THE only Parent focused HOLIDAY Toy Summit!
Stop Guessing Which Toys Your Kids
Will Actually Play With
Join the FREE HoliPlay Summit and get a plan for choosing holiday toys
without the January regret
ONLINE: November 5-7, 2025 from 10 aM to 4 pm ET
FREE replay RECORDINGS TO WATCH for 24 Hours
Too many toy guides. Not enough toy guidance.
Tired of drowning in gift guides while your toy budget explodes?
While everyone else is pushing hot holiday toys, we're bringing together toy industry insiders and parenting pros to help you make sense of what is hot (and what's really not), how to shop, how to buy, how to use toys and navigate your kiddo's toy wishlist.
Remember last year when you spent $80 on that toy everyone raved about and your kid played with it once?
Or when you stood in the toy aisle for twenty minutes, phone in hand googling reviews, still not sure if you were making the right choice?
This year, you've already scrolled through fifteen gift guides this week. Your Amazon cart is full of maybes, and your kids want everything they see on social media.
You just want to know what should you buy on Black Friday.
That's why the HoliPlay Summit is here.
You're getting direct access to the people who design toys, the journalists who cover the industry, experts who specialize in neurodivergent play and inclusive toys, educators, authors, even Shark Tank contestants....and they are also parents
Over 100 years of combined toy (and parenting) expertise—all for you, for free.
They're usually behind closed doors advising companies or charging thousands for their expertise.
For three days, they're yours.
Answering every question you've been googling for the past three weeks, so you can finally make the right call for YOUR kid.
Even if you watch just one free session, you'll stop wasting money on things that sit in the corner. You'll stop second-guessing yourself at checkout. And your kid? They'll play for real. Not the kind where they ask for a screen five minutes in.
Tired of drowning in gift guideswhile your toy budget explodes?
While everyone else is pushing holiday hot lists, we're bringing together toy industry insiders and parenting pros to tackle ALL the parenting holiday headaches: toy overload, budget stress, and those impossible kid wishlists.
Because between rising prices, toys kids barely touch, and carrying the entire holiday on your shoulders, the season starts to feel more like survival mode than celebration.
That’s why we created the HoliPlay Summit.
To help you guide your kids toward meaningful toys that won’t just add to the 238 they already own and ignore—plus navigate all the other chaos that comes with toys AND the holiday season.
You'll hear from toy experts, money experts, motivational experts and real parents who get it. The people who can help you navigate everything from choosing toys that actually get played with to managing family drama.
Gift guides and social media feeds are basically just:
"Buy this!"
"And this!"
"Oh, and your kid NEEDS this!"
Meanwhile, you're left thinking?
"It is worth wrapping?"
"Is it worth the effort to go buy it?"
"Will they even play with it?"
The HoliPlay Summit is about toys and play, but...
Here's what we ALSO know:
Play doesn't happen in a vacuum.
While we have toy experts sharing why different types of play matter, we also have adjacent experts to remove the barriers that stop play from happening.
The overwhelm.
The chaos.
The exhaustion.
The disorganization.
All the real-life stuff that gets in the way of play.
Toys are a huge part of the holidays, but they're connected to EVERYTHING else—the meals, the budget, the behavior, the organization, the family dynamics.
And we need help with ALL of it.
The ANti-Gift Guide Summit
You'll find the right toy for your child at this Summit
YOU'LL GET THE best advice for:
Telling the difference between a toy your child wants (and one they’ll actually use)
Figuring out which toys hold kids’ attention (and which lose it after two days)
Stretching your toy budget without skimping on fun
What to do before new toys arrive to make space, physically and mentally
Creating a holiday plan that doesn't require January recovery mode.
Meet the Experts
Toy Trends and Industry Insights
The Smart Mom’s 10-for-10 Toy List: Buy It Once, Love It for Years
Charlene DeLoach
What’s On Every Toy Expert’s List This Year So You Don’t Waste Money on Toys Kids Ditch by New Year’s
Charlene DeLoach
What’s Hot & What’s Next in Toys Because Knowing Early Means You’ll Actually Get the Toy Before It Sells Out
Maddie Michalik
Decoding Trends in This Generation So You Finally Understand Why Your Kid Loves What You Don’t Get
Annabelle Canela
Crazy for Collectibles So You Can Tell the Difference Between a Short-Lived Fad and a Forever Favorite
Debbie Zelasny
The Holiday AI Assistant Because Your Kids Love Making Wishlists, and You’ll Love Not Doing the Research
Brittany Long
What Marketers Know About Your Wallet So You Don’t Fall for the Traps That Make Parents Overspend Every Year
Maria Bailey
Inside the Toy Industry: Straight Talk from the Experts Who See It All (and Sometimes Wish they Didn't)
Summit
Roundtable
Choosing and Using Toys That Truly Work
Finding the Right Toys for the Way Your Child Plays So You Can Finally Stop Saying “They Don’t Play With Anything”
Courtney Peebles
Choosing Games That Actually Get Played So Family Night Feels Fun, Not Forced
Destiny Paquette
Toys That Actually Work for Neurodiverse Kids So Every Child Feels Included at Playtime
Christina Collura
How Toys Build Lifelong Skills So You Can Feel Good Knowing Playtime Is Practice For College
Melissa Brock
The Toy Travel System That Works So You Can Leave the House Without Leaving Sanity Behind
Apryl Bradford, M.Ed.
