Classic Toys Make The Best Christmas Gift Ideas
Although the Zhu Zhu Pets were only launched in August of this year, they have become a runaway success already. Children across the country have just gone nuts for the cute little robotic hamsters that incorporate artificial intelligence which allows them to interact with their environment, other Zhu Zhu hamsters and the children who are playing with them.
Besides the fact that these robot hamsters are small, cute and furry, kids just love the interactivity. The five hamsters – Mr. Squiggles, Chunk, Pipsqueak, Patches and Num Nums – have a total of 40 different sounds which they emit when given the appropriate cue. For example, when they enter into the bathroom of their hamster habitat, they produce tooth brushing sounds. If they enter their hamster bedroom then they produce snoring noises.
Unfortunately, lots of retailers have quite deliberately set stock levels of toys in general at relatively low volumes this year. This is due in part to the present economic climate and partly due to the fact that stock levels were excessively high last year. A lot of retailers had to offer large discounts in order to clear their shelves.
It’s easy to understand the reasoning behind the decision – but considering upon the evidence up to now, the retailers may have misread the mood of consumers. Popular toys like the Zhu Zhu pets and Mattel’s Mindflex game are flying off the shelves. Demand is much higher than supply and it’s becoming hard to find these toys in the stores. This is only going to get worse in the run up to Xmas.
Having seen their mistake, many retailers are now arranging new stock. However, most toys are manufactured in the Far East today. That means that delivery will include a sea voyage of four weeks or so. Arranging new stocks before Christmas could prove difficult.
As a result of the disparity between supply and demand, it is now possible to find Zhu Zhu hamsters on eBay for more than $ 150. That’s way higher than the normal ticket price – and these prices could rise higher still as we get closer to Xmas. It does seem like an excessive price to pay for a kid’s toy which, although it is the latest fad, is quite likely to be out of fashion in just a few short months.
If you don’t want to pay an excessive price for the latest trend, then you could always choose more traditional gifts this year. Classic traditional toys such as Lego, Scrabble, Monopoly and Hornby Dublo train sets are classics for a reason. They are always a welcome addition to any kid’s toy box and they will most likely still be in use and giving pleasure long after this year’s fad is a distant memory.
Reasons You Should Go For Traditional Xmas Presents
Christmas may come only once a year – but when it arrives, it is a very important period for retailers. It can make all the difference between a good year and a bad year. So it’s unsurprising that so much effort goes into forecasting what the best selling items will be every year.
It’s especially critical in the toys and games market. Every year there seems to be one special toy that is the “must have” toy of the year. In no particular order we have witnessed Buzz Lightyear, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tickle-Me-Elmo, Beyblades, Cabbage Patch Kids and Furbies take the “top toy” title in previous years.
Usually most of these toys will enjoy one year at the top of the list. Whilst the majority of these toys are still available today, they aren’t going to be number one this Xmas. Many of them won’t even make it into the top fifty.
However, there are some evergreen favorites which are always popular choices year after year and have survived the test of time across generations of youngsters. Some well known examples, again in no particular order, might be Lego, Monopoly, Scrabble, Cluedo, Barbie, G.I. Joe and train sets. Admittedly, it’s improbable that any of these will be the best selling this year – but they will appear in the best selling twenty or thirty toys year after year.
Considering the current volume of sales, this year’s top toy looks like being Zhu Zhu Pets – cute, robot hamsters which interact using artificial intelligence. However, as in previous years, demand seems to be outstripping supply. It’s already difficult to locate them in the shops. You can however, see them on eBay – at prices way over the official price. This appears to happen every year and toy suppliers have been accused of artificially limiting supply to create a sense of urgency on more than one occasion in the past.
This really isn’t unusual. Whether or not it’s a deliberate strategy by the manufacturers is open to debate, but it has almost become an annual event these days. Many times, no more than a few weeks after Christmas, last year’s expensive hot toy will become yesterday’s news. The more traditional toys on the other hand, will still be used and enjoyed for a long time to come. Many of these toys will actually be handed from one generation to the next. That’s why toys such as Hornby Dublo train sets, Lego, Scrabble etc. are such fantastic value for money and are always a welcome addition to any child’s toy box.