This new toy released by the company is an interactive one that is sure to prove popular with children everywhere. The product is also known as Xia Xia Crabs as all of the animals in this series are different crabs.

The name of the toy comes from Chinese and Xia Xia is actually pronounced Sha Sha, which when translated from Chinese to English means ‘thank you’. It can also be the name of the girl and the name has the meaning, ‘sunrise glow.’

Currently there is only one species of crap that is available in the toy range and this is the hermit crab. On sale now are different types of hermit crabs, these are, Bemini, Turks, Trinidad, and Tobago.

Each of the crabs is designed to be unique and this goes beyond just having different colours. The body shape of each crab is very different and the shells especially has a very different design on each crab. As interactive toys they also have different personalities.

For example, the Turks crab is pink and has a sparkling shell, and the accessories that come with it are very girly. The Tobago crab is blue and has an amusing face and a strong shape, it is clearly designed to look quite funny. In the range there are currently two male and two female crabs and children are sure to love them all.

As well as the crabs themselves it is also possible to buy additional shells and these can be swapped out for the shells currently on the crabs. These additional shells come in a great range of colours and shapes and kids will have a great time being creative with their crabs. Inside each additional shell there is a very small Xia Xia friend so children will be pleasantly surprised when they open a new shell.

There are currently three different types of playset that exist in the Xia Xia world and these include, the Copacabana Playset, The Confetti Cottage Playset and the Rio de Trio Village Playset. This new addition to the collection are expected to be a big hit and this new release has been timed for parents to be able to buy them for Christmas.

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If the Christmas lists from the Shopzilla poll are anything to go by the pile under trees this year will consist of all things that the parents have as also making the list of top wants are electronic pets, tablets and games consoles. Children are expecting their parents to spend an average of £167 on them, which the youngest don’t realise isn’t enough to cover some of the costlier toys.

More than half estimate that their gifts will cost less than £150 in total. The gap between the genders seems to start at an early age, according to this survey at least. While boys aged 6-12 expect an average of £183 to be spent on them by their parents, the girls of the same age are only expecting £155 to be spent, which is 18% less.An interesting part of the Shopzilla survey reveals that toys from the film Cars 2 are as popular with girls as they are with boys, and they came in at number 5 on both lists.

Kids want to be just like their parents with ‘grown-up’ items such as digital cameras, laptops, iPads and smart phones making the top ten. 14% of the children surveyed no longer play with or use last year’s top gift any more and 12% can’t remember the best gift they received last year.

Neil McCarthy, Sales and Marketing Director at Shopzilla said: “The sheer newness of a must-have item is what attracts many of these young shoppers. It’s not just about getting the right item, it often has to be a certain colour and a particular model. Retailers who anticipate these trends and are able to meet demand will be able to tap into the tech-savvy young market.”

Top 10 most-wanted GIRLS’ toys and gifts:

1. Laptop/tablet
2. Digital camera
3. Nintendo 3DS
4. Electronic Pet
5. Cars 2 Toy
6. A real pet (not a toy)
7. Mobile phone/smartphone
8. Games for a computer console
9. Lego
10. Games Console

Top 10 most-wanted BOYS’ toys and gifts:

1. Laptop/tablet
2. Electronic Pet
3. Nintendo 3DS
4. Digital camera
5. Cars 2 Toy
6. Games for a computer console
7. Lego
8. Mobile phone/smartphone
9. Games Console
10. Moshi Monsters

www.shopzillasolutions.co.uk

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Interestingly, some of the top sellers this year are the 2010 version of toys and games that were top sellers a generation ago.  The Toy Story 3 product, Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear, was number one by Moneysupermarket.com’s reckoning, but Monopoly, the board game from long ago, is in the running for first place on other lists.  Granted, the board is now round, paper money has been replaced with an electronic debit card, and property values have been adjusted to London’s current real estate market, but the basic game is the same.

Gary Grant, Chairman of TRA, said that the technological advancement is amazing, and it is “refreshing” to see that the toy industry is keeping pace with today’s high-tech mode to “keep classic toys in the hearts of children everywhere.”

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Toys R Us also picks Singamajigs as a potential favourite for the holidays. They come packaged individually or in sets. You can buy one Singamajig or packs of six or eight Singamajigs. They come in a colourful range and are endearing musical toys for young children, but they are even finding a niche in the adult market.

The best way to describe Singamajigs is as Teddy Bear-like stuffed animals wearing 1970s retro tee shirts. Squeezing their bellies will cause them to open their mouths and reveal tiny white teeth and little tongues. Individually, they make a somewhat unmelodic musical sound.

It is when you get your Singamajigs to perform together that they shine. Through some sort of musical symmetry they perform a lovely harmonic musical accompaniment to one another that would never be apparent in their individual song.

It is this enhanced group performance that is at the heart of the Singamajigs appeal.

Squeezing their left paw or hand will change modes from random songs to apparently preset ones. They might just be posing with their hands held up and eyes bright and wide, but it seems just as if they are surprised at the choral harmony they can produce with a little prompting.

