It is a given that every year there will be holiday toys that are must-haves for children and adults alike. A decade ago you couldn’t find a Tickle Me Elmo doll in December if your life depended on it. Last year, if your Wii was not purchased by late November you were either out of luck or forced to pay twice the retail value on eBay, or other like sites, if you wanted to have one under your tree.
Wouldn’t it be easier if you could just predict the “it” toy and purchase it well in advance of the Christmas craze? Actually, you may be able to do just that. Choosing the it toy is not random, it’s not difficult and it can save much time, expense and heartache in the process.
Know which children’s movies are scheduled to be released this fall and early winter. Read the papers and follow which movies are sure to be hot this holiday season; and compare this to the companies running ads for toys that result from these movies. One that’s sure to be a smash is “Where the Wild Things Are”. If your child is a fan, these toys could very well be the sleeper of the season as they have universal appeal and decades of faithful book followers. Look for action figures and video games to be early sell-outs.
Watch two hours of children’s television and list the ads. Whichever company is advertising the most wins. Kids are just little versions of us, and we want what is put in front of us over and over. How do you think Coke and Pepsi stay so popular? Advertisers pay billions of dollars each year to inundate our children with the next big thing . . . all with the purpose of creating the next big thing . . . so pay heed. Follow the advertising dollars; it works.
Early leads on this year’s ads lean towards a new Dora the Explorer Doll girls can plug into a personal computer; Transformers Devastators – they are bigger and better than the originals and are advertised far more than most toys; Nerf CS-35 – it is cool and affordable and again are all over the television; Lego Star Wars – regular and Clone Wars – the television series Clone Wars is one long ad and kids love Legos; and the Barbie Pink World Glamour Camper – the one with the five dolls at Costco is over five dollars more than just the camper is at retailers like Wal-Mart and Target and will probably be out of stock by Thanksgiving. Barbie has a new television channel on satellite and if you have a Barbie girl – this will indeed be the highlight of her holiday season.
Don’t overlook the obvious. Listen to your children talk to their friends. Eavesdrop at soccer games, on the playground, at birthday parties, play dates and any other time two or more kids are together. Take their lead. They know what they want.
This year, in this economy, look to lower priced “cool” options as they will likely sell out quick. Who doesn’t want to buy the gift of the day and not spend a lot of money? Parents are likely to flock to toys such as Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters. They‘re all over television, interactive, cute and cost effective enough for parents to create their own hype. Yes, parents create hype. Would Tickle Me Elmo have been so popular if we first generation Sesame Streeters were not purchasing for our children . . . think about it . . . like it or not, we contribute to the frenzy even if we don’t man to. At $10.99 each – they look to be winners.
Most importantly, don’t procrastinate. Do your research and shop early. Discounts are likely to be early and often this season . . . but don’t wait so long to get that perfect toy just to save a few bucks only to have to buy it on eBay for more than its worth.