Beyond the Elf: Simple Holiday Traditions That Kids Remember (and You Can Actually Keep)
Shannon Bennett
Less Stuff, More Story:
The Secret to Meaningful Toy Gifting
Katy Mann
A Guide to Baby Gifts That Are the Talk of the Playground So You Don’t End Up Gifting Another Forgettable Rattle
Stewart Gold
Parenting, Play and Holiday Mindset
Prep Your Playroom Before the Toy Avalanche So You Don’t Dread the Day After Christmas
Charlene DeLoach
How to Deal with Toy Crash After the Holidays So the Joy Lasts Longer Than the Wrapping Paper
Nicole McDonough
Peace Over Perfect: How to Enjoy the Holidays (and Let Go of the Guilt)
Cindi Frechette
Game On: How Play Turns Family Time Into Real Connection Because Your Kids Won’t Remember the Gift, Just the Giggles
Jessica Zwaiman Lerner
End the Screen Time Battles So Play Becomes the Reward, Not the Argument
Jessica Jo Stenquist
Keeping the Peace (and the Floor Clear): How to Talk Toy Limits with Family
Cameron Normand
Jingle Bells, Not Bills So You Can Have a Magical Holiday Without the Credit Card Hangover
Kristin Ingram CPA, MSAT
How to Have Photos, Presents & Presence for The Holidays
Jessica McDaniel
When Toys Meet Taste: The Parent’s Guide to a Home That Works and Plays Well
Kim Huffaker
Stop Hiding from the Camera So Your Kids See You in the Memories, Not Missing from Them
Erin Blackwell
Insider Toy Secrets: What Reviewers Know That Shoppers Don’t
Sheena Stephens & Rachel Griffin
Guide to Toy Reselling When You Have Too Many Toys So You Can Turn Overflow into Opportunity
Becky Beach
Meet the Summit Speakers
Apryl Bradford, M.Ed.
ADHD-Friendly Parenting Strategist
From Road Trips to Red-Eyes:
The Travel System That Works for Real Kids
Holiday travel doesn't have to mean meltdowns and chaos. Get a plug-and-play travel kit you can pack in 20 minutes, complete with rotation strategies and sensory supports that work for all kids, whether they have ADHD, are highly sensitive, get bored easily, or just need extra support during long journeys.
Kim Huffaker
Quick Transformation & Holiday Decor Expert
Holly Jolly Front Porch:
Transform Your Curb Appeal in Under an Hour
Stop spending hundreds on new holiday decor every year. Learn the Christmas to the CPR method to revive tired decorations, discover which items you already own create the biggest outdoor impact, and transform your front porch into a festive showstopper without touching your Christmas budget.
Jessica McDaniel
20+ Year Family Photographer
Capture the Magic:
Turn Holiday Chaos into Memories You'll Actually Find
Your phone has 10,000 photos but you can't find the good ones when you need them. Learn how to capture meaningful holiday moments throughout the season, create photo gifts people treasure (not toss), and organize memories so they don't disappear into your camera roll's black hole.
Brittany Long
Award-Winning Educator & AI Training Expert
Your AI Holiday Assistant:
Finish Your To-Do List in Minutes, Not Hours
Stop being the only one tracking gifts, schedules, events, and every single detail. Learn how to use free AI tools as your personal assistant to organize the entire holiday season, so you can actually enjoy it instead of managing it. Walk away with plug-and-play prompts you can use to lighten your mental load and reclaim your time.
Jessica Jo Stenquist
Therapeutic Coach with
nearly 20 Years of Experience
Unwrapping Connection:
End the Screen Battles This Holiday Season
Create a family holiday plan that swaps tech time for real connection, without becoming the bad guy. Get transition tricks that actually work, low-prep activities kids love, and simple tools that reduce battles so you can enjoy the season instead of refereeing it.
Maria Bailey
CEO of BSM Media & MomSelect, Author of "Marketing to Moms" & "Trillion Dollar Moms"
the Mom Economy:
What Marketers Know About Your Wallet
Discover how billion-dollar brands study and target mom buyers, what influences your purchasing decisions more than you realize, and how to make smarter choices for your family when everyone's competing for your attention and your money.