Adults seem to have as much fun interacting with Singamajigs as children and many are investing in them as collectors’ items. However, this is one toy that you must play with to really enjoy.

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However, while the potential doll competition in the toy market has been the subject of much debate over the past few weeks, it is really only a sideshow when placed in context of the entire UK toy industry making up only about 6% of all toy sales this year.

Instead, there are bigger issues in mind for the toy industry as the focus has shifted onto what the pre-schoolers really want this year.

Chairman of the British Association of Toy Retailers, Gary Grant, stated that when he first entered the toy market the age bracket was from birth up to 14 years, but now the toy market is generally defined as birth up to age eight.

In fact, toy sales to children three and younger last year made up a total of £574m in sales last year as the market for those between the ages of 8 and 14 has shifted to trainers, DVDs, and other technological wonders.

Although most people feel guilty of the fact that they spend an average of £175 on their children each year at Christmas, the toy industry has taken note and has continued to produce instantly addicting and high profile toys to continue to snag young children and entice their parents back their way.

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Retailers are already preparing their shelves for ZingZilla toys to be the must have Christmas toys this year after the BBC kiddie program captured a cult audience among preschoolers and their parents.  It already is watched by approximately 200,000 people every day.

Already toy versions of the four main characters are in shops and are on their way to becoming the dominate toy by Christmas according to insiders of the toy industry.

The ZingZillas are a band that is made up of chip Panzee, gorilla Zak, Drum the monkey, and orang tun Tang.  Every show a musical star guest appears on the show such as jazz singer Cleo Laine or cellist Julian Lloyd Webber.

The show is tailored to those under the age of six and already there are spin-offs such as liver performances and records expected to soon follow suit.

Online shops and retail shops are already getting their stock orders ready for the 12 inch toy versions of the characters with Tesco expected to be the first to debut the talking band members.

Canny shoppers will hit the stores and pick them up early because come Christmas a large rush on the toys may leave parents struggling to get the sold out ‘it’ toy of the Christmas season if analysts are correct.  Already BBC Worldwide member Neil Ross Russell stated they have been flying off the shelves.

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Since 1973, Hawkin’s Bazaar has been offering a unique and extensive range of unusual toys, gifts, gadgets and curiosities. With 45 shops across the UK and a fantastic website where you can buy the most extraordinary toys online.

Hawkin’s Bazaar is not just another toy-shop, or indeed just another mail-order company. They work hard to source out-of-the-ordinary products and to offer something different, a range of toys and gifts that will appeal to many ages and tastes.

They have now issued their forecast top Christmas sellers as follows:

10136 GUITAR ROCKSTAR £14.99
10087 PLASTICINE MORPH SET £9.99
05280 EMU £14.99
05275 STYLOPHONE £14.99
10061 REMOTE CONTROL FALCON £39.99
09813 RUBIK’S CUBE £12.99
10099 NON STOP SPINNING TOP £7.99
07802 MR POTATO HEAD £7.99
10091 VENTRILOQUIST KIT £14.99
07979 HUGE SILLY MONSTER PUPPET £24.99
10167 SPROUT CLOCKWORK CRACKERS £9.99

Here is a detailed run through each of the toys on their Christmas list.

Guitar Rockstar £14.99

Never before has there been anything to compare to the air guitar until now! ‘Guitar Rockstar’, available from Hawkin’s Bazaar, is providing wide appeal from kids to big kids like Jeremy Clarkson, who featured Hawkin’s amazing Guitar Rockstar on Top Gear!

The fret-shaped device contains eight pre-programmed rock classics, such as Queen’s ‘One Vision’ and ‘Wild Thing’ by the Troggs. When one of these is selected, a backing track plays, the guitar part is played by strumming through the invisible infrared beams and cleverly, each chord is corrected and all songs are played in tune and even better…to perfection!

Act out your rock star fantasises, play and write your own songs and impress your mates with all out talent! A 35mm output socket even allows amplifiers and speakers to be plugged in, or headphones – all at only £14.99 this new musical instrument is set to rock.

Buy Guitar Rockstar – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Plasticine Morph Set £9.99

Before Teletubbies, Fimbles and Tweenies, there was Morph and he was brilliant! Peter Lord, the creator of Morph introduces the enclosed DVD, by showing how he goes about modelling Morph in simple steps, so anyone can make their own pliable pal out of the generous blocks of Morph coloured Plasticine provided. There are also five Morph accessories such as a miniature skateboard, cricket bat and fake beard so some of the winsome character’s classic antics can be re-enacted. For inspiration the DVD also contains 15 original Morph episodes. The Plasticine never dries out so he can be endlessly modelled, shaped and re-made at a later time – in between he can live in the kit’s wood-effect box that looks much like Morph’s original home. All very charming. 22cm.

Buy Plasticine Morph Set – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Emu £14.99

Yes, the beak is back! Emu is starring in a brand new TV show with Toby, son of Rod Hull who along with his feathered friend was a regular fixture on children’s TV throughout the 70s and 80s, lived in a pink windmill and whose antics produced the most infamous edition of Parkinson’s chat show of all time. These superb hand puppets are a smaller version of the real thing, with trademark yellow beak, soft blue fur and long neck. Even the small version is large enough that most adult hands fit, whilst the head at least, of the large version must be almost full size. With simple arm and hand movements, all of Emu’s expressiveness and madcap antics can be enacted at home – prepare to see feathers fly!
Small version 75cm, large version 1m – beak to toe.

