38 | NOVEMBER 11 • 2021 

GIFT GUIDE

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puzzles, games or science 
projects, items that everyone 
can get involved with are in 
high demand. 
“There’s a lot more 
multi-generational play than 
there ever was,
” she says. 
“Now people are starting to 
get together with small groups 
of friends, but it’s still kids and 
parents doing things together.
”
The pandemic has also 
resulted in more people 
choosing to shop the store 
online, over FaceTime, by 
phone or by appointment 
before the store opens. 
They’re picking up curbside, 
using delivery and shipping in 
higher numbers as well, Klar 
says. 
Any which way, her 
employees are ready to help. 
They’re trained to ask ques-
tions that will guide shoppers 
to the gifts that will make kids 
smile, she says.
“When someone comes 
into the store, our first ques-

tion is ‘how old is the child 
and what are their interests?’” 
she explains. “We’ll show 
them some things, and if it 
doesn’t hit, we’ll keep asking 
about the child, and all of a 
sudden, something will click.
” 
Seeing parents and grand-
parents leave excited about 
the gifts they’re giving is part 
of the fun, she adds.
Meanwhile, it’s not easy to 
find employees. Like stores 
across the nation, Toyology 
is currently short-staffed and 
might be all holiday season, 
she says. Her employees are 
working hard, but to mini-
mize wait times, she recom-
mends going at odd hours 
and shopping earlier in the 
day if possible. 
Chanukah starts at the end 
of Thanksgiving weekend, 
with the first candle to be lit 
on Sunday, Nov. 28. The hol-
iday runs through sundown, 
Dec. 6. “Shop now,
” says Klar. 
“It’s not too early.
” 

Ages 6+: Forensic Science kit: “I love the new foren-
sic science kit for older kids.” Also check out: Ugears , 
African dwarf frog biosphere and Air forts.

African dwarf 
frog biosphere

Ugears

Air forts

LET FOLK CURATE 
YOUR HOLIDAYS

CATERING, WINE, GIFT BOXES, AND MORE!

HOLIDAY PROV ISIONS

• Cheese Boards 
• Gift Boxes 
• Champagne & Wine 

• Catering 
• Candles
• Chocolates

HOLIDAY POP UPS

SOMERSET COLLECTION, TROY | Beginning 11/15

RUSTBELT MARKET, FERNDALE | 12/14–12/24

 1701 Trumbull | FolkDetroit.com

