I literally searched the world for this piece of Frozen merchandise. Because they forgot someone.
When Frozen came out way back in the Christmas holidays. I think we saw it 4, no probably 5, times. Then we managed to get a copy for home and that figure is sitting somewhere close to six million times.
When Disney got around to releasing the merchandise I headed off to the store to have a look for something to get the kids who are utterly obsessed with Elsa and Anna.
What I found made me angry.
Elsa dress – umm no.
Anna skirt – pass.
Anna and Elsa ballet slippers – urgh.
Elsa icy theme necklace – argh.
Disney princess hair clips – no, no, no.
You see, my kids LOVE Frozen, and love is an understatement here, but it seems there was one problem.
My kids are boys.
When Lego released their first female scientist recently the world rejoiced and said “yay for Lego a gender neutral toy.” Which, for starters, was all kinds of wrong as we all know they have a Lego Friends line marketed to girls that sits smack bang in the middle of the girls' toy section in every store (which, while we’re on it, my boys also happen to love).
I 100% support boys, and girls, choosing to play with whatever toy they want; whether it be pink, blue or mud-coloured and whether it sparkles and shines or resembles a pile of dirt. But limiting me to buy my 6 and 4 year old sons a necklace and ballet slippers, because it’s the only merchandise their favourite movie had released, is ridiculous.
So off I went on my way looking for any remotely gender neutral Frozen merchandise I could find.
I searched the world for it, quite literally, as I made a point of detouring to the Disney resort and Disney store on a recent adults-only trip to Hawaii. The best I found were small Frozen dolls for my six-year-old and an Olaf stuffed toy for the four-year-old. Still no clothes, I’d have been happy with a purple or pink shirt had I found one but everything was still skirts and dresses. Sigh.
Then last week I struck gold.
I ducked down to the shops on my lunch break and passed one of those random ‘pop up’ stores. You know the ones? They always have the best stuff, they are like secret Aladdin’s caves. I ran past quickly skimming the usual Frozen themed mini high-heels (do not get me started) and hair clips as I grabbed a salad for lunch.