles.

Only 40 days until Christmas!