The Salvation Army’s red kettles have been out since before Halloween, the bell ringers got to work last Friday and some guy is selling Christmas trees across the street from our church. I guess that means I should be done with my holiday shopping, right?
A year ago this week I was in desperation mode trying to track down a bunch of motorized rodents—-a.k.a. Zhu Zhu Pets-—to put under the Christmas tree for my kindergartener. This year Zhu Zhus are passe and Zoobles are all the rage.
For the blissfully unaware, Zoobles are brightly colored creatures that fold into balls and magically spring into life when attached to their magnetic stands.
Frankly, I don’t see the appeal, but then again, I’m just a mom. I’m not supposed to get it; I’m just supposed to pay for it.
What I get is that toy manufacturers are extremely savvy when it comes to getting kids to milk their parents of every penny by creating not one or two cute little toys that will fit nicely in Santa’s sack. Rather, these mega-companies are determined to line their pockets by masterminding entire worlds for the cutesy toy to live in. And, of course, what kid is going to want just the main character toy when an entire universe of plastic paraphernalia exists?
A single Zooble under the tree simply won’t cut it.
How can it when there are dozens of matching accessories, including a number of different gift packs, such as an undersea playset, a rest nest, and even a treehouse for the patterned pop-up mutations to delight your child?
Your kid not zany for Zoobles? Then, scan the following list compiled by Toys”R”Us. The store just released its “Fabulous 15,” representing the best new toys of the holiday season. If your children have access to a TV and the thousands of toy commercials airing ad nauseam this time of year, then they will likely have at least one of the following on their Christmas wish lists:
Calico Critters Luxury Townhouse
Cuponk
Disney Princess & Me dolls
“Toy Story 3” Imaginext Tri-County Landfill
Fast Lane Wild Fire RC
Imaginex Bigfoot the Monster
Leapster Explorer
Loopz
Minotaurus from LEGO
Monster High, Cleo DeNile and Deuce Gorgon doll set
NERF N-Strike Stampede ECS
Pillow Pets
Sing-a-ma-jigs
Squinkies Cupcake Surprise! Bake Shop
Tomica Hypercity Mega Station Set
According to Google, Internet searches for Hasbro’s Nerf Stampede are up more than 1,700 percent in the last 30 days.
Translation: Finding one of these toy weapons for your kid will be next to impossible in the days leading up to Christmas.
What’s on your child’s Christmas wish list?
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