Searching for Dr. Seuss (stuff)

I am currently obsessed with searching for any merchandise related to Dr. Seuss for my nephew Eli’s upcoming 2nd birthday party. While stores in the US seem to have everything (from party paper plates to mini-stuffed toys of the Cat in the Hat, Horton, etc.), sadly these items do not seem to be available here in the Philippines. My search in Toy Kingdom and department stores has been futile. I’ve given up asking store attendants if they have any Dr. Seuss stuff, since the last two I asked pointed me to a doctor’s set and to a book called “Dr. Sue.” Here are some of the items we’ve found so far:

PARTY ACCESSORIES

My sister Lorie and I have been hoarding any red, white and teal striped or polka dotted wrapping paper we’ve come across to make banners and gift bags. I found these plain red and polka dotted party tissue (P42 per pack) and star shaped candy (P24 for packs of 24 packets) while doing groceries at Shoppersville Katipunan.

BOOKS

My sister already has a pretty good collection of Dr. Seuss books which Eli loves to read. Most of these are secondhand books from various Booksales. I’ve added a few books to his collection including “Oh, the thinks you can think!” (P20 from a book sale in Virac, Catanduanes!), “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish” (P120) and Mr. Brown can Moo! Can You? (P45) both from Booksale in Greenhills. A lot of the rare Dr. Seuss titles in good condition are available at a bookstore at the UP Shopping Center though they’re more expensive there. We’ll be using some of the books as table centerpieces.

THING 1 SHIRT

During a trip last summer to Naga, Bicol, my sister and parents found a Thing 1 shirt (an item from Universal Studios) at an Ukay-Ukay near the bus terminal! A great find for only P80.00! There wasn’t any Thing 2 shirt, but we’ll probably just have an iron-on transfer shirt made so my parents can come as Thing 1 and Thing 2 for Eli’s party.

GRINCH SOCKS

I’ve had these Grinch slipper socks in my closet for a while (which explains the lint). We bought this for P100 at a Christmas bazaar in Greenhills when the Grinch movie first  came out. I can’t find similar ones there anymore. I’m not sure yet how to use this in the party.

FOX IN SOCKS FLOOR PUZZLE

I found this Fox in Socks floor puzzle at National Bookstore Best Sellers at the Podium (on sale for P380 marked down from P475) while browsing. I’ve also seen floor puzzles of “The Grinch” and “Oh, the Places you’ll Go” selling at other National Book stores for P475 (toy section). We’ll be using this for one of the kid’s games.

THE WORLD OF DR. SEUSS PLASTIC THERMOS

I came across this gorgeous original Dr. Seuss thermos in the style of old school lunchboxes featuring the the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, Yertle, a Sneetch, and Horton at Sputnik, a comic book and hobby store in Cubao X. It was a bit expensive (P1,000) because it’s on consignment, but since Dr. Seuss stuff is pretty rare, I had to get it as well.

Here’s the invitation I designed for Eli’s party. My sister (who majored in Creative Writing in UP and is currently teaching there) came up with most of the text with some of my suggestions.

We’ll be customizing a lot of the decor and food ourselves (Green Eggs and Ham, Sneetch treats, etc.) but if anyone knows where I can find more Dr. Seuss toys or merchandise here in Manila, I would greatly appreciate any tips. 🙂

We kind of go overboard with themed parties. Check out Eli’s 1st Mario-themed birthday party last year.