Toy Retailers Association – Dream Toys 2008

The Toy Retailers Association (TRA) has today announced its annual ‘Dream Toys’ list, the only official prediction of Christmas bestsellers.  Based on 50 years’ experience as the voice of toy retailers, the TRA produces its lists taking into account what consumers are requesting, what excites children and the latest trends in new products.

There is a definite trend towards music, film and TV inspired toys for the fame cravings of the next generation of rockstars and screen heroes. However there are also plenty of old favourites also making a comeback this year, reflecting the nation’s love for nostalgic characters and brands.

This year’s Dream Dozen, in alphabetical order:

BABY born® with Magic Potty, Zapf Creation® (RRP £33.99)
Bakugan^TM Starter Pack, Spinmaster (RRP £12.99)
Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix, Bandai (RRP £15.99)
Catcha Beast, Bandai (RRP £19.99)
Cupcake Maker, Character Options (RRP £29.99)
Elmo Live, Mattel (RRP £59.99)
FurReal Biscuit, My Lovin’ Pup, Hasbro (RRP £149.99)
High School Musical 3 Musical Dance Mat, Vivid Imaginations (RRP £22.99)
In The Night Garden Upsy Daisy and Her Chase and Play Bed, Hasbro (RRP £34.99)
My Life, Flair Leisure Products (RRP £49.99)
Rescue Pals Swim To Me Puppy, MGA Entertainment Ltd (RRP £29.99)
Star Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer, Hasbro (RRP £29.99)

Top Toys for Christmas 2008 prediction from Toys R Us

Toys R Us has just announced its top toy predictions for Christmas with High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Ben 10, In The Night Garden and Nintendo Wii expected to be topping Christmas wish lists this year.

This year’s top Christmas toys see many traditional toys in the list with High School Musical, Hannah Montana and Baby Chou Chou My First Tooth doll all expected to be high on every girl’s wish list. For boys it’s Ben 10 and his Omnitrix watch, classic Doctor Who Figures, Star Wars Clone Wars, Lego and the latest craze Bakugan Battle Warriors.

For the younger ones, In The Night Garden Upsy Daisy and her bed is joined by the ever popular Dance with me Teletubbies.

Technology toys and gadgets will be important this year with Biscuit – The Interactive Pup, Silverlit Picoo-z helicopter and two handheld games, Catch-a-beast and My Meebas in high demand.

This year’s top board game will be the Latest Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition, allowing you to travel to the cities across the globe.

Video Games and consoles will be key with Nintendo DS Lite and Wii in hot demand with an exciting range of games for all the family.

The Asus Eee PC has revolutionised portable PC usage and promises to be a massive hit this Christmas. The super light compact laptops are available from under GBP170 with pre-installed full Windows XP or the intuitive Linux Operations System.

Bikes will again be in high demand, along with trikes, go-karts and battery powered vehicles.
Here is the full list of Top Toys for Christmas 2008

- High School Musical Dance Mat

- Hannah Montana Tour Bus

- Baby Annabel Doll

- Ben 10 Action Figures

- Ben 10 Omnitrix Watch

- In the Night Garden Upsy Daisy and her Bed

- Dance with me Teletubby

- Lego

- Star Wars Clone Wars

- Dr Who Classic Figures

- Bakugan Battle Brawlers

- My Meebas

- Catcha Beast

- Fur Real Biscuit

- Silverlit Picoo-Z Helicopter

- Nintendo Wii & Nintendo DS

- Monopoly Here and Now; the World Edition

- Baby Chou Chou My First Tooth Doll

- LeapFrog Tag

- LeapFrog Musical Fold Up Trike

- Asus Eec PC 7″ Laptop

- Nintendo Wii and DS Lite

Early Learning Centre – Free Toys with Star Buy Range for Christmas 2008

Early Learning Centre has announced that it will have 450 new toys on offer for Christmas 2008, resulting in a total of 1500 toys for kids to choose from this festive period.

This year the Early Learning Centre is offering a free toy with any purchase of products in the star buys range.

This year also sees the launch of the Brilliant Start range, designed specifically for babies. This new range of innovative toys is designed in black and white with bold contrasting colours and graphics to captivate babies. Toys such as the Brilliant Start Activity Table help to encourage babies’ visual development and boost their strength and co-ordination.

The Classic range from the Early Learning Centre, featuring toys made out of wood, tin and fabric, continues to be a best seller with traditional toys such as the Tin Spinning Top, and the Rocking Horse adding a touch of nostalgia to Christmas.

A number of Christmas toys are also on offer to encourage children to use their imagination and creativity including the Snow Queen Palace, featuring towers and balconies. Along with the Magical Figure Set, this is a Christmas must have for imaginative children.

In a similar vein, Early Learning Centre’s Christmas gifts also include the Castle of Courage, an impressive dolls house featuring four towers, turrets, battlements, flagpoles and a working drawbridge, as well as the Jousting Set and the Stomping Battle Rhino, both ideal accompaniments to the Castle.

Early Learning Centre has literally hundred more toys on offer this Christmas all available in store or online, with parents being encouraged to look to the star buys for great value for money and free gifts.

Christmas Toy Tips – How to Buy Christmas Presents without Breaking the Bank

Consumer worried about over spending this Christmas, Hawkin’s Bazaar, the toy shop which has been providing novelty gifts, gadgets and all things tomfoolery for over 30 Christmases, have come up with 10 Top Tips on buying Christmas gifts without breaking the bank.

• Plan your Christmas shopping as far as in advance as possible so you can hit the New Year, spring and summer sales…and stick to your budget for each person.

• Look for fun novelty items – they don’t have to be expensive and are memorable – as well as talking points.

• Create a hamper of gifts which you can fill with lots of smaller gifts, novelty items. Fill the hamper with silver or gold sprayed cones and leaves so they can rummage through and find the presents.

• ‘Glam-Wrap’ your presents, says Kate Morfoot from Jungle PR. Create a sensation around the wrapping rather than what’s inside! Seek out your nearest florist for Perspex wrapping, bows and fill with glitter / table confetti – for the ultimate glam wrap present.

• Have a Secret Santa family Christmas – each person only buys one gift for the other family member. A budget can be set, under a tenner or under a fiver. This way excitement is also created – who can find the most fun or inspiring gift on a budget!

• Check out price matching and ensure when you buy online you are getting the best price possible. Buying online, will also save you travel and you will avoid the queues.

• Create a List of IOU’s for your family and partner…I will IOU washing up or a lift to and from a party.

Gemma Morgan, Head of Purchasing at Hawkin’s Bazaar (www.hawkin.com) said: “The trends this Christmas are traditional and retro toys.”

With 300 new gifts on sale in time for Christmas and a staggering 800 items – nearly half of which you can buy for less than a fiver, you will not be disappointed with the ingenious gift ideas you will find at Hawkin’s Bazaar.

For those who want to be inspired and buy unusual, quirky and fun gifts for friends and family this Christmas, Hawkin’s is the perfect place to head for.

Check out the new store and enjoy the brand new range of toys and tomfoolery on sale from the Silly Monster Puppets and the new Air Guitar, to the exciting Christmas stockings brimming with an amazing array of stocking fillers to impress even the most difficult person to buy for!