Shannon Bennett
Founder of Creative Crayons Workshop
As Seen on The View, Good Morning America
Hues in Hand:
Make Crayons & Art Kids Will Actually Be Excited to Receive
Turn coloring into the most memorable gift under the tree. Learn how to create custom-shaped crayons that spark creativity & discover how coloring tablecloths transforms your holiday table into interactive entertainment while creating beautiful decor.
Kristin Ingram, CPA, MSAT
Former College Professor
Founder of Bookkeeper Training School
Jingle Bells, Not Bills:
Enjoy the Holidays Without January Regret
Already dreading your January statement? Learn how to create a realistic holiday budget with the paychecks you actually have, use creative experience gifts you can pay for later, and start the new year debt-free for once.
Erin Blackwell
Internationally Award-Winning Portrait
& Branding Photographer
Stop Hiding from the Camera:
Look Amazing in Every Holiday Photo
You deserve to exist in your family's holiday memories. Learn six simple steps to look and feel confident in any photo, understand why camera distortion has been lying to you, and finally get in the picture without cringing.
Cindi Frechette
Therapist & Mindset Coach
with 17+ Years of Experience
The Unknow Method:
Break Free from Holiday Overwhelm
Release the old holiday patterns keeping you stuck in clutter, overspending, and burnout. Walk away with a values roadmap to help make intentional choices this season, so you can finally create holidays that feel meaningful, not mandatory.
Debbie Zelasny
Author, Blogger and
Former School Teacher
Crazy for Collectibles:
The Guide to Blind Boxes & Rare Finds
Navigate the confusing world of collectibles without wasting money on duds. Discover which blind boxes and limited editions are worth the hype, which age groups obsess over what, and how to gift collectibles that won't end up in the donation bin.
Maddie Michalik
Award Winning Toy Industry Reporter
10+ Years of Insider Experience
Toy Trends 2025 & Beyond:
What's Hot aNd What's Next In TOYS
Get the inside scoop from a toy industry insider on what's trending right now, what's coming in 2026, and how to separate genuine innovation from marketing hype, so you can shop smarter and give gifts kids will actually play with.
Stewart Gold
Shark Tank Founder &
Patented Toy Creator
Twas the Month Before Gifting:
A Shark Tank Founder's Guide to Gifts That Don't S*ck
Learn how to choose story-driven, laugh-inducing presents that parents actually use and remember from the Dad whose patented baby toy was featured on Season 15 of Shark Tank. The kind that spark "where did you find this?" reactions at every playdate.
Katy Mann
Indianapolis' "Family Fun Expert," Author & On-Air Personality, Founder of Indy with Kids
Beyond the Toy Box:
How to Gift Experiences
The magic doesn't end when the wrapping paper hits the floor. Learn how to pair toys with real-world adventures—park days, family trips, creative outings—that extend play beyond Christmas morning and create connection that lasts all year.
Indy With Kids
Cameron Normand
Nationally Recognized Stepfamily Expert
& Podcast Host
Surviving the Holidays:
When Family Gets Complicated
Two households, demanding in-laws, divorced parents, or blended family dynamics, holiday gatherings can feel overwhelming. Get practical strategies for managing expectations, setting boundaries, and creating traditions that work for your unique family situation.
Becky Beach
Featured in Parents & Women's World,
Founder of MomBeach.com
Turn Mom Expertise into Income:
Start a Business That Fits Your Real Life
You already have marketable skills! You just don't know it yet. Discover how to identify your expertise, launch a profitable home business that works around your kids' schedules, gives you family more income, and finally have something that's just yours.
Mom Beach
Nicole McDonough
Executive Coach for Leaders
HOT FOR THE HOLIDAYS:
Why You Just Yelled at Your Kid
Over a Candy Cane
There's a moment right before you snap—when the pressure becomes too much and you lose it on your kids over something that doesn't really matter. Learn how to recognize that moment before it happens, understand what's actually triggering you (hint: it's not the glitter everywhere), and respond differently so you don't end the day feeling like a terrible parent during what's supposed to be the most wonderful time of year.
Nicole McDonough Coaching
Pending
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Session
Stay tuned
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Picture This...
It's December 24th.
You've scrolled through 47 gift guides.
Your Amazon cart looks like you robbed Santa's workshop.
Credit cards are maxed but hey - those holiday smiles will be priceless, right?
Now it's January 15th.
The credit card bill just arrived.
Your kids are playing with exactly three toys (out of 23).
Those "must-have" toys? Already forgotten.
You're more exhausted now than in December.
And you just realized you are not in a single holiday photo.
