Or just an incredibly savvy marketer? Is there a difference?
Amazon has done a mass mailing (TO CURRENT OCCUPANT) of a catalog of kids' toys. It includes stickers ("Stickers!" Josie shrieked and proceeded to stick them all over a table from whence I had later to scrape them with my fingernails,) and games, and a story, and masks to punch out--all very appealing to kids. Josie was all over the catalog the minute Grumpy brought in the mail. " Grandma got one of these too. Now I need a marker so I can circle the things I want for Christmas."
I can remember as a child spending long hours with catalogues from Best and Co, and FAO Schwarz--I probably circled things too. I know the feeling. But I had to explain to Josie that just because she circled something didn't mean it was sure to be under the Christmas tree. I'm not sure she was listening as she flipped pages, circling like mad.
The thing is, Amazon has been incredibly useful to us during Covid and will continue to be so as we grow older and less inclined to go shopping. Actually, it's been a very long time since I enjoyed the thrill of the retail hunt. The toy shop I used to patronize in Asheville closed a few years ago and Amazon has taken up the slack.
Josie has some interesting choices--weaponry . . .
A play kitchen . . . some stuffed animals . . . way too many Barbies and Barbie lookalikes (I really dislike Barbie and her ilk). . . lots of plastic tchotchkes . . . and, as they say many, many more.
I'll probably order a few of her choices--the realistic fox plushie is pretty adorable and there's a nice doll that looks like a little girl instead of a hooker. And maybe the sword that lights up.
But the electronic drum kit is a non-starter. Perhaps her other grandparents will come through.