Buy Emu – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Stylophone £14.99

Anyone of a certain age will remember this iconic noise maker (or pocket electronic organ as it is promoted) from the 70s and the forerunner of personal keyboards. Packed with resistors, oscillators and diodes, it’s played by touching a stylus against a metal keyboard to make stylised electronic sounds that have inspired musicians like David Bowie, Pulp and The White Stripes. It was famously promoted by Rolf Harris at the end of the 60s and went on to sell over three million pieces. This re-launch is very close to the original with volume control, vibrating effects and now the ability to plug in to an MP3 player and play along with the songs.

Buy Stylophone – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Remote Control Falcon £39.99

Based on a peregrine falcon, this ingenious remote control toy is a true ornithopter – which means its flight relies on the thrust and lift generated purely by flapping its wings, just like a real bird – something that’s very difficult to replicate. In fact the R/C Falcon’s flight is so realistic that prototypes of the toy have been attacked by real birds of prey during testing. And it works brilliantly! The controls are easy to master. Direction and height can be managed acceptably with very little practice. When the power is reduced, it naturally swoops and glides realistically, but is persuaded to flap higher again with slight pressure on the remote. Made from ultra-light materials, it’s suitable for use indoors or out, with a range of up to 40metres and has a flight time of about ten minutes after being charged directly from the handset. During flight the eyes and head are illuminated.

Buy Remote Control Falcon – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Rubik’s Cube £12.99

Rubik’s Cube became the biggest and fastest selling cult toy of all time. Once the colours are jumbled up, twist and twirl the squares to return them to their original place. The latest online craze is to complete the fastest….Not as easy as it looks.

Buy Rubik’s Cube – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Non Stop Spinning Top £7.99

This amazing evolution of a traditional spinning top appears to defy physics and gravity. Just a quick twist gets it started and, as the spin becomes smoother, it actually speeds up. On a flat, smooth surface it will remain like this for hours (literally), as long as it remains untouched. All the time it is in motion it throws out changing patterns and colours of light – visible during the day and spectacular in the dark. We couldn’t get more information on exactly how it works – it would be nice to believe the cell batteries were just for the lights and magic did the rest. Even if that’s not true, it’s still ingenious and unlike anything we’ve seen before. This year’s ‘must have’ stocking filler!

Buy Non Stop Spinning Top – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Mr Potato Head £7.99

The return of a much loved favourite, bigger and better than ever. Mr Potato head was invented by George Learner and first released in 1952. It is believed characteristics from George’s own family inspired the accessories, with the green baseball cap and bushy moustache (still part of the kit) coming from his father. The interchangeable components allow a great variety of funny faces and portly characters to be created. Presumably a real potato could still be used, but a clean, plastic version is provided, with a secret panel in the back allowing spare bits to be safely stored. Suitable for 2 years plus – irresistible to all ages.

Buy Mr Potato Head – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Ventriloquist Kit £14.99

LEARN TO SPEAK WITHOUT MOVING YOUR LIPS (who said that?)

Not only does the kit teach the owner how to become a ventriloquist, but it provides everything needed to make the puppet. In fact, the materials allow a choice of two different puppets to be made, using papier-mache and the kit’s components. The full colour, 50 page book takes the puppet maker through the construction method as well as giving breathing exercises and speaking techniques to practice, with lots of advice for perfecting a performance.

The contents include paints, coloured felt material, glue, brushes, balloons and lots more to help bring the puppet to life. A poster to advertise the show and even twelve invitations are also provided. The whole kit is top quality – even the slide opening box is a nice touch. Box 33cm.

Buy Ventriloquist Kit – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Huge Silly Monster Puppet £14.99 and £24.99

New for this Christmas is the range of Silly Monster Puppets from Hawkin’s Bazaar. They are adorable, colourful, cute and silly! There are two to choose from, Silly Monster Puppet (£14.99) and Huge Silly Monster Puppet (£24.99) available in lime green, blue and purple.

The Huge Silly Monster Puppet comes with a detachable metal rod, giving greater potential for expression than other puppets…You can make the Monster Puppet come to life with a wide range of gestures, making him dance, shiver, chew its fingers or even hold a conversation!

Impossible to put down these Silly Monster Puppets are almost strangely human! Make them do the silliest things and get them to entertain your friends and family this Christmas!
Buy Huge Silly Monster Puppet – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

Sprout Clockwork Crackers £9.99

Love them or hate them, they always seem to end up on your dinner plate at Christmas time. However you will be more surprised to find the cute clockwork sprouts racing around your dinner table. Each cracker contains the customary snap, joke and hat, but the real delight is the racing sprout which you can race on the dinner plate track on the back o f the box! A box of six is £9.99.

Buy Sprout Clockwork Crackers – Save £5 by using CHRISTMAS08 at check out on orders over £30

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