Inventive Jewelry for Your Croc-style Shoes: Jibbitz

The first time I heard my daughter refer to jibbitz, I thought that they were talking about kibitz. Kibitz I knew as a Yiddish word which meant something along the lines of offering advice as an outsider. (Though as a non-Yiddish speaking person, I wasn't exactly sure of its definition.)

It took two or three of my daughter's repetitions of the word "jibbitz" to convince my ear that I wasn't really hearing "kibitz".

Always trying to educate me in the ways of the younger crowd, my daughter explained to me that jibbitz were a charm that fit into the holes of a Croc (or a Croc-like shoe). Still not quite understanding why you'd want to fit a charm on top of any kind of shoe, we ventured off to a nearby Hallmark store so that I could be educated in the fine art of jibbitz.

I discovered that jibbitz are, indeed, little charms that fit inside the top ventilation holes of Croc-style shoes.

Sheri Schmelzer, owner and creator of jibbitz, is a mom to three Croc-owning kids. Wanting to personalize her kid's shoes, she and her husband designed the first jibbitz, and a phenomenon was born. Starting with only a few designs, the company now has millions of jibbitz in inventory. They've also branched off into wristbands, shoe straps, and cell phone charms. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

Jibbitz are easy to install. You simply push them in and out of the hole in your Croc or Croc-like shoe. The circle of plastic on the back of the charm holds the jibbitz firmly in place.

Jibbitz come in a variety of styles and colors. They cater to holidays, such as hearts for Valentine's Day, candy corn for fall/Halloween, and Christmas trees for Christmas. Many medical professionals own at least one pair of Crocs, and they can find jibbitz in a variety of medical charms to personalize their shoe ware.

Most jibbitz cost about $2.50 each. They are as durable as the Crocs themselves, however, and seem like they will stand the test of time. Some people change their jibbitz often, with seasons, holidays, sporting events, and their moods. I prefer to purchase a few jibbitz that will stand the test of time and seasons, so I don't have to change them that often.

For budget conscious Croc owners, the cost of jibbitz can quickly exceed the cost of the Crocs themselves. There are instructions on the Internet to make your own jibbitz, but I like to stay with the official charm for now. They are durable, and add personalization and a fun element to a pair of shoes. If you're concerned about increasing costs (especially for jibbitz-loving kids), consider putting a couple of jibbitz in an Easter basket, a Christmas stocking, or attach to a birthday card. They make unique, fun gifts.