Barneys Wishes for a Green Holiday
Barneys New York mailed its holiday 2007 apparel and gift catalog featuring the environmentally-friendly theme “Have A Green Holiday.” 
The cover of the 9” x 7-1/4” book features a model wearing the 22k gold One Hundred Trees Charme ($4,000) by Linda Lee Johnson, aptly named for the 100 trees planted by the American Forests Organization for each necklace sold. The back cover gives a fun new spin to a classic holiday song with “12 Green Days of Christmas” in which “my pro-green true-love” gives things like “12 tons of tofu” and “a Prius in a pear tree.” Just inside, the book commands recipients to “Give Good Green,” providing a key to identify items throughout the catalog that either support a specific charity or are philanthropic. The luxury retailer also describes how it has joined the green revolution, beginning with its commitment to plant 25,000 trees in American forests this holiday season. Furthermore, the paper and printers used for producing the catalog are all certified to Forest Stewardship Council standards and printing was done with soybean based inks on paper using 30% post consumer waste material. Despite the eco-friendly measures, the catalog’s heavy, glossy stock has a high-end feel that is fitting for the retailer. Barneys has partnered with a number of nonprofit groups, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, the David Suzuki Foundation, and The Climate Project. The charities are not all environmentally-focused and also include groups like March of Dimes and Aid for AIDS. Items in the book include the Greencaste Organic Cotton Fulton Jeans ($230) with a portion of the proceeds going to 1% For The Planet; a Mark Davis Ring ($2,990) supporting Riverkeeper; and Suzanne Felsen Cufflinks ($895 - $975) benefitting World Wildlife Fund. Orders can be placed online.
Sidewalk Santa Appeal Arrives from Volunteers of America
National nonprofit Volunteers of America (VOA) recently mailed a Sidewalk Santa 2007 Appeal from its Greater New York Chapter. 
VOA is a Christian human services organization that ministers to people of all faiths. The #10 package announces “You believe in Santa… don’t you?” with an image of a young boy. The reverse of the package shows three young faces with the caption “They believe in Santa… We believe in you!” Inside the package, a letter from the president and CEO of the nonprofit explains the 105-year-old Sidewalk Santa program, which provides food vouchers to disadvantaged families and destitute elderly people. As part of the initiative, volunteers dressed up as Santa Claus collect donations from passersby, but according to the letter, “they can’t be on every street corner, and the contributions of caring friends like you help provide for our vital programs and services.” The organization's goal is to raise $100,000 this season "to help as many of our neighbors as possible." The enclosed reply form states “Show New York’s Children that YOU Believe in Santa!” As in previous appeals, the ask ladder is $15/$25/$35/other. Donors can pay with credit card or check.
Constructive Playthings Celebrates 54 Years
Early childhood educational toy seller Constructive Playthings recently mailed its 2007 catalog marking 54 years in business. 
On its cover, the book features a young boy beside a Christmas tree enjoying the R/C Fire Truck ($61.99). The truck sports flashing lights, emergency sounds, and working water spout and is recommended for ages five and up. Much of the 52-page book is divided into sections of related toys, including “Creativity,” “First Playthings,” and a “’Tis the Season” spread of Christmas-specific merchandise like the Magnetic Advent Calendar ($39.99). A Constructive Playthings exclusive, The E-Z Art Projector ($16.99) comes equipped with 15 reels of 210 images that youngsters can trace, combine, and customize. Art Activity Packs ($9.95) are a series of books on famous artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse, and Picasso. Each pack contains materials for creating individual art work. Other educational and creative toys include the Dance-With-Me Doll ($26.99), a child-sized dance partner that “encourages hours of practice;" Happy Feet Keyboard ($29.99), a musical mat with ten demo songs; and the exclusive Build-A-Saurus ($20.99), an easily connected dinosaur that can stand and move. Orders can be made by phone, mail, fax, or online at ConstPlay.com.
The direct mail promotions appearing in Mail Stream are tracked and written up by ParadyszMatera, a media brokerage services company, through its MarketRelevance(tm) Promotion Library. Click here to visit their site: ParadyszMatera.com.