You swear next year will be different.
That's exactly what the HoliPlay Summit delivers.
About Your SUMMIT HOST
Charlene DeLoach
MEET YOUR HOLIDAY HELPER
As a toy industry professional and parent coach, I've spent years bridging the gap between what toy companies create and what families actually need. My unique position means I speak fluent "toy brand" AND "overwhelmed parent."
I love helping parents cut through the marketing noise to make smart toy decisions, and as a result, I've consulted with major toy brands, coached hundreds of parents on playroom systems that actually work, and developed strategies for managing toy overwhelm!
After watching too many parents stress through another holiday season - buying too much, spending too much, and enjoying too little - I created this summit to bring both sides together.
Because you deserve insider knowledge AND practical parenting solutions.
Charlene Has Been Seen On...
See my Boston, MA segment on Summer Toys for Fall Fun!
THIS FREE SUMMIT
is perfect for:
Anyone buried under an avalanche of gift guides
Anyone sledding downhill financially and ready to put on the brakes
Parents who want play that lasts past the first snowfall
Anyone weathering storms of screens, budgets, and family dynamics
Parents ready to come in from the cold and enjoy the warmth of the season
HoliPlay Summit
When & Where
Nov. 5-7th
Online | 10 AM ET - 4:00 PM ET
This three-day summit delivers the play insights, perspective shifts, and prep tools to help you finally enjoy the holidays (instead of just surviving them). Show up live or watch the video recordings for 24 hours.
YOU'LL GET:
20+ Expert Sessions
Virtual Goody Bag
Private Facebook Community
Replay Access for 24 hours
Play
Toys &Trends
Nov. 5
IN THE SUMMIT
The Insider's Playbook for Toys
You're spending hundreds on toys that end up ignored by next week, drowning in plastic clutter, and wondering why nothing you buy seems to hold your kid's attention. You're overwhelmed by options, sucked in by marketing, and have no idea what's actually worth your money. Get the insider knowledge toy industry professionals use to separate winners from landfill. Hear from Shark Tank founders, toy insiders, and experts who reveal what's truly trending versus what's just hype. Stop wasting money and start shopping with confidence.
YOU'LL GET:
The insider knowledge to spot which toys are worth your money and which will be forgotten by New Year's
Smart gifting strategies that match your child's interests and actually get used—not tossed in the donation bin
A system for extending play beyond Christmas morning so gifts create lasting value instead of one-day excitement
Perspective
Mom Mindset
Nov. 6
IN THE SUMMIT
Screens, Guilt and Getting Real
Between screen battles, complicated family dynamics, tight budgets, and everyone's opinions on how you "should" parent, the holidays feel more stressful than magical. You're juggling in-laws, managing meltdowns, stretching dollars, and questioning every decision while carrying the mental load of making it all "perfect." Get honest, shame-free strategies from experts who understand your reality. Learn how to set boundaries, stick to a budget that won't haunt you in January, and reduce battles without losing your sanity.
YOU'LL GET:
A family plan that transitions kids from screens to connection—without constant fighting or feeling like the bad guy
Boundary-setting strategies for complicated family situations that protect your sanity and your values
A realistic holiday budget and spending plan that lets you enjoy the season without January credit card panic
Productivity
Hacks & Help
Nov. 7
IN THE SUMMIT
Prep Like a Pro, Play Like a Kid
You're so busy managing everyone else's holiday that you're disappearing from your own. Drowning in to-do lists, hiding from photos, overwhelmed by mess, and wondering when you stopped having time for anything that's actually yours. Learn how to reclaim your time, image, and sanity. Discover AI tools that finish your to-do list in minutes, get confident enough to finally get in family photos, and create systems that lighten your load instead of adding to it.
YOU'LL GET:
Time-saving tools that cut your holiday task list from hours to minutes
Photo tips and tricks for those PJ holiday cards
Practical shortcuts for creating festive spaces, staying organized, and even turning your expertise into income
Upgrade
Be A
VIP
All Play Pass
IN THE SUMMIT
All Play Pass to the Toy Wonderland
Ready to take your summit experience up a notch? Upgrade to the All Play Pass and get the keys to the whole toy box, like bonus content, exclusive resources, and holiday access to every expert moment. It’s the easiest way to make sure you don’t miss a single tip, trick, or holiday hack (even if life gets busy).
YOU'LL GET:
Holiday access to summit recordings and bonus materials
Exclusive expert goodies
Printable guides, checklists, and surprise perks just for you!
The Bottom Line Is...
You can keep drowning in gift guides, spending more than you need to, and hoping this year will somehow be different. OR you can get real strategies from the people who actually know toys and the experts who actually understand family chaos.
Playfully Yours,
Charlene
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