A Christmas gift idea!

Although I've enjoyed our two-week trip to Western New York to survey the latest toys and the spirit of Christmas in the land, I got my biggest laugh yesterday thanks to something that often just gets thrown out.

A cardboard box.

Mrs. Claus and I attended induction ceremonies at the National Toy Hall of Fame. That's located in the Strong Museum in Rochester, N.Y.

I'd heard of both the museum and the Hall of Fame. I'd wanted to see both for a while, and our trip happily coincided with the induction ceremony.

The museum contains a delightful collection of dolls and toys, and has many exhibits aimed right at children. I recommend it.

The Hall of Fame is six years old. It already includes the likes of Barbie, Mr. Potato Head, Lincoln Logs, and the Slinky.

The induction ceremonies on Friday added the Candy Land game and the Jack-in-the-Box.

And the cardboard box!

It seems that children often have more fun playing with the boxes than the toys and gifts that came in them.

That's true. How many boxes have been turned into forts, sleds, helmets, robot costumes, and so on?

Museum officials said that boxes-as-toys have fostered learning and creativity - so cardboard boxes qualify for the Hall of Fame!

I laughed so loud at the announcement that several people looked at me.